REFERENCES IN THE SYNOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2124, 8 November 1894, Page 12

REFERENCES IN THE SYNOD.

Reference was made to tho wreck afc Thursday's meeting of the Presbyterian Synod, the matter being broi'gbt under the notice of members by the reading of an "extra" containing news of the wreck prior to the usual devotional exercises.

The Rev. D. Borrie subsequently alluded to the matter, and said it seemed fitting that the synod should take some notice of the aad calamity. He moved—" That the Revs. J. Gibb, J Caisholm, and the mover be appointed a committee to draw up a minute relating to tbo matter, Mr Gibb to be convener."

Mr James Adam seconded the motion. He thought the least the synod could do was to express their sympathy with those who were mourning in the deepest sorrow at this time. The motion was agreed to, and at a later stags of the proceedings fuithev particulars of the wreck (including a list of the lost and saved) having been read by the clerk, on the suggestion of the Rev. Mr F&irmaid special prayers vrere offered up on bebalf of those who hsd suffered bereavement, the Rovh. J. Chisholm and A. B. Todd engaging in prayer. At the evening uiltiug of the sjnod the following minute was entered upon the synod's records :—" This synod has heard with profound regret of the disaiter whioh has befallen the community in the wreck of tbe steamer Wairarapa on Great Barrier Inland laat Sunday night, and desires to put on record its sense of the awfuluess of this calamity, by which nearly 150 men, women, and children have been hurried into eternity, and its deep sympathy with the many households throughout the land In having thus been over«h» I med by an unspeakable sorrow. The synod trusts that; all thoie mourner* would find in the living God their refuge and strength, and experience the fu^s of His con&olation in Christ. Tho synod commands them to the sympathy of Jesua Christ, the Man of Sorrows, to whom it also commends those passengers and crew who, having eicaped with their lives, have passed through an experience whose bitterness may better be imagined than described. The synod would turthor humble themselves under the migbty hand of God in this disaster, and hear in ib a solemn call to be faithful in the performance of every duty, to be up and doing while the brief day last* : ' The night cometh when no man can work.' "