PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYNOD.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 49, 9 December 1867, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYNOD.

This Synod diet 'at Nelson on the 25th 26th and 27th nit.,I’when 1 ’when a deputation was received from the Synod l of- Otago, and a motion was made for the Moderator and Ex-Moderator to return the visit in January next —a step which happily re-establishes the connection formerly subsisting between the two Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand.

From the general tone ofthe speeches on the Church Extension scheme, the Synod evidently took a deep interest and considered it necessary*'for the prosperity of the Church, as also Foreign and Maori missions.

An overture anent intemperance was read from the Presbytery of Wellington. After some discussion in which Mr Ross, Mr Bannernan took part, it was unanimously-agreed to instruct all ministers of the Church to preach a sermon on the subject on an early day, with the view of guarding their congregations against this evil, and of urging them to use their influence to prevent the unnecessary increase of the number of licensed houses both in town and country. Overtures were recived from the Presbytery ofWellington, the Presbytery of Auckland, and also from the Kirk Sessions of Turakina, Nelson and Plymouth, in favor of adopting for use in public worship, a suitable collection of hymns. The introduction of this subject gave rise to some interesting discussion, and it may be of some importance to observe, that not a single member was opposed to the use ot a Hymnal. ' It was ultimately moved by Mr Russell, and seconded by Mr Duncan, that the ; Assembly recommend and submit to the various ■Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions for their approval, the Psalm and Hymn book recently adopted.by the English Presbyterian Church; and which is also to be adopted, we understand, by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. The motion was carried unanimously. Overtures anent students were received from Auckland and Wellington, and the House went into Committee with a view to consider the propriety of creating a great central fund for the maintenance of‘.the ministry similar to the Sustenation Fund of the Free Church of Scotland.

The Assembly then adjourned until the following day.