THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3712, 15 January 1875, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

LAST NIGHT’S BEDERONT. After the report of the Church Extension Committee had been read and discussed the following deliverance was agreed to “ Adopt the report, approve the diligence of the Committee, and record the thanks of the Synod to the Committee, and especially its Convener, and in accordance with its recommendations, resolve to authorise the sending Home for four I addi'ional ministers during the year if they think the necessities of the Church require it. And further enjoin upon Presbyterians to make a report as soon as possible to the Committee of the places within their bounds requiring imme<liate attention • sanction the proposal to employ a settled minister of the Church in the work of Church Extension for such period of the year not exceeding six months as thev may think requsite; and further sanction the appointment of an agent in Stewart’s Island as recommended; contributions from each of the Church Extension and Mission Funds to be given towards hia support.” By the Sabbath Schools Committee’s report it appeared that in 1874thera were six schools, 744 scholars, and eventy-six teachers more than last year—an increase arising partly from the increase in the number of schools and partly from the progress of schools already existing. The progress had been general and steady. In January, 1873, there were sixty-three schools 3.571 scholars, and 374 teachers. In January '•874, seventy-one schools, 4,202 scholars, and 411 teachers. In January, 1875, seventy-seven schools, 4,822 scholars, and 489 teachers. Thus during the last two years there has been an increase of fourteen schools, 1,343 scholars, and lib teachers. In Dunedin Presbytery there are twenty-eight schools, 2,465 scholars, and 248 teachers. In the Clutha Presbytery twentyfive schools, 870 scholars, and eighty-nine teachers. In Southland Presbytery fifteen schools, 841 scholars, aud eighty-six teachers: [ and m the Presbytery of Oamaru, nine schools, 7/5 scholars, and sixty-seven teachers. In twenty-four of the schools there have been special services for the young in the shape of occasional or quarterly sermons, and frequent addresses by ministers, superintendents, and teachers. There were twenty-two Bible classes, but in seventeen congregations none existed, owing to their ministers being otherwise engaged. Twenty.one schools bad Sabbath school libraries, containing between 6,000 and 7,000 volumes. Two had access to village libraries, but eighteen repoited no library. With the means put at their disposal by contributing churches, the committee had issued during the year 2,472 schemes of lessons, 400 copies of notes on lessons, 20,400 copies of Goodlsews,’ and 1.G45 volumes for Sabbath School libraries. The committee make the following suggestion* That all ministers who have not tone & hitherto tal® that fifynM BQvam dr addyefseß he

vered to the children attending their Sabbath Schools ; that each teacher should make it a matter of conscience to attend regularly, be encouraged to visit periodically scho'nrsin their homes, iiud meet frequently for the purpose of consulting about matters affecting the interests of iheschoo ; and that the Synod should appoint a special collection for the purpose of enabling the committee to bring out books sufficient to supply books for libraries where the. l © are none, and to make accessions to existing libraries where wanted. The report of the committee was adopted, and the various congregations were en joined to act upon the suggestions of the committee.

Friday, January 15. The Rev. Mr Bannehmann drew the atten. tiou of Synod to an overture sent ug from the Dunedin Presbytery, and which was altogether informal. The informality was the way in which the question of instrumental music in churches came before the Synod, through the Presbytery of Dunedin. The Deacons’ Court had sent up the overture through the Presbytery, and not through the Court of Sessions, as should have been done. He moved that the document be not recognised. This was carried by twenty, against eighteen for an amendment that the document be sustained.

Some discussion took place *as to the best place of holding the annual meeting in connection with the Synod, and the order of proceeding there to be observed, but nothing definite was done. It was agreed to sit on Saturday, from ten to one o’clock. The following applications for grants were laid on the table and agreed to: —Kaikorai, LSO fc additions to manse grant, and LSO in lieu of adehe purchase by the congregation; Waiepa. L2OO. additions and lepairs to the manse; North Taieri, 1.200, for completion and repairs to the manse (Presbytery recommended L 100) ; Port Chalmers, L2OO, ad itions to the manse ; LIOO for repairs to the manse of the Rev. Mi M‘N iugh ton at Anderson’s Bay. After a warm discussion, the Rev. Mi Stobos motion, that Mr Nichol be allowed to study in the Clutha Presbytery for one year w,.s carried by 18 to 17. Upon this Dr. Stuart, who had voted for the amendment, ra 'Ved that the Committee appoint no theolo gical students for the next year.