THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3094, 18 January 1873, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Yesterday Evening’s Sederunt,

ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN HVMN BOOK

Returns from the Presbyteries, anent the adoption of this hymn-book, were read by the clerk. The Rev. Mr Todd then moved that the English Presbyterian Hymn-book be ado ted by the Synod for the use pf the congregations. He thought the hymns contained in this hook had been selected with great care, the doctrines taught were sound, and the adoption of the book would be of great benefit. It did not follow that the psalms and paraphrases would be neglected if this hymn-book were introduced. Its introduction would only afford gre iter variety. This hymn-book was now in common use in neighboring Colonies ; and, as uniformity was desired, he thought that the adoption of this book would prove beneficial. Again, he thought that the general use of this book would tend to strengthen a spirit of unanimity among the churches He therefore hoped the Synod would adopt it The Rev. John Cow thought it would be better to adopt the hymn b'.ok under consideration rather than wait for the Free Church hymn-book. The collection proposed was, in his opinion, superior to the other, and contained most of the hymns found in the Free Church compilation. His great reason, however, for desiring to see the book introduced was that it contained hymns of such lofty sentiment, pure doctrine, and variety. , The Rev. Mr Waters thought that the motion brought forward was not competent, seeing that the majority of the Presbyteries had decided against it. Mr J. P. Millar questioned whether the Synod was in a position to deal with the matter. The Rev. Mr Will asked the Moderator to rule on the question. The Moderator ruled that the Synod was not competent to deal with the matter. The Rev. Mr Nish said that the pract'ce in Victoria was, while consulting the opinions of Presbyteries, the Synod was not bound to stand bv their decisions even when the majority of them declared on a subject. The Synod accepted of their decision, and were more or less guided by them. The Rev. Mr Stobo then moved, “ That the Synod was competent to consider the question.” The Rev. Mr Waters moved, “That the Synod was not competent to deal with the matter.” _ _ On the question being put it was decided in the affirmative by 32 votes to 5. • Mr J. P Millar then moved, as an amendment, “That the Synod delay adopting the Knglish Presbyterian hymn-book until after the' Free Chinch collection of hymns has be-n received. ” The Rev. Mr Waters seconded the motion. The Rev, Mr Smith moved the adjournment of the debate. Agreed to. ADDRESSES OF DEPUTATIONS. The Rev. Mr h’ish, f.-om Victoria; the Rev. Mr Frazer, from Christchurch ; and the Rev. Mr Emslie from Wanganui, addressed the Synod, (Addresses held over.) A cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the deputation for their addresses. ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN HYMN BOOK. The Rev. Mr Wills resumed the debate, arguing that the Synod had power to and was justified in dealing with the question. Mr Lindsay perfectly agreed with the position taken up by Mr Midar, and therefore would support him. The Rev. Mr Clark thought that the Synod had not recognised the opinions ex [tressed by the kirk sessions. The Synod in the first instance had consulted the sessions. and therefore ought to be influenced by them. He would support the amendment. 'I he Rev. Mr Gillies said the hymn-book proposed was a very good one. It was impossible to get a perfect book, until we got perfect men to compile it. The better course to pursue would be to adopt the practices pursued by other churches in the matter, and, since the hymnal had bren brought into general use, they might safely accept it. The Rev. Mr Chisholm was thoroughly in favor of the use of hymns in the exercise of pu lie worship. Still, ho was not prepared to accept the English Presbyterian Hymn book, because he was of opinion that it would nt be generally accepted by the people. The probability was that the Free Church Hymn-book would be more willingly received by the congregations. He came to this conclusion because of the predominance of the Home element' iu the Church of this part of the Colony. The Rev, D. Ross thought that the Synod ought not to be influenced by Fiee Church sympathies; but that it ought to assert its and decide on the broad grounds of right. This Church was more closely allied with that of the North and Victoria, and since they had adopted the hymn-book we might do so. He hoped that the decision of the Synod would not be characterised by any sectarian inlluen e. The Rev. Mr Chisholm moved, as an amendment, “That this Synod adopt the Free Church Hymn-book." The Rev. Ur. Stuart asked how it was possible for the Synod to adopt a book it had never seen. The Moderator ruled that the amendment cppld not be received. The Rev. Mr Rvlev then moved that the Synod send down- the Free Church Hymnbook to the Pr sbyteries and Kirk Sessions for consideration, with the view of entertaining the idea of adoption next session if fousd suitable. He thought that the adoption of his notion would meet with the support of the Church. There was little doubt but that the book mentioned was a much superior compilation to tho English Hymnal. The Rev. Mr Alexander seconded the motion,

The Rev. Mr JoH'SToN thought that the best interests of the Church would be consulted by adopting the English Prosbj'tenan Hymn-book. The Hev. Mr Smith said there was evidently a misapprehension existing as to the question under d scussion. The object of both amendments was simply to give the congregations an opportunity of considering the desirability of adopting either hymnbook The introduction of a hymn-book was desirable, but the matter should not be decided hastily. The Rev. Mr with said he would support the original motion. The Rev. Dr .Stuart said the FnglLh Presbyterian Church was in essence something similar to the Colonial Church. It was composed in a great measure of members of different branches of the Church. The hymn book had been found to suit in England admirably, and he did not hear anything to convince him that it would not suit this Church. He, therefore, hoped that it would be adopted. The Revs, Mr Stobo and Mr Blake would vote in favor of the English Presbyterian Hymn Rook. The resolutions were then put to the vote, with the following results Todd’s, 21; Millar’s, 18 ; Byley’s. 14. The original motion, therefore, was carried. The Synod adjourned at 12.25 until II o’clock this morning.

This Day. The principal portion of to-day’s sederunt was occupi d in discussing the report of the Church Extension Committee (which we published yesterday.) The report was adopted ; the action of the Committee in sending home for two clergymen sustained ; and it was agreed to send home for fom additional ministers. UNIVERSITY ' The University Committee reported the result of the competition for the Lang and Synod Scholarship s and continued : “Your Committee would talcj the liberty of' suggesting to the Synod that energet c steps be taken for providing additional bursaries for students who may have the ministry of this Church *in view, I hey would remind the Synod of what is being done by the unerican Presbyterian Church as an example to us in th's direction. At the present moment the majority of the young men studying for the Ministry of that Church, or a very largo proportion of them, are supported at their studies by the Board of Education connected with the Church i »ut of 57 young men studying with a view to the Ministry, under the jurisdiction of the Synod of New York, 37 hffld scholarships from the Board of Education. In ffo other way could the ranks of the Ministry- in the American Presbyterian Church be recruited amidst the peculiar circumstances af a new country. Nor will it be amiss to remind the Synod that, even in the home country, aspirants to the Ministry have always received encouragement in their studies. Many of the clergy of the Church of England have .received their education at it lie means of scholarships connected witfiTMe various gr-at schools. In sideiable number of the theological students of the Established, Free, and United-Pres-byterian Churches are provided with such scholarships, of more or less value. Your Committee have a profound conviction that unless some more than ordinary inducements be held out to young men in the Colonies — the long curriculum of study dtminded of aspirants to the Ministry of our Uhurch,'aud the numerous openings of various kinds afforded to young men for starting in life without going through such a long noviciate as our Church imposes, wdl deter many from the work, who might towards it. We would therefore recommend that the several Presbyteries of our. Church be requested by the Synod each to provide one or two scholarships. In submitting their report, your Committee hope that the Synod will take this last suggestion into thfeir most serious consideration,”