PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2785, 20 January 1872, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

The following business was transacted at Thursday evening’s sederunt : The deputies appointed to attend the meeting of the General Assembly of the Preybyterian Church in New Zealand, were authorised to act as members of the committee of the said Assembly in arranging

union; scholarship funds; sein preference to a denomisjttlm of education, and the obtaining;; of Professorship; to report it nfext meeting of Synod. The Moderator and Mr Ryley were appointed to visit the more .remote stations of the Church during the year. Mr Gow gave in the report of the committee on the employment of students and others in the missionary work. The report was ordered to be sent down to Presbyteries for consideration, and report at next meeting of Synod.

[t was agreed to send down the English Presbyterian hymn-book to Pre byteries and Kirk Sessions, for their consideration ; and, if they deem it exp?dicnt. to adopt it at the next meeting of the Synod. Several members dissented from this resolution.

It was agreed to admit the Rev Mr Cosh, lately missionary at the New Hebrides, as a minister of the church.

In terms of notice of motion, the Rev. Mr Gillies moved that the overture anent representative elders, adopted at a previous sederunt, be enacted into law. This having been seconded, it was moved that the overture be sent down to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions. The motion was carried by a majority of 12 to 7. Thereupon Mr Bannennan, for himself and others, gave the following reasons for dissent 1. Because the rule now adopted violates the hitherto constitution of the church, 2. Because the rule having this effect has become adopted without the knowledge and concurrence of the Presbyteries and Kirk session as such.' 3, Because when a like rule was submitted to P eshyteries and Kirk sessions for their approval, it was rejected by a majority of Presbyteries and Kirk sessions. 4. Because it is unwise and unconstitutional to effect changes in the constitution of the Church by the mere resolution of the Synod. 5. Because sessions may elect from other sessions representatives in whom congregations may not have confidence, and so frustrate the end for which congregations have elected the sessions themselves. 6. Because the rule, if given effect to, must interfere with the administration of justice, either by allowing representatives chosen under it to judge in cases affecting their own sessions or presbyteries, cr by excluding them from takirg part in the judgment come to in such cases, thereby denying to the sessions represented bv them their rightful place and influence in the Synod. The Camara Presbytery was authorised to meet at Otepopo on the second Wednesday in March ; Mr Tood being appointed moderator. Dr Copland was appointed moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery, vice Mr Todd.

Collections for church extensions, passagemoney of ministers, and missions were apJointed to be held in the months of Apri', uly, and November respectively. It was agreed to recommend a collection for the Port Chalmers Bethel Mission.

Several committees on finance were appointed, the principal being one to manage the Sustentation Fund, consisting of Captain Thomson (convener) Messrs E. P, : Cargil, Jas. Smith, A. C. Begg, J. P. Millar, A, Mercer, John Eeitb, James Morris, and W. Somerville.

Tfie Syngd then adjourned to January 14. 137*1.