DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

Evening Star, Issue 9153, 7 June 1893, Page 2

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY.

The Duuediu Presbytery met in the hall of the First Church to-day, when there wore pre-sent--The Revs. A. Greig (moderator), W, Will, A. P. Davidson, J. Gibson Smith, J. M, Sutherland, R. J, Porter, J. M. M'Kcnow, J. M. Fraser, AV. Campbell, J. Kirkland, J. Gib)), A. Cameron, D. Dutton, A. M. Finlaysou, J. Christie, H. Adamson; Messrs E. li. Cargill, Hutton, D. Thomson, F. Marshall, J. Paterson, W. Leslie, jun., J, Sawell, D. A. M'Nicol, and J. YV. Laing. A COMMISSION. A communication was received from the Chalmers Church congregation, intimating that Mr Donald Thomson had been elected to represent them in the Presbytery and Synod for the ensuing twelve months.—The commission was sustained. *» - fRESBYTEHY EXI'KNSKH. The Clkbk stated that tho committee on tho question of Presbytery expenses met that morn* ing, and agreed to recommend that the clerk's salary be fixed at £3O a year; oud tliat the assessment on the various congregations has increased for this year by 10s each for the larger congregations, and by 5s each for the smaller ones. That assessment Would raise a total amount of £49 10s. It was supposed that that amount would meet the extra expenses of ministers travelling on Presbytery business for some time to come. According to the recommendation the assessment would bo .'—First Church, £5; kliox Church, £5 ; Bt, Andrew's* £3 10s ; North Bunedin, £3; Port Chalmers; £3 ; East Taieri, £3; West Taieri, £3; Waikouaiti, North-east Harbor, Anderson Bay, Mornington, Kaikorai, Green Island, and Mosgiel, each £2 ss; Coversham, £1 15s; North Taieri, £1 15s; South Dunedin, North-east Valley, Blueskln, and Chalmers, each £llss. Mr Caroill moved—-"Thatthe recommendation of the Committee be approved," but the motion was not seconded.

The Rev. J. Gibbon Smith moved—"That tho matter be again remitted to the Committee for reconsideration, and to bring up an altered rate based, not upon the old assessment, but upon a scrutiny of subscriptions raised in the •various congregations; the Revs. Cibb, Will, and Sutherland to he added to the Committee."

The Rev. Mr C.uiEHON moved, as an amendment—" That the Presbytery pass from the subject of special Presbytery expenses to the next business." He did not think there was any necessity to consider the question of Presbytery expenses. Most of the ministers had horses, and those who had not could borrow them from those who had. The Itov. J. M. Phaser seconded the amendment. After some discussion, the amendment was put and lost, only the mover and seconder voting in favor of it. Mr Smith's motion was subsequently carried by a large majority. the nkw hemudks mission. The Rev. Mr Cameron brought under the notice of the Presbytery that all letters and mission boxes for the New Hebrides required to bo forwarded in time to be in Svdnev )>v July 12. IWWiE-UK.UUXi; IN schools. The convener of the Committee on the question of Bible-reading in schools forwarded a communication intimating that the Committee met on April 11, 1893, when it was agreed to recommend the Presbyteries to request their ministers to address their congregations on the importance and necessity of the Bible being read in the public schools within school hours and under a conscience clause, and also recommended their office-bearers to use such etforts as may secure the return of members to Parliament who will vote for Bible-reading in the schools. The Rev. J. Gibb moved—"That the communication be received." He did not think any good would come of bringing the matter under the notice of congregations at the present time. The Rev. R: Porter seconded the motion: He thought it would be simply a waste of time to appoint deputations from congregations to endeavor to secure the return tyf candidates in favor of Bible-reading in schools. He questioned whether such action would influence a single voter. The Rot. J. M. Kuaskh thought some steps should be taken in connection with the matter. It hn.d been before the Presbytery for so many years, and surely they were not going to saynow that they had been beaten, and that they were going to give it up. He knew that some congregations had been appointing deputations; and in some cases enthusiasm had been got up in the matter, and some good had been done. He moved—"That the matter be referred to a small committee, to report to the next meeting of Presbytery." The Rev. Mr Dirro.v said he was satisfied that most of the congregations were not in earnest in this matter. The Rev. Mr Fraser : They ought to bo. The Rev. MrDuTTOX observed that whether they ought to be or not the fact remained that they were not; and he felt that if deputations were appointed it would introduce political nartics into the church, which would do a great deal of harm. Many of their congregations had made no effort at all to get the Bible introduced into tho schools. The Rev. Mr Frasek : More shame to them. Mr Cahgill was very much surprised to hear an expression of opinion like that which had fallen from the lips of Mr Dutton. He thought the matter was one of supreme importance, and one that was worthy of being urged upon congregations by every possible means. It was only by keeping the matter before the public that they could hope to do any good. He would move—"Thatthe recommendation of the Committee be sent down to the congregations, with a recommendation that they take such steps as they think fit to urge the matter upon congregations." He did not advocate the setting up of congregational organisations for political purposes. He thought it would be a very sad thing if they saw congregations split up by discussions of purely political matters; but ho did not look upon this as a purely political matter. It was a matter that did not appeal to political parties at all; but ho thought that the Presbytery should not look with equal favor on the "men who were opposed to everything to which the church attached importance and the men who were not, but should give a preference to the latter. The Rev. Mr Fraser seconded Mr Cargill's amendment.

Mr Patehson thought that Mr Duttoir was perhaps mistaken a little in Baying that there waH great indifference among the congregations on the question. He knew in the St. Andrew's congregation great interest was manifested in the matter.

The Rev. Mr Dutton explained that ho had simply stated what was a fact in his own experience with regard to the matter. The singular thing was that they would find people ready enough to agree to the advisability of getting the Bible introduced into the public schools; but when it came to the iwintof giving proof of their desire for the introduction of the book, where were they ? He, himself was not opposed to Bible-reading in schools, as was shown by the fact that he had taken an active part in Southland and elsewhere in agitating on the matter. The Rev. Mr Cameron feared that Mr Cargill's motion did not go far enough. He thought' it would be preferable if the Presbytery were toi take active steps in order to secure the cooperation of the other denominations in town in stirring up some interest in the matter. The Rev. Mr Gibb said if Mr Cameron moved in the direction he had indicated he would withdraw his motion in favor of Mr Cameron's. He all Mr Cargill had said on the subject, and he thought it was to their shame that they had done so little as a church to secure the return of fit and proper men to represent them in the national councils. He had the heartiest Byunp&thy with tJie restoration <}£ .the Bible into the State schools ; and the reason he moved his motion was that he was utterly hopeless of any good coming out of the proposal that the matter should go before the congregations in the same way that it bad gone so often already. He, however, approved of some rbw inethqd. Pi

IgltMiou, laid of tth offirt being ro&4e id itocute the M-owwtioii ofthe othM Jin jDvuiedlniAobiffiwMoii vw'fat matter. 4 ■'"' '" The Rev. Gibson Smith thought that bef«• the Presbytery could agitate gard to the matter they waptted to fet their i own enthusiasm up to a higher pitch; than it waa> at preßent; and that Could, be done nobJMJ nutchi.' by an appeal to their hearts as by enlightening.; their judgment. He oanfeßsedhifflgfllf to being in ai position of exJnaideraWe.peMtatty on the subject flis sympathies weretylSvdr of Bibld*; reading iu schopls, but be saw. great difficulties j in the way of its being brought about. There ' were a great many objections against the or©.' poaal, and members of the Presbytery should be prepared tp meet every abjection brought before them. Unless they w«re.Jd pieplred tlle> cWild hot cany the movement to a completion. He thought, that the Presbytery should appoint a special day for a conference on this matter, so that they could have the subject'threshed out thoroughly. He moved in the direction he had indicated.

The Rev. Mr Adamsok'seconded the proposal. He was very much in the same position as Mr Gibson Smith in regard to the matter, and thought that they must take into account the fact that a large part of the community wanted, and would fight for, denominational educationAfter further discussion Mr Gibson Smith's proposal was agreed to, and It was d*oidcd that the conference on the subject be held this day fortnighti ... itpiGNATjOK; The ReV. W. Campbell wrote resigning his charge of the South Dunedin congregation. I —lt was resolved tliat the Rev. Mr Cameron preach on Sunday next at the South Dtmedin Church* and arrange for a congregational meeting to consider the resignation and report to next meeting of Presbytery. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Leave was granted to? the West. Tajeri and Anderson Bay congregations to introduoe instrumental music into their churches.