THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3406, 21 January 1874, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Tuesday, January 20. , employment of students, kc. Thefirst of the evening’s business was the Rev, P- r Ggpland.’s motion—“ That power be given to the Church Estensiqn Committee to employ students of the CHupcli arid other agencies a* they may see cause.” " . ; The Cleujc pointed out that the proposal was opposed to one of the principles laid down years a S° by the Supreme Court of this Church, viz., that lay agents, should be confined to the goldfields only, and then only where' urgent'need existed; '■ • • ■, -v ■

_ The Rev. -Dr Stuart pointed out that'since u j" P rincilJ l e had been laid down, a lay agent had been authorised for a pastoral district, i Tfo R?y. Dr Copeland said' he had to ask the permig'sion qfpfy Synod to move his mdturn in the following arntnckd form-V That .the Church Extension Committee pe fothqmecl to employ v as they ( see causp, students of ihe Church and others who’ may satisfy one of the Presbyteries' of the : Church respecting ' their qualifications.” ■

ihe Rev. Hr Gow withdrew 'the 'motion he had given notice of, respecting the Same matter, in favor ot'the one proposed by the Rev. Dr Copland, which he seconded; . , ~, Ihe Rev. Mr Gillies, opposed, the motion. . After considerable discussion, the following mnendment was carried on the motion of the Mr BajiNEKiiAN, seconded by ihe ?lf r the funds iu .the hands of the Church Extension Committee, arid that, aided by • contributions from outlying districts, provision be inade for the employment'within each Presbytery .of one or mbre ordained missionary ministers, who shall .be members, of the Presbytery within whose bounds they have been settled; and that until this provision be realised, it be lawful for Presbyteries and for ihe Church Extension Committee to make use of such lay agents as ^ e .willing to give their services ’to' the Uhurcn, and who shall have received the at>proval of the Presbyteries within whose bounds. they have been resjdirig; and that such agents Bhair have travelling expenses paid, and shall reeoivd fitting remuneration,-if: required, for the from tiih'oiq. timU- s'aryines they may redder; but that students in theology may havfo< assigned to them districts wherein to conduit diviuo service regularly.”,,, x:

Wednesday, January 21.

The Ew. Mr Will moved,' without notice, that during the remainder .of, the session speaker* should be limited to five minutes each movers of resolutions twenty minutes, and of amendments ten minutes. Several' speakers dissenting, the motion was withdrawn. : baptism! "" ■ The Rev. Mr Stobo moved—" That ‘ the bynod declare that the principles of the Church are opposed to indiscriminate baptism, both as and P lace . and require that those receiving baptism for the&selves or their: children mw credible protein faitlj }n Christ

and obedience to him, each as is required by applicants for the Lord’s Supper, and that the"'. Ordinance, when practicable, be administered in public; and enjoin the ministers of the Church to carry out these principles in their practice.” The motion was seconded by the Eev.*Mr Will and agreed to. ‘ =•:. - v Mission aepobi. In considering this report alreaidy published, the convener, the Rev. Mr Banneiman, called attention to the sth clause proposing to give an increase of salary to the JTowj Hebrides inis-' sionary, Mr Milne. His salary at present was only Ll5O per annum, although he was exposed to much danger, while the Chinese missionary received a similar salary. It was suggested to extend the work of the Chinese missionary, upon which a debate ensued, as also on the subject of making jiu increased provision for the instruction of the Maoris throughout the Provmoe. The principal portions of the report were agreed to. (Left sitting.)