THE BODS CASE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Edinburgh, March 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 28

THE BODS CASE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Edinburgh, March 6.

This matter, which is exciting keen interest throughout Scotland at present, came up again before the Free Presbytery of Edinburgh on February 26, and led to a prolonged and animated discussion. The libel against Dr Dods, extending to 14 closely printed foolscap pages, was read, three ministers taking turns at the task. Principal Rainy then made a speech, in which, while expressing it as his opinion that the presbytery had before it matters that required to be investigated, he added that he held that they had very strong and conclusive reasons for refusing to proceed with a matter of this kind at the hands of private libellers. He concluded by moving a resolution which said that "considering that these matters are now before the College Committee with the view to such investigation under act 9tb, 1861, the presbytery, reserving meanwhile all questions of competency and expediency, resolve to delaj further consideration of this application to their ordinary meeting at the end of April." The Rev. W. Balfour, Holyrood, moved — " That we, having this libel on our table, appoint a special meeting of the presbytery to consider the propriety of serving it, whereby the question of its competency may be considered in every asspect." This motion, in a somewhat abbreviated form, was put, and 17 voted for it. On Principal Rainy's motion being pat, the majority was so overwhelming that it was considered unnecessary to count it. The position of affairs, then, is this : The libel is still kept outside in the cold, and the meeting of presbytery to which the matter is deferred, falls to be held the day after the meeting of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale. Consequently ifc will not be possible to appeal to the synod before the General Assembly meets, so that the final settlement of the case by the assembly cannot take plaoe for another year. Principal Rainy has shown great political skill in this dodgery, but the admiration expressed for his cleverness is openly deducted from his Christian character. Such victories ever prove defeats in the long run. The College Committee has moved as sluggishly as it could, in order to gain time, and this will surprise no one when the fact is a3ded that seven, or about one half, of its members are themselves professors, Dr Rainy included. The partisanship evinced by the committee, and complained of by more than one speaker in the debate under notice, is thus easily explained. Its only result, however, will be to embitter the struggle and widen the breach between the two parties in the church. For another twelvemonth the soie will run, and bitterness will flow in streams from pulpit and press throughout the country.