TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 68, 10 August 1914, Page 2

TARANAKI PRESBYTERY

The atyove Presbytery met at li'aweri on Thursday, August o, the Rev. Mr Pattison, moderator, presiding. The clerk reported that six out of nine Cabinet Ministers had acknowledged the Presbytery's resolution anent Jlible-in-Schools League proposal, and promised due consideration. The sanction of the Home Mission Committee having been received, the Presbytery appointed two commissioners to ordain Messrs. Stewart, of ICu];onga, and Duiilop, of Waitara, as homo missionaries. It was reported that Mr. N. J. Ravn hud been ordained as home missionary at Inglewood. It was agreed to make arrangements for the ordination of Mr. Butler, of iSormanby, as a home missionary undergoing course of training, subject to the consent of the Home Missionary Committee.

Rev*. Melvor, .Pattison and Shoro wore appointed delegate to the Assembly, and the sessions of Eltham, Waverley and Ilawera a-.--.ked to nominate art elder each. Mr C. A. Stewart reported that two Members of his coqgr<vsition at Awakino were donating a site for a church, a.ud an organ for- the same, and mtended erecting tlio church. It was agreed to express appreciation of this splendid generositv on the part of these two members, and to appoint the clerk to represent the Presbytery in fibis inatter. Leave was given to .Opunake session and to the New Plymouth -session to . take steps to forms'sr-ssio-is at Okato and Waitara respectively. Mr Hicks was appointed assessor to tlie Noimanby session, and Mr J. W. Paterson to the Kaponga one. Rev. Welsh and Mr Rr.umior were appointed a sub-committee to receive, examine and report on congregational balance-sheets. Rev. Roseveare was appointed to examine home missionaries' sermons and report to next meeting. The clerk read a lei fee from Mr Robertson, tendering his resignation of the pastorate of Eitham. Mr Murray, of Eith'am, read a resolution of the Eltham congregation, expressing their sincere regret that for health reaso is Sir Robertson had decided to take this step, and -assuring him and the Presby.tery of their appreciation of his ministry. The following resolution was carried: "That this Presbytery accepts with great regret tho resignation of Rev. F. VV. Robertson, and dissolves the pastcral tie between minister and congregation as from August 31, and in doing so, sets on record it-, appreciation of his services during his 3 l / s years' tenure." As a pastor, Mr Robertson bad worked diligently, and leaves the Eltham congregation numerically, financially and spiritually in a much better posilion tUm when he found it. As a member of Presbytery. Mr Robertson had proved himself a brother indeed, served a year as moderator, and in varii us ways taken an active part •Presbyterian business. The Presby'crv wished him God-speed. Rev. Pattison was appointed interim moderator of BHlinm session, and Rev. Mr Roseveare to supervise the Tng!'e.wood parish, which hml been under -Mr Robertson's carc.

' In til)*: course of the Assembly business, a. circular from the Assembly's committee on Protestant principles was considered, and it was agreed that in view of the indications of the need of directing the attention of our people to the essential principles of Protestantism, the Presbyterr calls upon her ministers and missionaries to review with their people the Reformation period in its history :md principles. Tllile Presbytery ad.iournvd till Thursday, October 1, at Ilawera.