FRIDAY.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 81, 27 January 1876, Page 6

FRIDAY.

The overture from the Presbytery of^ Dunedin having been considered in reference to appointing- a; missionary for the Fijis, the following; deliverance -was. giveh:^-" That the 'Synod adopt, the . overture:, . and appoint: a minister to ivisit the Fiji Islands,* with, the view, of i making, full inquiry ; regarding 7 the; spiritual - necessities of the • Presbyterian"

settlers there; and. -the best- means of supplying; them*; and., that, he report to next. meeting, of Synod ; that the : Synod appoint My Ross,, of Riverton, for this purpose, and instruct the Mission Com-, mittee to make all necessary -arrangements to meet the expenses connected therewith j and further resolve that the question of taking united action with the Northern, Church be fully considered by trie Synod when the report of Mr Ross is received;"/" : ' - INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, The following, answers to reasons of dissent from motion anent instrumental music," were read arid handed in by the Rev, Mr Will:— Answers to Mr Bannerman and others : — 1 and 2. In declaring tho provisions of the overture to be scriptural the Synod founded its judgment upon the Old and New Testaments, as bearing upon the regulations of the. worship of the New Testament, as bearing upon, the regulations of the New Testament Church — " All Scripture is given byinspiration of God." 3. The judgment of the Synod cannot be contrary to the Confession of Faith, inasmuch .as the Confession pronounces no judgment on the subject of. instrumental . music, and declares expressly that it belongs to Synods to set down rules and dire^~[}fis for the better ordering of the pub/ie worship of God ; and further, it involves no departure - from the purity of worship, inasmuch as it permits nothing but what Scripture warrants. 4.. The decision involves no new article of faith, but merely declares, what has been always the doctrine of Scripture as-re* gulating the worship of God. Answers to Air Ryley and others l 1. The protest is based upon .the assumption that the Synod sent the overture on instrumental music to Sessions for their decision, as well as for their consideration, an assumption which is contrary to the law and practice of this Church., (See '.Proceedings, of Synod,' 17th January. 1874.) Further, that the Synod being a deliberative and representative body," was entitled to exercise its own judgment as to whether the use of instrumental music should be allowed or not. Therefore, the charges of ignoring Presbyteries and Sessions and unconstitutional proceedings in the resolution of the Synod, are without foundation. Answer to Mr King and- others! The decision complained of does not, in the opinion of this Synod, in any sense infringe upon the purity of the Church-. The Confession of Faith declares that it belongs to Synods to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God. : All the office-bearers who have signed this protest have declared that they will submit to the decision of the Synodsconcur therewith, and not endeavor-— directly or indirectly — to do anything to the prejudice or subversion thereof. These office-bearers, having done all in their power to assist, maintain) and defend the purity of worship "as they understood it, are now exonerated. William Will, Convener. He said that the " rule was that no discussion should take place on the matter. The Rev. Mr Bannerman moved, "That the overture upon instrumental music be framed into an Act and sent down to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions." The motion having been seconded, a long discussion took place concerning , it. Rev. Mr Russell moved, "As there appears to be considerable doubt in the minds of many office-bearers and others as. to whether the. adoption of an overture is equivalent to the enactment of such overture, the Synod recommend that congregations should not take any action in regard to instrumental music till the next meeting of the Synod." Rev. Mr M'Naughton seconded the amendment, which was carried. Rev, Dr Copland dissented from the motion on the following grounds; — (1) That it. is. practically a. stultifying the action of this Synod in regard to the decision anerit instrumental music. (2) Because said decision was arrived at in accordance with the regular practice of the. Church. (3) Because the attendance of the members at such meeting , of the Synod was probably, the largest which has ever been present, and the subject received their fullest consideration. (4) Because the motion dissented from, was .passed at the 'close of a very protracted . meeting of the Synod, after a large number of members had left Dunedin on the.dUtinct understanding that the whole matter of- instrumental music was settled by the Synod. DEPUTIES TO" GENERAL PRES.BYTERIAN COUNCIL. The Rev. Mr Bannerman and Mr . James Paterson wove appointed, to represent the Synod in the 'General Presbyterian? Council to /be, held IhEdin* burgh in July. next. , „7 .On the : motion of "Rev. J)r Copland, seconded by Mr .W. D^, Stewart, the Rev.-Mr Gow wasappointed Moderator of the next Synod. -7 ■■■■-■■■■ : r> On the motion of Mr W. Di Stewart, seconded by, the Rev.' Dr Stuart, j: a vote of thanks was' accoyded-tb thel _ Press t also;to the retiring Moderator for a£jy sermon^ and /to the'pfeien^ fbr his opening address. ' ' 'y'Jy* The Moderator having delivered his plosjrig address; the; iSynod adjourned until nexkyear,. , ' 7 : '"A'A A". "", "''