Clutha Presbytery.

Bruce Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 710, 18 June 1875, Page 5

Clutha Presbytery.

This Presbytery met in the Balclutha Church at noon 6ri Wednesday. . There were present— the ■ Re v^ Messrs Skinner (Moderator), Bannerman, Waters, M'Ara, Chisholm, Connor, 'arid,. Allan; and Messrs James Johnstone, ' W. Paterson, R. Couperthwaite, and Wi Chishohn, elders.

The meeting was, opened with pfaise and prayer. ; r . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and 'confirmed. • ; :

The following commissions for elders for the ensuing year were read : — W. Paterson, Kaitangata, and Chisholm, Warepa. ; The Rev; W. Bannerman reported that he had communicated -.with; the Church^ Extension Committee as to the wants of the wants of the Gatlin's River district, and had received a Teply expressing the readiness of the Committee to assist in securing 'supply for the district, arid requesting tb be informed as to what the inhabitants of the district would do in the matter. ' ;

The Key. W. Bannerman was appointed to engross report. ; , The Treasurer reported that all the congregations had not yet reported as : to the collections for the Presbytery expenses. It was resolved that the congregations which had not yet made the collections should do so before next meeting of Presbytery.

IWSTBUMJBNTAIi MUSIC,

The following overture of the Synod was read : — "Whereas the use ot' instrumental music as an aid in the /worship of. God is Scriptural, and has been sanctioned by most Presbyterian Churches throughout the.world, and whereas throughout our churches there is on the part' of many ministers of the Church a desire that the liberty to use this aid be given to such congregations as may unanimously desire it, it is numbly overtured by the undersigned members of the Synod that the Synod would take this whole subject into itheir consideration, and devise such measures thereanent as may tend to pro-, mote the glory of God and the good of the Church." ' ■

The Rev. W. Bannerman moved that the overture be not adopted. Mr James Johnstone seconded the motion. Mr Chisholin moved as an amendment " That the overture be adopted." The Rev. J. Waters seconded the amendment pro forma. After a discussion, the Rev. W. Bannerman's motion was carried by eight, votes to one.

It was resolved that the overture of the Synod should be sent down to the Kirk Sessions for their decisioniipon the same.

IS. The Rev.. J. Allan handed ia a report, with papers, upon Mr Boyd's studies," and the Presbytery expressed its satisfaction with the same. -....-•.

The Presbytery agreed to hold a Conference upon the state of religion in the district at its next meeting. . , . The Rev. J. Waters reported on behalf of the Psalmody Committee that they had secured the services ot Mr Reid to teach sacred music in five of their congregations, one night a week -each, and that satisfactory progress was being made. . ' ,

The Psalmody Committee was requested to report fully upon the whole subject remitted to the Presbytery by the Synod. The Presbytery then adjourned till the third Wednesday in September, at 12 o'clock noon.