THE FIRST CHURCH AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

Evening Star, Issue 7180, 6 April 1887, Page 3

THE FIRST CHURCH AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

At to-day's sitting of the Dunedm Presbytery an extract was read from the minutes of the First Church Session making application for permission to use instrumental music in the congregation. The minute showed that 411 members of the congregation had voted, of whom 362 were in favor of and 49 against the use of instrumeital music. Of the adherents 127 were in favor of and 2 against instrumental music. Messrs K. Ramsay and Morrison addressed the Presbytery in support of the application ; and Messrs A. C. Bkcsu and Gillies on behalf of those members of the congregation who were opposed to instrumental music. The Rev. Mr Gibb said that the motion for the introduction of instrumental music was tabled for two months in the Deacons' Court before it was discussed, so that the matter had been before the congregation for the space of four or five months. Coming to the vote, it would be found that 411 members voted, of whom 362 voted for and 49 against, or a majority of over seven to one. Of the 129 adherents who voted, 127 votel for instrumental music and 2 against, which gave 03 to 1. Altogether 540 votes were registered, which gave 489 for to 51 against, or over 9 tol. Several persons who had abstained from voting had admitted to him that they did so on the ground that they were utterly indiiferent, and had distinctly declared that they would not leave tho church or take any extreme action. The communion roll now stood at 590, of whom 541 had voted for and 49 against instrumental music, or a maj nity of over 11 to 1. Assuming that the First Church had 500 adherents pertons over sixteen years of age —it would be found th»t there were 489 for to 21 against, or nearly 25 to 1. Altogether 1,090 votes were recorded, of whom 1,030 were fo and 00 against the proposed improvement, or a majority of nearly 20 to 1, which he believed was an accurate expression of the feeling of the First Church en this question. He had studied the adverse vote—he did not suppose it was ultra vires for him to do so and he found that of their 49 opponents there were only six unbroken families; that was to say six families the members of which had voted together against instrumental music. Ho did not know of any congregation which had Bought to introduce instrumental music or any new thing with more unanimity of fooling than had been shown by the First Church on this question. The Rev. Mr Will had much pleasure in moving that the prayer of the congregation be granted. There was as much substantial unanimity in this case as could fairly be expected in such a congregation. Indeed, he ventured to say that most of the members of the Presbytery must feel surprised that tho majoiity had been so great. 'lhose representing the minority deserved a great amount of kindly consideration. They had opposed the introduction of instrumental music in the First Church from a conviction that it was against the standards, but had failed to show the Presbytery that such was the case. He contended that in sanctioning instrumental music tho Presbytery did nothing wrong. Mr Begg argued that the old dispensations had passed away, and there was now a new form; but the Bible was a sufficient answer to that argument The Bible approved of instrumental music—they were told in the Psalms to praise God with harp and with psaltery. God had sanctioned instrumental music, and there should be no objection to granting the prayer of the petitioners. He moved—"That the Presbytery find substantial unanimity, and therefore sanction instrumental music." Mr K. Ramsay seconded. He was rather amused at hearing Mr Begg say that those in favor of instrumental music had been hunting up members to secure their votes. He knew very well that great efforts had been made in that direction by the strong opponents of the introduction of instrumental music, and if challenged could state by whom. He would greatly regret that any family should leave the First Church, and was sorry to hear Mr Begg state that if instrumental music were sanctioned he would not continue a member. Of the forty-nine who had voted against the proposal, ho (the speaker) was satisfied that within a couple of hours he could gr.t assurance from more than one-half that they would continue members of the Church. An organ was simply wanted to aid and improve the choir and congregation in their tinging. Mr Begg : It is not an improvement; but an innovation.

No amendment having been proposed, the resolution wag declared c irried.

Mr Bkog intimated that he protested, and would appeal to the Synod against the judg ment of the Presbytery. The Rev. Mr "Will said that it was perfectly competent for the minority to appeal to the Synod. The minoiity could not be regarded as factious, and it would not be right to over-rule their appeal. The Rev. Mr Gidb moved that the protest bo disallowed. If the First Church \vere allowed the use of instrumental musio at once no harm could come, but only good ; on the other hand, if the matter were hung up for six months, after bo hearty an expression of opinion on the part of the congregation, strong feeling would be engendered. Mr Ramsay seconded the motion. The Rev. Dr STUART could not see that holding the matter over till the meeting of Synod could militate against the First Ghuroh in tho slightest degree. It would be a very high-handed procedure to refuse the minority their rights. The Rev. Mr Will moved, and the Rev. R. R, M. Sutherland seconded "That the protest be not disallowed " Both geatlemen expressed the opinion that the Synod, in the face of the substantial unanimity shown, would grant the prayer of the petitioners. Mr Ramsay said that if that were the case it was absurd, for the mere sake of sentiment, to hang the matter up for six months. If there were seven members to one in favor of the proposal, why should so large a majority of the Rivmbers be irritated by delay ? Mr Will's amendment was carried by nine Votes to six, and the Revs. Messrs Will and Flnlayson were appointed to support the resolution of the Presbytery before the Synod.