GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2038, 26 April 1890, Page 3

GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

A meeting of the iimaru Presbytery was held in the Geraldine church on Wednesday evening at 3 p.m. Present The Revs. J. McKee (moderator), J, Dickson, W. Gillies, and W. White,, and Messrs Stewart, Cuthbert, and Irvine. The object of the meeting was to confer with a deputation of parishioners who were dissatisfied with previous arrangements relative to the election of a minister. The deputation consisted of eight persona who stated that they represented 50 individuals, of whom 40 were heads of families. They then went into details with regard to what had already been done, and after full discussion the deputation withdrew. The Rev. W. White, moderator for the Mackenzie County charge, reported that meetings had been held in Burke’s Pass, Pairlie Creek, and Albury, and that a large majority of ■those present were in favor of giving a call to the Rev. Mr Barclay, and therefore asked the Presbytery for a moderation to call. The Revs. White and Dickson were appointed to take the minds of the people on the subject on Sunday, the 4th of May next. The Presbytery then adjourned to 7 p.m., when Divine service was held, the rev. the moderator preaching and presiding. After service the moderator explained the steps which had already been taken, and the object of the present meeting. He then called for the nomination of candidates for the ministry of the Geraldine Presbyterian Church, with the result that the Rev. A. B. Todd, of Mcßae’s, Otago, was proposed by Mr R. Irvine, seconded by Mr Dunlop, and Rev. A. Stewart, of Woodville, North Island was proposed by Mr R. T. Fergusson and seconded by Mr A. Macdonald. A vote ot the congregation was then taken, when 62 voted for the Rev. Mr Todd, and 51 for the Rev. Mr Stewart. The moderator then appealed to the minority to unite with the majority in giving a unanimous call, after which the motion for the election of the Rev. Mr Todd was put, the voting being 68 for him and 53 against him.

Mr Fergusson asked if members who were not there that evening would have an opportunity of registering their vote" The chairman said the call would have to be signed, and an opportunity would be given them then. In reply to Mr Msnzies the chairman stated that Mr Stewart’s nomination was perfectly legal, but had not been on the last occasion.

Mr Menzies thought it was a pity under the circumstances that his name had been brought up at the previous meeting. Mr Gillies said he would like to explain how the matter now stood, as there appeared to be a good deal of confusion with regard to it in the minds of many. All that had been done by the vote just taken was simply the insertion of the name of the Rev. A, B- Todd in the call, the signature oi the members would be attached, and unless three-fifths of the whole membership upon the roll attached their signatures the Presbytery were debarred from considering it. There must be three-fifths of the whole before they could consider the question. Those in favor of Mr Todd would sign “the calls,” and those against him “ the dissent.” One gentleman present had stated he had no objection to Mr Todd, but he would like all to have an opportunity of signing two calls, but that could not be done. The nature of “ the dissent ” was that the parties signing it declined to have Mr Todd as their minister. This was a very serious consideration for the Presbytery in deciding, the matter. Signing the call and other documents was then proceeded and resulted as under:—Call—members 36; adherents 41. Dissent— members 8 ; adherents 20; marked doubtful 5, It was intimated that the documents would be open for signature at the close of the services on the three succeeding sabbaths. The clerk intimated that the Presbytery would now adjourn to meet in Timaru on the 12th of May next. The moderator then prone unced the benediction, and the proceedings terminated.