PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1080, 21 January 1879, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

I THURSDAT EVEWiNGV I T HE NEW PBOrKSSOBIAL CHAIR. I The discussion on this subject was eon^ Lnaed at 6.30 o'clock, flhe Bey W. Kirkland moved the fol. j Kbwioe amendment— v Rescind the Jn« Crim Act with a view of confetring with Ke tJciversity Council a« to the allocation Ktbe subjects presently allocated to the fcofessera of Moral Philosophy and JEn.Hsh literature." Tbe Amendment was seconded by the j-v Mr Finlayson. Eevs M. Watt, J. M. Sutherland, Rnirie aed Dr Stuart spake in favour of kl Rev Mr Will's motion, while the Rev Rvley's motion was supported by the ievs J.Clark, J. Waters, and J Chs]m The last named * gentleman said 'hat "nine-wnths of the people of Otago ■were indifferent as to how the Synod Ejalb with the question. W Themoti° n9 were then put to the Synod ■with tbe following result. W \ For Mr Kirkland's amendment, 21 ; Mot Mr BAP Berman^> &%._■■■ , W 2 For Mr Banner man's amendment, 111 -for Mr Will's, 24. 3 For Mr Banner man's amendment, 11 for Mr Ry ley's motion, 31 The Rev. J. Ryley's motion was therefore declared carried. The Key. W. Will tabled the following the nndersigned, dissent from and prot««t lLain*" the motion bow carried; inßtitutiog »«econd Prof^i >rship in the Umv-rsiry i.f Ot»«o to be designated *he dair of Mm» pail ts'opby and Political Economy, for the folio «ving reasons : — 1 Be^aose the Synod has already made prowion for the teaching of Mental and Alofi||s SoienceintheUuiversityofOt^go. -^ 2 Becauie the Trustees whose concurrence • j € nuired by Act of Parliament, »re nDani«oa3 in tb« ir apP rVoTal of V Chair of Euglisn Lwenage and Literature, and farther that the University Council alao unanimously recommend a Chair of English Language and Literatare 3 B cause we are convinced that. the Chair ofEnglun Language and Literature would be niost in accordance with the purpose for which the fond was originally set ; aside, . and would benefit the largest number. We, the uudersigaed, protest against the motion carried, and relieve ourselves of all re■pontibi ity in the matter, William Will Wm. Thomson William Johnstone James Bunciman Alex. B. Todd John Steven D. M. Stnart David B >rrie r Michael Watt JohuM'Ara '■ John M. Sutherland Robert Eiven W. S. Fitzgerald. On the motion of the Rev J. Eiley, the following Committee were appointed to reply to the prottsb on behalf of the Synod : — Kev J. Chiaholm, Rev J. Waters, Mr A. C. Begg,. M_ J. Duncan, and the mover. . RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS. The Rev W. Will moved the adoption of Dr Copland's overture on the subject. He asserted that the present secular aystern bad had a fair trial, and was disliked by the great bulk of the people. The Key. Lindsay Mackie seconded the motion in a fervid speech. The Synod rose, at 11 p.m. j FBIDAY, JANTJAEY 17. BELIGIOUS IVBTBUCTION IIT SCHOOLS. The discaision on this subject was re« turned. Dr Stuart suggested that there should be do more debating, and that the Committee should be appointed to watch over the overture. Mr Fitzgerald moved as an amendment to tbe motion that; the overture should not be adopted. He was afraid that the mere reading of the Bible in schools would come in time to be regarded as religious instruction, and that tbe Church would he content to rent there. Tbe Rtv M. Watt seconded the amendment. „. . „;'■/ ' ' ; .-.. " Mr J. Beid supported the adoption of the overture. ' ; At this stage Mr Fitzgerald enquire "Does this overture seek to establish ligiouß instruction, or does it seek simply the mere reading of the Bible in Bchoola ?" His actioQ would depend upon the answer given. ;..■■:..■- Tne Rev. Mr Will replied that the overture sought religious instruction, 10 far as it could be gained without trenching upOQ denominational peculiarities. Mr Fiiz^erald then announced his deiire to withdraw his amendment. ! It was decided, however, that it should remain before the Synod. I ; After considerable discussion, i The Rev. Mr Bannerraan moved — "That the further' discussion .of thia overture be adjourned, and chat a committee be appointed to frame a resolution expressive of the mind of the Synod on the Overture." :,■■.".;•-■;, - ; >/-': ; - > : r .' .';,;;■ T The proposal was seconded by the Rev. Mr Borrie, and agreed to/ , 7 The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to frame the resolution referred to, viz., the Mode>»tor f tn^Beys. Dr Stuart, Khkland, Will, Bannerman, Chiaholm, and Messrs Reid, Fitzgerald, and Smith. ' ,^ , ADMISSIONS TO THE CHUBCH. . The report of the committee appointed to consider the applications of the . Rev. j Thomas Summers (Congregational minister) >n<J^ Mr Jdhn^ was read.; Jt Kcpmmended the admissioa of the Rev MrSuramers, as an ordained minister, and !of Lothian as a probationer. V; The report was adopted. ;o. ,a ■ DEPUTY FROM % PRESBTTERIAJf CHTjicH. I Dr Stuart introduced to the Synod the %.,-Mr.. Treadwell, af Wauganuvt who ''as, he said, the bearer ot a commission w. the Synod from the Fresbvterian Unurcb of New Zealand. The commission ?°}*to be presented - at' 4hei^ evening •ederunt ■ "?•■■' ; ' '^^- jy->V : \-^l The Moderator welcomed Mr Tread well ;J 8 *c representatiire of the sister Presbyw'ton Church of the Colony, aasocUted

him wii li the Synod, and appointed this evening as the time at which a hearing will be accorded him APPLICATIONS FOB GBAHTS. A number of applications for grants in aid of the building of new churches, and the erection of established ones were remitted to the Committee for the Erection of Property for ita consideration. CHUSCH PBOPIRTT AND XBICTIOX. The report of the Committee on Church Property and Erection was read. It stated that the amount of grants in aid of Church bui ding had been fixed as follows : —Green Island, £12"0; Tapanui, (for Debt, Reg. 10), £114; Ravensbourne, £170 ; Gumniie's Busb, £150 ; Alexandra, £363. In accordance with regulation of Synod, directing interpretation of Regulation 4, "To include Vesta y accommodation as included under Church sittings." the Committee had amended grants already passed as ifollows ; — Otepopo, amount formerly passed, £1050, increase £120, in all j £1170; K*itangata, amount formerly passed £600, increase £140, in all £740; Inch«Clutha, am unt formerly passed J £632, increase £138, in all £770; Palmerston, amount formerly passed £1311, increase £132, in all £1443. £300 had also be^n voted out of the Ecclesiastical Fund for the removal and alteration of roanse at Swiizers. The report went on to ttate that the amount of grants for churchrs already sanctioned wouid exhaust the income of the fund for several years to come, and under >hese and o her circumstances which called for immediate relief the Committee has seen fit to recommend the Synod to request and authorise the Church Board of Property of Otago to b urow on the security of the Manse Reserve Fund, a sum of money not exceeding £15,000 with the view ot paying without delay the grants that have be*n or may bo sanctioned by the Synol. The Com mittee further recommend that, tbe balance of the grants sanctioned by the Synod in 1876 should be paid without deduction, and that a 1 congregations (unless the Committee should see fit to except Balclutba) should be required to raise the amount necessary for paying off its debt before re* ceiving payment in full of the grant voted by the Synod. The Bey. Mr Bannerman moved the following deliverance :-" Adopt the re** port, approve of the diligence of the Committee, record the thanks of the Synod to the Committee, and especially to the Convener ; agree to the borrowing of such sums as suggested in the report, request and authorise the trustees to carry out the recommendation of the report to borrow said Bii m on the Manse Reserve Fund; sanction the payment of grants in terms of the report ; relieve Balclutha from the necessity of paying its quota, in order to obtain the grant sanctioned ; authorise the Committee to purchase sites in. townships and districts Opened for settlement ; in struct Deacons 1 Courts to inform the •Treasurer what property belongs to them severally, and recommend them to commit their title deeds to the care of the Treasurer for safe keeping." The deliverance was seconded and adopted. > TEMPERANCE. The report of the Committee on Temperance was read by the Rev D. Rons (convner) It congratulatulated the Synod upon the spread of total abstinence principles amongst the ministers, for out of the forty-one minister* in charges, no fewer than thir y-ooe bad declared themselves on the side of abstinence. As indicating the line of action which should be pursued during the year, the Committee made the following recommendations :—l. That ministers preach qv the subject in December, or Borne other suitable occasion, during the year. — -2. That every fitting opportunity for reducing the number of licensed houses be used.— 3. That eucouragement.be given to the opening of public houses without' strong drink. — 4. That steps be taken for the passing of a good Permissive Bill. —5. That an Abstinence Association in connection wivh the Church be formed. , Tbe Rev John Ryley moved the following deliverance, which was agreed to, namely : — " That the Synod approve of the report, record its thanks to the Committee, and especially to the Convener ; express satisfaction at hearing that intemperance appears to be on the decrease through ut tbe country ; regret, however, that druokness prevails to such an extent, and its concomitant evils ao baneful to the physical, social, and spiritual interests of our fellow men ; direct the attention of tbe minister?, office--bearers, and members of the Church to tbe recommendations contained in the report, and instruct the Committee to prosecute their labours during the year." CHABTEB FOB THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO. The Bey. M. Watt gave notice of the followiog motion :—" Tbiat ihia Synod view with satisfaction the steps recently taken by the Council of. the i University of Otago to secure far that institution an independent charter, and earnestly hope that this action of the Council may be crowned with success." .','', / : TJne Rer.Dr Smart : A very proper notice of motion, Mr Watt. , COMPLIMENTABY. : ! . ; On the imbtipn of the Key. Mir Tedd, it Was agreed-— " That tbe jSjbod ;i*c)ord its thanks to the ex- Moderator for the excellent sermon he delivered at the opening of the Synod, and, also to the; present Moderator for his excellent address." v . TIME OF ADJOUBNMENT. S ? On the motion of the Eev. Mr Fiolay■OD t it wa« retjoired-s-" That the Synod, at its adjournment to-night, adjourn till Monday, at 1 o'clock." •*

KEPORTS OF BTXOD. Mr Fitzgerald eavu the following notice of motion— " That the Synod take' into consideration the advisability of altering the form of tbe usual annual report of the Proceeding* of Synod, and to add to previous form of the reports of Committees the most important, of the speeches made daring the session. That a Committee be appointed to undertake: the matter/ 1 ->a.v.<» \ ' THE KSV. MB TBBADWELL. The ßev. Mr Treadwell; of Wanganui; delivered an interesting address, conveying the fraternal greetings of the Northern I Church to the Synod of Ot ago and Southland. He referred to the union of the Presbyterian Church in "Victoria, and the benefits aiising therefrom. He eloquently urged thft the Church in Otago should unite with the Northern Church.. The question of union' was about to cb'me Before the Northern Church again. He said there were. men. in, the Government of New Zealand who ckred very little for the Scriptures, and cared very little for therevelation of Christ. Disunion was weakness Being united, 1 the Church of North and South ;wpuld have an ail-powerful influence iv dealing with the education, ques ion and other important subjects. The Bey. Dr. Stuart said that the mem-: hers and adherents of the Presbyterian Chuich in Otnig* were increasingly favorable to union with the Northern Church. He moved ■~ ± '-'(That this Synod record its thanks to Mr Treadwell for his excellent address, and fequesthim to give. assurance to his Church of our continued interest in its welfare, and oi our prayers for its prosperity." aa« The R«Y : "W^. Bannerman seconded the motion. He agreed that Mr Tread we l's arguments in favor oi the union of tbe Presbyterian Church in Victoria were appropriate, but the circumstances were different iv New Zealand. Still, he enter tamed the most cordial feelings to waads the Northern Church. The Moderator, in conveying the thanks of the Synod to Mr Treadwell, said the union of the Northern and Southern: Churches must remain undecided, until the Synod saw the difficulties removed. MISSION COMMITTEE. The Rev. W. Bannerman, Convener, read the report of the Committee, giving favourable accounts of the progress of the Ngunese mission in the New Hebrides islands. The Committee, taking into con. sideration i the long service of Mr and Mrs Milne, had invited them to take a furlough and visit New Zealand or tbe Home country, They had been ten or twelve years on the islands During their absence from IVguna their place would be supplied by Mr Miche!sen, who, as a second missionary from the Church had been heatily welcomed by the Mission Synod, and had fully answered the expectations entertained by the Committee in connection with him. Mr Michelsen had acquired the Ngunese language in less than four months. On the return of Mr Milne from his furlough, Mr Michelsen would require to come to Otago with a view to ordination, the Mission Synod prefening that course. Mr M'Greuor, of the Amoy Mission, and Dr. Stuart, of the Canton Mission, had heartily approved of the scheme suggested by the Committee of sending a suitable young man to pre~ * pare himself for the work of a missionary amoDg the Chinese resident here, a scheme which since last Synod had been ado ted and carried into effect by the Wesley an v ocference of Australia. During the past year four ex2eilent young men bad presented themselves for training for mission work. The Committee, in the absence of a stated missionary, had endeavoured to carry out the proposal made to last Synod to instruct the Chinese in English, but hitherto they had failtd to find proper agents. They had, however, the prospect of one of their ministers being engaged, temporarily or permanently, in the work of instructing our Chinese immigrants, after the manner followed in some parts of America. The Committee legretted that the British Government had declined to annex or assume the protectorate of the New Hebrides Group of Islanids. They would record their thanks to Mr E> B. Carg.il for the efforts made by him in favour of the annexation when, addressing the Colonial Institute on the occasion of his late visit to Britain. The Committee recommended the Synod to sanction the; vote of a sum of £100 in recogni . ion of the services of Mr Copeland of Fatuna, who proposed the institution of the mission Bursary. The Committee desired the* Synod shou'd renew its recommendation that misssionary associations be formed in every congregation, and that full opportunity .be given to all the young of the Churchy through Sabba th Schools or otherwise, of contributing in support of the The JRev.^J. Kyley moved fche adoption of the following deliveiance:-—^ Adopt the report, approve of the diligence of the Committee, and .record the; thanks bf the Synod?to}the> Committee, and especially to the convener; express "satisfaction at tbe fav(6UtaW©''''fe ; pjii|tlt, i '/pf-the work. in the field occupied.by the.mjLssion^ies i of this Church, and of the cordials reception accorded to Mr 'Michelsen: recently sent by the Synod ; to the New Hebrides, and the success that • has attended his C Btuc|y of -the. Ngunese language ; approve of the Committee's invitation, to Mr Milne to rest from his labour for a time, and express the hope: that he may : accept of s ifc ; : . regret, that the: British • Governmen t has declined to annex : or assume the- prbtectorate bf a ihe-New ; Hebridesgroup, and. authorise the Com-; mittee to act in conjunction with the other; Churches interested in. the mission in any: future action that may be taken to secure; this object ; rejoice at the 'effort made to[ secure a mission V&t- Bursary, and the; success attending that effort ; record tbe

thmkji of the Synod to the Kev.J. Copland, and. authorise the Committee to acknowledge those services in terms of the report; renew the recommendation for the formation of associations where they have not been establised, and encourage the children throughout the Chinch to contribute towards the support of the Dayspring ; ■ instruct tha Committee; to continue their efforts to reestablish the mission to the 1 Chinese which • have come toOtago: sanction the application of the interest of the Mission Bursary Fund, and "for one year, or such portion of it as may be deemed necesnary for the encouragement of the young men whe have offered for, the mission work;' ..,., . , Thp K.ev. W Bannerman mentioned that tlte Bursary Fund in one year amounted punted to the handsome snm of £700. ; The Re Vi ; Mr Fml ay son seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ? ; . SUSTENTATIOX.PUNp. : The Rev. Lindsiy Mackie, Convenor, sread the report of the Committee, showing that the income of the Sustenration Fund for the fiAt ending 31st December, 1878 was £9127 0s 6d, being an increase on .the, income of the previous year of £367 7s 6d. Forty-four settled : charges had been participating in the fund. The Committee learned with satisfaction of the wide circulation and usefulness of the Missionary Record; so ably conducted by Professor Salmond. A proposal was brought before the Committee by the proprietors of the Evangelist that steps should be taken towards tjbe amalgamation of r that periodical with the Missionary Record. The Committee agreed to refer it simply to the consideration of the Synod. ; Ttfe Rev. M. Watt moved the adoption of the following deliverance :— " Adopi the report, thank the Committee especially if a convener ; congratulate the Committee 6u the increase on the whole in this important fund of the Church notwithstanding certain circumstances known to us al|, teudirvg. to make the fund less than it would otherwise have been ; advise the Committee to continue their diligence with a view of raising the fund to the minimum previously aimed at of £250, sanction the distribution of the Fund on the principle laid down by last year's Synod, oa which the Committee acted; agree to accept HampdeD, owing to ito exceptional circumstances, from the operation of the principle, and to make it participate in the Fund on the footing of a self-supporting charge learn with satisfaction the continued wide circulation and usefulness of the ' Missionary Record ' in bringing the various schemes of our Church before so many of our people, and appoint a commitiee to consider, and if praciieable, carry out the amalgamation of the ' Record' with the 'Evangelist.'" THE NEW CHAIB. On the motion of the Rev. J. Ryley, the C erk was instructed to ascertain from the Chancellor of the University whai would be the earliest opportouity at which the Counc'l would receive a deputation from the Synod in reference to the institution of the new Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Fconomy and the division of subjects presently allocated to Professor Macgregor. It was also resolved to transmit a copy of the luteriu Act an pasted to the Board of Church Pioperty I Tre Synod rose at 10 50 p.m., and ad- [ journed tilt 1 p.m. on Monday.