THE Southern Presbytery met in the Free Presbyterian Church at Oban on Thursday evening, the 28th November. The chief business was the ordination and induction of the Rev. Alexander Mackay, probationer (of Strathy, Sutherlandshire), to the pastoral charge of the Oban congregation. The members of Presbytery present were Revs. Neil Cameron (Moderator) and James S. Sinclair (Clerk), ministers; with Mr. Andrew Cameron, Oban, elder. Several other ministers of the Church were expected to be present, but owing to the exceptionally stormy weather and other circumstances, they were unavoidably prevented from attending. Rev. E. Macqueen, Kames, who was expected to preach, sent a wire, expressing his great regret at inability to be present.
Rev. Neil Cameron presided and preached an appropriate sermon from Acts x. 33. Public worship being ended, the Moderator gave a brief narrative of the steps that had been taken in connection with the Call to the Rev. Alexander Mackay, and his acceptance of the same. Thereafter, he addressed the usual Questions to Mr. Mackay who satisfactorily answered them, and also signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator, then, coming down from the pulpit, did, with solemn prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, ordain the Rev. Alexander Mackay to the office of the holy ministry, and prayer having been concluded, did, also, in the name of the Presbytery, and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, admit him to the pastoral charge of the Oban congregation, wishing him all comfort and success in the Lord. The Moderator and the members of the Presbytery gave him the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Cameron, then, addressed the newly-ordained and inducted minister as to his work and responsibilities, and the spiritual sources from which he was to look for direction, strength and encouragement. Mr. Sinclair addressed the congregation, members and adherents, as to their special engagements and duties in relation to their minister and the means of grace. The ordination service was then concluded with praise and prayer. There was a large attendance, and the people, as they left the church, had an opportunity of shaking hands with Mr. Mackay at the door. The Presbytery sat thereafter for a short time, when the Call was handed to Mr. Mackay as signed by 190 members and adherents, and his name was added to the roll of the Presbytery. It is our earnest desire that the Lord may abundantly bless the ministry, newly begun, in the conversion of sinners and in the spiritual edification of His true children.