THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 3717, 21 January 1875, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Wednesday, January 20. REPORT ON PSALMODY. The Rev. Mr Waters read the report on the above, which recommended:—l. That a committee on Psalmody be a standing committee of this Synod. 2. That this committee to he appointed be empowered to obtain the services of a fully qualified person, whose time shall lie exclusively employed in giving instructions in psalmody among the congregations of this Church. 3. That a salary, including travelling expenses, be allowed, say of not less than L 350 or L4OO per annum, the same to be raised in part from those congregations to whom instructions have been imparted, and In part from any funds for educational or other purposes over which this Synod has the power of allocating. The Eev. Mr Gillies mover], as an amendment, that the matter be referred to a committee to bring up some practical suggestions next year, and after discussion this was carried. EVENING SEDERUNT. THE OTAGO BIBLE .SOCIETY. Mr E. B. Cargill and the Rev. Messrs Gow and Blake came ns a deputation from the above to ask that the Synod would recommend the ministers throughout the country districts to support the Society. It was stated that the British and Foreign Bible Society had circulated the Scriptures in 200 different languages, the expenses amounting to L 200,000 a year. The following motion by the Rev. Mr Stobo was carried “ The Synod; having heard the deputation from the committee of the Bible Society, express their earnest desire for the success ef the Society, and recommend the Pie-sby-teries to take into consideration the obligations the Church was under to aid the Society’s operations as healthful to missionary work throughout the world, and the wants of the various districts thronghoughout their own bounds as regasds God’s Word, and put themselves into communication with the .society, with a view to its encouragement and success.” MISSION REPORT. A very lengthy report was laid before the Synod and was adopted, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Todd, with the following deliverance : —The Synod adopt the report; approve of the diligence of the committee ; record the thanks of the Synod to the committee, and especially to the convener; express the satisfaction of the Synod with the diligence and success of Mr and Mrs Milne, and with the success that attended Mr Paton’s efforts in connection with the Dayspring ; regret the loss of Paul Ah Chin’s services as Chinese catechist, and hope another agent may be speedily secured, and authorise the Mission Committe to reorganise the mission in connection with the Maori question contained in the report; agree to the suggestion auent legacies, and commend the mission to the prayer of the minist.rs and members. DISTRIBUTION OP FUNDS. The Committee reported having received the following applications for participation in the funds accruing from the manse reserve : —Knox Church, L 2,000; North Dunedin, L5O0; Oaraaru, LI.000; Arrewtown, L 30 0; Port Molyneux, L 100; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Kev. Mr Stobo, that the present applications be granted, but not ■ o the extent of more than one-third of the total cost of the building in each particular case, reserving the cla'm of ulterior grants for future consideration. DEPUTIES. The Moderator and the Rev. Mr Will, and Messrs Clark and Duncan were appointed the deputies to attend the Assembly at Christchurch in November next. CLOSING ADDRES.S. The Moderator, in stating that the business of the Synod hal closed, congratulated the members on the business which had been done, which was quite as large ns upon any former year. This was a good token, and he trusted that when they were separated to their various charges they would enjoy and cultivate a spirit of love to one another. Trusting they wbuld pray for each other night and day. he would now dismiss them to their homes with prayer.