PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1418, 25 January 1879, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

THIED DAY. The business of the Synod wiw resumed at 11 o'clock on the morning of the lGth. Tim FOUNDING- OF A KEW CHAIIt. The Eev. Dr Stuabt said he bad been authorised to present to the Synod a copy of the resolution of the University Council re the proposed new Chair^which was passed unanimously on the 13th of July, 1878; also, copy of a letter from the Professorial Board to the University Council. They were as follows :—: — '• This Council having learned that iho Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland resolved ah its meeting in Jauuaiy last to erect a second Chair in the University of Otago, express their gratification at the prospect ( f another Chair, aud also their opinion that a Chair of English Language and Literature, snd history of the same, together with Constitutional History, in the present 'circumstances of the University would be of the greatest, service to the higher education." The letter from tho Professorial Board ran thus :—: — i University of Otaj?o, 30th Sept. nilmr, 1878. Sir,— l Ijavc tho hoiioi'r t!) inform you that at

meeting of the Professorial Board, held/on the 27th instant, the following resolutions were passed unanimously :— That with reference to the proposal made at the last meeting of the Synod of the Otago Presby-' terlan Church to found a Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in the University, it he tepresented to the Council- (I ) 'J hat Moral Philosophy is now Uught as a leading subject in the department of Mental science, to which a two years' course h*B been allotted in the curriculum of study. (2.) Tnat Political Economy is also t»ught as a aej arate subject in the University, the course occupying three hours per week. (3.) That the provision which has thus been already made for instruction in Moral Philosophy and Political Economy is sufficient for existing requirements, and that it would not be possible to afford longer time for these subjects than is now allotted to them, without 'extending for another >ear the duration of the period of study. (4 ) That, in vitw of thu fact that th-i patronage would be in the hands of an ecclexiastical body, the institution in present circumstances of a Chair ot Moral Philosophy could not fail to give rise to an impression throughout the Colony that it was intended to tubserve sectari in or ecclesiastical purposes ; acid that such an imure-sion, even although unfounded, would be highly injurious to the present welfare and future prospects of the University (5.) That in the interests of higher education, and in order to make the cour.se of instruction in the Arts Faculty reasonably complete, a .d thereby enable students to i ass successfully the cxaminationßof the NewZjaland University, the Chair- which are realiy, and indeed ur/e.itly needed, are » Ch ur of Physical Science, and a Chair of English Luuuago add Literature ; aud that the foundation of a teooud Professorship in the dej artme'it of Mental Science, vrhilo no provision was made for instruction in Ihjs:c>l Science, which is the bisis of all lha sciences, and while only an inadequate provision waj made for the study of the English Language, which (to our students) is the most important if all the languages, would weaken public coufidence in tbe wise conduct of the affairs of the University -Resolved unanimously, that on the grounds above specified, tho Council bo earnestly recommended to refuse its cou-re-'t to the founding of the proposed Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy, which, in the opi'iion ot'this ttoard, would not merely be superfluous, but would even be prejudicial to ' ho best interests of the University. -1 have the honour to be, &c, James G. Black, Chairman. The Hon. the Chancellor. The Interim Act having been read, The Eev. Mr Eyley moved the following motion :— " That the regulations passed as an Interim Act of Synod on the 16th day of January, 1878, be now finally passed and adopted by the Synod, with the alteration that the words contained in the second line of the first regulation, viz., 'or such other professor,' be omitted." He said if the Synod were agreeable he would be content to let this matter be put to the vote without further comment. The subject had received a good deal of ventilation, and if they were to enter into a discussion it would be simply traversing old ground. The Synod decided that members should be heard on the question before a vote was taken. The Eev. Mr Eyley would say a few words on it then. Some years ago the fund out of which Chairs were to be endowed by the University had so increased as to warrant the Synod in appointing a Chair for Mental and Moral Science. Professor Macgregor was appointed to this professorship, and had been carrying on his work under the University for several years. The fund having increased, the Synod felt some two years ago that it was warranted in taking steps to appoint and endow a second Chair in the University, and the question of the appointment of such Chair came formally before the Synod at the last meeting. They would all remember the time that the discussion of the question then occupied. The subject was debated in the ( most fair, and gentlemanly, and Christian spirit, and he did hope that, as they had to go over the whole ground again, all- hostility, unbrotherly feeling, and ungentlemanly conduct would be kept far from them, and that they would all extend Christian courtesy one to the other. At the former discussion there was almost two to one in favour of the Chair for Moral Philosophy and Political Economy — the numbers being 23 to 13. After that vote had been taken the Synod thought that, at least as far as they were concerned, the matter had ended. The reference of the question to Kirk Sessions was merely a formal matter, complying with the requirements of the Act of Parliament, and the small number of session representatives who had appeared before them that day showed most clearly that the Kirk Sessions at least had little interest in this question. However, the Synod had not risen many months when an agitation was set on foot to upset this decision, and appoint the very Chair which tbe Synod had rejected by a large majority. This was a matter which the Synod ought to bear in mind, for no new chair had been mentioned. He was Btill of opinion that that Synod had acted very wisely in selecting the Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in prefelence to that of English Language, Literature, and Constitutional History. How. ever, to come more to the point, they had that morning had presented to them a most extraordinary document from the Professorial Board. That document made an attempt to throw duet in the eyes of that Synod ; but he believed? the Board would find, ere this matter was decided, that the Synod were not so easily duped. The Board had tried to make it appear that the subjects which the Synod had adopted were already taught in the University. But they forgot to tell them that the cbair the Board propos3d to be adopted and endowed was to include subjects that were already taught in the University. They forgot that there was already a Cbair in the University of English Literature—a Chair filled by Professor Sale. And there was another matter which he thought ought to be brought before the Board and the University Council— a matter of very great importance, a matter which, for reasons he did not know, appeared to have been concealed — and that was the decision of the last Synod, relating to which there was not a single word in the document before them. Now, he for one— and he believed the Synod also— would pay the most respectful attention to any matter, whether on this subject or any other, affecting the interests of education throughout the land, emanating either from the University Council, or from the Board of Church Property. These document i recommending a certain Chair were too late— they were bnhind the time. Why did they not come up before? Why did not the University Council, taking time by the forelock, publicly express their opinion with regard to the Chair, that it would be most advantageous to the University, and most beneficial to tho interests of the entire community ? Although the Board were doing most disinterested work for them, yet ho would aay without hesitation that_ to some extent they had failed in their duty in not expressing their minds, knowing that this question was to come up before last Synod. The document pi iced the Synod in an awkward position ; but they must face their duty, and do it fearlessly, regardless of any consequences. He did not hesitate to say that in the circumstances in which they were placed, in the circumstance of this being a young Colony, free from the abuses and evils so apparent and appalling in older countries, it was their duty to appoint a Chair that was most likely to prevent these evils ever getting a root in our midst. He was quite amused at hearing this document from the Professorial Board read. That document contained the grossest and most revolting materialism. It took no cognisance of the moral and spiritual nature which man possessed, and which linked man with Heaven. It • . The Key. Xfc Stuabt : X riso to a point of '

order. The very document that Mr Ryley has been referring to, Btatea positively that mental and moral science is already provided for in the University's instruction, and I therefore think it is his bounden duty to withdraw the slander he has thrown on the Professoiial Board, as representing them as propagators of materialism. The Rev. Mr Ryley : Moderator, Dr Stuart forgets that there is a positive statement in that document which has perhaps escaped his recollection — that the physical ia the basis of all sciences. The Rev. Dr Stuaht : There is another statement, however, that mental and moral philosophy are taught in the University. The Rev. Mr Ryley : I understand, Moderator. I shall bow to your ruling and the ruling of the House on the subject. I don't wish to say one disrespectful word in reference to the Professorial Board. I am only dealing with the document. I wish to aek the ruling of the ■ The Rev. Dr Stuabt : I think it would be extremely damaging to the University if this Synod allows a statement of that kind to go uneontradiefced — a statement that is entirely false and without foundation. The Modekatou: I don't understand the point of form on which my ruling is required. The Rev. Dr Stuart : The point I objected to is this that Mr Ryley represents the Professorial Board as opposing moral philosophy, on the ground that they are entirely on the wide of niateriali-m ; whereas their document states that provision is made for mental aud moral science. The Rev. Mr Rylev : Although a much younger and less experienced member than Dr Stuart, I will not allow Dr Stuart to inis-ieprei-ent me. The Moderator : It appears to me to be a question of the interpretation of the document before us, and I don't think that any pijat of form arises on which to give an expression of opinion. A Voice : Go on with your speech. The Rev. Mr Russell thought the expression ought to be withdrawn. The Modebator : I have asked any member to state a point of form, but none has yet been stated. The Rev. Dr Stuart : I have objected to what he said, and I don't think this Synod should allow it, especially from a gentleman who began his address by deprecating personalities. Mr Beog said that the very fact that the document of the Professorial Board had been laid before them made the Board liable to criticism. The Rev. Mr Bannerman : I do hope and trust that in the discussion of this matter the professors will be dealt with as gently as pos sible, and also the University.— (Hear, hear.) The Moderator : But we cannot have a speech on this ; and The Rev. Mr Bannebman : I know that ; but The Moderator : And if any member can state any form to give an opinion on, that is the point before us. The Rev. Mr Bannerjian: What I was about to do was to make a suggestion to Mr Ryley, but of course if the Moderator has ruled me out of order I must sit down. The Rev. Mr Sothebland said that although Mr Ryley had made this charge of materialism, he did not express the opinion of many present on that point. He earnestly suggested to Mr Ryley the propriety of withdrawing it.—(Applause.) The Rev. Mr Rtley said he did not get time to explain himself, or probably this unpleasantness would not have occurred. He did not mean that the professors held to the doctrine of materialism. He had only been dealing with the document and one expression in it, namely, that physical science was the basis of all science, and that expression, as it appeared to his judgment, was gross materialism. He did not see why he was called upon to go against his own conviction, aud that was his firm conviction. He had no wish to attribute anything improper to the Professorial Board, but at the same time he began his speech on this document as a member of the Synod, and he understood that each member was allowed to express his views on it without let or hindrance. In reference, however, to the merits of the several Chairs proposed, he held that in their present circumstances, and in the present state of our Colonial history, no other Chair of which they had any knowledge, or which they were capable of appointing, woultl be so beneficial to the community as a whole as the one agreed to la«t Synod. The speaker was herd interrupted, and said he was sorry to think that there- was an intention on the part of the Synod to burke the discussion on this question. The Moderator interfered, and Mr Ryley withdrew his remark. Mr Ryley went on to pay that he felt satisfied that the University Council would be prepared to accept any Chair which that Synod 8 w in its interests fit to found. Ho was sure the members of the Council would give them credit for having acted conscientiously and honestly. — (Apj-lanse.) Mr A. C. Begg had much pleasure in seconding Mr Ryley's motion. Referring to the University Bill, he paid there had been an attempt in the Assembly to filch from this Synod ' the power to deal with this question in this way, and to put the nomination and appointment of a professor in the hands of another body altogether. The attempt he regarded as a surreptitious one; and they were informed by the Attornoy-Geuer.il that he intended to make another attempt this .se.ssion. They ought, therefore, to bd on tho watch. What did tbey generally do when they were fold that a robber was going to attempt to break iuto their houses ? They locked their doors and barred their windows, and did their best to prevent tho robber from effecting his purpose. The Synod, therefore, .should take means to prevent tho Attorney-General'd oliject from succeeding. There had nover been any cquilict between tho Synod and the University Council, and he believed that, if the Synod passed this resolution, as ho believed it would by a very largo majority, the Council would agree to it. Ho thought that those who contended otherwise were drawing a red herring across) the scent. Hs was present the other evening at a certain meeting, and saw ono of their professors sitting at his right hand, listening to Christianity being held to ridicule, and statements made that were utteily subversive of all religion and moiality. Tho Moderator said the speaker was out of order, and Mr Begg nwdo no further rein-irks. The Rev. W. Will then moved the following resolution : "That when the proposed new Chair comes up for tho consideration of the Synod, I will m<>vo that English Literature, Language, and Rhetoric shall bo ashigucd to this Chair, as recommended by the Kirk Session of East Taieii." He said the decision of the Synod that day would tell upon their Church for weal or for woe. They were, as it were, on trial before the public at present, to see if they weie tho free, liberal, candid, and unsectariau men that they claimed to be. He had to call their attention first of all to a decision given by no le<*s an authority than tho Attorney-General of New Zealand. At tho public meeting held by that hon. gentleman the other evening, ho referred to this fund in these words— "l come now lo tleol with a

matter that nag caused some n-.we aisoufwion, and aome bitter and angry feeling." Never until that day bad they seen any bitter or angry feeling, and he did not regard what' little unpleasant discussion had just taken pko ) aa an outburst of bitter or angry feeling. The Attorney-General went on to say : *' Geutiemen—l shall explain the thing to you, I think, very clearly, and I shall tell you that, after all the disclaim and abuse I have been subjected to on account of it, if I am spared next year, I shall introduce the same bill again." Perhaps he would not do so, but at any rate the Synod' were very much obliged to him for his kindness. Mr Stout went on to deal with the legal' aspect of the question. The Rev. Dr Stuaut asked whether thw was not departing from the question. The Rev. Mr Will thought not, for if Mr Stout's views were correct on this* matter the Synod were tied up ; they could not appoint a new Chair, because the University" Council could not accept it. He (Mr Will) spoke at some length with a view of showing that- fcnere was nothing to prevent the Synod going ou legally, in accordance with the existing Act,' to appoint another professor to a new Chair if they' thought tit. It was important that they should defeiid the Church from being held up aai*' kind of public soanJal. He believed that' if the Chair of Moral Philosophy and PoliticalEconomy were approved of by the Synod it' would bo refused by the University Coun-' cil, and what a position would * D ,ey' be in then ! Would not their position be a fair" cane for the interference of the, General Assembly to settle the difficulty themselves ? ( As' a member of the Church, he would be utterly ashamed to find the Church in such a position' as that.— (Applause.) For these reasons • Ke' did not think they should appoint a new' Chair for Moral Philosophy. The Chair should be for English Literature and Rhetoric. n ,Many" would bo glad to avail- themselves' of a class"" of this kind, and amongst them would be 'a, large number of pupils of both sexes'from 1 the High School and the Worinal School, as well aa from the University itself. The Rev. Mr John stone seconded Mr Will's amendment. The Rev. W. Bannebmak moved a further^ amendment as follows : "That with' the view of furthering the interests of education throughout the bounds, and securing more, fully the original purpose of the Education' Fund belonging to this Church, the Synod delay the institution of a new Chair, and take the necessary steps towards obtaiuing 'arV amendment of the Presbyterian Church Landa Act, 1866, to the effect that the Synod may be relieved from applying said fund towards instituting and supporting a second Chair in the University of Ot&go, and be empowered to devote said fund for the payment of bursaries,' so far as it will allow to pupils, of either sex, from the High and District Schools of the Otago and Southland Education Districts* who shall enter the University of Otago, havia^ passed the matriculation examination of said University ; and farther, that power be obtained, in the event of the Chair presently endowed by the Synod becoming vacant, and, the University Council not acceding to its continuance, that the portion of the fund now applied towards its support be devoted to the increase of the number of bursaries, and the giving of a bonus to such teachers whose pupil^ shall be the successful winners of the bursaries." At the outset he expressed his regret that the document of the Professorial Board bad been laid on the table. — (Applause.) For many reasons he felt that this had been , a mistake. That document first deprecates sectarianism in connection with the University, but before it closed it showed itself to be the most sectarian body in the countiy. In the document was also embodied the dictum of the professors that physical science i 3 the bains of all sciences. Was that a universal fact? Beyond making that remark he would not consent to take any further notice of the statements contained in the document. — (Hear, hear.) Referring to the use of la's name at the Attorney-General's meeting at the Queen's Theatre last Friday, he said he by no means considered it an honour to have been alluded to either there or in the House of Repiesentatives. Coming events cast their shadows before, and ho regarded Mr Stout's address last Friday evening as a wooing of the electors ; in fact he thought that Mr Stout, in appearing before his constituents then, was either the most ignorant or the most unprincipled of men. For instance, Mr Stout; seemed to have been ignorant of the fact that a New Zealand Act overrode a Provincial Ordinance, or he must have been counting on the gullibility of his audience, which was unprincipled in bim ; still more was it unprincipled in an M. H.It, and still more in an Attorney General of Wow Zealand. Mr Stout had said he referred to two members of the Cburoh Board of Property, representing himself as having gone to them and having asked whether they approved of his bill,, when they' baid, "Why, it is the vtry bill that the trus- r foes wanted all along." If that was the case, ( the Synod had been left tc discover it from the' lips of Mr Stout. Thi^s was a matter into which the Synod was bound to look. As to the proposition to establish a Chair of Briglish Literature and Rhetoric, that chair mmightt t easily bo made the handmaid to some sect or other. His own motion could not be charged with sectarianism, because in the first place it had reference to both hexes. — (Laughter.) Ho thought that the Piofedsoiul Board should be the last body to set itself up in opposition to the Synod. It s-hould also ba the last even to seuk to offer them any advice. He thought; there were men of education in tho Synod, men who had goue through as long a university curriculum as the professors themselves, and were as anxious for tho furtherance of the University as the professors were. He wished, however, to speak tenderly of them, as ho did not dobire in any degree to lessen" their influence in tho couiiry. He had dono everything he could, both privately and publicly, to defend the University and to further its interests. The Church had done the sauio, and were still prepared, despite the hard t.hinga that had boon said of them— ot the misrepresentations which they bad been subjected to — to take that University under their wing and do : fur it all they possibly could.— (Applause.) The Eev. L. Maokib brieily seconded Mr Baunernuui's amendment. The Rev. A. B. Todd suppoited Mr Will* amendment. Seveial others having snokon on the subject, and the hour of adjournment having airived, the Synod suspended its bu&intb3 till The Evening Sitting, the nkw chaw (uontixued). Tho Rev. Mr Kikkland resumed the debate on the proposed new Chair, lie moved Iho following jinvndmont : — "Ito-oind tho Tntoiina Acb with a view ot confer* iug with the University Council as to the allocation of tho subjects presently allocated to the Professors of Moral Philosophy and English Literature." Ho supported it in «, few remarks. The Rev. Mr Eylky said there was one matter be should like to refer to in addition to what he had alrcaly touched upon, and that was to a letter tnat had been received fr.>m Professor Macyregor, saying that ho was quite prepared to vacate his present Chair and vake \ip a Chair oi Prtycholosjy. The Rev. Mr jßannekjean : What's fcho dato of that letter ?

The Rev. Mr Ryxey s December 21, 1877. The Rev. Mr Will said it w*s not fair to bring up a letter of this description after such a long interval. He hoped that no notice would be taken of it. The letter was not presented. The Revs. Finlayson and Boreie also spoke on the question. The Rev. Dr Stuart bad listened with extreme regret to the introductory part of Mr Ryley'a speech— that p*rt in which, probably owing to the fervour of his mind, he had represented tbe University of Otago as < not only countenancing, but actually giving instruction in materialism. It was well known that that Synod from the outset looked with the most pridely eyes, and the University was the first in all the land to require the students' undergraduate course. Besides there were parents there— and he wss one of them— who had sons attending the University, aud it seemed to him that it wae a painful thug that that venerable Court should allow the imputation to lie that the University was teaching gross materialism. Boy. Mr Ryley s lam sorry to interrupt, but I appeal to this House to say if I made the statement thai materialism was taught in the University. Dr Stuabt had only to say that that was the impression b« gathered from Mr Ryley'a speech. However, he was glad to hear that it was wrong. He thought that his criticism on this document was extremely unfair. Whilst he did not approve of the action of Mr Stout, he deeply regretted that politics had been introduced into that debate. They wer« not f ollowerd of Mr Stout, or followers of Mr Fox— they were there as members of the Presbyterian Church. And he had listened to Mr Begg in his criticism of Mr Stout with curious feelings. Why did not Mr Begg, who was at the meeting he had spoken of, Btaud up and protest against the vote of confidence which was passed in Mr Stout? He (Mr Begg) had told them that at that meeting (the meeting of Friday last) the Presbyterian Church had been misrepresented and held up to ridicule, and that he saw a professor applaud Borne of Mr Stout's remarks, and yet be (Mr Be^g) was actually dumb.— -(Applause. ) Had he (the speaker) been present, ns he had intended to be, he would not have allowed that vote of confidence to be passed unanimously. The Revs. Sutherland, Chisholm, Clark, Christie, Waters, and others also spoke. The Rev. Mr Ryley, in reply, said it was his opinioD, based on information he had received, that the University Council to that hour would not have taken any step in the direction they had if it bad not been for one of its members, whose name he need not mention. He was sure that if the Synod came to the resolution to confirm its previous decision, the Council would receive the Chair of Moral Philosophy without the least hesitation.—(Applause.) Dr Stuart : I beg to rise for an explanation. No doubt Mr Ryley, in the remarks he made, wishes to hold out to this body thab I, in my capacity as a member of the University Council, influenced that body, and if I had not done so the resolution before you would not be there. As a member of the Council, I did advocate that course, but I am glad to say that every member of that body — Chancellor and all— agreed with me that that course was the proper one. This ia giving the Council a slander,' and Mr Ryley : I appeal to thi9 House to bay if these remarks of Dr Stuart are at all becoming. I did not mention names, and I had not the slightest iutention of reflecting on Dr Stuart. I give him every credit for honesty and sincerity. lam sorry that we should have come to this unpleasant discussion, but after it is over, I am quite Bure we shall shake hands as heartily as ever we did before.— (Applause.) The question was then put to the vote, in ihis manner : First of all the amendments of Messrs Kirkland % and Bannermaa were put. The former received 21 votes, and the latter 32. Mr Kirkland's was therefore dropped. The amendments of Messrs Bannerman and Will were next put, when for the former 26 voted, and for the latter 24. Mr Will's was accordingly dropped. Messrs Bannerman's and Ryley'a were afterwards put. For Mr Ryley's 31 voted, and for Mr Bannerman's 11 ; about 15 did not record their votes on this. The Rev. Mr Ryley's motion was therefore declared carried, amid applause. The Rev. Mr Will then came forward and laid the following protest on the table :— " We, the undersigned, dissent from and protest against the motion now carried, instituting a second professorship in the University of Obago, to be designated the Chair of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy, for the following reasons : (1) Because the Synod has already made provision for tbe teaching of mental and moral science in the University of Otago. (2) Because the trustees, whose concurrence is required by Act of Parliament, are unanimous iv their ap. proval of a Chair of English Language and Literature ; and further, that the University Council also unanimously recommended a Chair of English Language and Literature. (3) Because we are convinced that the Chair of English Language and Literature would be most in accordance with the purpose for which the fund was originally intended, and would benefit the largest number. We, the undersigned, protest against j the motion carried, and relieve ourselves of all responsibility in the matter.— Signed by Wm. WiU. D. M. Stuart, Wm. Johnstone, A. B. Todd, Michael Watt, J. M. Sutherland, W. S. Fitzgerald, W. Thomson, J. Runciman, J. Steven, David Borrie, J. M'Ara, and Robert Even." Committees were appointed to inquire into the reasons. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The Rev. Mr Will, for the Moderator, moved the adoption of the following overture:— First Church, Dunedin, January Bth, 1879. Tho which day the Presbytery of Dunedin met and was constituted. Inter alia. On the motion of Dr Copland, it was revived to transmit tho following overtuie to the ensuing Synod :— Whorena, the Education Act now in operation in New Zealand makes no provision for the reading of the Bible within rchool houra, and it on this account unsatisfactory to a large body cf the inhabitants. 'Whereas, the attempt has been made in some quarters to represent and to carry out the system as absolutely secular, excluding any refero'ice in the public schodii to God o- to a future ft it& of existence, and so weakening the sanctions of m rality which tbe youth of th« laud rhould be trained to understand as a necessarj part of their elu«.a' ion. Whoic&s, in consequence of tbe godlsss charactor thus assigned to tbe present national system, the feeling in favour of a denominational system has been gaining strength, so th»t the bid of Mr Curtis recently beforo Parliament, was only lost by the narrow tnojority < i six rotes in a full House. Whircas, if such a bill had passed into law, miny who woud prefer a natior.al by stem, in which the Bible was permitted to be read, would avail themselves of the provisions of such an Act in order to becure for their children a sufficient opportunity of becoming acquainted with God's word, and in consequence the national system would be in danger of being destroyed. Whereas, a knowledge of the contents of the Bible Is necesuy for the right undemtaading of a large part of English literature, and of many of tho most important passages of history, as well as for the understaudiDgr and confirmation ot true morality. Whereas, in Victoria— where the s>called secular system has bet n for some t'me in operation— it has proved unsatisfactory, so that there ie a probability of its being soon abandoned,

Whereas, there is no ground tor expecting in New Zealand any better result from the present cystem. Whereas, provision for the reading of the Bible in the public schools may be made without interfering with tbe just rights of any by a clause beinc introduced euacting that the Bible shall be read at n, fixed hour (tbe light being re surved to pannts or guardians to withdraw their children during tach lesson, on giving notice in writing of their de-ire to do so) in all the public schools, excepting those where the Committee 1-aving ehirge shall have massed a resolution (binding only during their term of office), dispensing with such reading. And whereas such an arrangement would contribute, in the highest degree, to the intelligence and morality of the rising generation, would satisfy the desire of the great body of the inhabitants, would remove the strongest ground on which a denominational system is demanded by many, and would thus tend to the consolidation and permanence of the national system. It is humbly overturedby the Presbytery of Dunodin to the Synod of Otago, indicted to meet in January, 1879, to take the premises iuto its consideration, with the view of adopting such measures for securing the daily reiding of the Bible in the public schools as in its wißdom it may deem txpedient. Extracted from the records of tbe Presbytery, by Wm. Johnstons, Clerk of PiOsbytery. Mr Mills said that the present system had been given a fair trial, and the Syuod were afraid that unless some voice— and a loud one, too— was raised against that system, many of our young would grow up utterly ignorant of the Bible— aye, with a positive dislike to it. They did not come forwaid to advocate denominationalism— they were strongly opposed to that system. What they wanted was a national unßectarian system, providing that the Bible should be read in schools at certain hours, but with a conaciance clause that the children of those parents who objected need not attend.— (Applause,) The Rev. L. Macbie seconded, saying this was the time for them to speak out their minds and take action. The further consideration of the question was adjourned. The Synod rose at 10.45 p.m.