THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 28, 1 September 1864, Page 3

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

[Communicated.] This Synod met at Edinburgh on Monday, 9th May. The Rev Alexander , Young, retiring Moderator, delivered a sermon, from Psalms 86, 27, which astonished every one by the energy and ability it displayed, especially considering thatthe author was in the 65th year of his ministry. The seimon is very properly published, and will be found to contain, among many other excellent 'points, an earnest pleading for union among the disciples of Christ. Dr King, of London, was unanimously elected Moderator. The Rev 11. M. Mac Gill read the report on general statistics. The number of congregations vas 578; of communicants, 170,531; of elders, 4256-, of students in divinity, 151 ; of baptisms, 10 667. As to finance, the whole congregational contributions amounted to L 216,618 ; of which 1,84,922 was for stipends; and for Missions and benevolence, L 51,392. For the Manse Fund there had been received L 33,012. The Report respecting Church extension in London, represented the cause as highly prosperous. The sum of L4OOO was wanted for this object; eight individuals had added L 2300 to their former subscriptions, and it was resolved to raise LI7OO from the Church. The Committee on Union gave in their report, which excited the liveliest interest. An animated and lengthened discussion took place in the Synod, and several very abe nnd effective speeches were delivered. The whole terminated in the following motion, unanimously adopted :—" The Synod expresses its great satisfaction at the Christian courtesy and kindly feel in* which have distinguished the Conferences of the joint Committees of the Free and United Presbyterian Churches, and its unabated sense of the importanre of their object; and without gi\ in" any deliverance on the articles submitted in the Report, re-appoint the Committee and recommit to it the Keport, with instructions to continue the Conferences in terms of their original appointment." In the discussion there appeared some difference of views respecting Voluntaryism, amongst members hitherto regarded as most earnest Voluntaries. The difference appeared to be more verbal than real. At all events the reconsidera tion of the subject, which was much needed, will be forced on, and discussion will inevitably do rand "Truth's like a torch; the more it's shaken the more it shines ;" and if a littlerubbish be cleared away, perhaps at both ends, a valuable object will be gained. On Wednesday evening the great AnnuaV Missionary Meeting was held in the Music Ilnll, which was crowded. The Rev 11. M. Mac Gill read the Report respecting Home Missions. 'Ihere are 104 Missionary congregations, wJich ha\e received L 4147. The Rev Dr. bomenille read the Report on Foreign Missions. Independently of Australia, Fiance, and Belgium, to which money has been (jnen, there are seven separate missions, including China, where a commencement has been mnde. There are in all forty ordained European Missionaries, four medical missionaiies, fi\e ordained native Missionaries, eight native Evangelists, fourteen European teachers, and 79 natne teachers—making an agency of 150 educated persons. James Parfdie, Esq, W.S., Treasurer, read the financial statement. The Fund for Foreign Missions received L 19.624 14s. 10d.; that for Home Missions, including support of Gospel Ministry and Churcli extension L 8794 Is. 7d.—together, 1,28,418 15s. sd. The total sum received lor Missionary purposes was L 41,178. On Thursday, the Committee on Correspondence with Foreign Churches presented its Report, relating to Belgium, Holland, France, and Geneva. A letter wai also read from Dr Marie D'Aubigne, respecting the commemoration of the 300 th anniversary of Calvin's death. The Synod adopted the Report, and expressed their venerntion for the memory of the illu'triousßeformer. The Rev Win. Will was heard on behalf of the Church in New Zealand; and the Synod recommended a grant from the Foreign Mission Fund. On Friday, the Synod was occupied for some time in considering, with closed doors, the subject of social morality. It was agreed that the Keport of the Committee be printed and circulated. It was proposed by the Mission Board, and resolved by the Synod, that ministers be recommended to preach on the fiist Sabbath of November, on the necessity of the Spirit's influences, in order to the success of missions, ana to hold special meetings for prayer in regard to that subject. The Committee for the Renewal ot Intercourse with the Welsh Presbyterian (Antii Calvanistic) Methodists, reported, and staled the I creat similarity of that Church to the United I Presbyterian Church, with respect to doctrine, worship, and polity. The Report was adopted, the Committee thanked, aud the idea of union encouraged. The Moderator delivered a very appropriate, able, and solemn address from the chair ; and, after devotional exercises, the Synod was dissolved.—Abridged fiom the "U. P. Magazine.'