DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 4221, 6 September 1876, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The quarterly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held in the First Church to-day, there being present - Ministers : Rev. A. Greig (Moderator), Professor Salmond, Reva. Dr Stuart, A. Blake; W. Will, J. Gow, J. G. Sutherland, J. Kirkland, M. Watt, Lindsay Macki", J. Finlayson, and W. Johustone (clerk). Elders: Captain Thomson (Port Chalmers), Messrs Mackay and Millar (First Church), Todd (East Taieri), J. Reid (Merton), Bowie (Knox Church), J. King (Green Island), R. Gltodining (North Dunedin), D. Bowie (West Taeiri), and Hepburn (Halfway Bush). APPOINTMENT OF MODERATOR. On the motion of Dr Stuart the Rev. Dr Copland was appointed Moderator. THE BARRIER ACT.

The Rev. Mr Will moved, " That the Presbytery having taken into consideration the overture from the Synod anent the Barrier Act, disapprove thereof as unnecessary inasmuch as the present law and practice of the Church sufficiently provide against hasty legislation (see proceedings of Synod 1874, page 8) as an infringement on the constitutional rights and liberties of the members of Synod and as subversive of the principles of Presbyterianism," He argued that the Act was uncalled for, and regretted that such a measure should have been forced upon the last Synod—action which he regarded as extraordinary, inconsistent, and contradictory. Mr King moved as an amendment that the Presbytery waive discussion on the merits of the Act, and remit the matter to sessions.

The Rev. Mr Will pointed out ;hat it was too late to waive discussion. If the motion was cairied it would have to be remitted. The amendment was not seconded. Professor Salmond moved that all the words after " hasty legislation " should be excised.

The R«v. Mr Will expressed his willingness to agree to the request o? Professor Salmond, which was agreed to, and the motion as amended was carried.

Mr Millar (elder, Dunedin) here put in an appearance, and asked to move as an amendment that the Barrier Act be approved of. He claimed that the motion had not been put by the Moderator. The Rev. Mr Will said that such action was irregular, and if allowed he should leave tho Presbytery. The Rev. Dr Stuart argued that if a member was allowed to enter the room after a discussion was ended and the matter settled, and move any amendment, it would bring the Presbytery's proceedings into contempt. Mr King and the Rev. Mr Lindsay Mackie thought Mr Millar should be heard. The Rev. Dr Stuart claimed the Moderator's ruling as to whether the question had been settled. The Moderator held that the question was not settled. Before the motion as amended was put, Mr Millar came into the room and expressed his determination to put an amendment. Mr Millar then moved, and Mr Kino seconded, ** That the Presbytery approve of i the Barrier Act." 1 Dr Stuart took exception to the remark by Mr Millar that some ministers were endeavoring to undermine congregations. To say that they wers trying to act the part of Pope would be doing ministers a great amount of injustice, and propagating statements that no member of the Presbyterian Church would be guilty of. In all matters of importance, which the Presbytery had adopted, they had a majority of the Church body with them; and he ventured to say that if church union was carried, as he hoped it would be, thev would carry along with them 19-20ths of the Church. The amendment was then put, and there voted for it Messrs Millar, King, and Mackay. For the motion there voted fourteen, which was then put and carried as a substantive motion. CHINESE MISSIONARY." The Rev. Mr Cowie, missionary to the Chinese immigrants, wag introduced to the Presbytery. The induction was fixed for Tuesday next, at 7.30 p.m., in the First Church. [Left sitting.]