THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1877.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2511, 23 January 1877, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1877.

The advantage or disadvantage of instrumental music in Churches has been discussed at length by the Presbyterian Synod in Dunedin. Some there were who wanted to prohibit the use of instrumental musicaltogether in their churches, the principal supporter of the movement being the Bey. Mr Bannerman. Others preferred saying, that though it was not necessary as a part of divine worship, yet if the congregation were unanimous in wishing for it, ib might be introduced "as an aid in sustaining the voices of the congregation while engaged in the service of praise." This motion was carried by a majority of 36 to 8, and so far as, the Synod is concerned those congregations who wish for instrumental music can have it, provided they pay for it themselves. As this subject has been broached, not for the first time, and as it concerns all congregations irrespective of the denomination to which they belong, it may be well to say a few words on the subject. In the first place, then, to our way of thinking, instrumental music in a church is almost a necessity, and that being so the best kind of instrumental music is most desirable. But like all other things, it is open to abuse, and it certainly is not, or should not, form the chief part of divine worship. People have said frequently that, they would go to such and such a church in preference to another because the music was better, thus almost tacitly admitting that they regarded their church as a species of concert room. In a church near London, at which the evening Sunday service was announced to take place at seven o'clock, it was a regular thing for the organist to strike up and play a voluntary—always for twenty minutes, and sometimes for twenty-five, compelling many involuntary listeners to do the reverse of blessing him, and, what was worse still, causing a considerable number, of pew-holders to betake themselves to other places of worship. Our opinion on the matter is that when used as an aid to the voices of the congregation in pro-, moting congregational singing, in which all can join and take part, the use of instrumental music ;.s a most necessary one, but when instrumental music is used simply as a means of enabling a choir to display their powers in performing sacred music, in which the congregation are wholly unable to take part, but are compelled to be an audience, such as they would be at an oratorio, then the abuse creeps in and makes people doubt whether the disadvantage does not more than counterbalance the advantage. In the debates on the subject in the Presbyterian Synod it was admitted that although instrumental music was not prescribed as a means of public worship, neither was it condemned; and althought it was not according to the "standards" of the church, yet that its use was permissible. The Presbyterians of Otago are evidently tending in the, direction of instrumental being used in their churches, but amongst the ministers are to be found men of the old school, who look on such an innovation with horror. Notwithstanding their objections, music, has been in use for some years, and the more moderate of the ministers and the elders seem to have come to the conclusion that the Synod will best consult its own dignity and preserve the harmony of the churches by refraining from any dogmatic utterances on the subject.

We learn by telegram that Messrs Steedman, Crawford and Whitford, of the Thames, are selected to play against England.

We bear that a cricket match was played at Parawai to-day between four milkmen and eight others. The eight in -■ their first innings scored 13 runs, and the four milkmen were disposed of for the small total of one run. In the second innings the eight made eleven, and the four only four, thus leaving the eight winners by 19 runs.

By pigeongram from Paeroa we have the following from a correspondent:—The Paeroa school was re-opened yesterday, when there were 22 children in attendance. Some more are expected to-day.—At 8 o'clock this morning there was quite a warlike scene here, the Natives in considerable numbers being armed to the teeth, and got up in full war-paint and feathers. They are building apa a shortdistance from Mackaytown, just where the Aroha Natives would have to cross for the Thames.

The anniversary of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School will bo held in Mackay street this evening at half-past six o'clock. The meeting will be opened by a public tea, and after the meeting addresses will be delivered by ministers and others, and recitations and songs given by the children.

The mcc.ting of School Committees of the Hauraki District, convened for ihis afternoon, at three o'clock, to take mea* sures to secure, the £4000 voted for school buildings in the-district, was adjourned until half-past four o'clock.

A TYPoaBAPHiCAii error occurred in the paragraph which appeared in last night's Star 1 regarding the re-opening of the schools. The attendance at Eureka School was put down at 15, which, we are informed, should have been 25.

A beligiotjs service conducted by the Rev. J. T. Hinton will be held this evening at half past seven at Mr Fletcher's, opposite Mr Renshaw's, Brown street.

The weather here is dull and drear, and, as far as the newspapers are concerned, there is not much to write about. This is hard on those who have to write, for as xight is. right, so is everyone who earns his living by writing compelled to write, not always what is right, perhaps, but still to attend to. those rites which govern the proceedings of journals. It may not be a matter of wonder that being befet for the want of something to refresh his readers with the editor requested one of his staff to write something original. The latter replied in the words of Campbell, when requested to write an original poem in a lady's album— An on final something to -\\Ale you would win me, But I know not how I shall begin, , For I fear I have rothing original :* 1 me, Excepting oiiginal sin. We are in receipt of the Annual [Report of the Government Insurance Commissioner for the past financial year, together with, the report made by Messrs Bailey and Pattison on transactions of the first quinquennium, which was laid before Parliament during, last sjession. The present pamphlet is supplied to policyholders, whose co-operation in pointing out to their friends the benefits of life assurance is invited, as also the very 'favorable terms on which assurances may be effected in the Government office. The Commissioner's report deals with the business of the past year and the state of the fund, while the actuaries' investigations have resulted in an elaborate report in detail with a number of tables.

' Each man of the All England Eleven, says a contemporary, is to receive £2C9, a first class passage out and Home, a share in two benefit matches, and a twelfth part of 25 per cent, of the net profits arising from the speculation. They are expected to return to England about the middle of May next.

The Grahamstown Fire Brigade turned out for practice last night. The members were divided into two squpds, and the first object of competition was to run the hose and reel from the Pacific Hotel to the hydrant at the corner of Albert and Pollen streets, attach a double branch of hose, and see which could get the two jets of water into i'orce iv least time. The first squad certainly were fr.ster to the hydrant, but ere the water was sent forth it was found that two minutes and fifteen seconds had elapsed from the time the whistle sounded. The play of the water was considered to be very satisfactory, 'the jets being sent in some instances right over the poppet heads of the Crown Princess. The second squad then essayed the same task, and though slower in the run-up managed to get water on in one minute and thirty-five seconds. It is true that some made it as much as one minute fifty-five seconds, but as we have taken Mr Rawden's timing in the one case we take it in the other, anal from personal observation are disposed to think he was right. The engine of the fire Brigade and that of Messrs Price Bros, were then brought into play, and four jets of water were soon in full force.

An open lodge meeting—which is a kind of entertainment very popular here —was held at the Templars' Mall, Eolleston sheet, last night,in connection with the Northern Pioneer Lddge, 1.0. G.T., No. 5. Before the doors were opened many people were assembled outside, and on the doors being opened the hall was literally crammed in about five minutes, many being unable to get seats, and still more being unable to get in at all. Bro. Scott, L.D., took the chair, and after making a few prefatory remarks called on Mr Vowells to give a song. After some trouble had been experienced in getting on to .the platform, he sang " Brother tell me of . the battle," : and at the conclusion was loudly applauded. Miss Howe recited a piece entitled " The Pawnbroker's Shop," after which Miss Cleve and Miss Hurley sang the duet, " Juanif a." This was followed by a song, "Please give me a penny, Sir" by Miss Jones, who, at the end, was compelled to respond to a decided encore. The Chairman then introduced Bro. the Rev. W. Tinsley, who, in a forcible and telling speech, advocated the cause of Templary. Songs by Misses Kevan, Hurley and Mr Meachem followed, and were well received. The last item on the programme was a song by Miss Cleve which that young lady rendered in a very effective manner, and was rapturously encored. She substituted, " 0 give me freedom ever." At the conclusion of this one the audience also gave loud expression of approval, and would fain have had another song, but the Chairman announced that the meeting would be concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. This was done and all went away apparently pleased with the night's entertainment.

Yesterday (says the Oamaru Mail) a darkey came into.our office and slowly and deliberately asked us to give him a berth as cook. We informed him that we did not keep up an establishment, and therefore did not want one. He, nothing daunted, pulled out a copy of the Evening Mail, arid'showed us the following marked advertisement s—" Wanted, a good cook, or cook and housemaid. Apply at the office of this paper." We informed him that the advertiser evidently wished for a female, as the person required was to be not only a cook, but a cook and housemaid. Not in the least taken aback, he said, " Well, sah, if there's one thing I kin dv, it's cook; but if you want to see me fill a place 'tiscally, you jest make a housemaid of me." We assured him that we would tell the party who required the domestic, and let him know the result. He then left, saying, " Yes, I tink 'tistio housemaiding jest about suits dis child."

The Christchurch correspondent of the Otago Guardian gives the following particulars of an accident to a lad:—A terrible accident occurred on Saturday, resulting in the death of a boy named Duckworth, 12 years old. He was driving a cow before him, and after going a short distance, he tied a tether-rope, attached to the animal, about four yards long round his waist. Soon after 1" the cow got frightened and bolted into a paddock. Duckworth managed to keep his feet for some time, but the animal rushed about the paddock madly, and finally he fell and was literally dragged to death at the cow's heels. Another boy who was with him vainly attempted to help him, but it was not till a couple of passersby stopped the "nfuriated beast that the tortured child was released. He was taken to the hospital, and died about 2 o'clock. The rope was tightly drawn round his waist, and the face and head fearfully battered about. The brain was also, congested. A verdict was returned at the inquest of accidental death.