PRESBYTERY OF TIMARU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2565, 7 October 1893, Page 1

PRESBYTERY OF TIMARU.

The Presbytery of Timaru met at Fairlie on Tuesday last at 11 a.m., there being present the Revs. Messrs J. White (moderator), W. Gillies, T. C. Kelly, J. Dickson, J. Clarke, and A. B. Todd, and J. Wilson (elder). The visitation of the Mackenzie County congregation was held. Mr Wilson appeared for the session, and Mr McLean for the managers, and there were also present Messrs Cowan, Milne, McLeod and Fraser.

The usual questions having been answered the Presbytery adopted a resolution expressing satisfaction at the state of things disclosed. The appeal of Mr Dickson against the decision of the Presbytery at last meeting in favor of the London School Board system of religious instruction in public schools was read, and the moderator and Mr Gillies were appointed to draw up answers to the reasons of appeal, and to support the same in the Assembly. The report of the Sabbath School examination was given by Mr White, which showed that the interest in this matter in the various schools was not very great.

It was agreed that the report be adopted and that the Presbytery express its regret that the questions drawn up by the Assembly's committee should not have been more suitable to the ages of the several divisions; hope that the Assembly will take steps to make the system more effective.

Mr Todd reported that Mr John McKenzie, student iu divinity, had gone to Edinburgh to finish hia studies, and asked for a Presbyterial certificate. The examiners appointed to report upon his discourses, recommended that they should be sustained. The Presbytery agreed to do so, and granted a certificate that Mr McKenzie has satisfied their requirements up to this date with regard to his attainment as a scholar and his character as ft Christian.

A letter was read from Mr Edwin, convener of the foreign mission committee of the Church, intimating that owing to illhealth, Mr Mansfield was obliged to retire from the mission field.—The Presbytery expressed regret at the news, aud directed ministers to bring the matter before their congregation, to see if any suitable Successor can be found.

On the report on the subject of a religious periodical being given in, it was resolved that ministers should report the number of subscribers to the committee as soon as possible, the committee to take action when they see fit.—lt was stated that 250 subscribers, wold be required in the congregations connected with the Presbytery. In the afternoon the Presbytery met in conference on the state of religion and morals, when some members of the congregation were present. A diP' CUBS i 0 n took plaoe, which was taken p art i a by members of the Pw»-- ' a „ d by Mr Ross, and a* *° M dmQ the Pres bytery i doot ". the following resolution :-« The xToßbytory, after deliberation on the various public evils proving so hurtful in ] the colony to the interests of vital godliness, earnestly presi 011 the office-bearers and Church members to consider what should be their personal attitude towards such manifest hindrances to religion as the drinkiug habits, horse-racing, gambling, Sabbath breaking impure literature, and worldliness, and by example and effort tf) do all in their power to purify society from these and suchlike evils." Jn the evening the Presbytery met with the congregation, which was well represented, the church being filled. Addresses were given by Mr Dickson on "The vital element of Christianity " ; by Mr Jloss, ou " Christianity in History " ; by Mr Kelly, ou "The Prospects of Christianity"; by Mr Gillies, on " The needs of the Christian Church in the Colony" ; and by Todd, on " The Secret of Christian Power and Usefulness." On the motion of Mr Clarke, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the various speakers. The Presbytery a>lj mrnol, to in wet in Timu-u o.i th'j 3rd J.inuiry, 139 L