PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 4380, 2 November 1888, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD.

; (Bv Telegraph.) DtXNEDIN, Nov.l. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Synod the report on the state of religion B|>oke in a more hopeful and cheering strain than for years past. N otwithstanding the exoduß only one or two Bessi nt reported a slight falling off. Regret was expressed at the prevalence of a mania for dancing and riuking. parents appearing indifferent or unaware of the moral and spiritual danger. Several suggestions were made. These and the report were adopted. It was decided to receive the deputation from the Good Templars to-morrow. The Presbyterian Synod decided to issue a pastoral address setting forth the views of the Synod on t' e Period of tlrace. A discussion arose on an overture re the Synod declaring the views which the majority hold about the " Confession of Fuitb," and some disputed pa^sugos in Scripture. The question having only been opened, a motion has been aiade to po* pone it till next year. Ihe Presbyterinn Synorl to-day and this evening resumed tho debate on the overture fro n the Dunedin Presbytery to declare the view which the synod takes of tho touching of the Holy Script urns, in regard to come difficult and disputed passages in the confession, and to define the sense in whioh individual ministers and other office-bearers may bo per rai'teii to regard such passages in consistency with their ordination vows or otherwise, and to determine as the synod shall think best for the glory uf God and the good of the Church. After an animated di«ou*sion, Dr Dunlop, Professor of Divinity, was challenged to spvak on the point, and did so at lvngt.li, pointing out thattber* had been several cases of libel founded on points in dispute, the i • Icrjiretation of which was claimed to be indisputable. He einpbjiaieed the point that the Church was not the Church of the cried, but that the creed was the creed of the Churoh. The resolution put was that the overture be adopted, and that a committee be appointed to consider the question, and report to the next m-eting. The motion was carried by 56 to 50, the division showing that 36 ministers, and 20 elders voted for it, and 19 ministers and 31 elders against it. A protest was ente ed on the ground that the resolution involved an abandonment of the constitution of the Church Fraternal greetings were leeeived and exchanged with the Angelican Church. I