CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 4316, 27 December 1876, Page 4

CLUTHA PRESBYTERY.

rWe extract the following from the 'Bruce Herald's" report of this body's quarterly meeting last week. The Rev. Mr Counor moved the following overture :—"That the Presbytery overture the Synod to devise such measures as in their wisdom may see fit, for the glory of God and the good of the Church, for the effecting a harmonious and satisfactory union with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, reserving in the meantime (if that be thought necessary) all the legal rights and privileges of the Church estate belonging to the Synod of Otago and Southland." -An amendment by Mr Cameron—" That this Presbytery, while desirous of union with the Northern Church, yet, seeing the divided Btate of opinion in ie arl t> the subject, think it inexpedient to take any steps in the meantime to accomplish it, and agree not to transmit the overture " —was carried by 9 to 1. Thereupon Mr Connor moved—"Whereas it is desirable that the Presbyterian Church of Otago and the Presbyterian Church of the Northern Provinces of this Colony of New Zealand should co-operate in all matters in which it-may be found practicable to do so, giving to some extent in reference, to the matters specified a mutual voice and vote in each other's supreme couTt; and whereas the late deliberations on union, though not disclosing a supiueness for incorporation, yet warrant the belief that the said churches are ready for entering into a union of corporation, it is therefore humbly overtured by i * the Presbytery of Clutha to the Synod to take these premises into their consideration, with the view of taking what steps their wisdom may direct to have such union of cooperation matured and carried, so as to ( , farther the interests of religion and promote ; the glory of God within these Provinces and ~..,.tfce foreign mission fields." This overture was. negatived, two voting for it and eight for the amendment., INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Mr'' Waters then moved the following overture j— w Whereas there iB much diyer- ~ «tyof opinion among the-members and adherents of this Church in reference to the jjse.; of instrumental music within public worship of the Christian Church, and whereas by the terms of the deliverance adopted at last Synod, it is declared that musical instruments have the warrant and sanction of Divine Scripture for their use in the Christian worship of God—a declaration which very many are unable to believe to be in accordance with New Testament precedent or precept—therefore this Presbytery resolve to petitiou . tK» Synod, as a Supreme Court of this >''46Kwfj»'to re-consider the terms of the reso- ! .mgfin above referred to, with the view-of'

relieving a grievance from the minds of | those who are unable to believe that there | is Scriptural warrant for the use of such instruments in the worship of God, as instituted by and under Christ, the Church's great .Head." Mr Adam was grieved to hear of so many being in favor of instrumental music. He was sure that if an organ or harmonium was introduced into Tokomairiro church all the Highlanders would leave in a body. The Rev. Mr Allan moved that the overture be not sent up. , Mr Dunn remarked that perhaps it would not be considered right for him to follow in the footsteps of his minister. Mr Waters must think the individual who drew up the motion which the Synod had. passed to be a most notorious heretic. He himself would not uphold the whole of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church, as it was contradictory to the Bible; nor would he sign it. A Voice : Is this man an " elder ? " Here some slight confusion took place, but Mr Dunn continued, and remarked that those members of the Church who were so opposed to instrumental music would feel very queer when they got to the sanctuary above if a harp was placed in their hands. Here the Moderator called Mr Dunn to order. Mr Waters, when replying, was asked by Mr Allan if he did not admit of instrumental music being divinely used in the Old Testament, to which Mr Waters replied " Yes." Mr Allan replied that Waters had not proved it to be out of the New Testament, and made a remark pertinent to there being as much warranty for instrumental music as for infant sprinkling. Mr Waters tken spoke of Mr M'Ara's attempting to prostitute his (Mr M'Ara's) vote in connection with his (Mr Water's) overture. Mr M'Ara explained that he did not. The amendment was then put. Four voted for it, and three only for the overture. The amendment was declared carried.