THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29.

Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 16

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29.

The Synod resumed business in the First Church this moroing, the Moderator (the Rev. J. Steven) presiding. BIBLE BEADING IN SCHOOLS. An addition was made to the deliverance passed on the previous day with regard to petitioning the House of Representatives to introduce Bible-reading in schools, the synod expressing a desire that the other churches would co-operate with them in the same direction. EEPORT OK TEMPERANCE. The Rev. Jambs Kibkland brought up the report on temperance, which contained the following clauses :— This report is not an exhaustive reflection of the mind of the cburoh on tbe subject of temperance, especially in tbe direction of facts and statistics, beoause a considerable number of our settled ministers have failed to make returns. From returns that have come to hand, your committee gather that a very hopeful spirit -prevails with respect to the present prospeots of the ternperanoe cause— a very sanguine expectation tbat at no distant date the objects of prohibition in some shape or form shall have been obtained. Tour committee find that several of the returns report on public houses— some that there is a total absence of public houses in their districts; others a diminution of the number ; a few no diminution. Some report that actual drunkenness ii not known in their districts ; but, from the presence of the licensed grocer traffic, a considerable amount of secret drinking prevails. Your committee are unable to report the existence of many temperance organiiations in connection with congregations, owing, it appears, to tbe present political state of the temperance question making it desirable to work rather by societies of a general nature in securing the objects at present persistently demanded— viz., national prohibition, or some form of popular looal veto. While yonr committee believe this to be in itself commendable, they are afraid that tbe apparent aloofness of the church wears a suspicious aspect of unfaithfulness to a duty which is imperatively laid at her door. They also see in it a danger of driring her most devoted temperance workers to seek spheres for their enthusiasm, which the church herself so muoh needs, in outiide organisation: and that she is committing a grave error in not being able to say to the erring or the reclaimed that she has a society whose pledge may strengthen them, and one whose meetings way encourage them. They hope by next year to lay a sobeme before the synod for its adoption which will meet this want.

Your committee regret to notice tbat the oolonial drink bill, has resumed its enormous] dimensions — £2,129,130, as agaicst £1,996,586 of the former year. This, in some quarters, is believed to arise, not from an increased consumption of liquors, but from increased vigilance in the Excise Department. Be that as it may, Lhe drink bill of Hew Zealand is an utter disgrace. It shows what a terrific waste of hard-earned money on the part of the consumers muit be taking place. It evioces beyond dispute the prime uauie of our crippled industries, and consequently the presence of so many unemployed amongst ua. It proves that an euormom source of poverty and misery must be continually threatening the body politic and draining the life blood of oar national constitution. Take Dunedin and suburb* as an illustration, by a comparative caloulation that city is shown to be wasting annually well nigh £160.000 on strong drink. Your committee records with pleasure a growing temperance sentiment in tbe Parliament of our country, and a» proof thereof they point you to the faot that a Popular Veto Bill In the hands of Mr Joyce, of Akaroa, passed Its .lecocd reading in the Lower House with a respectable majority. Your committee knowing that there if a growing feeling among the membership of our church in favour of the use of non-intoxioating wine at the Lord's SuDper, and tbat several congregations have already adopted its use, they believe tbe synod should be aware of these faots and take suoh steps at may be deemsd necessary to lead the ohurch in the matter. They readily accede that from long established usage some may think this question to be a subject of such delioaoy that it should not be introduced for discussion except in circumstances in whioh ib oan be deliberately and thoroughly dealt with; yet, on the other band, since some of our congregations have already adopted non-intoxicating wine and others are likely soon to follow, they therefore believe it to be a subject whioh cannot be set aside without respectful consideration. Your committee regret that no satisfactory answer has yet been given to the many urgent appeals, from all parts of the Christian world, to the European,powers, relative to tbe iniquitous traffic whioh they have legalised among native races, "and whioh has become a souroe of terrible and wholesale demoralisation and ruin, and proving a most serious stumbling blook to the progress of tbe Gojpel. With respect to Barotonga the committee express their regret at tbe turn which matters lately took there -tbat New Zealand Government affording the influence of a British protectorate has seen fit to refuse tbe united demands of the native inhabitants for a continuation of their old prohibitory law, and to set up a licensing law in its place— a law whioh, as has been proved in New Zealand in connection with the Maoris, will be an utter failure. Instead of that law confining the traffio to the few European residents on this island, it will, with the usual lawlessness of tbe drink trade, prove a greater source of mischief tbat tbe former prohibitory measure even with a few violations. If nothing can be done by the synod to stay tbe hand of our Government or induce it to withdraw from so dangerous an experiment " we must (as Dr W. M. Taylor of New York says with respect to Africa) advertise ou- selves out of the business, and declare that whosoever hereafter is responsible for its continuance, that responsibility, by the help of God, shall no loDger be at our door." In connection with strong drink among native races, your committee would draw your attention to the fact that at the late meeting of the Synod of the New Hebrides, thl» question, as affecting their ialands, was under serious consideration. The committee hope tbat this synod shall be able to devise some measure which may strengthen and encourage the efforts of their missionary brethren in contending with this vast evil. The committee made the following recommendations i — 1. That the synod take steps to get Into communication with the Mission Synod of New Hebrides, in order to find out what measures oan be taken to assist them 'in giving effect to their endeavours against the traffic in strong drink on the islands. 2. That presbyteries keep a watchful eye on the licensed operators at Barotonga, and be recommended, should the ocaadon offer, to petition Parlia ment for a change in favour of a better system. 3. That tbe members of synod, during the year, take into consideration tbe formation of temperance societies in connection with the congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland. 4. That the recommendations of last year be adopted— to preaob a temperance sermon— to exchange pulpits for the purpose of advocating temperance principles ; and to afford all tbe help and sympathy possible to the New Zealand Alliance, the W.O.T. Union, and all other organisations existing for the cause of temperance on Christian lines. In introducing the reports, the Rev. Mr Kibkland said he believed that there should be legal suasion for the liquor trade, and moral suasion for the people. If the ohurch attended to that, they would not be led to consider tbat their chief duty was to give attention to the political side of the question. With regard to the liquor traffic amongst native races, ha fancied that there was no ohurch in Christendom nor yet an organisation that considered the welfare of the people that did not take up this subject and speak out emphatically upon it. It was a growing evil at the present day in Africa. A perfect sea of drink was poured into that country, and it was demoralising the people to a remarkable degree. All the synod could do was simply to lodge a protest against the destruction of morality among the heathen races. It was a well known fact that since wine and strong drink had been introduced into Africa, it was obliterating all traces of morality that existed amongst ' the native races. Another thing that they ought to protest against was the conduct of those who were seeking to enrich themselves by atraffic,which degraded, destroyed, and decimated such a country as Africa] In referring to the clause in the report with regard to the use of non-intoxicating wine by some congregations, he expressed himself in favour of such wine being used at the Lord's Suppsr. The church, he said, had set up the very worst symbol of Christ's blood that it possibly could. Alcohol was the most destructive element in all creation, and he thought it was a most important thing that they should see that the wine used at the Lord's Supper did not contain anything that was so vile. He knew many people who would pass the cup at the Lord's Sapper rather than touch alcoholic -wine. He moved the (following deliverance— " Adopt the report; express gratification with the progress the temperanceoause has made in general, and in our congregation, in particular, during the year; strongly nrge ministers, elders, and others to use every endeavour to defuse temperance information ana to stimulate temperance zeal in their various churches ; authorise the convener to pot himself in communication with the New Hebrides' Synod for the purpose suggested in the report ; express sorrow that the traffic in strong drink among native races is producing such disastrous results and interfering so seriously with the work of missionaries; sanction the use of unfermonted wine at the Lord's Sapper; adopt the recommendations of last year's report anent annual sermon— sympathy with temperance organisations, &o. ; and further express the hope that the synod at its next meeting may be able to see its way to recommend the formation of temperance societies in the various congregaTht Rev. Mr Chisholm seconded the deliverance, bat stated that he did not agree with the remarks made by Mr Kirkland with regard to the use of unfermented wine at the Lord's Sapper. Mr Adam said never had he been pained so much as by the reference made by Mr Eirkland to the institution of the Lord's Sapper. They were told that some communicants actually passed the communion cap rather than taste the v wine; bat he maintained that no real communicant was ever driven to strong drink because he ! took wine at the communion table. Mr Chisholm stated that Mr Eirkland was not speaking without; the book when he said that many passed the cup at the Lord's Sapper rather than take fermented wine. At an elder, he had seen a number of communicants do tbe same thing.— [Mr Adam: Shame on them.] He did sot think that the use of non-alcoholic '

wine was a serious innovation, but he would not give it the prominence that Mr Kwkland had done in his speech. The Rev. Mr Bannebman suggesttd that the clause referring to the use of non-fermented -wine should be struck out of the report and out of the deliverance. He held that there was no suoh thing as unfermented wine. It was an ntter impossibHity. The church could not sanction the use of urif ermented wine, bufrfevery congregation had a right to use what wine they liked so long as it was wine. The Rev. Dr Stuart did not agree with the remarks made by Mr Ktrkiand about wiae. He did not think temperance was "assisted by speeches of that order. Ho thought that if the clause of the report and the clauae of the deliverance referring to unfermented wine were adopted ifc would have a tendency to disturb the peace of some congregations. It should be left to congregations themselves to determine what wine they should user "at the Lord's Supper. He would on no account say that a man or woman ever learned to be a drunkard or was led to drink to excess at communiont ables. He had seen individuals who would pas* the. cup at the Lord'B Supper rather than take fermented wine, but he never thought of finding fault with them. fi Mr Johnston (Fortrose) thought that the time Would come when water would bemused instead of wine at the Lord's Supper. He understood th»t the reason Christ used wine was that it was in common use in his time; he ..simply took the common food of everyday life,' and converted it to a Baored use. He (the speaker) did not think it would be wrong to use water at the communiontable. Mr Christie said there should not be anything incongruous about the Lord's Supper. It should be such that every person could partake of it. Some said that port wine was the wine used at the Lord's Supper, but he held that it was not. Mr Adam : I say it was. Mr Ohbistie : Port wine is a fortified article, and there were no distilleries in those days. Dr Stuart : Oh yes^here were. » Mr Christie : It might have been wine, but it does not follow that ifc was fermented or in- • toxicating wine. , The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland moved— •• That the reference to unfermented wine be struck out of the report and out of the de'-iver-anoe." . ' ','*.' m The mover and seconder' of the deliverance agreed to this being done, and the motion was carriedfthe deliverance and report being subsequently adopted with the exception of the objectionable claufes, which were struck out. THE SUSTENTATION FUND. The report of the Sustentation Fund Committee was read. It contained ., the following clauses :— . * ■ Your committee have to report that the entire income of the fund for the year has been £12,021 12s 7d. as against £11 ,774 10s 6d for 18« O. The committee was able to declare a dividend In, April of only £99 15s, and lor the second half year £105 8s ad*- making for the year £305 3s 6d, being £2 4s 6d less than the dividend of last year. I It is now 10 years since the two platforms; were abolished.' The' dividends since then have I'een :— im;£i23 8s 2d ; 188 U £2U 4s 3d ; 1884. £2^2 ; 1885, £314 18s 8d ; 188 U. £210 19* ; 188 T. £212 Us 2d ;, 1»88. £206 4s 6d; 1889. £206 18s 7d ; U9O, £307 8j ? 1891. £205 3s 6d. The dividend of the year just closed is the lowest withinlhe lOyears. 1 The aid- giving this, year are :— First Ohuroh,' £lso Is Ud; Knox Church. £222 18s 7d • North Dunedin. £4 16s 6d ; St. Andrews, £38 10s ; Kaikorai. £4 16s 6d ; Port Chalmers. £3 16s 6,1 ; Bast Taierl, £39 11s 6d ; West Xaieri. £2 5s J Kaitaniiata, 7s ; Lawrence. £4 16s 6<J ; Popotunoa, £9 16s 6d; Tokomairlro, £43 19s 3d ; First Church (Invercafgill), £72 15s 9d ; Woodlands, 6s 6dJ St. Paul's (oamaru),£4 4s; Otepopo, KaTtanul, and Mqheno, The following congregations give, between .tnem aid amounting to £73 6a 6d, and pay supplements amounting to £1044 9s 6 is— North Dunedin, Kai- 1 korsi, St. Andrews, West Taieri. Port Ohalmers.'St. Paul's (Oamaru). Otepopo. Kakanul, and Maheno. The congregations following give no aid and pay supplements amounting- to £600 (nearly) :— Anderjon's Bay, Oaversham, Green, Island, Moroington, Jlosgiel. Palmerstoa, St. Paul's (Ih.vereargUl)' The following congregations receive aid amouutIna to £i6l 13s 6dJ and gay supplements amounting to £185 14s -.— North-Hasb Harbour and Portobello, Olutha, Tapanui.'Waihola, Waitahuna, Warepa and Kaihiku, Mount Ida, Winton, Upper Waitaki, Oolumba Church. ' - , '• ' , Tha congregations following receive aid as under, and pay no supplements :— Blueskin andMertpn, £30 3s 8d; South Dunedin, £5 3s 6d; Korth:»ast Valley, £1 3s 6d ; North Taierl, £3J7.S 3d ; Wafkouaiti,'£s 3* 6d : Balelutha, £85 ; Oatlin's River, £30 3s 6d ;- Inch Glutba,£s 3s6d; Alexandra and Clyde, £30 3s 6d; Tevlofc, £18 3s 6d ; Knapdale, £3 4s ;' Limestone Plains. £27 13s 6d ; Mataura, £27 18s 'fid ; Ldwer Mataura, 3«6d; Ulverton,*2l 0> 6d; Taringatura, « £30 3s 6d ; Waikaia and Blversdale, £30 3s 6d. < > The Mataura Presbytery report the church extension charge of ToiTbisnow ripe forsanotlon. The, oommittee accordingly recommend that It be ereoted Into a sanctioned charge on tbe sustention The committee recommend the synod to ..stop the aid hitherto given to.Lauder congregation, as it has not for year* contributed the minimum required by th« regulatfcfhß except "in form. Your committee also recommend the synod to instruct the general treasurer to. give the minister of Hampden any balance of sustentation fund that may be in- his. hands. * i After the Revs. R. R. M. Sutherland and W. Will, joint conveners of the committee; had spoken to the report, further consideration of it - was -adjourned- until to-day «t half-past 4 p.m. It was also resolved that a dividend for tbe year of £205 3a 6d be declared, and the treasurer authorised to pay the same. The rest of the business at the morning sitting of the synod was transacted in private.