PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 3908, 2 September 1875, Page 3

PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN.

The quarterly meeting of the Presbytery of Dunedin was held in the First Church yesterday. The question of introducing instrumental music into the Churches was the principal auh ject fox’ consideration. The returns from Kirkstvsiona to the overture of the Presbytery were as follows The First Church did not deem it judicious to introduce the question, as it would ten ! to disunion ;_ Port Chalmers thought the introduction <4 instrumental music into the public worship of God was dangerous to the peace and purity of the Church; Green Island agreed by three to two not to sanction its introduction ; St. Andrew’s resolved to oppose the use of instrumental music as au innovation neither sanctioned by her standards nor enjoined in the New Testament, and fitted to ere ,te divisions in Church Courts and congregations ; Anderson’s Bay was of opinion that the use of such is both inexpedient and unscnptnral, and they begged at the same mie to state that, in their opinion, those who have ventured to cast the apple of discord into their midst have much to answer tor. On the other hand North Dunedin agreed to approve of the introduction of music ; West lawn did hm same; East Taieri approved of it by a majority ; North Taieri declared unanimously in its favor ; Portobello approved generally of it; and Knox Church resolved that it is desirable that liberty to use the aid of instrumental music do granted to such congregations as may be substantially united in their desire tor its introduction.

There were thus six sessions in favor of and five against the overture.

The liov. Mr Wilt, moved—“ The Presbytery having resumed consideration o( the overture on instrumental music, and havum heard and considered the returns from Kirk Sessions on the subject, resolved to approve of the overture. ’ Ho would not occupy them long at the present time, as the matter would be fought strongly in the' Synod. He took a sttmd°on Scriptmnl ground, as tho Old 'Testament had clearly sanctioned the use of instrumental music in the worship of God. There was nothing in the New Testament setting aside the sanction given to instrumental music in the

Old, and there was nothing in the Standards which forbade the use of instrumental music as an aid in service. The Rev. Mr M'Naughton moved as an amendment—“ That the overture be not approve!.” He spoke against the use of an instrument in service, and said that the overtuio was too'general in its terms. Besides an organ, they might have a piano, a harmonium, a hurdy-gurdy, a bagpipe, or a fiddle. Mr James King (Anderson’s Bay) said if, was his opinion that ministers of the Presbyterian Church hud taken a, very wrong step in wanting to introduce instrumental music info the Churches, What better instrument could they have than the voice for praising God? It was surprising in men who prof ..seed religion to biing forward anything of the kind. Mr King (Green Island) contended that there was no Scriptural authority for instrumental music in Christian worship ; that under tho Jewish system instrumental nmsic had been associated with sacrifice and the abolished Levitic.il economy: and that the Standards forbade the introduction of instrumental music into Churches,

The Revs. Ur Stuart and Copland denied that to advocate tho introduction of instrumental music would be subversive of the Church, or contrary to ordination vow. The latter pointed out that it would not be an innovation, being used in nearly all Presbyterian churches.

After other members had spoken, the over ture was carried by nine votes to five.