OTAGO PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2149, 14 January 1881, Page 3

OTAGO PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

In his opening address on Tuesday, the Moderator (the Bov. J. Christie) alluded to the Press in the following terms :—Another portion of our Church's environment is the Press. A splendid field is in possession of the Press, and she has the opportunity of doing a world of good. We think, however, there is room for denying that she is a true educator. If she is, she has muoh to answer for. It is to be deplored that her power is prostituted to the most unworthy ends. Merely as Presbyterians, or as a Church, we have no reason to complain of the Press. Between denominations or sections of the Christian Church we believe that all departments of tbe Press deal out an even-handed justice. Toward us in our ecclesiastical capacity the Colonial newspaper, journal, and magazine have perhaps a favorable leaning. But we come into collision in the moral and spiritual part of our work and aims. We have possibly the half of the general Press in direot opposition, another portion professedly indifferent. The secular Press is mainly hostile when its aotivity touches the domain of religion or theology. A large quantity of our standard literature is imported, and if we look at the reading matter supplied to the tables of our public reading-rooms and library shelves, there is a very small percentage provided for the Christian visitor and reader. With regard to our local issues, we have three of a thoroughly healthy, moral, and religious tone the "Presbyterian," the "Christian Beoord," and the " Temperance Herald " —but they are not sent forth with sufficient frequenoy. There is no time here for a criticism of the papers, and so I will only state the oonviction that the Church Bhould make a more extensive use of the Press than she does. The Press reaches by pamphlet and leaflet where the minister and the pulpit cannot go. Periodicals containing sound religious literature should be sown _ broadcast—introduced into every mansion, cottage, and hut in the land. Religious reading should be produced and encouraged, bo as to be cheap and abundant. Perhaps if we employed the press more it would serve us better. It is especially desirable to reach those who will not come within the sound of the pulpit, and who console their consciences with a very imperfeot knowledge of revealed truth. The novel and the infidel press send forth their productions to the remotest and obscurest corners of the country. If the enemy does come in a flood, let him be resisted and swollowed up by a better _ flood of wholesome moral and religious teaching. Let it be our aim, then, to charge this modern instrument of the human intelleot with the vitalising truth of God, ond send it forth for the enlightenment and salvation of souls. We want a literature, too, of a class which will hold up a fearless and robust aspect of those dootrineß most surely believed and received among us.