DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 4299, 6 December 1876, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The ordinary quarterly meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery was held in the First Church to-day, commencing at 11 a.m. There were present the Revs. Drs Copeland (Moderator) and Stuart, the Revs. Messrs Gow, Kirkland, Sutherland, Johnson, Mackie, Finlayson, Greig, Watt, and Blake, and Messrs Borrie, Adams, Buchanan, Glendining, and Reid. The proceedings were opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Moderator, after which the minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read by the clerk (Rev. Mr Johnston). were approved, subject to oneor two clerical alterations. INTRODUCTION. The Rev. Dr Stuart called attention to the fact that the Rev. Dr Cameron, of Melbourne, was present, and that gentleman was forthwith associated with the Presbytery. COMMISSIONS. Several commissions were handed in from members appointed by the different Churches to attend the Presbytery, as follows North-east Harbor, Mr Wm. Christie ; First Church, Mr David Adams; Port Chalmers, Mr Angus Mackay ; West Taieri, Mr Gilbert Buchanan; Green Island, Mr David Andrew. SPECIAL FUNDS. The following Churches were reported as having made collections in aid of the Ministers’ Passage Fund :—Anderson’s Bay, North Dunedin, and Caversham. In aid of the fund for the Maintenance of Foreign Missions : —First Church, Knox Church, East Taieri, Port Chalmers, Anderson’s Bay, Green Island, West Taieri, North Taieri, North Dunedin, Kaikorai, Caversham, Blueskin, and North-east Harbor. The Rev. Dr. Stuart recommended that special collections be made throughout Otago for the benefit of the Aged Ministers’ Fund It had been previously agreed that such collections should be made, and he seriously advised those churches which had not responded to do so as early as possible. Money was coming in slowly, and was much needed. It was resolved that those churches who had not made collections should do so before next meeting of the Presbytery. CHURCH MUSIC. The following letter from Mr Reid, secretary to the North Dunedin Church, was read:— North Dunedin Church, November 14,1876. —The Clerk Dunedin Presbjtery.—Sir,—As instructed by ssessiou of North Dunedin Church, I enclose excerpt minute of their rcrolutious regarding the introduction of a harmonium as an aid to the psalmody, and request that you will lay the same before the Presbytery, with the view of obtaining their sanction as desired. Tours truly, James Keid, Clerk of Session, North Dunedin Church.— The minute enclosed was to the following effect North Dunedin Church, November 14,1876, which day the session met »'ad was constituted witcr alia. Voting papers on the introduction of the harmonium as a help to the psalmody wore opened, and the following were found to bo the results:—Members : For, 146 j against, 28. Adherents: For, 54; against, 5, Proposed by Mr Qlendiuiug, seconded by Mr Eeid, a:;d unanimously agreed to—“ That the sees' on petition the f-’resbytery to sanction tto use of the harmonium as on aid to the psalmody in North Dunedin Church.” The Rev. Dr. Copland said he had very little to bring before the notice of the Presbytery on this subject. The numbers indicated in the minute showed that the Church was in favor of the introduction of a harmonium. The principal thing was whether the degree of unanimity indicated by the numbers was sufficient to warrant the Presbytery in granting the use of an instrument, lie was bound* however, to »y that at the

session at which the question was discussed, the matter, was brought up only when some of the members had left, under the impression that all the bnalnefle was over. The affair had assumed a serious aspect, and had almost threatened to produce a division in the Church. The Presbytery could judge of the degree of unanimity from the fact that 146 votes were recoined in favor of the innovation. That was a fair representation of the total list of members. There was certainly a larger number on the roll of the Church, but, taking the numbers present at communion seasons as a fair indication of actual raembersh’p, they had only some 150. The resolution was passed under such circumstances os to claim little respect from the Presbytery, and was then and there protested a ainst, and the protest recorded. Mr Glen dining bnly knew three or four members who objected to the instnunent j the majority of the members wanted the music.

Dr. Stuart was delighted to find that the North Dunediti Church session was unanimous on the subject. There were certainly a few who desired matters to remain in statu quo, but they would probably acquiesce in the improvement. He was, however, a little hampered by this affair, and agreed with Dr Copland that the circumstances under which the recommendation was passed were anything but creditable to the session. Ho suggested that the Letter way would be to leave the recommendation of the Church on the table of the Presbytery, as he foresaw an appeal to the Synod and farther complications would probably otherwise ensue. After some discussion it was agreed to leave the recommendation on the table of the Presbytery without reference to time.

THE BARRIER ACT. Returns from various churches respecting the proposed Barrier Act were read, and disposed of as follows : —Blueskin, approved; First Church, approved; West Taieri, not approved ; Port Chalmers, approved; North Dunedin, not approved; East Taieri, not approved; Knox, nob approved; Northeast Harbor, not approved; St. Andrew’s, approved; Kaikorai, not approved. There were thus six returns not approved of, four approved, and from three no returns were received. BUSINESS COMMITTEE. Upon the motion of the Clerk, the Rev. Mr Greig and Mr John Reid were appointed members of the Presbytery to attend the Business Committee of the Synod. GREEN ISLAND CHURCH. The Rev. Mr Watt submitted plans of the church proposed to be erected at Green Island. It was explained that the edifice would seat 412 people, and would cost about L 2.000. On the motion of' Dr Stuart it was dedided to signify to the Synod the approval of the Presbytery to the customary grant in aid being made. The appointing of some committees in connection with the different churches brought the business to a close.