THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 4023, 18 January 1876, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

At the public meeting in Knox Church lost night addresses were delivered by the Eev. Mr M’Gowan (of Christchurch) and the Kev. D. Bruce (of Auckland), who detailed what the Church in the North was doing; by the Eev. Dr Stobo on “Home Kemm’scence - ,” in the course of. which he referred to the more prominent incidents of his recent vitit to fngland and the Continent; by the Rev. Dr Steele (of Sydney) on the “ Mew Hebrides Mission,” who expressed the hope that next year the mission schooner Bayspring, with the llev. Mr Milne, their missionary, on board, would be lying at Port Chalmers; by the Eev. Mr Fraser (of Christchurch), by the Eev. Dr Stuart, and by the Kev. Mr Bannerman. To day’s Sederunt. Dr SIUART introduced the follewing overture: —“ It is overiured to the Synod of < tago nud Southland that they appoint a standing committee, to be called the Committee on Church Erections and Property, to assist i arishes requiring church erections with suitable and convenient places, and other necessary information; and. also, to take a general oversight of church erections property and title deeds as regards their state as to repairs; or that they do otherwise for this object what to their wisdom may seem best.” Messrs Miller and A. C. Bego opposed the adoption of the overture, but on being put to the vote it was agreed to. Dr Steele, a visitor from >ew South Wales, made an interesting and eloquent address to the Synod, during the delivery of which the rev. gen leman was loudly applauded.—On the motion of the Eev. Mr Bannerman the thanks of the Synod were expressed through the Moderator to Dr Steele for h*s address, together with the sympathy of the Church of Otago with that of ew South Wales. Dr Copland brought up the report of the Committee on the Interim Act, upon which a long discussion ensued. [Left sitting.] A number of the office-bearers of the different churches, who, it will ho recollected, meet iu private conference in the First Church on the 11th inst., have forwarded to the Synod a memorial in which they express (1) The opinion that it is very desirable the Synod shonld enjoin Preshy. tones to see that all ministers and officebearers sign the authorised standards of the Free Church of Scotland. (2.) That the proposed union with the Northern Church is undesirablfcon accoun. of the objectionable nature of the oasis, all the benefits anticipated from the union being attainable by an extended and friendly cooperation between the two churches. (3.) Deprecating strongly the way the qvestion of the use of instrumentnl music has been brought before the Church Courts, tho memorialists beheving that the principle of permissive legislation in matters connected with public worship is subversive of the Presbyterian order of Church government, and destructive of Christian harmony in congregations, ana (4.) That it is desirable, in order to prevent any alteration of innovation being introduced hastily and without due consideration, that steps should always be taken to ascertain the mind of tne whole Church on any subjects by consulting presbyteries kirk s ssiona, and that, should a majority of tho Church Courts he opposed to the proposed changes, such opposition should be a bar ta any lurther proceedings in the matter by the Synod,