THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3715, 19 January 1875, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Monday, January 18. After appointing a committee to correspond with the General Council of the Presbyterian Churches and hearing addresses from the Synod’s representatives at the recent session of the Presbyterian Church at Wellington and the latter’s deputies to this Synod, the Moderator conveyed to the deputies the Church’s expression of cordial sympathy and regard. At the evening sederunt, the following report on THE UNION OF THE TWO CHURCHES was brought up :—Your Committee have to report that tfre following suggestions, agreed to by the Committee, u'uro transmitted to the Union Committee of the Northern Church—viz., ‘‘lst. That the basis of union, so far as concerns the subordinate standards, be the Westminster standards, with the usual qualify ing clause as to the rights of conscience. 2nd. That for the first five years the Synods should have supremo jurisdiction in all matters of discipline, on the understanding that at the end of that period this arrangement may continue ioy $ logger time, should any of the Synods desire it, d”d. That, with respect to the existing difference ijf practice between the two Churches as regards psalmody, the Committee recommend that this matter be left to each Synod to determine for itself. 4th. That, with respect to all properties held in trust, each Synod should continue to hold such properties, subject iu all respects to the same trusts as before. sth. That the question of the mode of ministerial support be left for at least the first five years to the respective Synods. Gth. That some scheme of united action for’ Church extension throughout New Zealand be devised, such scheme to be under ’ the control of the General Assembly. 7th. I That there be a common Foreign and Maori I mission scheme, tfth. That there be biennial >

assemblies in tbe meantime.” The Union Committee of the Northern Church have transmitted the following resolution of the General Assembly, agreed to at its late meeting, viz. : “ The report of the Committee on the union with the Synod of Otago and Southland having been read, that it be received, and that the Assembly express its willingness to acquiesce generally in the proposed scheme of union forwarded from Otago, and that it suggests to the Otago Synod the advisability of giving parties appeal in case of discipline and doctrine, and declares itself ready to bring the principle of synodical action into operation throughout the Church, in order to facilitate the completion of the union.” After some discussion your Committee agreed not: to concur in this recommendation, but to suggest that for the first five years right of appeal in such cases should be withheld.

The Kev Mr Stobo, convener of the committee, moved the adoption of the report and that the suggestions be forwarded to Presbyteries to be maturely considered and reported on at next meeting of Synod. He dwelt upon the advantages of union. There, was no objection on the score of principle, and instrumental music in the North Island should be uo cause of isolation.

The Rev Mr Rvley regarded the instrumental question as the great bugbear to union, but tho organ question should not prevent unity. It was simply a question of expediency, and the day was not far distant when they would have organs and harmoniums even in Otago. He approved of Presbyteries considering the matter.

The Rev. Mr Bannerman proposed the following amendment That the Synod do not send down these proposals to Presbyteries, but resolve that, whereas Providence has given to the two Churches separate fields of labor, each having for years been enabled, according to their respective means to carry out their respective operations, and whereas there is room in the sphere of each for further occupation so as to bring them into closer proximity—so tending to the amalgamation which many think desirable—it is resolved that, till this be more nearly approached, there is no call to take immediate steps to prosecute a union between this Church and that of the Northern Provinces of New Zealand ; and that in the meantime the Synod give all encouragement and assistance to the Church in the North in supplying the means of grace to the scattered population within its bounds.” The Church in the North had departed from one of the first principles of the Church—uniformity of worship—by introducing music in the public worship of God, by an autocratic act, without consulting the Presbyteries. The proposed General Assembly would become nothing more than a clerical conference. Neither Church was interfering with the other, and he was decidedly opposed to union.

Mr King’s sympathies were in favor of union, but ho was uot prepared to sacrifice either truth or principle for it. The question of instrumental music should have been considered before union.

The Rev Messrs Will, Gillies, and Gow spoke in support of the motion, and against it Mr Duncan and the Rev Mr Stevens. The fatter, while thinking that amalgamation would be a moat desirable object, had one grand objection the question of instrumental music. He regarded it as one of the worst signs of tho times, to encourage Ritualistic practices. They should not interfere with the customs of the Church. The motion was carried by 20 to 8,

Tuesday, January 19. The Synod met this morning at ten o’clock and was constituted ; the Moderator in the chair. DISSENT OF REV MR GILLIES. The dissent of Mr Gillies from the deliver* ant j e the Presbytery of Olutha having been called for, and parties having waived all discus* sion, it was agreed to adopt the following resolution ‘ The appeal from the decision of the Clutha Presbytery having come up and all parties having waived discussion, and the Synod having before them a retractation and expression of regret by the party originally complained of that the matter should have occurred; and tho appellant having intimated to the Synod his willingness, as far as the matter affects him personally, to accept of the said retractation and expression of regret; and finding that the purpose intended to be served by this appeal, in its public and general Church aspects, will be met by the Synod declaring, as it now declares, that it is the right of any member of the Church feeling himself aggrieved in any matter to come fay petition and com* plaint before tho proper Church Court in whose power it is to deal with the matter complained of, and that it is the duty of such court to give all patient hearing to such complaint, with a view to remedying the grievance complained of—principles which justify the appellant as feeling himself aggrieved, m having brought the matter under the notice of the Church. Courts j now the Synod considers that without travelling further in the matter all record of the case should at this stage be deleted from the records of the Clutha Presbytery ; and enjoined accordingly.

REPORT ON SUSTENTATXON FUND. The Hon. J. Paterson read the report of the committee on this subject. It congiatulated the bynod on the progress made, enabling a divinglll* of LIIO 8s for the half-year ending 31st December last, or L 213 Cs 6d for the year. After consideration, the Synod instructed the committee to have regard to the Synod’s resolution anent supplement? to ministers’ stipends from their respective congregations, when the annual circular for returns is issued. [Left sitting.]