SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 633, 18 February 1867, Page 6

SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

The following is a summary of the proceedings of the Synod of Otago and Southland held during the past month : — The second annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland was opened on the 10th ultimo, the members of Synod assembUng in the First Church, Dunedin. The following is the roU of Presbyteries included in the Synod : — Dunedin Presbytery— The Rev Messrs Burns, D.D. ; Will, Stuart, Johnstone, M'Naughton, Watt, Christie, Connor, Gillies, Davidson. Clutha Presbytery — Rev Messrs Bannerman, Todd, Kirkland, Wise, Allan, Copland, M.D. Southland Presbytery— Rev Messrs Stobo, Clark, Alexander, Stevens. Tbe members of the Synod present were — Dr Burns (Moderator), and the Rev Messrs Bannerman, Todd, Kirkland, Allan, Copland, Waters, Stuart, WiU, Johnstone, M'Naughton, Christie, Watr, GUlies, Davidson, Stevens, Clark, Alexander. Commissions of the foUowing elders were also given in and sustained : — Messrs Buchanan, GUlies, Smith, Crawford, A. Todd, Sherman, Thomson, Hill, D. Anderson, E. B. Cargill, Rait, Johnston, Anderson, Adam. The Rev. Dr Burns having delivered an eloquent sermon from Luke i., 78 and 79, took his seat as Moderator, and nominated his successor. FoUowing the order estabhshed by the selection of the Dunedin Presbytery for the first meeting, it would, he said, have heen his choice to have named the Rev Mr Bannerman, senior member of the Clutba Presbytery. He was, however, Clerk to the Synod, and the Rev Mr Todd, whom he would have next proposed, was precluded by the state of his health, from undertaking the duties. Mr Stobo, of Southland, was not present, and next in seniority was the Rev Mr Stuart, whom he proposed. The Rev Mr Stuabt declined, and proposed the Rev Mr WiU; and the proposition having been seconded by the Rev Mr Todd, Mr Will took the chair as Moderator, and delivered a short inauguratory address, in the course of which he suggested the propriety of the method of electing the Moderator being so altered as to admit of the member elected being to some extent prepared for the honor conferred upon him, and for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. "Notwithstanding the faults and shortcomings which might have necessarily characterised the early progress of their Church, he congratulated the Synod upon the amount of effort which had been used to plant Churches throughout the bounds of the Synod, and upon the cheering fact that those efforts had been rewarded with so much success. They had not, however, reached the point at which they couH contemplate standing stttl, if ever that co\ild be reached ; and he did not doubt that the Synod, during its present meeting, would be called upon to devise new measures for carrying on more extensively throughout Otago and Southland the great work to which they had been called. He prayed that, in that matter as in others, their meeting might prove useful to themselves, and profitable to the Church. The minutes of the last meeting of Synod having been read by the Clerk (the Rev. Mr Bannerman), it was agreed that the Rev. Messrs Campbell and Scrymgeour should be associated with the Synod during its present meeting. The Synod then proceeded to appoint committees on bttls and overtures, a committee to examine records of Presbyteries, and standing committees. There was afterwards a discussion as to the reading of the answers of the Committee of last Syuod to reasons of dissent which had been made to the resolutions of the Synod relative to the Basis of Union. It was agreed that it was irregular, at a subsequent Synod, to read answers to reasons of dissent ; but, in the circumstances under which the answers had been brought down last year, it was pleaded by several members that it would be but justice that they should be read ; ana, ultimately, a motion to that effect was adopted, with the proviso that it was not to be received as a precedent. The answers having been read, and hours of Committee meetings appointed, rcuo Synod adjoiimod until 11 a.m, nextday ; and it was arranged that the meetings should extend daily from the same hour unttt 3 p.m., and from 5 p.m. until not later than 11 p.m. SECOND DAY. The Synod again met on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ; the Moderator (the Rev. Mr WiU) in the chair. After devotional exercises, the minutes of the previous sitting were read and adopted. The Clerk (the Rev. Mr Bannerman) read commissions in favor of Mr W. Mackay, Anderson's Bay, and of Robert Mackay, Oamaru, as elders ; explaining that the commission in favor of Mr Shennan, from Oamaru, was a mistake. The commissions were sustained. TBUST DEEDS. Mr G-ILLIE3, as convenor of the Committee for the preparation and printing of model Trust Deeds, laid on the table printed copies of the same, and it was agreed to approve of the dUigence of the Committee, and to remit to a Committee the duty of ascertaining the probable expense of preparing deeds for property according to the model adopted, a report to be made at a future diet. THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS. The Rev Mr Todd read the report of the CoUege Committee, which was appointed at the last meeting of Synod, to consider what means were within the power of the Church for encouraging and preparing young men to undertake the work of the ministry. The Committee reported that they had communicated with the Church Treasurer, Mr Edmund Smith, arid found that no funds would be avaUable for CoUege purposes for sometime. The SoUcitor's account for passing the Church Lands Ordinance would amount to £500, a-third of which would absorb the College funds for this~year. In the meantime the Comr mittee recommended to the Synod the immediate formation of a fund to assist young men in studying for the ministry under the superintendence of Presbyteries. They had great pleasure in inform? ing the Synod that the late Mr Joseph Lang, Little Tokomairiro, had bequeathed a sum of £200 for that purpose. Thefollowing was quoted as the extract from his will :— " And should a society or fund be formed or raised in New Zealand, within five years from my decease, for educating or assisting young men ' to enter the Christian Ministry of the Presbyterian Church, I give and bequeath to such society or fund the sum of two hundred pounds. (Signed) —Joseph Lang." -For the regulation of Presbyteries, whUe superintending the studies of young men, the Committee recommended to the. Synod the fixing of a curriculum, to extend over a period of six years at least-r-three Uterary, and three theological ; and the report specified studies in humanity, logic, moral philosophyj and history for the first three years ;, and the theological, linguistic, historical, and oratorical studies for the second three — the Presbyteries being left to prescribe such additional subjects as they might deem necessary. The report concluded by suggesting tbat, before an applicant should be admitted to study for the ministry the Presbytery should examine him in respect to his quattfications and attainments, and determine in what year of the prescribed course his studies should commence.' The; Rev. Mr Stuabt congratulated the Church upon the apparent earnestness with which the matter of the report was being taken up, and he referred to three instances in' winch young men had proceeded to the Home country to prosecute their studies for the Ministry. Another,, on the recommendation of the Examining Committee, had gone to Melbourne to prosecute his Uterary studies, and he hoped they would be able to obtain a large amount of encouragement to young men desiring to proceed for such. objects either to Britain or the Colonies. . Mr E. B. Cabgill hoped the day would come when all the facUities for the training of young men for .the Ministry would be found in the Province, but: m the meantime, the encouragement of students to-go either to the: colonies or home, which was least costly, was an object deserving

; the utmost support. In reply to the Rev. Mr Watt, he said it was not contemplated, nor was it advisable, to include in the scheme the encouragement of students at home not emanating from the colony. The Rev Mr Copland reviewed the three points which, in connection with the subject, it was expedient for the Synod to consider. The first was the plan upon which the fund was to be instituted, and that included the question whether it should not be made a regular fund of the Church for which collections should be made, and to which donations and subscriptions might be converted The second was the method of administration. Two courses had been proposed — the assistance of students under the direction of the Presbyteries, aud the assistance of approved colonial students at home ; and another had been suggested — the offer of bursaries to students avowedly preparing themselves for the colonies. The last, he considered, was outside of the purpose of the proposed fund, which he highly approved of as encouraging a Ministry associated with the country, its interests, and with the manners and feelings of the population. The chief question was how to raise the fund to which one bequest had already been secured. The Rev Mr Waters recommended the appointment of a Committee for the purpose of directing attention to the matter, and of promoting it by urging the Überality of friends of the Church, in favor of the objects contemplated. Mr J. G-illes and the Rev Mr Connob suggested further, the pubUcation of a report by a Committee, referring to the fact of the bequest, and explaining the object of the fund, and the benefits to be derived to the Church by such a fund. It Was ultimately agreed that the report of the Committee should be adopted, and that, in the terms of the report, a fund should be instituted for assisting young men whUe prosecuting their studies 5 and, further, that the report be recorded, and the Clerke be instructed to transmit an extract of the same to the several Presbyteries. The Rev Mr Wait, on behalf of the Committee appointed to direct and superintend the studies of Mr John Ryley, student in theology, reported the Committee, on a conjoint review of the several examinations, felt warranted in recemmending that Mr Ryley be taken on trial for Ucense. The Clerke also reported, that in the Presbytery of Clutha, they had Mr Stevens, Waihola, progressing satisfactortty as student of theology. EVENING SITTING. The Modebatob resumed the chair at five o'clock. NEW HEBBIDES MISSION. The Rev. Mr Sttjabt supported an overture from the Presbytery of Dunedin, recommending that the Synod should make provision for sending to, and supporting in, the New Hebrides, a missionary in connection with the Presbyterian Mission in those islands. He gave an interesting account of the history of the mission — of its success, and of intimate relations to the churches of the colonies, and particularly to the church of Otago. The annual expense of a missionary, he stated, was from £120 to £130 ; and after the knowledge they had obtained of the character of the mission, through the Rev. Mr Copeland and Bishop Selwyn, he retted upon there being, in the Church of Otago, sufficient energy and Überality in the direction of missionary enterprise to encourage them to send one missionary to these islands. A lengthy and animated discussion took place on three separate motions based on the overture, each of these motions having the same object in view, but differing in the suggestions they contained as to the steps to be taken towards the adoption of a Foreign Mission Scheme, and the appointment of a missionary. The majority of the members addressed the Synod, and an amended motion to the following effect, was at length agreed to: — "That the Synod having considered the overture, it be resolved to support a missionary in connection with the New Hebrides Mission, and to appoint a coUection on behalf of this object, to be. made by associations or otherwise ; and further appoint a Committee to take charge of this matter, to be called the Foreign Mission Committee ; and authorise this Committee to endeavor tv secure tlio oorrices of either fMfr Copeland or Mr Inghs as first missionary of the Church, and should either of them accept, it be held that their appointment is hereby made ; and failing either of them, the Committee be appointed to gather information as to where another can be obtained, and to report to the next meeting of Synod." CHURCH EXTENSION. The Rev Mr M'Nauohton read the foUowing report: — "The Church Extension Committee have to report that, in accoi dance with the decision came to at last meetmg of Synod, they made application to the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland for two ministers for the goldfields, and they are happy to inform the Synod that the appUcation has been successful. One of the two, Mr Robert Telford, probationer . of the Free Church of Scotland, arrived in Otago last week; and the other, Mr W. Munro, also a probationer of the Free Church of Scotland, has arrived to-day. Having received an earnest request from Queenstown for a minister, and having considered the pressing wants of the Lake Wakatipu district, its destitution of means of grace, its great distance from any of our settled charges, your committee resolved to send the first minister who arrived. Mr Telford left for his destination on Monday last, and it is hoped that by the blessing of G-od upon his labors in that district he wttl be the honored instrument of gathering into^ the fold many who are now as sheep without a shepherd. Your committee have agreed to send Mr Munro to the Maniototo district. On his arrival, he wttl occupy the pulpit of one member of the Church for two Sabbaths, that minister having consented to go before Mr Munro to the Moniototo to prepare the way for him. Of course, we have had no special request from that quarter, and the committee have made no promise to send Mr Munro there; the Synod may make' some .other arrangement. .* At the same time, we must state that so far as our knowledge goes, it seems to us, next to Queenstown, the most neces-: sitous of the Goldfields. Mr M'Nichol, at. the request of the Presbytery of Clutha, has continued to labor, at. Popotunoa during the past year. Although the arrangements for Mr Beith were made by the Synod itself before; the appointment of .your committee, 1 they may state that . for the hest part of the year he has supplied St. Andrew's Church, Dunedin, either personally or by taking the place of ministers of the Presbytery of Dunedin who were officiating there. During the last quarter of.the year, .Mr Beith has been supplying Balclutha, a new station within the limits of the Presbytery of Glutha. In drawing this report to a conclusion, , your committee .would respectfuUy suggest to the Synod the propriety of sendinghpmefbr atleas'ttwo othermihisters; fornotwithstanding the large number of ministers that have been added to ; pur Church during the last four years, we may' still say, ".The harvest truly is great, whole the-laborers are few.' " A discussion arose as to the appointment of Mr Munro! v The RevYMr Connor ui;ged that' the Waipori, Cromwell, arid -Wanaka take districts had greater need of a, t minister than the Maniototo. The'RevYMr Cbpieland stated that the districts named had been to some extent suppUed; whtte the Teviot and MiUer's Flat had been almost without ministerial visitation, and the inbabitants of those districts were desirous of obtaining -a minister, and witting to contribute to his support. Eventually the report was adopted, andthe arrangement as to the employment of Mr Munro was remitted to the Committee.

CHtTBOH EXTENSION. The Rev Mr M'Natohton. as Convener of the Churoh Extension Committee, catted the at-: terition of the Synod to that portion of the re ; port (read on the previous day), relating^ to the bringing out two more ministers from Home, and he urged the necessity-of immediately taking steps to ensure their speedy arrival. The Rev Mr Stuabt said that, looking at the wants of the various districts, he thought that two ministers would not be enough. Another laborer would soon be needed for Queenstown} appUcations had been received from the Mataura, Southland, and from Balclutha ; and the wants of the Teviot. MiUer's Fla*-, Papakaio, and other important districts were very pressing. Nearer Dunedin, at Portobello, Blueskin and Half-way Bush, the settlers were anxious for ministers: and he was convinced that, if six were sent for, there would be work for all, and that there would be no difficulty in obtaining funds. Tho Rev. Mr Connob knew that bis own district was developing so rapidly, that he was unable to keep pace with it, and assistance was necessary. Other districts were similarly situated, and he knew therenvas a great desire ih each of them to have a settled minister, and a wUUngness to contribute ÜberaUy to his support. Mr John Gillies cordially supported any proposition to increase the number of Ministers. He detatted the action taken by the Synod in sending for Ministers, and urged that there would be no difficulty in obtaining funds to paypassages, &c. It .had always been that, just in proportion as the number of ministers had been increased, the dividends to each were increased also. The only thing Was to get out men who would love their work— men of heart — and there would be no difficulty in the way. - Mr A. Todd thought that six ministers would not be too many to send for, and that funds for their passage-money would be easUy obtained. Some time ago, he had collected in the Taieri District a sum of money for the special purpose of obtaining Mr Matheson to go upon the Goldfields. That was not done ; and as the money had been given for a special purpose, it returned to his hands, and tho contributors had left it to him to say what should be done with it ; and he should be glad to see it apphed towards the expense of bringing out ministers. After remarks from a number of speakers, who approved of the proposition, the foUowing resolution was adopted :— " That application be made for six additional ministers, and that the matter be remitted to the Church Extension Committee ; and that the first coUection recommended be for the payment of their passage-money:" The Clebk read a reference from the Presbytery of Southland, asking for a minister for ■ the pastoral districts. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Church Extension Committee, with instructions to carry but the object sought by the Presbytery of Southland, under the Remit already made to the Committee. NEW CHARGES. • A petition was received from the Balclutha; district applying for a new charge.- A similar 1 appUcation was also made on behalf of Queens-; town, and both were sanctioned. It waß then,) upon discussion, resolved — " That the : interim: arrangements for sanctioning new charges cease,: and that aU appUcations for the sanctioning of new charges he made to the Synod ; that power,; however, be given to the Presbytery of Clutha; to sanction Popotunoa, on condition that [ the]! Sustentation Fund Committee declare themselves satisfied with the state of the Sustentation Fund ; j and also to the Presbytery of Dunedin to sanction' charges. COMMITTEES. The report, of the Committee on Committees* was read and adopted. The foUowing committees I were appointed :— ! Fobeio-n Mission. — Revs. Dr Copeland (con-; vener), Messrs Todd, Kirkland, and Allan ;i Messrs Anderson, Smith, Rait, and J. Adam. . j College Committee. — Same as Foreign Mis-: sion ; Rev. Mr Todd, Convener. Church Extension.— -JRevs. Messrs Stuart,! Watt, Johnson, M'Naughton 5 Messrs Cargill,i aillies, HUI, A. Tod. i. Committee on Fobms. — Revs. Messrs Banner- | man, Todd, and Kirkland. j SusTENTATioi-r Fund. — Revs. Messrs Will,: "Watt, GriUies, Johnston ; Messrs Cargttl, Gillies,' Hislop, Duncan, Lawson, and Soilness. MAOBI MISSION. | It was resolved to instruct the Foreign Mission) Committee to correspond with Mr WoMer, asking the intention of the Mission Society in Bremen,; respecting the appointment of a successor to the late Mr Reimenschneider. SYNOD EXPENSES.. The Rev. Mr M'Naughton brought up the report of this Committee. The Synod expenses; amounted to £45, which was distributed among the Churches. The report which was adopted, recommended that the salary ofthe Clerk be in- ; creased, and that in future some provision be made towards the expenses of ministers coming from a long distance. RECEPTION OP MINISTEBS. AppUcation was made by the Rev. Mr CampbeU to be received into the Church, and; his Presbyterian certificate having been read, the appUcation was acceded to, and Mr CampbeU was introduced to the Synod. The Rev. Mr Munro was also introduced to the Synod, and his. credentials haying been read, he was admitted as a minister within the bounds. The Rev Mr Stu'AßT said that the , Rev Mr Scrymgeour had, been here for some weeks, and his. preaching had been so acceptable that ifc was beheved that he would receive a call from the congregation of St. Andrew's Church. But the difficulty arose that the Synod only could receive ministers from other Churches, and as Mr. Scrymgeour's credentials had been left in Melbourne a delay would be caused if provision was not made. It was resolved that power be given to the Presbytery, of Dunedin to receive Mr Scrymgeour in the event of his applying for admission into the Church, on being satisfied with his credentials. A commission i in favor of; Mr Telford from Cjlonial Committee of Free Church of Scotland, translating him to this Church, was laid on the table, and read. UNION. The Rev Mr Stuabt reported .that the Committee on "Union had not report prepared. He proposed that a deputation be appointed to attend the General Assembly, which meets at Nelson in November next. He beheved that it would pave the way for a pleasant intercourse between the Churches, arid good' would result. The.Rev ; Dr Burns seconded the resolution, which was "carried 3 the deputation appointed being the .Revs Mr Bannermahj Mr Johnstone, and Messrs E. B. Cargill, Tood, aridAhderson.

EVENING- SITTING-. The Modebatob took his seat at half-past five o'clock. FINANCE. Mr Smith, the Treasurer, brought up his Financial report. It was " read, and oh the motion of the Rev. Mr Todd, it wias resolved that the report be approved. It was also re,--solved that the thanks of the Synod be accorded to the Treasurer, and clerical assistance to the amount pf £50 per annum be rendered' to him. Further, the Synod agreed to appoint Ythe trustees of Church Land Trust, a Committee to advise with the Factor of the Church, on matters respecting the Manse Trust, and speciaUy with regard to alterations of rents, and also. Mr Morrjs and Mr Street, to assist the Dunedin Trust. The balance-Bheet showed that during the year : 1866, a sum of £4,680 Os 4d was contributed to the Sustenation Fund ,• of thisj Anderson's Bay Church gave £197 2s 6d ; Clutha, £128*j Dunedin, Ist, Church, -£393 Is IOd; Knox Church, £348 8s 6d; St- Andrew's, £76' : 19s'6di;' Green Island and Saddle HUI, £185 ss ; Inch Clutha, £212 13s ; InvercargiU, £210 ; Lawrenc^ and and .Waitahuna, £207 lis ;' Oamaru, £213 18s 6d; Oteramika, £209; PomahaTca, £224 6s Popotunoa, £10; Port Chalmers,' £121 17s*; Riverton, £125; Taieri, East, £293 2s j West,

£255 ss; North, £175 9s 6d; Tokomairiro, i£327 fis 6d ; Waihola, £180 8s ; Waikouaiti, £194 7s 6d ; WaUacetown, £2 2 17s ; and 'Warepa, £188 2s.' -,-■■- ;• To the Church Extension Fund twenty-four liCh-.irches had contributed £546 2s sd, £200 of I 'which came from the newly-sane! ioned charge afr Hampden and Otepopo. From Popotunoa, a •charge not yet I sanctioned, the amount conttributed was £143 6s. - r To the Ministers' Passage Expenses Fund, i£lo3 4s 8d had been contributed during the -year. This, added to the balance from last year, land a sum received .from Messrs GiUies and (Street of £138 15s, amounted to £348 lis 4d, of which £265 had been expended, leaving a balance of £83 lis 4d. The Mission Fund, coUected during the year, was-£349 ss. ' The ordinary coUections amounted to £271? 18s Id — the sums contributed being, Anderson's Bay, £78 2s; Clutlia, £50 9s lid; Dunedin First Church, £331 ; Knox, £605 18s 4d; St. Andrew's, £153 2s sd ; Green Island, £69 19 ; Inch Clutha, £82 17s Id ; InvercargiU, £207 19s 7d; Lawrence and Waitahuna, £100 3s IOd;: Oamaru, £162 Os Id ; Otepopo, £55 ; Oteramika, £43 lis 4dj Popotunoa, £20 3s 4d; Port Chalmers, £68- 13s 6d; Riverton, £82 5s 8d ; Taieri, East, £85 lis ild; West, £91 7s 4d ; North, £25 10s; Tokomairiro, £197 1.4s 4df Waihola, £36 7s Id j , Waikouaiti, £49 14s Bdj : WaUacetown, £44 6s Gd; Warepa, £61 Os 4d. The special coUections for the year amounted to £529 16s 7d. The rent of seats brought in a sum of £1712 ! Ils6d. j The Widows' and Orphans' Fund had, at the end of the previous year, a balance of £166 7s Bd. This was increased during the half-year ending June 30th to £230 16s 2d, of which £200 has heen invested in debentures, and the balance is banked. *.*■-. The Synodical expenses amounted to £23 ls, which had been covered by contributions from the various churches, f SUSTENTATION TUND. The Rev Mr Will read the report of the Sustentation Fund .Committee. V Upon discussion, it was approved of, and it was resolved to declare a dividend at the rate of £200 19s 4d, and authorise the Treasurer to pay the same to the several ministers. It was further resolved that it be referred to the Committee to. consider and report at the next Synod as to the arrangements to j be made with the congregations respecting the Sustentation Fund. The Clebke read overtures from the Presbyteries of Dunedin and Clutha respecting contributions to the fund. The Rev Mr Gilles, in speaking, to the overtures from the Dunedin Presbytery, said that dissatisfaction had arisenf in a number of districts from the feeling that many congregations in the Church were taking undue advantage of the fund, which had become a drain on the Überality of some, and a bonus to the idleness and selfishness of others. The fact that there were only six selfsupporting churches was not creditable, and' it would perhaps be advisable to leave the subject to the consideration of the Committee, who might, perhaps, by the next Synod, be able to suggest some plan by which a reform might be instituted. The Rev Mr BannebmAn, as the supporter of the overture from Clutha; objected to the remarks of Mr. GiUies. He beheved the Sustenation Fund was the great means of providing grace. The best means to extend the Church was to in--crease the. Sustentation Fund. It was by that the Church was able* to do what had been done at the* present Synod, take the bold step of sending j for more ministers. The Rev Mr Watt said the great strength of a Church was self-endowment — that was' just the Sustentation Fund. V He thought that every effort should be made to increase the Fund until it was brought up to the £250, resolved upon at the last Synod. . He did not understand how pleading for it could' give offence. He had the idea that a minister ih poverty lost influence, unless he had some special talents to counterbalance it. V The Rey.Mr Todd moved, "That the Synod having read and considered the Overtures, recommend the continuance , of the efforts to carry out the resolution of last Synod, respecting equal , dividend.^ In doing so, he stated that from the report he gathered that the Sustentation Fund here was in a healthier state than that of the Free Church atYEome. Mr J. GiUies, the Rev Mr Stuart, and the Rev Mr GiUies didf not oppose the resolution, but deemed it unnecessary. It was, however, agreed to. POUBTH DAT. The Synod met.again on the 13th ult, and held a ■sitting with closed doors, for the transaction of formal business. Afc its conclusion, the Synod proceeded to the consideration of the. further subjects in the order arranged by the Business Committee.* ■' The ' Moderator (the Rev. Mr WiU) occupied the chair ; and the Clerk; (the Rev. W. Bannerman) read the minutes of che previous meeting, which were confirmed. COLLECTIONS. It was agreed to enjoin the foUowing coUection : —Church Extension (to.be made within three months)... Passage money of YMinisters, Foreign Missions, and Widows' and Orphfims' -Fund. The Trustees of.the last Fund were requested to prepare constitution. for said Fund, and to report to next meeting of Synod. - SUPPLY OP MINISTEBS. The attention of the Synod liaving been caUed to the resolutions already adopted, respecting further supply of ministers, it was resolved that the instructions adopted by the Presbytery of Otago at sitting of date June 20th, 1861, be transmitted to the ; Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland- by the Church Extension Committee, and' that the attention of the Colonial . Committee be especially called to the instructions. It was also resolved that the same instructions be transmitted to the Colonial Committee each time that this Church request supply through their means. DB. BUBNS. The thanks of the Synod were recorded on the minutes to the Rev Dr Burns fbr the exceUent sermon preached by bim at the opening of the session. DISSENT. Ah argument ensued relating to the laws as to the time of giving in answers -to reasons of dissent, but no resolution was adopted. ADJOTOTNKEOT. :'..'-. The business being now concluded, the Moderator said that he was glad that the Synod had been characterised ' by a -' unanimous spirit, ahd there had not been a x wbrd ■' spoken irom motives of Ul-felUng by 'either Ministersor Elders. If/in his earnest desire to preserve order and to prevent what seemed to him to bea departure from the ordinary form of "discussion, he had said anything to injure the feelings of any, he regretted it.. The session had- been a most satisfactory one, and all Wduia-Teturn to- their labors encouraged.' Ihey had great reason to be glad at what had been done.' In conclusion, the rev. gentleman aUuded to the fact that this year every fund .was free from debt ; and thatfthe important step of sendingfor six ministers had been resolved upon. ' He thanked the" members for the kindly spirit manifested towards him and his efforts;' and, after prayer, declared the Synod adjourned until the 14th January, 1868.— Daily Times.