ECCLESIASTICAL.
PEESBTTEEIAN SYNOD. Wednesday, January 14. The Synod resumed its silting at 10 o'clock ; the Moderator (Ray. D. Boss) in the chair. REV. MR BANNKRMAN'S RETIREMENT. The Olekk read document irom the Clutha Presbytery dealing with the rei-ignatiou of the Rev. Mr Baunerman, in which regret was expressed at his inabiii'y to continue in charge of the Puerua district owing to ill health. A request was made that the Rev. Mr Bannerman bhould hold the position of senior minister of tho con&ci-eg.ition The Rev. J. M, Allan p-oprse 1— " Thut the wishes of the congregation of Puerua and the recommendation of the Piesbytery be adopted, and that Mr Bannerman retain the position of senior minister without responsibility or control, and retain hia seat in tiiia Synod " He regretted the necessity for ibis Step, and the Presbytery were unanimous in their regret, and in th,j desire to. cairy out the object of this resolution. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson seconded the motion. , . A discussion took place as to whether the proposed course was in accordance with precedent. Ultimately the motion was carried unanimously.
CLERKSHIP Or SYNOD. , The Rev. Dr Salmond moved tha appointment of a committee consisting of the Revs. J. M Allan, Dr Macgregor, A. M. ITinlayson, W. Will, Dr Stuart, and the mover, to consider future arrangements to be made in regard to the duties of the clerkship of Synod. He did not wish to depose the Rev. Mr Baunerman, but it was necessary to make arrangement* as to remuneration and duties. Motion agreed to.
STATE OF RELIGION. The Roy. R. R. M. Sutherland brought up the report of the Committee on iSiate ot Religion and Statistics, 1884. The following are extracts : — Your Committee, in submitting their report, distjense with the annual lanisntation over the paucity of the returns received in autwer to tha queries issued in connection with the all iinportantsubjecs entrutted to them fey the Synod. It U g r*iiiyin g to repor* that these returns have come i-i this year as never belo.e Your Conimitt' c wnnot but rega>d tins as a hopeful sien of the state of religion in one impjrtant bection of the Cuurch. The c ugre£aiio;.B fur which no returns have been «.ci ived are Lauder, Lower Mataura, and Cromwell Two of th se were vacant at the lime the Queries w re sent out, ana their moderatjrs may 'not have been able conveniently to get the requifite information. There ia reason to b,;iie/e that $ha other has neither session, aminuuion-roll, nor Lord's flhe ' returns attached to the report showed that there were in 1854 10,52b comtnuulcants on the tol s, as airainss 9504 in ISSJ; that there were 2515 added dutine the ye.r, as a','.«iust 243 i) in iSB3; that there were 623 dispensations in lbSl, aj agaiusi 461 in It i 3 pleasing to report that the Church is growing steadily in numbers, but jour Committee aie of ODinion that she io not keeping paea with the giowth of the Presbyterian p.-pulation within her bounds. This subject calls for the earnest and } rayeif nl consideration and action ot the Syi.od, presbyteries, and sessions of the Church, and for increus-d liberality and zeal on the part of tho whole membership, if a farce portion of the population which should be within the walls of our Zim i* not to bs left to lapse into civilised heathenism, or go over to other comm The n number added to the communion rolls by examination iB not so lar^e as la9t year. This may be due to the fact that evangelistic services were cot so largely held in the c mgregations this year. Of the 599 1 wbo joined the fellowship of the Cnurch for the tat time 212 were males, while the proportion of males to females in the whole membership is as thrte % our Committee ask the Synod to direct the attention tf the ministers and Eessions to the large number removed from the communion r lte otherwise than hv certificate, ihe figures in the ta-/ledonot give the whole number of sucn. While lhe Lord has removed not a lew of them to the higher fel.owahip of the Church in Heaven, it is to ! c feared . hat the larger part has gone back into the woild that "lieth in wickednehH." Tbe Gospel is increasingly preached throughout tbe bounds of the Church. Two hundred and fl,ty regular services are conducted every week by mini-tera, elders and others, as well as a considerable number of peripatetic and occasional pra> er-meeilngs. The number of feabbdth services havnereasid by 12 ; the numbet of stated week-day meetings shows a decrease ol three. Evan?eliatic services have been held during tbe year as follows :— ln the Presbytery of Dunedin, in six congregations ; Oamaru, two ; Clucha, six ; Southland, four ; and Dui.stan, one. Mr Dunc->n Wright is reported as having conducted four series of these mettlngs. "Your Committee rejoice that God in His great met cy has enabled this earnest and succes-ful evangelist to reßume his labours (in connection with the congregations of the Church), and commend him and hia work anew to the care and blessing of the God of aU grace, and to the sympathies and prayers of the whole Chuich. The roports seni to your Committee regarding evangelistic s rvir-ea show that they are the meauß, under God, of quickening and'deopenI"g the sphitual life of Chu eh members, and of bringing wa\erers to decition for Cbiiat. It is worth mentioning in this connectnn th it only s'x series of Buch meetings were held this jeir within the bounds of the Dunedin Fresby'ery, agaiust 11 Uwfcyear; and only 212 were received as ycung communicants, against 292 last year. These figures deserve the attention of all the members of Synod. There is nothing new to lay eforo tho Synod on the subject of babbabh observance. The general impression conveyed by the returns ree ived w that the mbmbprs and adhereuts of the Church observe it on the whole, fairly well The forms of desecration reported are very varied, the mott common being riding, driving, dii* king, shooting, kossij ing, aimlt es strolling about, and above all, f abbaf.h visiting. A few comp'ain cf trcms, trains, couraii g and horaclacing, and one of retping and binding. Your Committee would ursje upt.n the whole Chui eh, and upon the friends of the Sabbath in all Churches, the necessity of setting thdr faces steadfast y against every attempt to secularise the Day i f V eat, m. 1 call thrm to a higher and holier keepi/ig i f it them elves. The inrluoi cc thus exerched will tell fir good in the community &t Urge. Tho anbwers to tie q';est on, "Ia I, mily worthip observed geierally .hrcu. hout your congregation?" are, with Kw < xeeption I ', Lesifcutintf, va^ue. and most discouraging. Ycur Committee, p> r-uaded that the best inttrests of tho Church in the futuie detend largely upon the tegular observance of this duty, recommend the Synod to issue a pa6toral addre3S on the subject, and -have it ciicubted in all the congregations of the Church. Ihe Committee are of opinion that tLe state of
religion is much pffected-in ways that are not good by the serious departuro, that his become so prevalent, fre m the Scriptural method of providing for carrying on the work" of the Chuich and supporting those charitable institutions which have for their object the care ot the poov and suffering. Your Comuoir.lee be,' to submit the folbwirg suggestions for approval and adopt on :•— 1. That ministers be enjoined to direct spocial attention to the subject of family worship and training of the young. 2 That evarge^'slie services be held in a3 many congregate sj'S possible during the ye.ir. 3. That ministers be instructed to preach en the subject of Sabbath observance. 4. That, as far as possible, Presbyterial vis tations be made to all tin congregations of tho Church in connecti n with the stote of religion, reports of those ■ to be sent to this Committee.
In bringing up the report, the Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland referred to the methods that were becoming very common and fashionable of raising funds in order to carry on proper church work. They were all familiar with the methods of raising funds that were becoming so prevalent in ocb^r communions. T.ioy seerapd to be going from bad to worse, and if the Synod did not lift up its testimony against their unscriptural character, its own people would coma to believe they were all right, and say, " Other people are having thorn, and they are successful, and why should not we have them?" He thought the time had come for the Synod to speak out. He was told that even in connection with their own congregations Punch and Judy shows and dances and things of that sort had been known to take place, in order to raise funds for church purposes. He supposed to a large extent these rumours were got up by enemies, and they should not make too much of them, but there was a danger of these things coming in unless they set their faces against them.
On the motion of the Rev. G, B. Inglis the following deliverance was adopted :—": — " The Synod record their thanks to the Committee, and especially to the convener ; rejoice to know that the Church ia steadily growing in numbers, and that the Gospel of the grace of God is faithfully and zealously preached throughout our land, and that the ordinances of God's house are well attended ; regret that opportunities for meeting together for prayer throughout the week are not taken advantage of by our people so well as they ought to be, and that there is still so much Sabbath desecration throughout the country generally ; recommend to the attention of ministers and presby teries the suggestions of the Committee, laying special emphasis on the subjects of Sabbath desecration and unscriptural methods of raising money for religious purposes ; and anew commend our Church and all its interests to the grace of God."
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION,
The Rev. J. Chisholm submitted tbe report by the Temperance Committee. The following are extracts from the report : —
Number of Abstaining Minister?. — In answer to tho question, "Are you an abstainer?" 47 ministers and four home mheioraries reply " Yes " T>vo reply that they are practically abstainer--', tlnugh not pledged. So that we have this remarkable fact, uoparil'e'ed p<?rhap3 in any other Church throughout tho world, thit 53 out > f 55 of our uaini3Ee>s and missionaries in active work are abstainers So far as example goes, they are certainly leading the van of this great movement.
Societies and Number of Members.— The number of societies as repotted has not increased to any extent. Last year 59 were reported as m->re or less connected with ehurchts, or open to influences of a religious kind This year the number is 60 '1 here ii, however, a marked cV ange in the character of th ss societies. Whereas la=t year there were 27 connected with the Blue Ribbon and Gospel Temperance movement, this year there are 41. Lis'v yoar 11 Binds of Hope were reporte I as beinc; in existence ; this j ear there are 14. Ihe work of these, however, very 'ainily represents all that is beinjf' done to impart knowledge to the yourg and form in them a wholesome temperance sentiment. In connection with the Blue Ribbrn Societies there are usually juvenile divisions that are doing the work formerly undertaken by Bands of Hope. The total number of members belonging to the various societies, as reported this v oar, i 3 con siderably larger than it was last yoir. This ye *r it is 9488, as against 6552 last year Number ot Hotels. So far as can be gathered fo yt the returns, there are 4co4 c 0 hot. Is licensed to retail aphituousllqurrs throughout the Provinci <.l District of Otago. This is, of course, exclusive of bottle license*. In Dunedin alone, for exampie, besides the 83 hotel licenses there are 39 bottle licences. We have thus a hotel to every 298 persons of all a?es, or a hotel to every 148 persons over 20 years of age. The number of hotels is very much smaller in proportion
to the population than it was at one time. In one district where there are still 24 hotels there has been a decrease of 16 during the 16 year-/ pastorate of the present minister. It will be generally admitted that the proporiion is st'U far too high, and that it i» a burden under which a community must suffer grievously, when every 148 adults have to support a hotel.
Action under Licensing Act — There has been decided action taken in rmny paces to elect to licentin ' committees men -who are in thorough s\mpathv with the temperance cause. The objects aimed at in electing such committees have been at least the<-e three: — (1) To prevent the i'suiner of new l'censes for additional hotels In ona care the action taken proved successful. (2) To reduce the number of existing licenses. In two cases where action of this kind was taken the liontes were cancelled. (3) To secure the e-Hy cln-ing of hotels. In a very larce number of licensing districts ti- ia object has been attained, and it would seem from the returns i hit a vast majority of the hotel* now close at 10 o'clock p.m. The actual good done in this way is, however, a very small fraction of the benefit that has accrued to the community frcm the local option clauses of the liieneing Act The people, knowing that certain powers had been d reefcly entrusted to them, have taken mnro interest in the cause of temperance, and th« endeavour to exercise their power Intelligently and for the public weal has had an educative and informing influence of no mean kind. It was with satisfaction, therefore, your Committee noticed that the attempt m?de last session of Par iauaent to withdraw from the people the right t^ elect licensing
committees signally fa |pd. There is «till far too much apathy on the part of the people regarding these dec 'tions, and mernberd of Synod might do a great deal to exc'.ta and guide pubic opinion by reminding the people of their privilege, and urging them to exi-iciso it for the purpoie of checking th* n» 1 that ia wasting their resources and working untold misery in many a home.
Sly Grotr-selling.— Your Committee view with alarm the ditclosures that hive been made in connection with the Nenthorn nmrder case. What was formerly well enough known to a few has now been forced on the attention of all. It seems to be the invariable practico, wherever railway works are being carried on, to start ely-grog shanties There can be no doubt about the character of these who retail the drink, which iB said to be of the very wqrat kind.
There should be as little difficulty in characterising tbe conduct of the traders in Dunedin and other centres who supply tho ddnk, knowing, ng thov mnst do, the illicit way in which it is 1o be aold. Your Committee has been credibly informed that at one tlrrio there wore about a dozsn shanties where drink could be had between Mosgiel and tho farthest point to which the Central railway bad beon carried into the interior. Barrels of beer and cat>es of brandy were carried openly by tho wiiegoners to the various contracts on the line. The difficulty in euch cases, owing to the connivance or cowardly indifference of those who know about the traffic, is to secure a conviction. Even those who bavo ro sj nipathy with the practices that ate carried on shrink from giving evidence, lest they shoulJ bo put to trouble, md incur tho odium with which society usually rigards " informers." It is truly base for anyone to go snaking about in underhand wayj to obtain evidence and secure a conviction, with the view simply of getting a reward. It is not, however, base, but manly and right, for anyone to say what be knows abou' men actuated by the most grovelling selfUhn ss, who vi' late the hw for the express purpose of eiijiching ti.cm&lvts by tempting their fellow men to the vi.est excess. The Central railway it not by any means an exceptional case, and the CommiUeo w^uld ifrongly recommend that all legitimate means be t-vkon to 'or >\ a bealthv moial syntiment about this wnolj matter of sly grog- elling.
Hotels on Church I and. — Your CominiMc regard il as unbrcoming on the pa.t of tha Sy.icd to de uounce year after } ear the drinking distorts ot aocipty, ami urge thos 1 ) over whom it holda ecclesiastical jurisdiction to do tbeir utmost to h S3ca the number of licensed hou-es, and jet at tho same time in appearance to be offering facility for the extension of the drink syptem by allowing Church property to ba used as sites for hotels. There are at present four hotels on Chuich laud in Dunedir. Tnat the Church bus sinned in this matter there can be little doubt, but at what precise point the guilt his been contracted it is nob easy to determine, as the case i» somewhat c mplicvted and responsibility is divided In the leases otiginally granted in the year 1865 to the tenants on the Manse reseive, ti.e following covenant wes inserted : " And also shall not use the demised premise- 1 , or any part thereof, or any building to be eiecW thereon, nor permit the same piemiscs or any Buch building to be used for the retail tale of spirituous liquors or fermonicd liquors, or as a theatre or dancing-'aloon " notwithstanding thh prohibition in their lea9oa, tome of the tenants obtained a )icen-e to sell' liquor, and no attempt was made to restrain them. The covenant, which was thu9 ignored by some of the tenants, the Church Tmstoes withdrew from several subsequent leases. In many of the current leases, however, a prohibitoiy clause, s'milar to tho original one, is inserted. It "ill be for the iynod to determine its own action in the matter ; but as lhe Board of Property has sole control of the trust estate, it is difficult to see what the Synod can do. c ave to affirm very emphatically ii« disapproval of allowing Church property to be used lor any such puri oie. Of the necusiity of hotels, regarded as h >U3' v of accommodation or temporary homes for travellers, there is no question. And it may be that the exis'ence of licen-e'l houses for the sale of drink, in the present state of society, is a kind of necessity, or the least of several evils tlut migh l ' arise if they were entirely sapproated But that the Church or its representatives ci the Board of Property should provide fi r the supposed necessity, and deiive gain f om doing so, is an altogether tiiGerfcut, question, which the Synod Bhould set itself earnestly to answer.
The Rev. J. Chisholm, in bringing up the report, read a letter from Mr E. Smith, factor to the Property Board, stating that there was a legal opinion that a clause prohibiting the erection of public-houses on trust property was inoperative, and would depreciate the value of tha land. He did not think the trustees should act on a supposed legal view in direct opposition to -the almost unanimous wish of the body for whom the trust was made. With regard to detracting from the value of property, he was sure the prohibition of erecting hotels would not depreciate the value of land in the main streets of Dunedin, In any case, he was sure the Church wa3 quite prepared to lose money, if necessary, in preventing the erection of hotels on its property. The Rev. R. Waddell moved the adoption of the following deliverance : " Adopt the report, approve the diligence of the Committee (especially the convener), express great gratification at the progress of the temperance cause throughout tbe country, and mere especially at its growth on distinctly Christian lines ; renew its instructions to ministers, officebearers, and congregations to continue to use all legitimate means for the creating and fostering of tern perance principles throughout the community. Further,, tbe Synod expresses its emphatic disapproval of allowing Church property to be used for the existence of licensed houses for the sale of drink, and strongly recommends the Church Property Board to endeavour to give efffct to its wishes in this matter ; and that a copy of this be forwarded to the Church Property Board. ' The Rev. Dr Stuart said that before temperancs could get a stronger hold in Dunedin and the other parts of Otago, they must establish not only costly coffee palaces, but plain, clean, and economical temperance houses. Until the temperance people lent themselves to doing this the cause would progress very little. It was idle to preach'sermons against theatres till some rational and innocent amusement was provided, and he had no doubt that if cheerful and economical temperance accommodation houses were established more good would be done to temperance than resulted from all the societies in the place.
In the course of a long discussion several members expressed a strong opinion against the leasing of Church property for the erection of public-houses. The Rev. W. Will suggested that a test case should be tried as to the legality of the provision in the leases forbidding the use of Church property as sites for public-houses. The deliverance was agreed to, with the substitution of the following clause for the last sentence in the original motion: — "Further, the Synod expresses its emphatic disapproval of the using of Church property for the existence of licensed houses for the sale of liquors, and strongly urges the Church Trustees to endeavour to give effect to its wishes in this matter, and appoints a committee of the Synod to confer with the trustees on the subject."
OHUHOH EXTENSION.
The Rev. Dr Stuart brought up the following report from the Church Extension Oomittee :— Tour Committee report as under for the year l<-84 :-
1. The Vacancies which existed at the commencement, or which have occuired during the year. — Presbytery of- Dur.edin— First Church, Anderson's Bay, North-East Valley (new charge). Presbytery of Oamaru— Hampden. Pretbytery ol Dunetan— -Lauder.
Presbytery of Clutha- Catlin's River, Ciutha, Bal' clutha. Presbytery of Southland— St. Paul's (Invereargill), Wyndham, Taring.itura
2. Preaching-stations.— Presbytery of Dunedin 1, Ravensbourne ; 2, Saddle Hill, Brighton, and Kuri. Pre-bytery of Dunstan — 3, Hawta and Wanaka. Prepbytery of Clutha— 4, Tapanui outfield ; 5, Lovell's Flab ; 6, Waip^hi and Otaria ; 7, Tuapeka West. Presbytery of Southland— B, Myro9a ;9, Stewart's Island ; 10, Orepuki. Presbytery of Oamaru— ll, StrathTaieri, Moonlight Flat, Green Valley, &o.
3. Ministers and Hr me Missionaries who have been emcloj ed for a lorgey or shorter period during the j'car. -Ordained miuisterH— Revs. A. B. Arnot, John Waters, Uharlt-s Connor, James Niven, David Borrie, Jamea Henry, R. C. Morrison, Andrew Mackay, and A Todd. Probationers— Keys Messis Currie, Andrew Cameron, W. G-. M'Lr.ren, William Scorgie, and Kobert Wof d. Home raifw'onaries— Rev. Mr Bethune, Messrs Traill, Anderson, Uov, Gilbert, Taylor, Stewart, Mackay, Kelly, and Mecsrs Smaill and Jihnston (students in divini'y)
4. Ministerial Sci'tl-ments during 1 the jear. - Presbytery cf Dunedin—], Itov. David Borrie, into ■North-Fast Valley, by induction ; 2, Rev. Andrew Oameron, 8.A., into Anderson's Bay, by ordination ; 3, Rev. W. IT ual'er, MA., into First Church, by translatio-. Pr^ hytery ot Oama/u— 4. Key. A. Todd, into Hanv-ilen, by iiiducti'.n. Pressbytury of Duusban —5, Rev. Ja.ma lionry, tf.A., into Louder, by induction, irtesb) 'eiy of Southland— 6, Rev. D.>vio Gordon, into Sti. Sam's, by translation; ,7, Rev. A. Mackay, into <Jore, by induction; 8, Rey. R., Wood, intj Wyndham, by ordination. I
5. Actual Vacancies. — Presbytery of Southland — 1, Taringatuta. Presbytery of Clutha— 2, Catlin'a River ; 3, Clutha ; 4, Bilclutha
6. Available Staff.— Revs. Messrs Connor, Morrison, Niven, Watf ra, J H. Cameron (receutly returned from tho Home Country), Currie, M Inren, Scorgle, and' /Eneas M'lntosh (whose return from Scotland ia daily looked for). ■ ,
The Rev. Mr Arnot, a minister unattached for some years, but earne-tly devoted to, the Church and her .interests, died some months ago at his house in the North-Kast Valley.
It will interest the Church to knoNv that men educated in whoie or in part at the University of Otajjo iiud our own Theological College aro now doincj the work of tho miniatrj— viz., in the First Church (Invercargill), Cromwell, Knapdala, Waiarska, Anderson's Bay, Wyndham. and N E. Valley.
The Committee record their satisfaction with the loyalty of the ministers, probationers, and home missionaries who have served under them, though on one or two occasions mi- carriage, resulting in disappointment, has occurred lrom misunderstanding.
The Committee regard with much satisfaction the action of tbe Presbytery of Clutha in reference to the wide district of wLioh Walpahi and Otaria aro the leading centres, and express the hope that it may soon have a settled minibtry.
Hawea and Wanaka have been kindly fostered by the Rev. James Blackie, of Cromwell, thon^h far distant from his residence. Tho home missionp.ries wbo have labojred there for a part of the jeir have testified ihat 'hey meb on every hand the footprints of the Rev. Charles Connor, who laboured much in the Lord while tsacher of Pembroke. The Committee i-» as eager aa Mr ttlackie to sco this beautiful di-trict in possession of a settled ministry. Strath-Taieri, Mo mlight F.at, and Green Valley have been twice visited during the year by tbe Rbv. Georcre Limit ay, tho Committee supplying hia pulpit, and also for two wei ki by the Re/ Mr Scorgia, one of the probationers. <.hey report that the time has come for occupying ihe places, with the prospect of their eirly advancemc t to the position of a ministerisl charge. Ths Committee regret, that, chiefly owing to the state of ihoir funds, they were unable to make sUte'l appointments. It is due to Mr Purves to Hay ti at while teacher of Strath Taieri he held raligiou-) serviced in oue or more places in the district, to the advantage of the settlers In the opinion of the Committee, the Synod should obtain a Bpeeial report on the districts which have for years engaged the minisfcratiouß of home missionaries. The S\nod has again and again stated that the finality contemplated in its operations is not a preachingstation, but a parish, pre ided over by an ordained minister and other "hurch governors. The operations of the Committee are sadly hindered by the meaure collections which the congregations give for church extension, and no small embarrassment t\r'se3 from the fact that some vacant charges make their remittai cos only once in the six months, while the probitioners require to be paid aB a rule every month. It wouid swe< ten correspondence with moderators if deaoas' courts Bent their due 3at least eve<y three months. Tne planting of churches in the outlying districts has so direct a bearing on their highest interests, that the C mmitteo look with confidence to the settled congregations for substantial assistance in this deptwttiiei.t. The working ttaff wn increased during the year by th« arrival fiom Scotland of the^eys. A Camerou,. commii-moDed by the Uuited Presbyterian Church, and of .Messrs Mackay and M Laren,. commissioned by the Free Church.
In the present state of tho staff, the Committee is not prepared to aak authority to send for additional preachers during the year. ' The Rev. J. Ferguson moved the following deliverance: "Adopt the report with thanks to the Committee, and very especially to the convener ; express satisfaction with the diligence of the Committee, and pleasure with the loyalty and faithfulness of the agents employed, with the amount of work overtaken ; regret that the vacant charges should be such a burden upon the Committee, to the hindering of what ia more properly Church extension work; and appoint a committee to consider the whole matter, and report to a future sederunt ; express sympathy with the ministers who have extensive and thinly - peopled parishes, and with the people in the outlying districts ; direct presbyteries to give every attention to necessitous districts, and urge upon all congregations greater faithfulness and liberality in regard to the annual collections on behalf of Church extension." Agreed to. The following Committee was appointed in accordance with the deliverance :— Revs. Dr Stuart, W. Will, J. Ferguson, D. Borrie, G. Inglis, Dr Salmond, and Messrs Begg and T. T. Ritchie.
DEPUTATION FROM NORTHERN CHURCH.
The Rev. •Dr Stuabt introduced to the Moderator the Rev. J. Paterson, of Wellington, a deputy from the Northern Church.— The Moderator welcomed the deputy, who was associated with the Synod during its sitting.
DIVIDEND FROM SUBTENTATION FUND.
The Rev. W. Will announced that the Sustentation Fund Committee had met and declared a dividend of £113 10s, making a dividend for the whole year of £222. The Synod adjourned at 11 p.m.
Thuksday, 15th January.
The Synod resumed at 10 a.m., the moderator (R3v. D. Ross) in the chair.
WIDOWS AND OBPHANS' FUND.
The Rev. Dr Macgbegor brought up the
following report from the Inquiry Committee on the Widows and Orphans' Tund :—: —
In obedience to instruction of Synod, the Committee, having prepared a scheme, sent it to Presbyteries for suggestions, as an aid towaid finally maturing it for con&ideraiirn of tbij Synod. The Presbytery of Oamaru have accordingly sent \aluable suggestions, which are iiept in reteniis. In the absence of such suggestions from tbe othor Presbyteries, the Committee now lay the scheme before the Synod in the_ form in which it was sent to the lower courts, along with the conveners letter to them, showing the state of the inquiry up to that point.
In relation to the best mode of constituting a trust, the Comnittee have received valuable information and advice, previous to the recent change of Colonial Government, from the Hon. Thoiuas Dick and the Hon. Robart Stout. The qucston is not yet ripe for any deQni ive recommendation of Committeo in the matter of it, but will have to be carefully considered in the event of the hynod'B proceeding to constitute a trust for administration of ihe fund, whether the present scheme be adopted or not.
In relation to various vctuariol questions affecting generally tho economical!}' safe administration of Si eh a fund, r.-nl rpeelaily ihe reeu'a^.ons for the prese.ut schstne, the Commit r.oe ha\ c beet a case for profobsli nal advice to William W. od, Esq , C.A., Edinburgh, a gentleman wtll known as ot hipheat rank in his profession, who for xm.ny years has been entrusted with the investigations and reports of the widows a d oiphans' fund scheme of thi> Free Church of Scotlind. lhe case — memorial, queiica, and digest of information— is as full and clear as tho Committee could make it. The report of Mr Wood, which may be expected shortly, will be valuable to ihe Church in various ways, irrespectively of specialties of the present scheme.
On occasion of having the scheme before them, all the Pje-byterie-i came to findings, v;hich are hereby reported for the infoimition of Synod. Three — Clutha, Duuqtan, a d O <nuru — approved generally of the scheme ; one Southland declined to give an opinion upon it in the absence of actuarial report ; and one — Dunedia — disapproved ct it. The Committee having intimated to Presbyteries tbe r own lecommendation that the scheme should be adopted in its s-übsfance asset forth in-tection 2, do not offer any recommendation or suggestion in relation to the further question, What action (if any) ought now to be taken in the matter by the Church ? That question may depend upon circumstances apart from the intrinsic merits of the scheme, especially upoii the state of the Church's mind in respect of general and cordial willingness to carry the scheme into cperatiun. If there be not fourd such willingnebs at present, the collected and matured results of the inquiry will l.c rewly for use at any future time. And for the present the Committee have, the best of their judgment and ability, exhausted their instructions by rip 1 ninvt the matter thus f.ir and laying it bofore the Church in her courts ; but the synod, if tfcev see cause, may ret). p. int. th 9 Committee specially for tho purpose of receiving and dealing wim Mr Wood's lepcrt, and o;hei-v,i o e watch over the matter.
James Macghegor, Convener.
INQUIRY COMMITTEK -WIDOWS AND ORPHANS 1 FOND,
Coiumba Manse, Oainaru, Aiaj 1, 1884. Sir.— The Committee are under instruction of S> nod "to draw up a scheme for a trust, send the same to Presby terios for their suggestion, and, after recjivnia: and considering these, ia\ the scheme as finally mvured biifon the Syncd of ISBB "
T;ie Committee a c inqui'ing, What rate of grants could bosafel, given from the fund upon bu-inesa principles of insurance? how it would be best f.r ua to constitute a trust — whether by private Act, or under the Friendly Societies Act? and whe'her we can obtain from nu i< aurance office protection against the risk arising to our fund from our not having within the Church's ministry an > rea sufficiently wide for absolute safety of self-insurance (s-ee the " statement" in this j ear's " frocesdings of Sjnort," pp. 8-10 of Appendix)? Tho result of these inquiries will be made known in due lime In the meantime the Committee, having carefully prepared the following scheme, have instructed me to send it to the Presbyteries for their suggestions. In order that the Committee may have full time to consider these, for its guidance ia flnully maturing the schema for presentation to the Synod, I reepec, fully reqi.est that the Presbyteries Should send their sug.'e tions to me at Oamaru befora the last day of September next, and suggest that the scheme as now submitter) i-hould be carefully studied by ministers and elders bofore they meet in Tre-by-tery for deliberation on this matter.
The Committee themselves have carefully considered the scheme as a who c in the details now submitted. While approving of every detail a 9 worth submitting to Presbyter e9, and as beirjg good in the Committee's present judgment, they as a Committee have further foimally resolved to recmnmeiid the adoption of the scheme in ita cub tance as set forth in section 2, " The primary charjus," &c. Bat the Committee have no right to dictate to the Presbj teries, and all wellconsidered sugges'ions by Presbj tsries will be welcome and valuable as ajds toward maturing ihe matter for determination of the Synod.
JAiiui Macgeegor, Convener.
The Rev. Dr Macgbegoe, in bringing up the report, said he did not think the scheme ought to go into operation unless there were very full agreement in the Church to give it a fair trial The Committee, however, had had the privilege of ripening the matter for consideration. .The question about the best method of constituting a trust ought to be kept open. Some of the criticisms that had been directed upon their scheme really bore upon' the question whether they ought to have a Widows and Orphans' Fund supported by contributions of all ministers. For instance, he undarstood that some ministers were exercised by the question whether the rate of grant under this scheme might not be as low as or lower than the rate they could purchase for the £5 contribution from an insurance office. It might be so in the case of this or that minister, for this scheme proposed to take in all the ministers of the Church on the same footing, and an insurance office would 'take only what were called good lives, or would exact a heavier premium in the case of doubtful or bad lives. On the other hand, this scheme would be worked gratuitously, and would have no division of profits to shareholders, and would thankfully receive godsends or windfalls of legacies and donations, and would be supported by ministers who had personally no interest in it on account of pro"spective widows or orphans of their own. This scheme had reference only to the method of doing what had to be done in some way if there was to be a widows and orphans' fund. The Church was now in possession of a plan for the safe economical administration of a widows and orphans' fund. It would be as good 50 years hence as it was to-day, and before that time the Church might be more completely ripe and ready for adoption of it than she appeared to be now, when it had been disapproved of by a large majority in the metropolitan Presbytery of Dunedin, and the recommendation for adoption had not bean assented to by all the mem-
bers of the Committee which prepared it. The matter was not one that needed to be pressed upon a reluctant Church, It was no doubt a misfortune for the Church not to have her provision for widows and orphans on the best footing for its purpose, but the misfortune was one of a kind that might with a safe conscience be borne with, at least by those who were not responsible for the continuance of it. In this case the evil would tend to bring about a remedy, as the phgue had led to medical discoveries. The evil which some of them now saw in tho unsafe and precarious condition of the fund wonH by-and-bye be seen by all in the light of experience. The objection raised to the scheme was that to seek such security as that aimed at by this scheme was to walk by sight, not by foith. This implied that true faith negleVted the use of means of making sure. In relation to his own support the man who thu3 would walk by faith must neither toil nor spin, nor ]uy up treasure for himself on earth. Apart from the present scheme, the Church ought to know precisely what rate of grant the fund would allow upon business principles — that" was, what they raally paid for by their contributions. Then, if the rate of grant were higher than the fund would allow, they could havo the satisfaction of doing with their eyes open what might be a very fine thing, but perhaps was not the thing intended by them— that was, giving away so much of their contribution in charity, and giving it away from provision for their families, with tbe effect of making this provision insecure. Further, whatever the rate was to be, it ought to be uniform according to some carefully considered rule, so that individual cases should not be dealt with simply through resolution of Synod as they arose. The Rev. A. M. Finlayson moved— . That the Synod receive the report, hold the same in retentis, reappoint the Committee to watch over the subject and report to next meeting of Synod," He thought it would be better to wait until the next session, until they had full information, before adopting this system. The Rev. W, Will seconded the motion, as it was perhaps the best course the Synod could follow under the present circumstances. He protested against Dr Macgregor's outpouring of ridicule with regard to those who argued in favour cf walking by faith. When the Widows and Orphans' Fund was established the Synod simply took practical steps, to meet the case, and if they had waited until an elaborate scheme like this were prepared, where would the widows and orphans have been by this time? This scheme should be regarded as an entirely new scheme, and would require a great deal more consideration before it was adopted. If they adopfceH this scheme they must do it by seriously reducing the allowances they were now giving widows and orphans. They would find it a very difficult thing to go to congregations and say, "Give us a collection, so that we may lay by money and capitalise it." It was quite a different thing if they went to the people n.nd said, " Unless you subscribe so much we shall have to reduce the allowance now made to widows and orphans." Perhaps the best way would be for the whole Church to make some arrangement with an insurance company. He believed that it would be more economical than carrying out a scheme of their own of the kind now propoaed They could not get men to carry out a scheme like this without paying them for the work dona. The Rev. W. Bannekman had been connected with this fund from the beginning, like the Rev. Mr Will, but he took a totally different view. The Rev. Mr Will seemed to regard it .that the fund was merely a charitable fund. He domurred fco that view. In starting the scheme in. a young_ Church, of course it; was contemplated that aid should be sought from the people if heavy demands were made upon the funds ;• but the regulations clearly showed that ifc was originally contemplated that the pchome should become a selfsupporting one, with a capital fund, to which all moneys owing to the Church for the purpose should be paid, if not required for current ex penditure. He thought the proposals now submitted by the Committee were quite in accordance with the original intention of this fund, and it would be in accordance with true wisdom to carry out this scheme. He concurred to a large extent with the observations of the Rev. Dr Macgregor, and he thought, instead of shelving this matter, they should print this scheme and send it down to Presbyteries to report to next meeting of Synod. He would move as an amendment—" That the Synod receive the report, send same down to Presbyteries, also Mr Wood's report, with instructions to report to next meeting of Synod ; and reappoint the Committee to watch over the subject and report to next meeting of Synod." The Rev. G, B. Inglis seconded the amendment.
The Rev. A. M. Finlayson was quite willing to accept the amendment. The amendment was agreed to. THE DEATH OP THE REV. G. MORICE
. On the motion of the Rev. R. Waddell it was resolved — " That a committee be*appointed to draw up a letter of condolence with Mrs Morice, and also to take some notice of the conduct, of the Maoris who rescued Mrs Morice from drowning ; such committee to consist of the Clerk of Synod, Revs. J. M. Allan, J. Chisholm, H. E. Michie, W. Will, J. TJ. Spence, and the mover." OVERTURE ON PROBATIONERS AND VACANT CHARGES.
The following overture was brought up from the Dunedin Presbytery :—": — " Whereas the existing arrangements for hearing the probationers of <he Church are not altogether satisfactory, being in many cases fair neither to the probationers nor to the congregations, and so leadicg to unpleasantness on the part of both, it is hereby humbly overtured by tbe Presbytery of Dunedin to the Venerable the Synod of Ofcngo and Southland, indicted to meet in January next, to take the whole subject into its com- ideration, and to devise such meaßUies thsrennent as shall in its wisdom appear b>>«t fit tc.d to promote the glory of God and fie Dt : ac j nf t'm Church."
The R R W Sutherland was heard in pnnivirfc of th" rw-rf-re Thftre were various griev;i'!C p in connection with this subject, and it was the duty of the Synod to inquire into the subject, and remove the cause of complaint if there were any. He did not wish to reflect on the management of this matter by the Rev. Dr Sfcuart, whom he had always fouad most obliging and painstaking, but he knew there weie complaints on the part of probationers v;ho were brought out from Home by the Fynod, fmt* who tiid tbit on't-rlern ofte" $?(>•". th r ' p< - Rter°Tinij in obtaining » hearing. They also c implained that there was no regular system adopted in pending probationers to different district^. He thought the best course would be to nppoint a committee to inquire into the subject, and draw ud a set of rules to guide the Rev. Dr Shiart. He moved — " That the Synod receive the overture, and appoint a commiUoo to inquire into the whole subject of the distribution of probationers, to draft a code of rul^s, and report to the Synod next year."
The Rev. Dr Macgbegor supported the motion.
I* hf R°v. Pr Bttj.vrt said there wai already a, <i^de of regulations in existence! The difli-
culty was that individual congregations insisted upon making their own arrangements as to engaging probationers. The great difficulty he found was in getting regular employment for those probationers to whom the Synod was bound. The Rev. J. Ryley was strongly in favour o? the reception of the overture, but he was not in favour of appointing a committee to report next year. The committee should report to the present meeting of Synod. The Rev. A. C. Gillies agreed with the line taken by the motion, but thought it should be made more definite. He would move as an amendment— "That the overture be received, and that it be remitted to a committee to investigate the allegations therein made, to examine parties able to give information, to receive documents, and deal with tbe whole subject, and report to this Synod at as early a data as practicable." The Rev. Messrs Watt and Claiik opposed the Rev. Mr GiUies' amendment, and the motion was carried by 25 votes to 9. The Revs. Dr Salmond, Mr Sutherland, and the clerks of Piesbyteries were then appointed the committee.
SCHEME OF CHURCH EXTENSION.
The Rev. J. Ferguson brought una report on Returns to Remit on Church Extension Scheme sent down to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions. The details of the schome were considered at great length, aud various amendments were made. The following Committee was appointed to bring up a report on the regulations as adopted :— Revs. Dr Salmond, J. H. M'K9nzie, W. Will, and J. Ferguson (convener).
CLERKSHIP OF SYNOD.
The Rev. J. M. AH/AN brought up the following report from the Committee on the Clerkship of Synod : —
The Committee recommends that the salnrv ot the clerk be increased to £100 per a?nmn, and fhat it be understood that in future the clerk render all a-si?t-ance in his power to the convenevs of committees, and gsncrally in the furtherance of the scheme* of the Chu-ch. The Committee makes tlm recommendation In view of the epecial clami9 of Mr Bannerman on account of lvs length of eervice and his having be> n partly disabled in the .eorviee ol tho Church, and to put on record that it is not to be h Id aa a precedent iv determining the salary of future clerka.
The report was unanimously adoptod. The Rev. W. Bannerman thanked the Synod for the very great consideration, kindness, and liberality towards himself. He deeply regretted that there should be occasion for the Synod to take the step they had so kindly taken. He would take this opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the brethren for the large amount of sympathy shown to him" under the circumstances in which he had been placed. He hoped that he might yet be spared a considerable atncumfc of ability and time to do work for the Church. Whatever ability and strength were vouchsafed to him he would always have a single eye to the good of the Church in all he did, and he would place himself at the service of the brethren to help them in any way he could. / MISSION REPORT.
The Rev. W. Bannerman brought up the following report from the Missions Committee :—: —
In presenting their report for the past year, the Committee on Missions deeirea to record the expression of its gratitude to God that all the missionaries haie been able stoaflilv to pursue their work, unimpeded by sickness or oth »r adverse circumstances aa have sometimes occurred e o peciaih in the New Hebridea. Mr Milne has opened beveral new stations, and rooccumed others, while prosecutinc his work at bis central station, vVxv- 1 now buildings aTe in coursi of erection. The flold of his operations comprises seven , islands. At SO different places he meets with tbe people, and has made arrangements for preaching the Gospel of Peace more or 1 '-8 frequently at each He has 10 fohoolsin rpi'ration, conducted by \2 teachers, with a^-Bistauts, all of whom are sup-.riniended by Mr Milne. One of these teachers is Sua>-ava, one of the natives that were introduc d to la^t Synod, and who ha'? been appointed since his v'sit to Otago. Of Mr Milne's own labours the principal sphere is * guna, which has a population of 1000. Throughout the islands occupied by him the people number fully 3''oo, of whom 800 are professed Chri=triaru. while others ars in'ureater o>" less degree affected for good by their example ard influe'ice. Put ing the year 33 aduUe and 17 children have been ba lisoi. Atpresen< the candidate 1 ! for baptism m-ister 66, for whose ins rurtion and that of others Mr Milr c holds weekly classes. The communicants number 66. The average attendance on the Sabbath aorvice3 n 400, and a like attendance is given at the weekly pvayer-meeting. Opon a'r me^tiugs are held in difierer.t places, where many attend who are nob present at the ordinary dipts of cubic worship ■"n the Lord'a Day. Nineteen C t'utlan marrhges have been celebrated by Mr Milne since ihe last rerorted. In additi 'n to the work of teach ng and preaching the Word, Mr Milne has continued to pursue that of translating the Scriptures into the native tongue, having concludr-d during the year the Acts o! Apostles and entered upon the translation of Luke's Gospel
Mr Mlchehen, a 9 the Synod is aw >re, occupied the island of Ton^oa a* the chief seat o' h'S work That, island has a population of above 1000, of whom f:00 attend more or lies regularly public woiahip. anrl osheiwlse are receiving Christian in-idructuin. In five native vil'a^ea churches h*ve been erected (oi c of them during tho patt year), and in another a cannlba* house has been converted into a Christian temple In the course of tho year 13 b^ptis'ns havo occurred and two Chxist'an maniacs have been celobra t ed. Four day-schools are in o| eratio i, a number that would be greatly increased could Mr Micholsen obtain the services of competent t> aeh< rs.
The attention of tho Committee Ina been directed to the tianuec flu-eat«iiiiiE< th^ New Hetnidoa as a mission-Bela of the Pre«b\teriaa Churches from the threatened occupation < 1 them, by tbe French Gto\ eminent aa a penal settlement Pajt ex erience teaches that in places whore that Government has planted its standard Protestant missions havn been nv.»d; ti mffer. The'r efforts to improve and chilse nr.d Christianise tha heathen have been thwarted. In y.o r a few instances Protnstant missiona ios have been forced to i;iva place to Pnpiah priests, to the s'l'l deterioration and injury cf the tmtiyes, both pVn ai< ally and spiritually. Fiench occupation has tnus he^n msde tho handmaid of Po; ish 'domin ition There cannon be adonbfi that, should France obt un piss'sp'on of the New Hebrides, nnr mi*Binnuri<»s if not rudely expelled, would lrwa Ii tie liberty and little opportunity allowed them to i-arry on their work, wbiuh will make the New Hebrides the rr.ceplacle of the worafc criminal* of France. The ures<snce and habits of these cannot Ml to introduce among 1 the nativf s the very vice* thit hive made the prusonc • ot these criminals in Fr.-.nee intolerable, tho nnt,ive9 b<*pnw»i g a ( i once their victims and their mi iis ; whilst in addition to this the uei^hboumg Colonies w uld be continually expoted to the inroads o? a class of men, escapees from the islands, that would tend to the increaie < f their criminal population a^id adcing to He ci-i 1 of g'lVfcrn > <snt Tnviewof aU "his i»- i • mo«t earnestly to bs desired Maat toe Biiiijh Grjvonme'it may be (fiiidert by the G >d of Nati ins. i< not to fake poqqea-ion, at loist to assume the pr»tec'ora'c of t'ue gri-uo, and so conserve the liberty of fie nation ard secure the vermi^nncy of the efforts made by ■th'B an', other chuttebei for their good, tpnißiral and spiritual Meanwhile th"> Church, puttin? her tru r in the i'oodn'Bß ••'lid wisdom of its trrna-s Head, should redouble its praters and us efforts (o |<hea pute Christ auity to th-as islanders, and renew its application to the Btlti'h Government on their behalf, both for the i-afefr.y of fb- 1 n.'i'ive» nnd the pr V3ntion of the AUjfra'Rß'ini Colonies tr^m becoming- a cesspool for tbp <-ru'ji Of he FroMrh naiion.
Chinese Mi*-sion.--Mr Don has continued with unfliKcinij industry his manifold labours amonpr the Chi' esent Round Hill and X • eitui, preaching, teaching- vz-itinK teem hut to hut,, tending ih Sick, caring for the leper, and fnkiog every oppoilunity to draw thet» to Christ, and to Hie Q.iapol of peace and holircsß. There are. notwi hstpding hia nia y efforts and much labour, no conversions to ri-port. It is with pleasure t»hvt tho Committee is n-blo to report the ■»fc..ruifas'.nesg iv tho faith and the c maisSdncy of CM'iluct of J>mca /'h Chum?, the first c nvorfc bap Iked in connection with the work carried on at Kiveirton. The Commitife'J having Tinsidered the remit of Synod re yesnnin tie miaoiori t<i the Mno'ij, it wrb agreed to rcujinmoud the fc.j nod to tti, m"? the ii is-
sion to the Maotia witbin tho bounds, with a special missionary agent to prosecute it, and to autfgeat that special attention be called to the Maori mbf-ion ia any carnrouuication to the people regarding mi39ion coiueotioni.
lhc Committee havo given a jrrant of .-CSO in aid of tho Mam mission of U2O Northern Church, and £25 toward* the mission on Stowsirt's Llaml.
'the (J'.uimiUee cotumenda anew the work entrusted to it to ta» earnost prayers of the Church. W. Bahnbrman, Convener.
The Ray. W. Baknehman 1 said the Committee hoped the members of the Church would not be unmindful of the neceEsity of sending mis-sion-boxes to tho New Hebrides before or not later than the end of February. 10. regard to the Chinese mission the report did not dills*.' much from the reports of the Victorian and Naw South Wales Churches. Those Churches had large mission staffs, but the latter had only 'reported two conversions duriug the last year. He hoped the attontion of all members of (.he Church would be directed to the great field for missionary enterprise open to this Church, from which she could not with honour retire.
The Rev. A. H. Stobo moved the adoption of the following deliverance :— " Tba Synod adopt the report, record their thacks to the Committee, and espacially to the convener, express their gratitude to God for the safety which He has accorded to our missionaries in the New 1-labridea during the paqt year, and the oncouraging amount of success which He has vouchsafed to their labours. The Synod would especially express its gratification at the largo proportion of ths natives that have either become professedly Christian or have come under Christian influences, and at tho progress which is being made in the translation of tho Scriptures. The Synod hopes that our missionaries may speedily obtain a sufficient number o£ qualified native teachers for their schools, and that more funds may be provided throughout our Church for their support. The Synod deplores the evils connected with the labour traffic in the islands, and tho serious hindrances which it still interposes in the way of our missionary operations there. The Synod would further, in view of tho threatened occupation of the New Hebrides by France, renew its application to the British Government to establish at leant a protectorate over them, if it does not take possession of the group.- The Synod would earnestly urge upon the members of our Church the necessity of more prayer and effort on behalf of its Chinese misKion, in the hope that greater results may manifest themseJves, and that the Church may be able to secure the services of a native catechist for Riverton and Round Hill. The Synod, as recommended by the Committee, sanctions the employment of a missionary agent for the natives within the bouuda, and empowers the Committee to secure the services of someone suitable for the work. Should an agent not be employed duriog the year, the Synod directs the Committee to continue the grant ot £50 in aid of the Maori mission of the Northern Church. The Synod would affectionately commend its various missionary agents, their families, and fields of labour to the sympathy, prayers, and liberality of the Church, and would supplicate on their behalf the abundant blessings of the great Head of the Church." It was great causa of thankfulness to consider the safety of their missionaries in the New Hebrides, and the large amount of success that had attended their labours. The attention of the Sj'nod should be directed io the menacing attitude of France with regard to the New Hebrides, as it would be very disastrous to Protestant missions, as had been tho case in other South Sea islands, and alao at present in Madagascar. The danger should be brought under the notice of the British Government, as well as the great danger to this Colony in the event of France making the Naw Hebrides a penal settlement. The Chinese mission was somewh.st discouraging, but he believed that ifc was peculiarly difficult to conduct a successful mission among the class of Chinamen who immigrated to this Colony. The appointment of a native catechist, however, might make a new departure and procure success in future. The Maori mission was •viso an object that should be kept in view. They had allowed that to fall to the ground at present, but he hoped that an effort would be made to resume it.
The Rev. Dr Maogrkgor thought they should put themselves into direct communication with the Maoris, who were professedly Christians, and who seempd to be more like the descendants of Adam than the Chinese. He had tried to converse with the Chinese but found it impossible, as they did not Beem to have the same -cast of mind as ourselves.
Tb.B Rev. G. B. Ingws thought that if they appointed a special missionary for tho Maoris he would have a very limited field, owing to the small number of Maoris in the province. There was oue of their students anxious to undertake mission work, and he thought the Committee might employ him on this mission
Mr W. U Stewart had no doubt whatever that if (he French Government got posse aiou of the Now Hebrides" it would be disastrous to Protestant missions. He thought a representation from this Synod would havo veiy little influence on the British Government Bub if they used influence with the Free Church of Scotland to make reprecentations to the Rome Government ii might have norns effdcfc, as th 0 Free Church would havo some political influ enca.
The deliverance was agreed to, with tho addition of the following clause.-— "And would ,VbO nress upon the approaching A^ombly of the Free Chuich to bring their infl ienco to bear upon the Imperial Government in thin direction."
DEATH OP THE REV. G; MORIOE.
The Rev. R Waddkll brought up the following minute from the Committee appointed to send a letter of condolence to Mrs Morice : •' The Synod desires to put on record Us sense of the gioafi loss which the Church and the coagregation of Balolulha ha«e sustained in the sad and suddon removal of thn Ray. Georgo Morion from their midsfc. For over fivo years he laboured with zeal and earnestness in tho congregation of Balclufcha, aud by t c excellence of his pulpit ministration and his patioj-t. continuance in well-doing commended himself to svll the members of bis flock. Endowed with a highly- cultured mind, and podBesnng a transparent simplicity, and guileloßsnesd of character, he had likewise endeared 'ihnsplf to his brethren in the ministry. Tha Synod, while in sorr iw it bows to tho mystorioua Providence that bus deprived it of one who in a rare degree ' adorned tho doctrine of God our Saviour,' yet rejoices in the full hope that the Maator whom he so faithfully served has taken him to where ' Lhurd xs no move sovrow.' Further, the Synod d bic(>s to express its dt-ep sympathy with tho beroaved family, and commends thum prayer tally to Him 'who healeth tha b okon in .iiiHiii";' and 'reliaveth the fatherless and widow.' Tlie Synod also desires to express it.ss high appreciation of the heroic conduct of tho Maoris Win, Potiki, lsaio.h Pofciki, Tongat-i, and David — who nobly risked their own lives to save Mr and Mrs Morice, and it insti-ucv* 'ho clerk to forward a cop? of the foi-p>oi'i^ nu'oluUuna to tlie parties concerned. IVifc a ! Bible in the Native toityivi, with suitable inhcrii'tion, ba piebrntad to eatsh of the Mw.ia
who risked their lives to save Mrs Morice and her late Husband." The minute was adopted. KELATION OK" MEMBEKS OF SESSION TO MANAGING COMMITTEES,
An overture was received from the Dunedin Presbytery asking the Synod to lake the above subject iuto consideration, and devise such measures as wauld place the subject on a welldefined and satisfactory basia.
The Rev Mr Ryltcy moved that the overture be received, and in doing so said that to his mind there was no difficulty in the matter. The managing committee occupied the posi tion of a deacons' court, and therefore the members of session had a perfect right to sit in the meetings of the managing committee. This raoHon was agreed to.
It was then proposed that a committee be appointed to cousidor tun question, to frame a minute, and report to a future ssderunt Tbe Rev, Mr Bobrib moved as an amendment — "Tuat tha (Synod do declare that membevs of session stand in all respscta in the same relation to the committee of management as to tlie deaeom' court." The amendment was withdrawn, and the motion was adopted.
THE NORTHERN CHURCH AND UNION.
The delegate from the Northern Church was requested to address the Synod
The R?v. J, Paterson in his address said he regretted that he stood alone to represent the Northern Church, for he felt that in his humble p 'l'son that Church was but poorly represented. The Assembly had appointed its moderator, the Rev. Mr Doull, of Rangitikei, and one of hid U'ne Rev. Mr Paterson's) elders, Mr James Smith, p,tj dalegates ; but both gentlemen were unable to atteud. It was now eight or nine ver-r.i since he addressed the members of the Synod in the capacity in which he now stood beforo them, as a deputy from the Northern Church. Since that time many changes in both Churches had taken place. He missed many familiar facea, and especially tbe face of one fine, earnest, cultured man, who had formerly ministered to the congregation worshipping in ths First Church —the Rev. Lindsay Mackie. Another who was missing had by the mystari ous providence of God been recently taken from amongst them, the Rev. Mr Morice, of Balclutha, The Church in the North joined with tbe Southern Church in mourning his removal from tbe midst of hits work and usefulness. In the North, aa well as in the South, the Church had been making great progress. It was true the Northern Church was scattered over a very extensive district, and hence many of its charges were comparatively weak, but it was doing its best to follow tho colonists even to the remotest parts of the land, and t& supply them with the means of grace. They had now in the Northern Church eight presbyteries— the Presbyteries of Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, Timaru, Nelson and Marlborough, and Westland. There were 79 or SO regular sanctioned charges, with ministers in full pastoral office and work, and some ten or a dozen preaching-stations supplied chiefly by students. There was a membership of some 5700 odd, and they raised last year for purposes within the Church the sum of •830,000. Some of their ministers had to ride lorg distances to supply a good many stations, aud they did a good deal of hard work in a very noble and generous Bpirit, often receiving comparatively little encouragement and sup port. Tho Church felt it to be a duty to follow the colonists to all parts of the land, for they had seen the deplorable condition into which many sank who had no church and no ministry amongst thorn — they sank into a condition of sheer carelessness, offcon of utter ungodliness, and the moral tone of the district fell with its religious tone. luto one of these districts a minister had gone and hud been told that he was not wanted, and nothing was promised towards hia support ; but after the minister had laboured there, when he was obliged to leave on account ot hia health, the people not only paid his stipend, but within a week raiaed a sum of £60, which was presented to him, and a warm desire was expressed to have another minister sent amongst them* as soon as possible. The attempt to rai^e a sustentation fund in the North had proved futile, and, probabiy owing to the i<ola,ted character of many of the charges, had not had a fair trial ; but the work of church extension was carried on by means of a church extension supplementary fund, and out of which grants in-aid were made, £2 being granted for every £1 subscribed, and the aim b9ing to give a minimum stipend of £250. In Oi<ago they had the advantage of being a compact Church, in which it was not difficult to maintain the esprit dc corps of the ministry, and the Southern Church might do much to assist the Northern Church to originate, develop, and maintain that spirit so valuable in a Church. _ He would speak upon -the question of Union from a Northern standpoint, as no doubt those in the South could appreciate its advantages from their own standpoint. The subject of Union had been for a long time before both Churches, and the Church in the North was at one with regard to itc desirability, and was just waiting until the Southern Church was prepared to enter into it. The minute of the Assembly upon thiw question expressed the united opinion of the Church, and waa as follows : " That the Assembly express, through the moderator, the pleasure which the visit of the delegates of the Synod of Otago ani Southland has given ; the cordial esteem in which the deputies are themselves held by the Assembly; tha brotherly feeling and good-will of the ministers and membnrs of tins Ohuroh towards the Southern Church ; and the hope that in the good providence of God, and in a little while, thsit Church may come unanimously to sac its way to put aside all opposition to the prpdnefcion of a unitod Presbyterianism in this land." That was the mind of the Assembly and of the Church, The movo-mi-nt for union, he would remind them, oriffJDafcod with the Southern ' Church, which proposed certain terms as the basis of uuion. The Northern Church hailed very cordially the movement, and though there were some of the terais they did not like very much, as thorn was no pii»o:p'e involved ia tho to. they .'incepted them. For instance, it was proposed that the Asswinbly should always uieot in Duuodin, and that Dnnedin should be th<> centie of the Presbyterian Church, and the site of tho Tbf ologiciil Hill. It took a good rleal for the N jrth to swallow that, but they did swrtllow n, in the interests of union, and he waa bound to say they did so ia good faith. Having nt-copted these terms proposed by the Southern Church, they now said that if the South did noi; Hcsopt uaion tha responsibility would not rout on the North, But he was convinced that union would be accepted — that the movement would gather such strength as wo.uld lead to its consummation. He was anxious for union, becauße it would give them a strong Colonial Presbyterian Church. It was important they .should do everything they could to give visibility, prestige, and social and other influences to their Church iv the Colony. The need for this mipht not be felt so much in Ofcpgo, where thn Presbyterian was the leading Church, but it was felt elsewhere, where the Church was overshadowed by tho Church of li'igland. lie had nuliccd when in Liverjioji
that men who came from the North to better their fortunes, while they were poor regarded the simplicity of the Presbyterian service and its form ot church government as most admirable ; but when, instead of walking, they drove to church, ifc was past the old Presbyterian Church to the Church of England, the matchless beauties of whose liturgy they bad discovered. He believed these changes were not the result of convic'ion but of social influences a;:d considorp.tions. When thsy had as Governor in this Colony a Presbyterian bred , and born, he was never known in New Zealand to go to a Presbyterian church but once, and tiio.i he took his two boys with him and put two big pennies in the plate. Rev. Dr Siuakt: You should not mention that.
Tho Rev. Mr Patehson replied that he was not aahamed to mention it ; it was the Governor referred to who should be ashamed of it. He believed they should do everything fchat was legitimate — n.ud this was legitimate to pive more visibility, more prestige to the Church, and on i/n.tt ground ha supported union. Ttio geographical difficulty was nothing io what it oiteo was*, as it was simply a luxury to tra.val in the Union Company's large vessels The Southern Church, he fell; Mire, would lose* nothing by union, and would aid greatly the cause of Ptesbyletianism throughout" New Zealand.
The Rev. J. Ryley moved— "That the Synod expresses its pleasure at the prosonce of the Rev. Mr Paterson as dopufcy from the sister Church in tho North, and its thanks for the excellent addro33 he has made to tbe Synod ; renews the expression of its fraternal regards for the Uhurch he represents, and its earnest prayer that it m-yv be increasingly useful in disseminating tha Gospel of the Km<rdom of God throughout its bounds." ° Mr R. A. Lawson seconded the deliverance whiqh was unanimously agreed to. '
FHOCEDDRK IN ELECTING A MINISTER BY COMMISSION.
The Synod received tho following overture f rom_ the Dunedin Presbyfcory :— *" Whereas the circumstances of tbe Colony are such that congregations find ifc sometimes advisable to select a minister by commission, and a difference of opinion exists as to tin process to be observed in such cases : Ifc is humbly overfcured by the Pxesbytery of Duaedin t» the Venerable the Synod, indicted to meet on Tuesday 13th January, that they would take tho subject into consideration, and pass a regulation clearly indicating the mode of procedure to be observed when a minister is elected by commissioners."
The Rev. Dr Salmond was heard in support of the overture, and s.iid that the qaosfcion had originated in the procedure adopted by the First Church in calling its minister recently It emerged in connection with tb/tt that a difference of opinion existed, and therefore ifc was thought desirable that no ambiguity should be left in the matter, and that a regulation should be made in regard to it He moved that the Synod pass the following ra- ' gulation: "That in caso3 in which a congregation shall docide to elect a minister by commission, they shall intimate their decision to the Presbytery through their Moderator for its concurrence at the earliest period ; and the Presbytery Rhall in such c<wa regard the official iacimatioa of the appointment by the commissioners, and the official intimation of its acseptaaca by the person appointed, as equivalent to th^s ordinary process "of call." Rev. A. H Stobo moved the substitution of the woid "sanction" for "concurrenca,"and tha insertion of tha following clause : " and in the event of said sanction being given," the Presbytery shall in sudi case regard the official intimation, &o Tbe Rev. Dr Maoghkgor moved "That tha wholo question be rbferred to a committee for -inquiry and report." Dr Macgiegor's motion was carried by a large majority. The Synod adjourned at a quarter past 11 o qlock p.m.
Friday, January 19.
The Synod resumed at 10 a.m., the Moderator (Rev. D. Ross) in the chair.
UNIOS WITH THR NORTHERN CHURCH The returns from the Kirk Sessions showed that 22 sessions approved of the Union and 14 disapproved of it.
The Rev. Mr Will handed in the following proteston the Union question:— "The undersigned, in taking part in Syno 3ical consideration of the present question about union with the Northern Church, are not to be understood as ackuowledging that the Synod have power by vote of a majority to form a union that would make an end of fcdo existence of this Church in rpspect of governmental distinction and independence. Ministers — Rays. W Will W. BannermnnD, D. M. B'uart, J. M. Allan J. Kirkland, J. Clark, M. Watt J. M David* son, R. Telford, W. P. Brown, G. B. loglfaT STr/'AW G> Lindßa y. R. R. mI Sutherland, J. U. S^ence, J. M. Smith J Maegregor, and A. Greig. Elders— W. Duncan, R. Mackay, A. 0. B°gg, J. Somerville, J. Johnston, W. Rusaeh, G. Buchanan, aud R S. Gardner." '
Tlie Rev. Dr Salmond brought up the following report : —
The Synod of last year dorlarei r s conviction that a<\ incorporating union of Uie Preahytcrian Churches ought to be accomplished with as little delny as dob-s-ble. In view, however, f tbe f^t that this motion was cur-iel by a majority rf B i x votea, and that a doubji thus remained whether the Synod was ex p- easing the real mind of tho Canroh, it was resolved meanwhile to proceed no further its the c jnaideration ot details, and to Eend down the scheme for the leijurelv and mature consideration of the Pr. nbyteries and Kirk Sessions Tho Ohuioh has properly understood that the principle of the advisability of incorporating I nion was still at stake, and that the nvnd ot the Church was required in legard to it, while also la, deliverance on the details of tho scheme mi^ht be given, mor* or leS3 rninu'.e, as Pretbvtavies or Sesbions saw fit THe matter has been taken up durine the year with considerable enthusivin. and returns hwe been received as numerous, ii is believed as have ever been received on any question submitted a-id so nume'ous as to present a greifc co ltra't to the p-.enius response c looked on this th»'uie. AU the Prebbyterks have raporte I, with the result that three -narnaly. Dumdin, Southland, and D jnatan -have nccapted the piinc.ple of .-n incor, or;ti"£r union; and two— nauu»l;/, Clutha and Oam*ru — have reported unfavourable Th<> thyea PfoP f0 myteries favourable reprcen.j 34 conqfre{j»6ioi]i, a d the two which are unfavuu able represunt 20 ew#r gaVona Tbero hare b-cn receive 3 isO retnr is f oip c *n* es&tions, of which 2> eruloraj the jmißtaeu- of tat t A-nort t at an ncoipora'.injj u-iion nutrlid to be ace ml.tißhcd (t is somewhat difficu tt • cla-sifv the ronniniiif,' It r- Uivxw. Tlie hfci* ntion of your Committee >«w g hton «rroseu by the fact that th* approving ss ioiw d hver lihemoelves war.nJy and uaam-mguou-ly, while several of ihe r-nnn-ler express theinselve^ with snch he.-itatiou and am^aity that they mignt wth propriety be el .as?.', cs neutral o"lv a .yon so* ions have t.x),rOT«d d'suptoval Without u.troduchm of modi uag ryoremiona the othera rtaVng (hit they pave no opi i,,,,, or that, Mthoiwh d.sapprovme 1 hoy would luyatiygo with themaiomv or vat wh>l» approving ot the % ri»ciple they d-prcetfoa action 11 the face of a la<ve minority, and similar cpaliymg statements. 11-^pver, in this report «ll who have not e'owly expressed approval are e'aswfled os ni -;pprov ng, and the aiora effort ot thel- returns rather lends itself to i tat rSiuttTto B-Soi^ gIV6S * tail<!d lißt ° f lhe retu ™ »wS
APPROVING 1 } Dunedin.-Anderaon'a Bay, Kornington, St An
Southland.— Biverton, InvercargiU First Chuvch, 'St. Paul's, \V.\Uacetown, QueetisSown. Cluttw.-Milton, WaiUtiuua, Lawrence, \aihola. Oamaru.- Duntroon, Otepopo, Hampden, at. Paul's ©amaru. Dua 3 t a n.-Alexa^ Aiiißovim Bunedin.-CUee.i W««». . Blujwkln, Wiltauaiti, Kaikorai, Portobello, West Taien, First Church. ESSn^S^pa Cl «th, . Ounaru — Pa'm=rs6on, Columba, Oaniaru, Waiar °Th'e foibwingcong egattone have sent no returns :— Punedin. Caver-ham, > ait Taieri. Ciutha — Balclutha, Tr-p-rom, Clinton. Bouthland.-UVp r Matauia, Lnwer Mttaura, Waiiaia Linicst ne P.ains, Wmto.i, Knapda!e. Oa'aiaru — PfpaUaio Buußtan.-Boib ivr^ (Cornwall, NasoW, Laud-r la rreard tti the details of !he scheme or Union Tfhioh was sent down, cnly few relu-ns of amendments have been rccci/cd 'Che swbstanthc alteritioDS passed by P*esi ytaxies are these : - 1 That in article 3, w hich indicates the way in ■which the Assembly fchall bo toastitute.l, the word J^iist be i^serte-i before "Gone.al Asaembly." The effect o£ thi3 would be to make the permanent! constitution ol the As'embly a matter for decision after the -Jormation fl ° r) .. c ° co"bee o " be a i tetec i t hua : " The Assembly's Tilace of meeting shall be determined by the Assembly -fiaelt " Tha effect of this would be equivalent to simply deleting the sentence. 3 That in article 18, instead of " a minister shall •io appointed as general secretary," it read '' a mc-ra- £« " &c • another presbytery bursting that there be bubstituted the words "a general secretary may ' he appointed." Other alterations prop-wed anpeir to be m»rely veibT Jh« onlya<ldition proposed w ove by tho Preabvtery ot Buaedin-namely, " That the Jeg.sfat^n oithe i rta'oetive Churches coiicenun X all mattera not Embraced in the tcr.us of union, as the same riiall •of at Hba date oi n-inn, shall contiuuc in force »-tW« uHk-esp^etivo bounds, until the same be rnpSi^o' al eied by the United General A y!^ ly f»w aasEions have reported minu*e'y on rtofaik Tho Session of First < hurch, inve-cargill, tf™e liw r^KO-ted on the detailed scheme at length ; £5 Ih "committee h^s not judged it requisite t3 priQtlhe.'.utrgestionautleugth. Tn pinclu-'iaK this report, your Committee .has o -mnivt. express its hbh uratiflu^tion at the result*, SOT the mind of the Chuvch to fully alive on thW ivnpcrtant matter, and that a favourable is so lapidlv maturing that it may confiVX txp'cted to issue in cordial unanimity. The r^mit-ee desires to record its convi tion that the Churcß ii n ny committed to proeecnto the enterprl-o «f the unifi ation of the Presbytorianism of New Zealand, without haste and without dels.y, to a conaunwation
William S almond, Con-.'ener. The Rev Dr SALMOND said it waß with Borne Wine of 'gratification that he roae to move the adoption of this report. He would, at its conclusion, as he had done on previous occasions, move a motion bearing on the sub?«ot He ba d ' hQ very d.fferent feelings from those he experienced on a former occasion when he stood up to make a saport on thaaame subject, and a very natural and, he pardonable exhilaration of sentiment Is he looked at all the facts of the case. The Jesuits bad astonished him, and were such as, be would venture to say, no one m the Synod had locked for. He thought it was true that, -ail things considered, and comparing all circum-st-mces there had never been such a report as thta Presented on the Union question-the mind nf iho Chutch was never in anything like ho favourable relationship to this question as at „' rent The necessarily meagre statements & the report gave a very inadequate view f fh« realW favourable attitude of the S,Wta mioi the Church towards this Salion, imd it was only when one IKnt carefully into the * etums . f , ™ d shidied them and compared them with the former returns, and considered all the attendant Sreumstancjß, that one got a fall impression on his mind of ths extraordinary and rapid change that had taken place in the Churuh on this inflation It was within the recollection of the '^vnod that a report from Kirk Sessions and Tresbvteries on this question came up two horfc veara ago. On that occasion he reraemhsred saving that he folt like a man delivering KrSut ; dying speech and testimony on the 5, biect and he then stood up feeling that the •thing was done with for ever and aye, and that +hat was to be hia last public utter nee on the •nuesS !. But notwithstanding that at that -time four Presbyteries sent up strong disappro■tation, and only one solitary Presbytery reSorted in its favour, while only seven Sessions lent up approving and 15 sent disapproving Motions, the Synod by a large majority resolved JZU to abandon the enterprise, and summoned a committee to prosecute the task. What +Vion might they not expect m the altered drcumSnceß the Synod would do now? He was sura there were none, whatever their private opinion might be who would begrudge a iural feeling of exhilaration to those who bad toUed for this question in much darkness and weariness, hoping against hope, and now *aw the sunshine of prosperity dawn upon -fcham Two years ago only seven bessions in all the Church could be summoned up to approve of this question, and now they had summoned 22-tb.at was, the number had increaßed threefold. At that time ■ lo Sessions sent up disapproving reports, while there were only 14 forthcoming now. Absolutely the number had tone down, and relatively the number of those recording their votes against was m a state of rapid and extraordinary decadence, and it was not the absolute calculation, but the relative one that showed the strength of the Union party. But that was only the beginning of the ■£ompari.*on. Two years *go four Presbyteries of the Church disapproved of union, and only one recorded a vote in favour of ifr-the PreaTovterv of Dunedin,-fmd that was only due to the chance that their respected father, Dr Stuart, had to attend a funeral smd could not -set back in time to record his vote, otherwise _11l the Presbyteries of the Church would have "teenWinst union. That was three years ago .aud now, whatever the technical report might be, gathering the substantial mind of the Church, they had throe Presbyteries m favour of union and two against it. He could defy anyone to find an example equal to it of so rapid and strilgm'k and intense a transiormation of the mm&oTtbe Church on any great question in so short a space of time. That was not the whole: bad it been the case that the remit 'had been the same as was formerly sent down the change would have been an extraordinary • one • but when they considered the difference in the character of the remit the change bec-nne still more extraordinary. It was within the recollection of the Synod that last year they ■3Rt for hoars to franca a motion in favour of incorporating union in lonnn aa clear as it was possible to make them. 'There waß to be no chilly - ahalryrop, or ambiguity io prevent a definite aud ringing issue, and to that they bad received a loud and emphatic "Yea" in favour of union— so loud that it rmvrt ppneWle t.h« deafest ear, the dullest soul, and the darkest intellect Tba remit in f-vviw yavn wpr vcry_ much " milder, and vet, nr-twitstanding the intense of the remit, leaving no room for ambiguities, this lond affirmation of it had - come from tho Olvuich, and this also was very ■ striking. Two y ears tifo in the report reference wasra.ulatotheextran'^ir.jiryappthy with which the wholo mibjf ct wa« tvratpd. Throughout the length ar.d brwdth <>t thn Obwh if. was treated in n most h'-a'-'.lo^ and r.nath'itJc wfi-v, as if evjvybouV w^a c''l7c '' l7 xn> der.th of (he subject, and icgavd-jd Ui-j milt or ni> a sir.iv— an
uureality,— in which nobody was really concarned ; as a walking ghost, concerning which paople of fle^h and blood need not trouble themselves. When it was discussed in the Dunedin Presbytery only nine or ten were present ; and 10 was the largest number present in any Presbytery when ifc was considered, and not a single elder was present at any of the Presbyteries. Now all that had been reversed, and he called the Synod to witness that the most fervent discussions, the largest meetings, aud tho heartiest enthusiasm during the past year had bemi evoked on this very question, manifesting that the .spirit of the Church was up, and that it was in hot earnest in regard to thii question ; that it was treated as no sham, as no stalking prhost, but that the Church meant business. Take, for example, the Presbytery of Dunedin. There were 22 present at the moeting of tho Duuedin Presbyi tery when the question was considered, a large number of elders attending, and only six among the whole of those prej sent voted for an anti-union motion, and among those six there was not an elder to be found. Than, further, there was this to be mentioned, as bringing out th.9 altered state of feeling : if they lookod into the character of these returns their attention would be strikingly arrested by tho firmness, clearness, and decision of tho returns approving of the union. There was in them no hesitation, no ambiguity, but they wcie the expressions of men who knew bheir own minds and meant what they affirmed. The disapproving returns, on the other hand, were full of hesitation, qualifications, modifications, and ambiguities. Some of thorn, such as that from Oamaru, seemed to leave it questionable whether they should not be more strictly classed aa neutral. What could they make of a report which said that they loved union with all their hearts, only they could not go in for it in the face of a minority ?— a minority they v/ere creating, and which they might help to destroy by coming out of it. That was the character that largely prevailed throughout the non-union returns, c that, as the report stated, only seven hadeoac tion- approving motions without qualificati n. while a majority cf the returns summoned their to the hparty prosecution of this enterprise w'th out deLiy, and without ha c. ti 1 the way wr made clear for its consummation. Hs wo Id next speak of a few of the difficulties cf the question that required to bo locked at very gravely. What now was the wisest course for the Church to tcke ? for he had no desire to conceal the difficulties of the question. Ttare were difficulties and anxieties counected with it, but they we) c not such as should discourage them or prevont them seeing a way through the darkneps. He had been trying, he hoped dispassionately, to look at all the surroundings, and to find the way that was wisest and best for the good of the Church, and he would run through the possible suggestions that mi^ht be made on the subject, and speak upon them. ITirst of all, then, it might be that some were prepared, in the face of all the facts, to assert that it wa'j their duty here and now to discontinue the furiber discussion avid agitation of the question ; to banish it altogether, and relinquish the enterprize. The position taken would probably be that, though after long - continued and exhaustive efforts to create a public sentiment in the Church in favour of incorporate union tboy had got a majority in irq favour, still the majority was not overwhelming, and there regained a large and influential minority against it, amongst whom were some of the most respected and most deservedly respected fathers and brethren in the Church, whom it was hopeless to expect to move from thpu 1 'opposition. Therefore, seeing that the majority was not ' overwhelming, and the minority wr.B somewhat overwhelming, it might be said that the further agitation of the question simply meant trouble, vexation, and dispute within our own borders, with a very doubtful prospect of any ultimate success ; and therefore, ali things considered, ifc would be really better, with all expressions of regret, and, in the most pathetic manner possible, to say it was their duty to relinquish the enterprise. He would state the reasons plainly why he could not fall in with that view. He had been quite prepared to find himself in the position of having to stand up and say, very reluctantly, that he abandoned the proposal for union. Had the voting been such as it was two years ago, he would not, by word or deed, try further to agitate the question ; had there been only a very small degree of improvement ; had, for example, the Presbyteries been equally divided, or had there been even the smallest majority of Kirk Sessions against union, he would have felt it to be his duty to relinquish the enterprise ; nay, had the movement simply grown in numbers, and there had not been an indication of its growing in favour and enthusiasm, had there been no improvement in its momentum, had it not increased in spaed and fervour, he would have been willing to accept thp position, and to have reluctantly bidden tbe agitation good-bye. Now, however, they had not merely a majority of the Kirk Russians — that was not a full statement of the quasi ion— but they had also this extraordinary reversal of altitude — an increase of public sentiment and a rapid movement of the miud of the Church in a given direction. There were all these things added to the majority — indications of tho fact that the mind of the Church was growing in intensity of conviction that this was the right thing to do, and it was in the face of th's fact that he felt that he could not abandon this question. Still he was not going to hide from himself the fact that they had a large and influential minority, whom it was not very probable they would move from their opposition ; he would not say it was impossible to move them, for he thought better of them than that, but he thought it was not probable they would be moved. Of course, as members of the Synod, they were all equal in voting power— each one counted as one; but there was no use ignoring the fact that age, service, and ecclesiastical position were factors of very material importance which they could not pretend to overlook. In the minority there were men whof-e character, position, and service were such that they could not ignore them, or go on in a movement of this kind without them. Bat e-ven that did not Bnpal him, nor did tbe formidable document which had been put in frighten him, far it wa<* far more innocent than it lookod, and he hoped that nervous onos would not Istk-i fpar at it. If 1 hone who opposed union opposed it on the gronu-1 t l 'at it outraged theb coirc'cn 13 nr violated the principles of the Climch— -that it was a proposal to do pomsthing they c«ulu not lot j ass without a solemn protest in the face of high heaven. — the caso would be different; but be bad yet to leara that anyone took up that position, This question was simply one of administration of what was the wisest thing to be done—the moat effectual way to carry on tbe work 'of the Church in this new land, and it was just on" of those questions 01 which they habitually differed, and asrrced to differ, and to loyally jvccqpt the dpcisnon come to by a majority. He could not hf e. therefore, what reason could be a leped why the majority of th=) Church should "yield their convictions of what wiwmt. and bost to be done in the cause of Ohrißf ' to any minority, or why the minori 1^ 1 should cliiim to guide tho majority. Tv
abandon the enterprise, in the face of the strongly-expressed mind of the Church some might consider improper, and they might therefore look for some plausible compromise and suggest federation. Federation was a grand word, an excellent word for the purpose; but be could not but regard a proposal for federation in the place of incorporating union as a plausibly veiled negative to the proposal for u r- ion, and that it would be just a3 well, straight out, to negative the enterprise as to carry an amondment; in favour of federation. The difference between federation and union was the difference* between a bundle of sticks tied by a cord and the organic unity of a living body ; and that was a* vary gvoat differenco, for ax\ organic unity meant life, warmth, vigour, aud force. What was wanted in New Zealand was a visible Presbyterian Church in organic uaitv, with life and force in it, and never by federa tion would they gat that mystic power which exists in organic oneness. He might be told that the outcome of all this was to pass a resolution in favour of proceeding straightway to union, and he was prepared to be cold on the one hand that he was driving at too furious a pace, and on the other to be told that he was a laggard, going at a pace miserably slow, though he hoped that the commoa sense of tbe Synod would decide that his pace was exactly right. He was not prepared to adopt heroic moasurr-s, and the friends of union, if they looked at t)i9 subject, would see that such a lino of procedure was simply impossible. Ho had counselled the Northern Church to waif; with patience until Otago had come to somo measure of maturity of mind on the qmstion, and then to resume negotiations, That position, honourable to th>nr mind and trying to thoir temper, the Northern Cfcureh bad maintained, and it was only now fchnt the maturity of judgment on the pwrt of the Southern Oh rob. had bean reached which entitle*! heir to enter nt negoti.v"Kso« wi'li r~.y hope cf Pieces It shcvld 111 1 Icrncia m'nd that in reilitythey w-xj'jj >sry mizh iuitber yet ; l ian - pretty • rio j" £f£rn a pf the principep c thtf mion v/ 3 • j?-* 1 !.- tie. Th?> ie ai ci .scheme 1- r .1 nsver 13.1 l y hni tin application cf tha combined son-e and wisdom of Otago, and it could not ha^o it until the principle was made securer. On tho other hand, the detailed scheme had never been before the Northern Church, and to attempt anything like incorporation before they had had time maturely to consider it was surely impossible, for the scheme must be immature and defective. The only thing which could be done/It appeared to him, was to resume active negotiations with the Northern Church on the lines indicated by the motion. Me moved — " Whereas a majority of presbyteries and kirk sessions have declared in favour of p.n incorporating union with the Northern Church, and the returns not only indicate a majority, but also a striking advance in the zeal and enthusiasm with which the project ia viewed throughout the Church, tho Synod declare their con vie' ion that they are debarred fr.om relinquishing the enterprise, and summoned to prosecute it to completion ; and resolve themsrlvps into a committee to consider the details of tho scheme and the various amendments suggested. Whereas, however, the majority, while growing in num bers and in z^al, may still be considered not great enough to justify tbe immediate consummation of tho desired union with confidence that such advantages will be reapad from it a,s may be expected if it is entered on with entire and cordial unanimity ; aud further, no tojisino of union can be viewed as suihcieutly matured until the miud of the Northern Cimrch has also bepn brought to bear upon it, the Synod appoint a • committee of their number to meet in conference with a similar committee of the Assembly of tbe Northern Church, to consider and mature the detailed scheme of union, and, as far as they may see fit, to consider what should be done in order to unify, conserve, and develop the forcoa of the Presbyterian Church throughout the Colony — the joint committee to meet at Christchurch in tbe month of February, at the close of the msoting of the General Assembly," If this motion were carried, and he should be appointed, he wished to say that he should go to this joint conference with his mind open, and holding himself entitled to h^va his mind open to all new light; and notwithstanding anything he had hitherto said, and notwithstanding any attitude he bad hitherto taksn, he would be. prepared to consider the whole question and to act accordingly. ,Tf _ the Northern Church was found to be seriously opposed to some of the detail of the scheme which the Southern Church regarded as vital, he should go prepared to face that— in facfc, prepared for further light on the question. He felt that the Synod should go on in the direction indicated iv 'the motion, that it could do nothing else in the light of the returns, and that tboy should move honestly, in the v?jy that prudence seemed to indicate, towards tbe best possible completion of this task ; that they go into it patiently, parsaveringly, cheerfully, and hopefully, trusting that the blessing of God would eras down upon their labours, and that the dews of Heaven would rest upon their camp.
Mr T. T. Ritchie seconded the motion. Dr Sain iond, in respect to this question of union, stood in the unique position of being not on'y the loader of the union cause, but at the same time the individual who had both toramlated and defined tbe avgummts of his opponent?, thus placing in thoir hands weapons of moie tempered steel than they could have furnished themselves. What was the secret of the stubborn opposition, and why was it that on this question there appeared to be a disposition on the part of some to do everything possible to thwart the wishes of the Church, which were manifestly in favour of a union of incorporation, full and complete, with the Northern Church? If the difficulty was the fear fhwt their endowments might ultimately ba applied to the support of the churched, North and South, let them be oppnly stated. He ventured to express tbe conviction that but for the attitude of ii few Jpading members of the Synod tho opposition to union would eollapso like a punctured bla-ldor. Tlia opponents r.i.iisily consisted of the members of th-it smrJl but rapidly diminishing party in the Church opposed to all change, content to abide for ever in the old ruts, and somo of whom w.th now probably iijfiuhnced — eonseiou^y oi 1 uncoc ciously — to some ex'ent by a ri r .F,iio to punish i.he JSorlLon Chinch for having led the. way in tbe matter of so cilJpd hiMiwidrx „-, which have been but too readily adopteu by many congregations in the S-rnth as manifest improvements, la addition to thuso muconcileables there were porbaps two or thrre comparatively new arrivals in tbo Coiouy who, having come under the infl-wjow oV men of stronger mind", tlvn fchei>- own, were content to look at this Union question through the Colonial spectacles of others, and so, with the impulsiveness of youth or thy obstinacy of years, ha^a become nxb'Oine pirti sans, entire'y igaorant of or iljliber.U.- 1 !} ignoring all the pasi. history of the movement, and its bearing on Ibf prraent and fucuro Oi the Church. J3nt of all tho opponents of union what must b^ thought of Uioso men, if ;my such thore wa w who, having once held i haigos
in the Nerth, nowranged themselves among the ' opponents of union with the Church of whose brpad and salt they bad been partakers? la addition to the objections raised against the union, it was humiliating to have to contend with ignorance. Only as late as September last a membor of the Synod wrote to the Daily Times stating that in the Northern Church Assembly in 1883 tha vote on. union , was 13 in favour of it to six against, and that he was assured that in the Assembly of ISS4 tha majority had by no means increased, adding : k< It would saem, therefore, that the mind of the Northern Church on the subject oi union is pretty much the same as that of tho Southern." When a few more years had rolled by that member's head, probably he would learn that " things are not what they seem." He nead not rapoafc what they must all be aware of, that there had been no anti-union motion before the Northern Aisambly, it being distinctly felt and declared tb.it the opposition was with the Southern Church alone. He had briefly summarised what he believed would bave been the nature* and extent of the opposition to union but for the support afforded by members of Synod, once its staunchest friends. How much the union cause bad suffered and the opposition gainod be fully realised yesterday in reading over the reports of the Synod meeting of 1876, when i)v Stuart and others were eloquent in favour of tho cause they seemed to have so much at heart, but which they had since deserted. In a speech delivered in 1876 Dr Stuart- ] said : "He was a citizen of tho Colony, and he ] tvisbod to be a member of a Church that would extend over tha whole Colony. He was gla4 to Bear tho extracts read by Dr Copland, vvjjjoh showed that tbe Church of Otago had in its young day ! ; contemplated a Church that would be for all New Zealand. There were mr.py reasons why union throughout the whole of N m Zealand was advisable, and in particular he menti )ied the power and infiuencs and prestige which a united Church | would c;>ve." And sgain, in September 1576: " Why did bo favour union ? Because he loved tha Presbyterian Church, and would like to see ifc spread throughout the length and breadth of the land. Thoy wra a conipac l ; body, however, hore f and their brethren in the North were scattered. With regard to the assertion j that the Northern Church desired union for | the purpose of participating in the loaves and fishes, their liberality was shown by giving £2 for every £1 given in the South for church purposes." Mr Cargill also, at the name meeting, spoke strongly in favour of union, and seconded a motion on the subject ; whilst Dr Stuart, like the gallant Highlandman he was, again returned. "to the charge, and said : "Ho regretted the postponement of union because he loved the Colony ; he re- ? retted ifc because he loved Preebyterianism, nstead of supporting two churches in the Colouy, if there \vns a little more charity, a little more liberality, and a little generosity displayed by opponents of union they would soon have one commoa church." Mr Ril c'uo went on to say : Let him commend to Di S'nart and his friendH for their calm deliberation "those echoes of the past, those ghosts of his former warm and fervid utter.tnco 1 !." There was an argument in favour of union which, so far as he could recollect, had bnen overlooked. The Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fuud was a scheme in which members ot Synod must feel deeply interested. It was of tha utmost importance to its success that the scheme should be built on a broad and substantial foundation. It was a well-known fat-*: that there were always fiuanoial difficulties and dangers in tho near future where the membership of a f ripndly society or a life insurance company was vc-y limited and the field of its operations circumscribed. The larger the membership tbe more widely the risks were distributed. The very great advantage to the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund arising from the receiving of a largely-increased membership scattered over a wide area was onp, and not the least, of the advantages pertaining to union. In conclusion, Mr Ritchie said : Remember that the 16 sessions that have refrained from giving an opinion on this Union question are but echoing back to the Synod the words of that old sage Gamaliel— "Refrain : if ye cannot help on the cause, let it alone ; for if this work be of men it will come to naught, but if it be of God it cannot be overthrown,"
The Roy. Dr Macgregoe moved the following amendment :—" That the great completeness of the unity of fcha Churches m doctrine, discipline, worship, and general church life i 3 a thing to ba greatly rejoiced in, as constituting a precious opportunity of church fellowship and co-oporation for the Church's prosperity and success in maintaining the Christian cause in the land. But the proposal of incorporation of the Chuvclfes into ono governmental union, having been repeatedly submitted for consideration to this Church in hfir courts, has on her part not been received with such a measure of favour as would warrant the formation of that union, but withiu her communion has been met with disfavour persistent and widespread. The Synod, therefore, pass from the proposal as inexpedient in the circumstances thus disclosed." They had been warned, ia a manner deserving great reappct and affnefcion, that upon tbe Southern Church would tall the responsibility if union were not carried out. He was not rarp of the literal truth of tint. A member of th • Northern Church who had recently joined this Church assured the Presbytery of Oamaru that the Norfchoru Ghui'ch was by no means of oi>o mind in respect to this business. The responsibility, however, did lie upon this Chinch of ueterminrep, so far as its powers went, svhocher union should take place or not. Thsy did not escape responsibility by moving for the union, and it thay acquiesced at present in the union they would have to answer to God for tbo extinction of the Church of Otago and S luthland. On tbo oiher hand, he knew that UHmnif find others would have to answer for endeavouring wirh all their might to prevent u< it-tt ■1 c did not wish to evade the responsioility ; bo welcomed it. Ho had been warnpd 111 various ways that his intervention in this business was a sort of liberty ; but he had not sought this place fco-day — the place had sought l.iin, aud he had heartily accepted it, because 110 Ib'iught ho was entitled to assume it as a miuister of tho Church, and, although a newcomer io the c 'untry, on account of hie antiquity in the Church. A fisherman pottering about Port Chalmers would have a superiority over Sir Jobn G'oode with respect to mere local kno'vlpdge of the harbjur, and a flounder in the mud would liavo a superiority over the iioiim'imui ; i ul. ilia!, did \i'>t deprive Sir John (Joodu of Bupdiioiity wifh regard to harbour iinpiovemetit. He had listened carefully to tho elpqueut spoech of Professor Salmond, and to tho Ksv. Mr Pateraon on the previous evening, but he did not learn from them what he wanted to know — that »vat>, how the real Chrrstian causa would bo iiff^ct^d by this union. The Rev. Dr Salmond's speech was very much in the air —it \Yt.s n spf dilative thing. It had no allusion to ChridtuMiity aa a religion — if, had no '•Hferencn to tho history or couttifntiorvof the Presbyterian Church ot Ofcago and S luthland, of the principles and modes of working of jrny Christian Church in the world — none whatever to Cliriuliauity. Tnora was nothing m it that might not bo iv tho speach of any scheming
ecclesiastic with no religion whatever. Tho only unions among churches that he had known to be successful were those whore the parties were practically of one mind. Here it was not pretended that there was unanimity, or anything like it. He did not know ve'y well himself what to think about tho question that was at the root of this matter : What is to be the abiding normal condition of Presbyterianism in New Zealand ? It was not clear to him that they ought to regard as tho right normal condition of Pre3byfcerianism in New Zealand ona Church at any future time. It might corao to ba manifest, as in the British Isles, that one Church was not the best way of raalising the purposes of the unity of the Church, but that the best way was to bave three Churches, Those who talked about union in a fine flowing manner should remembar that ths question was not whether union was a good thing-, but whether, in their particular circumstances, it was the best; way of carrying out their work. What a ppeared to be in the mind of the Rgv. Mr Pafcerson except that by this union thsy would be better able to compete in gentility with the Church of England — that the people in carriages would drive to their places of worship ? Nothing worse than, such' a competition could happen to thoir Church, The political schemers who would go to the General Assembly of the united Church would ruin Presbyterianism, and crush out all individualism in districts. This politico-ecelesias-ticisin was the spectre which, in his eyes, always haunted this proposal of union. Tbi3 union would crush the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, and in point of facfi this Church would cease to be. The only thing that Professor Salmond seemed to think about was legislation. New legislation would cease in thi3 Church if they agreed to union. What was to prevent the prevalent mind of the Presbyterian people of Otago and Southland from being swamped in the united Church ? Ha hoard a great deal as to noble- mindednesß about property and carelessness as to it, but it was mostly .with regard to the property of other people. What was to become of their reserves ? Some people iseemed to think tbafc the Church of Otago and Southland would take her propsrty with hor into the union, and that she would not be " a penniless lass with a lang pedigree." But his opinion wag that, if they united, the Church of Otago and Southland would cease to be ; their property would be treasure trove, and go to the Queen. The Rev. W. Bannerman said there was provision by Act of Parliament that if the Church united she should retain her property. The Rev. Dr Macgeegor said the matter was still more terrible to him with regard to the Theological Hall. If thera were no Church of Otago and Southland he did not sac that there was a shadow of legal foundation for the existence of a Theological Hall maintained by themselves. No proof had been offered thend that truth and the cause of God had suffered detriment from the present state of things. When such a proposal for union was made there should be some pretence of unanimity ; but in this case, although some clever psople made out that there was a majority in favour of the proposal, they had not anything like half in favour of it. They knew what the fragment in favour of the proposal meant. There might have been proxificafcion in the Sessions as well as in the Synod, There was a periodical circulated among their congregations by the efforts of ministers, and he had used his best efforts to have that periodical circulated. He had bad to send through' his congregation a severe scolding addressed to the members of the Church of which he was a mombor, written, he supposed, by the editor.
The Rev. Dr Salmond defied the Rev. Dr Macgr6gor to prove or justify his words by a single sentence he (Dr Salmond) wrote.
The Roy. Dr Macgeegor said that they were scolded by the editor of the paper in relation to the action they had taken as ministers.
The Rev. J. Ryley asked if it were in order to bring up what had been written in tha "Presbyterian."
The Rev. Dr Sawkwd said Dv Macgregor was perfectly right in referring to anything he bad written, but he seriously objected to what he held to be an outrageous misrepresentation.
The Rw. Di- Macghegok said be could not withdraw tbe statement. At present they had a union with the Northern Church of the best sort, but it waa being disturbed. He maintained that they had not attained a sufficient degree of ripeness for union, and if the thing was right he had no doubt the Church would grow towards it. He admitted that there was a formidable danger in delay, inasmuch as the two Churches might grow into differant types, so that it would be impossible to join them at a later data; but at present there was not ripeness.
Me Johnston seconded the amendment of the Ray. Dr Macgregor. He was a member o* the Dunedin Presbytery when tbia subject waa first introduced. He had never been in favour of union since then. He agreed that the Rev. Dr Salmond's speech waß in the air. War, agriculture, and everything else depended on tha carrying out of details. How would tha General Assembly be conducted if union were carried out ? It would be a mere ecclesiastical assembly, because the elders would not go to distant parts of the Colony. An assembly of clergymen only would saem a very strange thing to those who had been accustomed to this Synod.
Mr W. Duncan was a thorough supporter of union, but what he wanted was a genuine union. The union now proposed was not of that nature, and the proposal itself was causing thorough disunion in the Church of Otogo ana Southland. In bis congregation there was unanimity in opposition to this visionary scheme of union, and he was deputed to offe* the sternest opposition to ifc. It would be really splitting up the two Churches into four sections. The legislation of the united Church would be thoroughly one sided. The legislators would consist of the wealthy ministers and a few of the wealthy elders. The poorer ministers could not attend, and not a single member of his session would be able to attend any meetings in any other place than Dimeciin. Of course he knew it would bo said <hf»tthe meetings would no* be hold in olher places than Dunediu, but that would be so manifestly unfair to the rest of tho Colony that it would never be permanent. i , The Rev. J. U. Spencb referred to the statements niade in reference to former ministers of the Northern Church, but now here, that they opposed union, and said it was quite reasonable to suppose that their opinion waa based on actual knowledges of the difficulties of the Noith. He thought it would be extremely unfair to carry out the Row Dr Salmond's idea that this Church should saparate from the Northern Church. — its wealthiest portion— by uniting with Canterbury and the rest of the Middle Island. Ha thought they should be very caroful before thoy did anythiag that would exclude the lay elcn^eift from their h'gher courts. He knew it was unpopular and ungracious to oppose a union of th^ Christian Church, but ptill they xhould rtflapfc if sii'jb a union vrould reaDy further tho inteieftts of Christ's kingdom. How wi-ra th«y to li-^ifilate upon the. needs of Auckland or oven of Canterbury ? Toe Rev. A. M. JTixlayson moved, S3 an
■
additional amendment, the adoption of Rev. Dr Salmond's motion, with the omission of the words " declares its conviction that it is debarred from relinquishing the enterprise and is summoned to prosecute it to completion." It seemed to him there was no real necessity for those words, whereas they seemed to commit the Synod too hastily, and bound them to a declaration to go on with this scheme at once. Ha thought they should carefully consider tbo details, get the mind of the Northern Church on the subject, and complete the proposal next session. With the omission of those words, he would cordially support the Rev. Dr Salmond's motion. Mr -A. C Begg said that whenever this •union question came up it led to the development of bad temper, and did not conduce to,
the unanimity and union of the Synod, and that morning's exporience was no exception. That 1 showed they were not ripe for union, as otherwise the proposal would not act like a red rag on a bull. The word union was often misleading. The two New Zealand Churches were always in unity ; and they might as well be told that a man would not have a friend unless prepared to take him into partnership, or have female friends unless he was prepared to marry them, as cay that they would not act in unity with the Northern Church unless they adopted this proposal. His first objection to the proposal, from an elder's point of view, was that it would destroy the distinctive character of the Otago and Southland Church. It was always a rule that 6ach session should be represented by an elder and a minister. A difficulty was experienced in getting elders from the outlying districts, but that only showed that the field at present was somewhat too large. He did not think that the Synod would meet always in Dunedin if union took place. Suppose they met in Wellington, how many elders from Otago could, possibly attend there? He could count them all on the fingers of one hand. Country people cculd not get representatives from Dunedin to go, because Dunedin people could not go. Would that be a desirable state of affairs ? It would break all their traditions. The poorer ministers could not go either ; so that the Synod would become a small clerical coterie, sitting like a court of convocation, deciding what the Church should do. He thought those fathers and brethren who had changed their opinion aa the desirability of ■union Bhould not be twitted with inconsistency. They had simply baeome better acquainted with the circumstances of the Northern part of the Colony. Improper motives had been imputed for such a change ; but the same might be said with regard to those who had changed on the other side. The Church of Otago and Southland would be enuffed out in the course of a very short time if this union were earned, •especially with regard to the presence of elders in the highest court of the Church. Ho was informed that even at the present time it was almost impossible to get elders to attend the Assembly of the Northern Church. He referred to an address to the officebearers of
the Church of Otago and Southland in favour
of the union, and he had the authority of one of the persons whose names appeared at the bottom of the document that he had never signed it or given his consent to it ; and another gentleman, whose name was printed with the document without his consent, insisted upon his name being withdrawn. The document itself was bristling with inaccuracies, and was evidently compiled by some person in total ignorance of the facts. One of the speeches delivered that morning in favour of union was very offensive, and was more personal and irritating than any he had ever heard in an ecclesiastical or any other court. Such speeches promoted disunion and discord rather than the object professed to be attained. The union should be resisted by all lawful means unless it could be shown that it wquld promote the cause ef Christ throughout the Colony. The Rev. A. B. Todd supported the Rev. Dr Salmond'e motion. He had always been loyal to the cause of Union. It was originally intended that the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland should extend over the whole of New Zealand and be a part of the Colonial Church of Now Zealand, and he read an exftact from the trust deed bearing out that contention. Ifc was intended that all Presbyteries in New Zealand should be formed bafore Synods were established, and in IS6I a conference was held in Dunedin, to which representatives came from all parts of New Zealand. A moat harmonious meeting was held, jand an adjournment was made to Auckland. A most interesting meeting was held there, at which several elders were present. Ho admitted that mistakes were made, and in consequence of one motion agreed
to, the Presbytery of Otago (withdrew from the ' Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The ' cause of disturbance wa3 the toleration of instrumental music and hymna ; but that had been Bince agreed to in Otago. In 1866 the Presbytery of Otago had increased so much that they formed themselves into the Synod of Otago and Southland. In 1871 negotiations for union were ©pened, not by the Northern Church, but by the Church of Otago and Southland. Difficulties were great now, but they were greater then. The first proposal was ' a federated union for five years, and then a union of incorporation. He regretted toat that proposal had not been carried out. He had been iv the North several times ; he regretted the difficulties they struggled with, and for the cause of Christ he wished to see union accomplished. In 1576 the union was stopped because of the persistency of a minority who threatened to leave the Church if union were carried out. . He regretted that the question had not been allowed to rest for 10 years, but as it had now been brought up they were bound to face it. There was now a decided majority in favour of union — 22 in favour, and 15 against. He agreed that unless they had a decided
working majority they bhould not go on with
thi3 scheme. He thought there were more elders in favour of the union than ministers, and a pleasing feature was that Young Ofcago wa3 coming to the front, and was strongly in ■favour of union. No doubfc ifc would be a great drawback if the eiders did not take part in their Church work ; but he held that if the elders took a large share of the work in presbyteries and other courts, there would not be so great a necessity for legislation in the General Assembly. He had a strong faith in hia Noithem brethren, and did not fear the formation of a clerical coterie which would mle th ) Church. The Rev. W. Bannerman did not think the Eav. Mr Todd's historical narrative was correct. When the second Conference on union was held in Auckland it made an alteration in
the basis of union that was adopted in Dunedin without referring that altered basis to the Churches interested. The Conference formed
itself into- a Ganeral Assembly, and one of the firat things it did was to introduce not only instrumental music, but to appoint a committee to prepare a hymn-book, thus breaking faith at the outset with the brethren of Otago.
Ifc was not so much because of the introduction of instrumental music and the
hymn-bcok that the Otago Church withdrew as because the Conference had no right to form itselt into a General Assembly on a basis not
agreed to by the brethren. The Rev. Mr Todd argued that the appendix to the trust deed showed that the Church at Home had contemplated the formation of a united Church for New Zealand He contended, however, that the act did not boar that conduction. The Free Church at that time was in ignorance of New .Zealand ; it only had knowledge of the small portion known as the Ofcago block. It was evidently intended that thure should be several supremo judicatures, but not that there should be one supreme judicature for New Zealand. He believed it was contemplated thai thara should be one Church in tho Middle Island and one Church in the North Island. With regard to tbe general question and tho speeches already made, he deeply regretted the spsech delivored by the elder who seconded the Rev. Dr Salmond's motion. That speech did more damage to the cause of union than could be done by anything said by opponents of union. It was the first of the kind they had heard in that Synod, and he hoped it would be the last. From first to last it dealt with nothing but personalities, and endeavoured to excite the bitterest feelings between the older and younger members of the Synod. Then the speech of tho Rev. Dr Salmond left out the very matter which should have formed the staple of that spobch — namely, the bearing of union upon tho acLual work of this Church and of the Northern Church. Tho Rev. Dr Salmond must have felt precluded from directing attention to this subject from the very nature of the details of the scheme submitted to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions. The details declared almost in so many words that the united Church could not do the work for which they had established a Church here— namely, planting the Gospel throughout the land. Each Church was to carry out its own work of church extension. Did not that proclaim that unitedly they could not do the work of the Church ? Then for a considerable time they were to have distinct funds for the maintenance of ministers' widows and orphans aad the support of aged and infirm ministers. What then was the united Church to do? It was true they might carry on missions unitedly, but what benefit would that be? The North would rely on the South doing more, and the South would rely on the North doing more, and in either case both would be doing less than they ought to do ; whereas at present there was a Christian rivalry provoking one another to do good works towards the heathen world. Ho did not wonder that so many congregations had sent up adverse decisions against the proposal. The Rev. Mr Todd had boasted about the majority in favour of the scheme, but what were the facts? Twenty- two congregations had pronounced in favour of it, 14 against it, and 13 congregations had given no opinion on the matter. According to the law of the Church these 13 congregations were held to be opposed to the proposal for union. — ("No" ; and laughter.) Therefore 27 congregations of this Church had pronounced against union, and only 22 in favour of it. Which was the voice of the majority ? It was remarkable that although year after year deputations consisting of ministers and elders had been appointed by the Northern Church to this Synod, they had never but once had an elder of the Northern Church present here, and generally only one minister. Did not that indicate that there was very great difficulty even for a' small number of ministers and elders to visit them in Dunedin? What prospect, then, had they of a true representation in the United Church of the whole Presbyterian Church of New Zealand? At present iv the Northern Church Assembly there was very inadequate representation, and, if he were not mistaken, even at the last meeting tu?re were four Presbyteries unrepresented by a single elder. In the united Church that evil would be still greater, and the proposal now bstora them would virtually exclude elders from their proper and important place in the functions of tLe Presbyterian Church, For every wider present there would be half a-doz;n minhters. Would that be true representation of the Presbyterian Church ? He would appeal to membeis of this Church who had been present at, thi General Assembly of tho Northern CLureh. Ifc was many years since he had been there. He had never been aaked to go a second time, because, ho thought, the Synod were afraid he would be converted, like the Rev. Mr Ryley. But he would ask the numbers who had been there to compare the numbers attending the General Assembly with the members attending this Synod, and the number of elders attending there with the number cf elders attending this Synod. Would a third, gathered from the North and South, ba at all a representation of the Church to which attention would be given as it should be tb the decisions of the Supreme Court,? The General Assembly would not retain the respect and obedience of the courts of the Church, because it would not for many years to come be a true reflection of the mind of the Church. They had now present the whole of their ministers and repiesentatives from well-nigh every one of their congregations, and if of the united Church only one-tbird of the representatives attended, they would not have anything like the same number present in the Assembly. If the Assembly was he din Wellington it would have a Wellington influence, if in Auckland an Auckland influence, and if in Otago an Otago influence ; and the latter influence would no doubt be good for Prosbyterianism and for the General Assembly. They knew, however, that the Assembly would not always meet in Otago, and that although that promise was put into the basis on which it was to unite, it was to be liable to such changes as the North might wish. — ( " No, no. ") Through the Barnier Act the Northern Cbuich could rule, for it would have eight Presbyteries, while here there were only five, and the proposal was that the Barnier Act should be applicable to the basis of union. Would it, he asked, improve the character of the Church in the future when the foundation of the Church here was liable to be bowed by the voice of the Northern Church ?
The Rev. Mr Mackenzie, in speaking on the subject, said that precedents alone were not to lead them. There was One who was their leader, and if He had spoken on this question of union then they were bound to follow Him. At the opening- of the sederunt they had read the 17th of St. John, which contained these words: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe in Me through their word, that they may be one, as Tholi Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be One in Us ; that the world may believe that Thou has sent Mo." Here the Lord spoke of a visible oneness, because Ho said that unity was to be seen by the world, and it was not the invisible Church the world would see, for that Church could only be seen by faith, and the world had not faith. The day, he believed, would dawn when Episcopalian, Wesleyan Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian would find some common stand-ing-uround. This word of Christ would be fulfilled, though its consummation might be far off, and it was because Dr Salmond's motion was in the direction of union that he supported it. Captain Thomson spoke in favour of union,
which he said he loved dearly, though he felt he could not say much on it.
A discusfaion took pJace as to whether the proceedings should be adjourned or the previous decision to take the vote at 5.30 be adhered to.
Tho Rev. Mr Waddell moved—" That one more speaker be heard against union, that Dr Salmond reply, and that the vote be then taken. "
This resolution^ was adopted by a large majority.
The Rev. W. Will argued that the Rev. Mr M'Kenzie's view of the passage quoted wns an utter misunderstanding. The existence of separate Churches was not in opposition to the Lord's prayer. ,If Mr M'Keuzie's view was right, then the whole Christian Church throughout the world was wrong, and should como under one government. The prayer of Claris^ was answered when paople displayed the spirit He had inculcated — when they loved aad trusted and helped one another ; not by their being united in one form of church government. Nothing had moved him to change on this question more than that for union they must sink and end the compactness, completeness, and power of the Presbyteriau Chuich of Otago and Southland. For his part ho had come to the conclusion that they could do the work of the Church, for many years to come at all events, much better as they were now than if they were united. If they went into union on the proposed basis, they would surrender a question of faith ; the Northern Church having declared that to be a matter to be decided by anyone for himself which tho Confession of Faith declared to be incestuous, and an act to be ranked with the sins and abominations that made God cast out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. He v differed, it was true, from that view in some respects, but he did not teach otherwise or act otherwise. He was prepared to support federation of the closest possible kind consistent with the separate existence of the Synod. What kind of a union, he inquired, would it be when there were elements in the Synod that could disturb any church? Union was not practicable, not workable, and if the minority were forced they might take their stand upon their legal rights.
The Rev. Dr Salmond replied in a brief and eloquent speech.
The vote of the Synod was then taken. la the first place Mr Finlayson's amendment was put to the Synod as against Dr Macgregor's amendment, and Mr Finlayson's amendment was carried, the voting being — for Mr Finlayson's amendment, 48 ; for Dr Macgregor's, 37. Mr Finlayson's amendment was then put as against Dr Salmond's motion, and was lost, the voting being— for Dr Salmond's motion, 41 ; for Mr Finlayson's amendment, 37. It was pointed out that this allowed no expression of opinion on the question at issue, and it was suggested that Dr Macgregor's amendment should be put to the Synod as against the motion, so as to allow the mind of tho Synod to be expressed on the question of "Uiion." This course was adopted, and the question being put, there voted for the motion by Dr Salmond 46, and for the amendment 37, the motion being carried by a majority of 9. The division-list is as follows : — ■
For Dr Salmond's motion : — Presbytery of Dunedin : Revs William Salmond, Rutherford Waddell, John Ryley, H E Michie, William Campbell, J Fraser- Hurst, David Borrie, Andrew Cameron ; elders— Messrs D Wright, A Catherwood, G Davidson, T T Ritchie, William Reid, J A Matthews, Thomas Dagger, Thomas Clarke, Jamea Souness. Pres bytsry of (Jlutha : Revs J Chisholm, Jamea Skiuner, G Hall, J M Fraser; elders— Mef srs John Hill, J Inglis, Thomas Agnew, James Taylor. Presbytery of Southland : Revs A H Sfcobo, R Ewen, J Cameron, J Baird, J H M'Kenzie, William Wright, David Gordon, Robert Wood ; eldere — Captain Thomson, Messrs It Erakine, W D Sbowart, D L Matheson, J Dickie. Presbytery of Oamaru : Revs A B Todd, P S Hay, Alexander Todd ; eldersMessrs J Falcuuer, T Robertson, J A Taylor, J Kemp. Piesbytery of Dunstan: Rev J Lothian.
For Dr Macgregor's amendment :—Presbytery of Dunedin : Revs W Will, D M Stuart, Michael Watt, Alex Greig, Jamea Kirkland, RR M Sutherland, John Christie ; elders — Messrs W Duncan, J Barton, G Buchanan, J Duncan, R Mackay. Presbytery of Clutha: Revs W Bannerman, J M Allan, A Bett, G B Inglis, J U Spence ; elders — Messrs J Somerville, J M'Neur, J Johnston, A C Begg. Presbytery of Southland : Revs John Ferguson, T Alexander, J M Davidson, W P Brown. Presbytery of Oamaru : Revs J Macgregor, James Clark, Steven, G Lindsay, J A Will ; elders— Messrs R Gardner, W Russell. Presbytery of Dunstan : Revs R Telford, J M'Cosh Smith, J Henry; elders— MeßsrsE B Cargill, J Reid.
The Synod adjourned at G. 40 p.m. until Monday next.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18850124.2.73
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1731, 24 January 1885, Page 1
Word Count
22,723ECCLESIASTICAL. Otago Witness, Issue 1731, 24 January 1885, Page 1
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