PRESBYTERY OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 97, 22 April 1903, Page 2

PRESBYTERY OF TARANAKI.

(Oontributed by Rav. W. H. Philip, Presbytery Olerk.)

The Presbytery of Taranaki met at Patea 011 Thursday, 16bh April. There were present: Re?. J. E. Bertram,' M.A., (nnderator), Messrs. Osborne and Philip (ministers), Messrs Matheson, Handy and Irvine (elders). Au elder's commission was sustained in favour of Mr Thomas A. Bridge, of Manaia. Rev. H. J, Lewis was a?s:ciited. Reports on church extension were roceic-id re Eltham, Inglewood, Opunake, Whangamoraona, and Patea. The appointment of Mr Webster to the district of Inglewood, was approved of, and she Pivsbytory empiyw-r him to administer biptisai iu that district. The appoin man*; of Mr M : -rimenfc to the district of Opunako was approved of, and the Presbytery empower him to administer baptism in that dis'rict. Mr John Irviae recommended the Preabytery to place an agent in the district of Whangamomona, in early | spring.

R'jv. H. J. Lewis reported f ivourably of his work in and around P.<te\. Mr Lewis is possessed of popular gifts —his s.'rmoiis are distinguished for their literary grace, and the old evangel appears winsomely, and wi;h sweet reasonableness, His people in the district of Patea &ra to be congratulated in possessing a man of culture —a man of) ipe christian experience.

It was resolved to instruot all students a*jd Home Missionaries within bounds to sond in every quarter, a sermon, to be submitted for oriticism.

A sermon by Mr Ohapple, of Eltham, on I. Chronicles iv, 9 and 10, was laid on the table.

Ii wtis resolved that tin Moderator •.rf Prejbyf.diy co'r>apond with Mr Jamesou, evangelist re securing him for Taranak 1 , to be a week or thereby at each ebarge, if it can be 83 arranged. Tho Presbytery then dealt with the report of General Assembly on the supply of vacancies. In the evening the Presbytery resumed its sitting. Inquiry wa9 made into life and work at Paten.—Rsv. H. J. Lewis gave favourable report. M.«ssri Aicchicson acd Howitt answered the prescribed questiors.

Messrs Osborne, Bertram and Philip addressed those present in short, practical sp9echss. Rev. Pa'chett, Methodist Ohurob, was present, and spoke briefly, in a blight and interesting manner.

Refreshments w*r<a handed round in the course of the evening. The members of the Presbytery were kindly and hospi'ably received. The choir and solo singers did theif fchare if the evenings work in a creditable manner. The singing of tha Doxology and the pronouncing of the Benediction brought a pleisint evening to a clo?e. The Manse, Manaia, 18/4/03.