THE PRESBYTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1320, 17 March 1877, Page 7

THE PRESBYTERY.

The Presby tery of Dunedin met in the First Church on Wednesday. Present — Rev. Dr Copland, Moderator (in the chair), Rev. Messrs Lindsay Mackie, John Gow, \V. Will, 11. Watt, A. Blake, Finlayson, Russel, Greig, Sutherland, Dr Stuart, and Professor Salmond. Elders : Messrs James Reid, Adams, John Reid, and James Allan.

The Rev. Mr Sutherland was appointed Interim Clerk in the absence of the Rev. Mr Johnstone, who had gone North on University business.

The Moderator called the Presbytery's attention io an irregularity in connection with the moderation of a call at Anderson's Bay, the adherents then having voted with the members. — The Rev. John Gow and Professor Salmond said they had never previously heard of adherents' votes being taken with the votes of members in the moderation of a call. — After discussion, ifc was unanimously resolved— "That the Presbytery overlook the irregularity of taking the votes of adherents in the moderation of a call at Anderson's Bay, and declare that this is not to be regarded as a precedent." — It was understood by the Presbytery that the votes of adherents could be taken at a preliminary meeting re the call of a minister.

The following commissions were received : — Mr John A. Torrance, to represent Knox Church in tbe Presbytery and Synod of Otago and Southland for the current year ; Mr James Reid, to represent North Dunedin Church in the Presbytery and Synod of Otago and Southland for twelve months ; Mr John Reid, to represent Blueskin and Merton in the Presbytery of Dunedin for twelve months.

The Rev. John Gow was unanimously appointed Moderator of the Presbytery for the ensuing six months.

It was resolved — "/That this Presbytery meet on the first Wednesday in every two months for the transaction of ordinary business." A Committee was appointed to direct the studies of Mr Michelsen, who is a probationer for the New Hebrides Mission. j HARMONIUM FOR NORTH DUNEDIN CHURCH. Mr James Eeid, Clerk of Session, North Dunedin Church, wrote that the Session was unanimuusly in favour of having a harmonium introduced into the Nerth Dunedin Church as an aid to the Psalmody. The voting papers were opened with the following results :— For. Against Members .. .. 146 .. 28 Adherents .. „ 54 .. 5 Mr Reid believed that only two or three of the 31 who voted against the introduction of the harmonium into North Dunedin Church did soon principle — the others giving adverse votes simply because they did not think it advisable to put the instrument into the Church at the present time. The Rev. W. Will thought it was very clear •that there was substantial unanimity, and in fact almost absolute unanimity, in the North 'Dunedin Church on the instrumental music .question ; and it was only for the Presbytery to see that there was substantial unanimity ou the part of the congregation. He moved : "That the Preabytery grant the application of the North Dunedin Church for permission to introduce a harmonium into the Church." ■ m The Rev. Dr Stuart said it was very pleasing that the first application coming before the Presbytery for the use and introduction of instrumental music as an aid to psalmody was almost unanimous. The law of the Church permitted instrumental music in cases where the congregations unanimously required it, and from what he had heard outside this congregation of North Dunedin was in that happy condition. He thought that the Presbytery could heartily give the permission asked. He had pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was unanimously- agreed to. NEW CHDKCH AT GREEN ISLAND.

On the motion of the Rev. Dr Stuaht it was resolved — "That the application from the Green Island Deacons' Court for consent to the modification of the plans of the new church be remitted to the Committee on Church Erection jvith power to act."