THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Evening Star, Issue 4024, 19 January 1876, Page 2

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Yesterday. At the evening sederunt the discussion on the overture re instrumental music was resumed by The Rev. Mr Bannerman, who contended that the use of instrumental music iu churches was unscriptural. Members might laugh; they might be afraid of the jeers of an ungodly Press, to which he had over and over again been subject, but so long as he abode by his ordina tion vows the * Times’ and the Stab and other such ungodly papers might jeer as they pleased. —(Hisses.) Jf any individuals of the public belonging to the genus snake were present they would have to be removed. He stood to ms ordination vows, he stood to the Confession of Faith; he called upon them not to surrender the citadel of Evangelistic truth, which they would do were they to introduce instrumental music, which would eventually lead up to all the evils ef Ritualism.

The Rev. Lindsay Mackib argued against the introduction of the organ. It was said that the young people were leaving the Church, and it was pictured now they went with tears in their eyes—not that they did cot love the Church, but because they loved the organ more—that, like the lass in the song, they said “ Whistle and I’ll come to you, my lad.”— (Repeated roars of laughter.) If young people were leaving the Church let them (the Synod) confess that their ministry was a failure, and that they had better make way for others fitted to meet the requirements of the time. To pass the overture was really formulating a new doctrine, and the Church of England, which used instrumental music, had never yet attempted to formulate such a dogma. The Rev. Mr Johnstone thoroughly believed in the Scnptnralness of instrumental music. Tfao Rev. Dr. Copland maintained that the introduction of instrumental music was strictly in accoi dance with the terms of the Confession of Faith. It should be left to the congregations to decide whether they would use instrumental music or not. The Rev. Ur. Stuart said he was chosen for the Church of Otago by gentlemen who knew well he was in favor of the use of instrumental music; and the First Church congregation was not always so strongly opposed as at present to its use. The Confession of Faith neither prohibited nor eujoined the use of instrumental music. The object of some members of the Church here seemed to be to dwarf themselves and isolate themselves from all the other Reformed Cimrches, and hs was strongly opposed to such a course. He could not shut bis eyes to the fact that many of their well-to-do members were going from amongst Ihom on account of the prohibit ou of instrumental music; and be could not say, with some, 11 Let them go.” The Rev, Mr Sutherland asked that they should be allowed to use instrumental music on the same principle as they had been allowed to use hymns. Tho Rtv. w, M‘C. Smith mentioned that the use of instnuu' utal music was prescribed in the Old Testament, and if the Rev. Air Bannerman and the Rev. Mr Alackie could show him a passage in the scriptures forbidding its use, he would vote with them. Thsßev. Mr Watt supported the overtu;o, believing that tho congregations should have full liberty in dcidi g the matter. The Rev. Mr Al'aaughton said the innovation would lead to discoi'4 and drive from the Church some of its best xfiembeis.

Theother speaker In favor of the over tare \r he r. l? fT. R . lr Ro8 ». tho Rev. Mr Thom--5?, n \^ Ir Mr . Rofrie, and the Wev. Mr ? w » ,a 9>;P° Hit ion were the Rev. J. Waters, the Rev. Mr Clark, the Rev. Mr Chnstio the Rev. Mr Mackay, the Rev. Mr Henry. Mr Millar, and Mr Pa eruon, In replying, the Rev. Mr War. intimated his willingness to accept, in lieu of his own motion, the following: amendment that had been proposed by Mr W. I). Stewart That the overture on the use of instrumental music bo adopted, and the congregations be allowed to use such music in serving Qod. nrovided that the Presbytery of the bounds shaifflrst be satisfied in each case that the members of the oougregation proposing to use such music are subslautially unanimous.

But that was objected to. The voting was then taken with the following result; For Mr Stewart’s amendment, 33: for Mr Btumerman b, 27. Mr Stewart’s amendment was thou put against the Kev Mr Eyloy’s, with the Rev'M?w^?f. ult! '- Ste , wart * 32 ; Eyioy, aa The nf 6 Q? roposal Waa put against that aS; wms.?- Stewirfc ’ the^suffste^

pr ? fc ” te(i “gainst on various grounds .--Ihat no bcnptural authority had been pleaded, and that such being the case tho use of instrumental music was contrary to the Confession of Faith; also, that it involved a departure from the purity of worship hitherto ?n whfrh th * Church J and that in the terms / Was pl T sd . lt nmde a new dogma. (By Mr Bannerman.)—And that in taking the ordination vow an obligation came upon his conscience, and no Church upon earth had iwwer to absolve their cons ienoe. (By Messrs King and Millar.)-That the Synod receive! returns adverse to the introduction ol instruments-music, now,in the face of a large majority of the Church, adoptea instruments music. (By Mr Ryley.) To day's Sedebdnt. The Synod assembled at eleven o’clock: bers. ent Moder it,,r and forty-six mem The Rev. Mr Ftobo brought up the report of the Union Committee as follows Tour committee have to state that, as the terms *he proposed umoa were remitted to Presbyteries by last Synod, they did not feel calledtotKmv farther action in the matter during the year beyond transmitting those proposals to the Committee of the Northern Church. From tha? the they r J? arn , tl ¥' fc 4116 General Assembly of the Northern Church have approved of the nro. posed terms of union, which were submitted to the v y their own and that the As embly’s deliverance was as follows" That thatTfr committeoon union be apopted.S *° the Synod of Otam and Southland, indicted to meet in January next! with powi r os Commissioners to complete the umon negotiations on tho terms aWy al^epted of the preliminaries £or consumption

The rev. gentleman moved that the report be adopted, but the discussion was adjourned till this evening's sederunt. [Left sitting.]