THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 4019, 13 January 1876, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

The annual session of this body was commenced in the Fiist Church last evening, when the retiring Moderator (the Rev. J. M. Allan) preached from John iv., c. 34—38, and the Moderator-elect (the Rev. T. Alexander) delivered an address; after which the roll was called by the clerk (the Rev. W. Bannerman) as follows: “Clergy—Eev. Dr. Stuart, Dr. Copland, W. Will, Wm. Johnstone, J. H. M'Naughton, Michael Watt, Alexander Grelg, John Gow, Alexander Blake, J. M. Sutherland, Lindsiy Mackie, James Kirland, John N. Bussell, W. Bannerman. John M. Allan, John Waters, Eobert Telford, Charles Connor, James Chishold, John M‘Ara, Andrew Bett, J. H. Cameron, James Skinner, J. G. Paterson, Benjamin Drake, A. H, Stobo, Thomas Alexander, Andrew Stevens, E. C. Morrison, Donald Boss, Charles S. Boss, J. M. Thompson, James Henry, Alexander B. Todd, John Todd, John Eyloy, John Christie, J. Clark, J. M'Cosh Smith', James Baird, John Stevens (Lower Wnitaki). Elders Messrs Andrew Tood, Captain W. Thompson, W. D. Stewart, J, Patrick, Thomas King, Eobert Saudwith, Eobert Qlendiuning, G. P. Miller, George Hepburn, James Stevenson, Eobert Mackay, D. Borne, George Eeid, John Somerville, Donald Mitchell, William Chisholm, John Eeith, A. C. Begg, J. Elder Brown, Alexander Grigor, John Paterson, Alexander Bennie, Eobert Benton, William Fraser, Kenneth Fiulayson, David Fleming, John Duncan, E. B. Cargill, Eobert Stalker. A commission was read from the General Assembly of New Zealand appointing its moderator, the Rev W. Stevens, Mr Gowan, of Lyttelton; the Rev. Mr Bruce, of Auckland ; the Rev, Mr i'raser, of Christchurch; aud Messrs James Smith and W. West, elders, as a deputation to the present Rynod. A good deal of formal business was disposed of, and after discussion it was resolved to hold the annual public meet ing in Knox Church on Monday next. TO-DAY’S SEDERUNT. The Synod met at eleven o’clock this morning in the hall of the Fust Church, when nearly all the ynodmen—both clergy and ciders—wese present. DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES. After the singing of psalm 132, the Moderator (Rev. T. Alexander) read the 62nd chapter of Laiah. Psalm 105 was then sung, and the Rev. Mr Stobo offered a piayer. This was followed by psalm 132 and a piayer by Mr A. Rennie. Next port of p-alm 71 was sung, and the Rev. J. Waters prayed ; and psalm 84 was followed by a prayer from Mr T, King. NOTICES OF MOTION. The Rev, Mr Will gave notice that when the Synod began to consider the overture anent instrumental mu-ic, he would move—“ That, the Synod adopt the overture on the use of instimnental music in the worship of Cod ; but that, considering the present divided state of opinion in the Church, the Synod deem it in-txpi-ibent to take any further action thereanent.” '1 he Rev, J. Rtley gave notice that he will move to-morrow —“ That in future the Synod nominate the Mode' ator at some sederunt before its rising.” OVERTURES, Overtures on the practice of the Church were received from the Presbyteries of Oamaiu and Dunedin. Ri milled to the following committee to re port cm : Clerk of Synod, Clerk« of Presbyteries, the Rev L. M'.<ckie, t cv Mr Waters, Rev. X B, Todd, and Mr A, King. oi-mc-iiic-KK ioa LiDjjy&'ES. Thu Presbytery of the Sfct/thuvclj feCommended that Mr David Bonis be taken on

license, as he had pasard the B. onnd year theological course very satisfactorily. Dr •'TTUart warmly supported the request, which was agreed tc. Tbe Balolutha Presbytery made a similar re* que*t with reg.-od to Mr Bovd, the Rev J. H. Cameron supporting It.—The Rev. Mr Will thought, it would be desirable that Mr Boyd should attend the cl ,eb for students in Dunedin for the third year, —The Rev. Mr STOBO »-as opposed to granting the n quest until Mr Boyd had studied under the Presbytery for three years, and moved to that effect. -Dr TUAEr seconded Mv Stobo’s motion, mentioning, however, at the same time that he had received. very favorable accounts of the work that Mr Boyd was doing.— he Kev. Mr r-KINNE.t said he was in a petition, as examiner, to state that Mr Boyd was as far advanced as three-fourths of the t tudonis who passed for the Free Church at Home.— After a long discussion the motion of Mr Stobo was negatived by 34 to 19, and the request of the Presbytery was acceded to, 'I he next business was the consideration of the Kev. J. H. M‘Naughton's appeal. It will be remembered that when (he Synod’s over* ture re instrumental music was considered by the Anderson's Bay kiik session ihat boly adopted a resoluih n to the tffect that * the responsibility rested with thi se who hud thrown down this apple of discord.” These words were objected to by the Dunedin Presbytery as irrelevant, and were ordered, by a majority of one, to be struck out. Parties were to-oay heard and on the motion* of the Rev Mr Raley the appeal was dismissed, and (ho finding of Presbytery sustained by 22 to 10. The Synod then adjourned till 7 p.m.