HAWKE’S BAY PBESBYTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3219, 16 May 1911, Page 3

HAWKE’S BAY PBESBYTERY.

RESULT OF VISITATIONS

' The final meeting of the Hawke’s J Bay Presbytery in Gisborne was held i yesterday v morning. Present: —The t Revs. W. Grant (Moderator), It. Waugh, H. T. Blair, and J. A. Asher (clerk), Messrs. McLeod, Bridge, and T. Wilson-Craig. The finding of the Presbytery in reference to the Matawhero congregation was read and adopted. Several remits from the General Assembly were read and considered.

The Presbytery then met as the Evangelistic Committee of the Presbyterian Church, and dealt with important business in connection with the evangelistic work of the church. 'Before closing the series of meetings, some happy speeches were made by local representatives, and responses given by the visitors. *

Finding of the Presbytery in the visitation of Matawhero congregation. .—“The Presbytery of Hawke’s Bay having met with the minister and of-fice-bearers of the Matawhero congrej gation, and having received answers to the questions prescribed by the church, express their thankfulness to Almighty God that, after a prolonged vacancy, the charge has been so happily settled by the induction of the Rev. H. T. Blair. They rejoice to find that both minister and office-bearers are full of heart and hope in respect to the future of the parish, and that with the good hand of God upon it, there seems to be every probability of the congregation Continuing to be a real power throughout the district. The field is wide and scattered, and. the Presbytery hope that ere long a wav may be opened to relieve Mr. Blair of the outlying stations and to place an agent there. The Presbytery place on record their appreciation of the loyalty and steadfastness of the office-bearers, and of the long and faithful service rendered by Mr. John Parker to the church, and especially to the Sunday-school. The Presbytery suggest that the office-bear-ers make a united effort to place the sustentation fund on a sure basis, and that it should be collected regularly every six months, • and also commend to their helpful interest 1 the various schemes of the General Assembly. The Presbytery confidently hope that both old and young will conspire to do their utmost to further the interest of the good cause in the parish, and venture to think that the services of the sanctuary would be greatly helped and brightened if all friends of musical ability would give willing and regular aid by joining the choirs. In conclusion, the Presbytery commend minister, office-bearers, and congregation to the care and keeping of Him who loved the church and gave Himself for it that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle and any such thing, but that it should be b’olv and without- blemish.”

Finding of the Presbytery on the Visitation of St. Andrew’s Congregation, Gisborne.—“The Presbytery having met with the minister and officebearers of St. Andrew’s congregation, and having received from them the answers to the ouesfions jrrescribed by the Church, rejoice that notwithstanding the difficulties under which Christian work is carried on in the present day, there are not lacking signs of deep spiritual life and earnest solicitude for the extension of the Redeemer’s Kingdom in its midst. “The Presbytery heartily commend the diligence of the minister of the congregation, and recognise the utter impossibility of his overtaking all the increasing demands of the work in this rapidly expanding population. With the session they recognise that an assistant is necessary. They desire especially to record the value of the work that Mr. Grant is doing in connection with his earnest visitation of the sick and afflicted, and in connection with the religious instruction that he is giving in the different schools of the town. In addition to this Gisborne occupies a strategical position, and the care of all the churches in Poverty Bay necessarily falls upon its minister, and during the past three years Mr. Grant has rendered the Presbytery signal service at Ormond, Matawhero, and Morere in bringing about the happy settlement of Mr. Walker, Mr. Blair, anti Mr. McKenzie. The Presbytery were impressed with the sterling worth of the office-bearers and with their manifest interest in the welfare of the congregation. They were delighted to find that so many of them were engaged in Sunday school and Bible class work, and in giving assistance in the Sabbath services held in the town and surrounding districts. The Presbytery recommend the session to divide the parish into districts, to be allocated to the various elders for periodical visitation. The Presbytery cordially com-', mend the liberality of the congregation, as seen in .the..steadily. increasing reyenue.. The presbytery feel the-Adtah importance -to the well-being of' our Church of Church extension and For-;, eign Mission work, "n'n.dwould suggest that an association of ladies be formed for collecting contributions towards these great schemes. In conclusion the Presbytery would commend minister, office-bearers, and the congregation to the grace of God, which is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”