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 22-K 
 
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/?:69't"i'Q 
 
 ^Tew 
 
 VI V 
 
 
 ■""i H..^bJl 
 
 TJ J K 
 
 ORGAN QUESTION 
 
 LINIv UPON LINK 
 
 (»K 
 
 IXSTRUMKXrAL MUSIC IX I'Ri^SBVrKRIAM 
 
 CIIUKCiJKS.. 
 
 Psalm CL. 4. ^y/".//.-. /.//« r aJ .AvV,,,,/ /.,;/,.„ 
 
 W-'/ZA- (/«./,);•■,///,■. ' 
 
 Reports OK Discussioms ix Tfrn Cor;,<rs ok thr Cvvvuv 
 Pkesbvtkr.an C.mrc.i rN 1S67.0N ax Overture 
 FROM Kvox CiHRCH, Montreal 
 
 Piri!?,r-.!fRr> hv M 
 
 MOVTRriAr-: 
 
 1 868 
 
 VI r. 
 
THE 
 
 ORGAN QUESTION 
 
 LINE UPON LINE 
 
 OR 
 
 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN PRESBYTERIAN 
 
 CHURCHES 
 
 PSAI.M CL. 4.—/V,!j,r him wth stri)ig,d instrumaits an,! or^'a 
 
 Reports of Discussions in the Courts of the Canada 
 Presbyterian Chlrch in 1867, on an Overture 
 FROM Knox Church, Montreal 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 Published hy Mirray & Co,, «tationeks H 
 
 1 868 
 
 \LI. 
 
F/oiS 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 TIu; f|no.>(i()u of rn-.firn,.i,t .1 if • 
 
 liaro a choir fi- ;.V . ' '""it--, it is emitran- f,> " r- „ "'.-''"'"lister 
 to have ..ah- ..no S f ' r- •" ''"'■ ^^ ''-^ ^-""''I'T t •'vJ^i\^'^'"' 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 fJ 
 
IV 
 
 the worship ot (.od. wlion a fon^w^'atkm is imaniiii<ms in its adoillioii tiio 
 nmnnjrtM's ol Knox Cliuirli, with tlie lull sanction of the ineuiln'rs, provided 
 
 too nnuiy ca.-es is that, our niiisif is intvdorablo ; and wliilo a "oodly nnnibor 
 nuMilx'rol ourold pooiiln may remain with us, vot thnir cinhlrcn will not 
 Dr. Wilham Chalmers, of f.ondou, stated on tlie iJlatlorm oCtiie V V SVnod 
 at Kdinhurfrli, in last May, that of J(IO,(mm» S •otchnu-n who had settled in 
 Hnjrland witinn the last (luarter of a eenturv, the rreshyterian Church had 
 not now :ii) iier cent. Are all these 7t» pe'r cent, had incii, un-'odly men 
 nnprmcipled men, fufritires from discipline, ami olherwis(um\vorlhv, because 
 they could wc.rshi]) (lod more devoutly in tho Turitan, the Methodist or 
 Episcopal Church than m that of their fathers? It is vain for an ailected 
 pn-tism and assumed stedfastness of priiuiiiht to say of all these excellent 
 people who have left our ciinrch, that thev an; low or loose in their view.i 
 and haliits, or that they are fugitives from cn-der and discipline. Such i.s an 
 unwarrantable libel on tlieir duiracter and their moral ami reliiri(ms worth 
 They are in many instances among the best of our citizens, the' most active 
 in the cftu.se of Christian philanthropy, and the foremost in everv il'xxl Work 
 They are lost to onr cause, but not to the cause of Christ, and our (Jhnrch is 
 blameworthy because shi,- Jias literally driven many of them from her 
 conimnmon. 
 
 The case of K'nox Church, wliich ha!= bro ght tho subject at this time so 
 prominently f(n-ward, may be stated in verv l\nv Avords. Acting upon tho 
 beliel tliat the use of instrtimi'ntal music was one of tliese non-essential 
 mattens, not smiul nor unlawful in themselves, which might be employed in 
 
 "le 
 
 in their plans when building, a place f(ir"an"'organ.""Tiie Tubicripii"^^^^ 
 many ot the members were given on tln^ distinct understanding that a 
 nmsical mstrumciit ol some kind would be used to assist tho congregation in 
 praice. and that an (.rgan would be got as soon as possible. The Vesi "nation 
 of their pastor belmv the new church was .ompletcd, having rencFered it 
 necessary that the .services of another ministershould be obtained it was di- 
 tinctly intinuited to those who were a])i)lied to as candidates for the vacancv, 
 that It was mtend(!d that congregational singing was to bo assisted bv a-i 
 instrument. There was no concealment, there was c(Mnplete a-'reeinent 
 among all the mombors, and a thorough spirit of uiianimitv on tli" subject 
 At tho same time there was no desire to act rashly, or in even apDiirent 
 opposition to any law or regulation ••f the Synod, and the fact that an or-rau 
 was used m (me ot th(! congregations in the West, siiowed (hat no Faw 
 existed against their use. On one occasion, however, the instrument now 
 complained ( 1 was used m a congregational meeting, and at the reouest of 
 many ot the members it was not removed, but was used on the foiluwin"- 
 Lord's Day. So marked was t!ie imin-oviMiient that it was unanimouslv 
 agreed, not < nly l)y those wlio had taken an active part in building the 
 church, but by those who lial joined it since its erection, and some of whom 
 had entertimied strong <lou!.ts on the suljject, that the instruineiit .should 
 remain. I'or about nme moiitlis not the slightest objection was heard from 
 any ([uarirr. until three ministers of l,he I'resbvterv', havius; char-'es in tho 
 country, called attention to the matter on their o\'('n more motion and 
 without anv complaint having Iieen laid before anv Church Court Tho 
 history of that proceeding will iie found fuilv related in the followin-' pages- 
 but It may not be out of place here to s>j.v that these reverend gimtlomen 
 stated, and appeared to feel keenly the position in which they had been. 
 ]ilaeed, that they had been matle the cat's-paws of Citv nieiiibers of the 
 Presbytery, who sought by their instrunieiUalitv to strike a blow at the 
 congregation then being newly organized. I'lu'v, no doubt, believed at tho 
 time tliat they wore doing their duty, and everv credit must be •^ivcn them 
 f<n- thiur Ignorant zeal. Calmer refieciion has, there is r(!ason to lioliove led 
 them to regret the step they then took, and subsequentlv ioUowod up at the 
 Synod. This late regret, howr-ver keen. »vill not undo 'the -«'riou^ nrnchief 
 they have occasioned, nor make up f<n- the evils thev have caused bv 
 disturbing the harmony which exi-tod in the congregation' whose rights were 
 80 needlessly invaded. ^ 
 
 f 
 
illy imnibor 
 Til will not. 
 I', r. S'yliod 
 1(1 st'Uhul in 
 Church hail 
 ipiMJIy iiion, 
 hy, becausp 
 ctlKKJist, ov 
 
 fill (ifl't'cted 
 s(^ cxfollcnt 
 liu'ir viowti 
 
 Such is an 
 ridus worth, 
 most uc'tlTo 
 
 good Work. 
 ir ('hiirch is 
 1 Ironi her 
 
 his tinio so 
 a upon the 
 Dn-csHcntial 
 uiphiyed in 
 oiilion. the 
 s, provided 
 [•riiilioiis of 
 ling that a 
 f rogation in 
 ret^iguution 
 rendered it 
 , it was di.-- 
 10 vacancy, 
 ifited b}- an 
 agreement 
 he subject, 
 n apparent 
 It an organ 
 at no law 
 uiient now 
 request of 
 3 folkiwinii- 
 laiiiniously 
 lilding' the 
 e of whom 
 :;iit should 
 leard from 
 ges in the 
 otion, and 
 Durt. The 
 ing pages ; 
 g(Mitlemen 
 
 had been- 
 lers of the 
 ()w at the 
 ved at the 
 ;iven them 
 elicve, led 
 
 up at the 
 .-< iviirichif-i 
 ?ansed by 
 ights were 
 
 brS .ZJ h . ^™' " '^"'^ ♦^.^" T"''^""" "^ instrumental music wa. 
 irought ix.foio the hy nod. Two of these being what mav be termed 
 1 erso.ial, and or.,, taking up the general Hubject. The first in ord.- wa Tie 
 eon.sideration of he protest and appeal of the l{ev. Messrs. Gordon ,d 
 V n\TV .^^'^h /'»"'« '»'»"-n"P. "J-'alnst the deeisi.m of the lYesl ytm' J 
 Montreal in reference to tiie non-reeeption bv the (.fhee-bearers of Knox 
 Chureh of a committee, which, it wa« hild, had cited Th Mn i?re ^ul Iv and 
 .■"ntrary t(. the law.s of the church, the committee having been a mint" 
 
 Ttt: ".ns'e" r wi;? ri ''f .'-""l--^'^^-'! /o ^M with Uu. ..IHSarers 
 in tie Mii.se n vliieh that term is undarstood in the courts of the 
 
 iS;"'''';''} ^'""•'■'""'' V"^ '"''-' "'^'^""^''^ ''rising out of e use of 
 instrumental music, was decided upon other conKiderotions, and resolve. 
 
 fil*- u if' y* "/■'"'■"•" ■•^'^''•';»t'" i« liere necensary to this decision. She 
 .llr]Z ' ? '''?<;"" "" "'" f-"'"^'-"' question Of instrumental music in 
 
 l„ o r- f . ''^''^ ^^"^ Commissioners from Knox Congregation were 
 come to Tad !m."" "P,P«rt""i'^- "'' ';"lly stating their case.^ The dec s , u 
 ro ni^ir • nT" "'l'"^'-''' *" ."'""'^ ''^ 't "''P-'i'-H in the wording of the 
 
 resolution, ^vonld have been perfectly satisfactilry to the supporters of the 
 overture, as.t would have allowed congregations iii which instn.meits were in 
 
 as know^ Thf'**^'" "" ''"' ''•''■'^'"J^ "f Presbyteries on the HubM't 
 
 le.solution— the Ke\ . Mr. King— as was evident from his having subsequentiv 
 
 Eh i """"""', r^'''^ '^■'^^ ','"'"*^'''' *<'- ^y ''^'''■■^^ the session o? Knox 
 whlh rrr"^"'"^*"/'^°'?^r *'"^ "•^fumont they had in use, while one 
 ^^hIch had been employed for several years in a congregation in the 
 Presbytery of Hamilton was allowed to remain, and was not interfered with 
 The grass inconsistency of Mr. King, and of others w'n. supported hm in his 
 proposition.s must be apparent to%very one who give the matter the 
 slightest con,..deration. It is evident from the fact of an organ being in use 
 wionSnUnif"" ""'l ™"<-'»'™u:e of the Syno.l, that the practice U not 
 wrong in itself, nor contrary to the laws of the Church. If, notwithstanding 
 
 nnf«int??™T"r?':.^^'r*^' ?*••• King still holds the use of instrumental 
 music to be unlawful, then he admits that in the case of the church referred 
 to in the Presbytery of Uainilton, where the organ is emploved, he and the 
 Synod acted exactly as they charge the Jesuits with teaching, " thev did 
 evil that good might eome." The difference between the two cases i.s 
 
 Pr7>f^l"P- '' *';!,•'• V"^ '^^."'■'^ '" t^*' ^""'^ ''-''' ''onneeted with the American 
 Presbyteriau Church, and sought admission to the Canada Presbyterian 
 Church. It not being .v)„/«? in the f: .. .,f these bodies to make 'use of 
 nstrumental music in leading the prai .. of the sanctuary, and not being 
 unnecessary or jiernicious," nor yet "likely to be productive of painful 
 heart burning and serious divisioug" in that body, that congregation had 
 been in the habit of using the " unclean thing " and was then using it, when 
 through Its ofbee-bearers application was made bv it lor admission. The 
 Presbytery of Hamilton, (members of which were at the last Synod,) 
 leceiyed that congregation, but before doing so made an cxinrss a,,reement 
 that the musical tiistriuncnt should be allou-cd to remui,,, and to he used in the 
 public service on the LonPs Daij. The Synod ratified that agreement, and 
 that congregation was regularly enrolled on the Svnod's liooks The 
 congregation of Knox Church, not being one only seeking admission for tho 
 lirst time to the Canada Presbyterian Church, but being, on the coiitrarv, one 
 ot the oldest congregations in the body, its case ,Tas treated differentlV. It 
 was refused permis,.i()n to continue the use of an instrument introduced and 
 letained by tho unanimous wish of the congregation. Mr. Inglis, who 
 supported the motion to order the silencing of the organ in Knox Church 
 was one of the members of tho Presbytery of Hamilton, by which the 
 unhal owed bargain" (if the decision in Knox Church case be correct) was 
 accompished. But there is no need to talk of individual members. The 
 .■synod Of the Canada Presbyterian Church has either sinned grievouslv in 
 receiving a church, which had been and intended to continue in a course of 
 
VI 
 
 r..r holi,.ran,lln.^lu.r.,i,n. than tL/ ™v ' it.d t . i:1:jT T' 
 
 do Rood to>oIiL'iou ? 16 tliU rif.i lin f ..? ; ri ? • i^ '"\ 7""''f^^t'ons likely to 
 
 and an incroaso t<. m I c^rs 1 ke v , prod u.,"r ,'.''"? r " ,",'"" '''""^'-.gations, 
 
 .uch thing., or for ih.l^il^^^t^'^^S'/''^^^^ 
 
 simple, and sincere men l.c^deceived bv the ''t«n"ni • i 1*'"'"' ^^onest, 
 
 more appropriate word) wh e ],n^ l inn ,,!» |«n'ldlt'. (we can lind no 
 
 disenssiilis o^u til rm, .t?bv whieh ct Ch r, ' ..l t ' h^' '\' inteminablo 
 
 when they f^eo a dr.f-isi\.n .rir.„ „ ■ ^ "''^'^ '^'*™ 'j'^"" 
 
 to that /hic^rhas be 'gvf>7 auoZ-'"wilT th ""'-''""'''''^' "'p««'t« 
 
 congregation wa.ndn,itte.thavig.aSen*r a We^ ""^ '"^= A 
 
 use, because wiihont tliat c()n(lition it .Si , it h • •'^i'' "V '""^'''11 '"^ 
 Presbyterian Church, wh e a oth Vi h! ni ?> '^'^''^ •'"'"''*' ^^"^ ^''^^^^ 
 means of leading th"^-eni^of mi T. " '"■^«''\tJ>«' "f-'I't to adopt the same 
 
 irvLc '.TiJrn, ' ,S ft'X '°rr'o i',v",i:i?"I,f";v",'^" V- "» "=- "- 
 
 connected with fhi< oL.. t\ • i •^ -^ ,"^ Montreal, ni proceedimrs 
 illegal, in-egul ?, an u.amitit.T io^n^l /h'T it /'"^" f'7, T'^''^" ^'''"rh- 
 3yn,.d who ccnposed he a oS 'iha^^^ ^^" '"^'"'^'^'''^ "f 
 
 their cour^^e Yet br ^nor nf n i. is? i <"^^'^"'*'"n. 'i" ^f ventured to defend 
 a studied perrer^ini^co,lC;^;^f.^■H ""^Pr^^^^'itation., and by 
 worse app'ear the bX .~n " Tl e at • n^^^ '^'^ *" "J?"^" '^^ 
 
 SiS^t^^-S /I KT^.nd!^e'f ffi^^^ 
 nding elder was nei herd ed nor bn If^ ^''"*"';- >"* ''■'^"^•' representative 
 
 Sh ii:ix^sf t SB" --F^ 
 
 one have been aviilabte in thfsK^VtUme'al oS 'S^^^^ 
 
 congregation is not a Va^Iy'lZ^l^an^t^^S^I^ 
 
 if the 
 
 :! > 
 
wb'.and witliouf 
 n a uioro coiiiol y 
 
 I'lKTfrotif, iiiiil 
 r till' clciiiciit o| 
 • iiild liavc! iiu't 
 t' aliiiD.st iMitire 
 ■'■iitials. If the 
 [I (Il'm'i-o for an 
 no way i]Ul\nvd 
 if the "(Tdddiv 
 
 111' sjxirL'd the 
 Samuel, said he 
 'X (.'hiireh ease 
 other h<.use to 
 i-emird for the 
 iiuliueiit ofGod. 
 ^s I'.v their own 
 "otustution rise 
 
 pars, and the 
 longitude ? Is 
 iiwlul to admit 
 m after it has 
 lay the oldest 
 St which not a 
 tioud likely to 
 the profession 
 rge, from the 
 congregations, 
 
 ! who practice 
 plain, honest, 
 e can find no 
 interminablo 
 jeu disgraced, 
 ally opposite 
 
 1 not say: A 
 . an organ in 
 1 the Canada 
 lopt the same 
 ught that no 
 , it would not 
 raw from its 
 
 he Rev. Dr. 
 
 l)roceedings 
 s so clearlv 
 
 nienibers of 
 red to defend 
 ions, (md by 
 to make the 
 ow that the 
 B tf'ken, and 
 
 incovrect is 
 •r should be 
 iivolved the 
 ssion, (who, 
 presentativo 
 lie congrega- 
 le procfcdf-d 
 D, nor could 
 no moaning 
 titled to be 
 
 V.I 
 up»rtnml<.„i„r,.ml,,li,ir.il..witi, ,,,i,.. r.,J ,v. "t' ''.«'■«•'<: >i-l 
 
 ?»r;:^;^IJ;';, ;::;;;"■ /::;;; ;,;s r 1 v t-^n '-orir'US 
 
 a.s it WHS eb-uriv tli« rovcrso in the evVw ,i ... hi i' 'a.r.ru „„„artml 
 
 It zr„f. "„?css r°±!r ,!? z e^/'ir'r'"*''' , , ^" "»""« 
 
THE ORGAN QUESTION 
 
 IN THE 
 
 CANADA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 LINE UPON LINE. 
 
 At a meeting of the congregation of Knox Church, 
 Montreal, held on the 6th May, 1867, the following resolu- 
 tion was unanimously agreed to, on the motion of Mr. Alexi 
 McGibbon, secpnded by Mr. W. D. McLaren :— 
 
 of wnrlllf' s'"g'"gt° the praise of God has always been recognized as a part 
 lawri tTJ,'l'T''^?r'''^"?"S'''S^'*°"' ^"^ '^^' ''^ 'r"e worshippers, every 
 Pr» K .^^"^ ^'"""'"^ V^ "^^'^ *° '"^'^^ this service, the only one in which 
 Presbyterian congregations take an audible part, as perfect as possible. 
 
 « Jh ,,;J ■ '}■ -^^ ^^^" ^"""'^ by experience that instrumental music wherever 
 a^d nrnn.V"'^"r°"' '^^^^^''°'}^.' ^a^ always tended to promote the harmonious 
 ^^i'^^?^! performance of this service, and to induce congregations more 
 generally to jom in singing to God's praise, as it is plainly their duty to do, and 
 to hS nf ff """'t °^ mstrumental music for this purpose i's not in contravention 
 A n^u the contrary, is in entire consistency with the word of God 
 
 .of^ns;r,,mPnf 1" F?'.'g'-egation feeling convinced of the importance and necessity 
 S. P^Tf ^f1.r conducting the psalmody of the church, resolve to request 
 „ tJlfr ^- '[^ of Montreal to transmit the following or such other overture as 
 
 Af.r^l rY'°K M^y ™*^''^ ^'' '° *^^ ^'^y^^d of the Canada Presbyterian 
 
 Ssuing, viz" " ^' "'° °" '^""''^y' '^^ ^"""''^ ^^y °f June^iexl. 
 
 _ IVAereas, The question of instrumental aid in conducting the praises of God 
 
 L^srass '""'"" "' "" ''""'" " ^'" '"°"'^'- ^°""^^y -^' 
 
 /-TA-^voj, The time seems to have come when such aid is felt to be desirable 
 by many of the congregations of the Canada Presbyterian Church- It is 
 therefore, respectfully overtured. that the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian 
 Church shall grant libeny to such congregations as may 4h the same to 
 cfieJ '"strumental music in conducting diviL worship ^thdr 
 
 4th. The Session of this church is respectfully requested to take the 
 necessary steps to bring this Overture before the Presbytery at its fist 
 
 TSVey^l^V': ''•'■'""f P""'^ r Wednesday, the sk o'f ?Ws month 
 <May), 1867, xyith the view of having the same transmitted to the Synod in 
 accordance with the rules of the Church. ^ 
 
 To the Revd., the Presbytery of Montreal, in connection witl- the' Canada 
 Presbyterian Church in session convened : 
 • IVe, the members of the Kirk Session of Knox Church, in the Citv of 
 Montreal, most respectfully pray your Reverend Court to take iuto consiSra- 
 
ON 
 
 HURCH 
 
 )x Church, 
 ing resolu- 
 »f Mr. Alexi 
 
 lized as a part 
 ihippers, every 
 one in which 
 )ssible. 
 
 lusic wherever 
 le harmonious 
 ;gations more 
 iuty to do, and 
 contravention 
 jod. 
 
 and necessity 
 )lve to request 
 er overture as 
 
 Presbyterian 
 of June next, 
 
 raises of God, 
 r country and 
 
 > be desirable 
 urch : It is, 
 Presbyterian 
 the same, to 
 ship in their 
 
 to take the 
 
 at its first 
 
 F this month 
 
 be Synod in 
 
 the Canada 
 
 the City of 
 considera- 
 
 tion the foregoing rcsohuion and overture appended, and to take sucii action 
 thereanent as m your dehberative wisdom you may see fit, and as in duty 
 bound your memoriahsts will ever pray. ^ 
 
 (Signed) R. IRVINE, D.D., Moderator. 
 
 E. MOORE, Session Clerk. 
 At Montreal, C. E., this 6th ) 
 day of May, 1867 years. S 
 
 The following Commissioners were appointed to support 
 the overture before the Superior Church Courts : Messrs. 
 W. D. McLaren, W. McGibbon, James Brown, Andrew 
 Wilson, John Ewart, and Alex. McGibbon. 
 
 On the 9th of May, 1867, the ^-esbytery of Montreal 
 met to consider, among other sui.,_cts, the propriety of 
 transmitting the memorial to the Synod. A considerable 
 time having been occupied in useless discussion having no 
 practical bearing, 
 
 Mr. REDPATH, Elder, rose, and said he thought the dis- 
 cussion was uncalled for. I have been waiting trying to hear 
 somethmg about the question really at issue, as I wish to 
 understand what the question turns upon, but the whole 
 time of the Court has been occupied by a dispute between 
 two parties who do not understand each other. I remember 
 a case in Glasgow in which a member of that Presbytery 
 rose so often to speak that at last no one took the trouble 
 to answer him, and after continuing to perse\'ere for two 
 years, he was at last glad to stop talking. Some of the 
 members here seem not unlike that. The Presbytery have - 
 been occupied a whole day about a quarrel of no consequence 
 and twenty years from this the.se scenes will be looked 
 back upon as absurd, and as a wasting of time, occupied to 
 no purpose with petty quarrels. The rules of the Church 
 have been appealed to, but there are some rules better not 
 observed, and one of these has crept in under circumstances 
 ditterent from those in which we are now placed. Before 
 twenty years organs will be in every Church in the 
 Province. 
 
 Mr. GORDON : Is the question of organs before us ? 
 
 Mr. REDPATH : No, sir ; but I think you will be none 
 the wor.se of having it brought before you. (Laughter) I 
 never sat so long at a meeting without having the proper 
 business discussed that should come before it. A committee 
 
of merchants, for instance, would be ashamed *tp sit wasting 
 their time over such paltry quarrels for a whole day, and 
 neglect the business which had brought them together. 
 Whether you will or no, the question of organs will force 
 itself upon you, and if you persist in refusing to give liberty 
 to congregations to act in this matter as they may deem 
 best, you may repent it when too late. If organs are not 
 allowed to be used in churches before long, you will lose 
 half of the congregations at least. 
 
 The memorial from Knox Church congregation was about, 
 to be read by the Clerk, when 
 
 Mr. GORDON wished to know what was in that paper > 
 
 Mr. YOUNG : I am going to read it that you may see. 
 
 Mr. GORDON : You can't read anything till our matter 
 is settled. 
 
 Mr. ALEX. McGIBBON, Commissioner from the congre- 
 gation, here 'stepped forward, and asked if it was in order 
 that he should be heard now before the Presbytery on behalf 
 of the congregation .' 
 
 After some little opposition by Mr. Gordon, the memorial 
 was read. 
 
 Mr. GORDON moved that the papers lie on the table till 
 the Committee's business be disposed of. 
 
 Mr. JOHN McLENNAN (Elder) seconded the motion. 
 
 Mr. ALLAN moved that the Commissioners be heard. 
 
 Dr. IRVINE seconded the amendment, and said the 
 motion contained a most outrageous proposal, and if it was 
 constitutional, by a parity of reasoning, any Christian 
 congregation might be debarred from ordinances at the 
 bidding of two or three men, who, for their impudence, had 
 received a shower bath the other night. 
 
 Mr. REDPATH said this proceeding was most uncalled 
 for. Here was a respectfully worded petition from a congre- 
 gation, brought up in a respectful maimc;r, and are they to 
 be debarred from their right of petition m this way .' 
 
 After some further opposition by Mr. CAMERON, Mr. 
 ANDERSON and Mr GORDON, 
 
 Mr. WATSON moved that the petition and memorial be 
 received, and the Commissioners from the congregation be 
 heard, which was carried, and thereupon Mr. GORDON 
 protested and appealed. 
 
to sit wasting 
 liolc day, and 
 lem together. 
 ;ans will force 
 :o give liberty 
 2y may deem 
 irgans are not 
 you will lose 
 
 ion was about. 
 
 that paper ? 
 )u may see. 
 11 our matter 
 
 m the congre- 
 
 was in order 
 
 tery on behalf 
 
 the memorial 
 
 1 the table till 
 
 :d the motion. 
 s be heard, 
 and said the 
 and if it was 
 ny Christian 
 lances at the 
 pudence, had 
 
 nost uncalled 
 roni a congre- 
 :1 are they to 
 way .' 
 
 lERON, Mr. 
 
 memorial be 
 igregation be 
 -.GORDON 
 
 Mr. McLARKN, one of the Commissioners from the con- 
 gregation said: I am one of four individuals, who were 
 appointed to rein-esent the views of the congregation in this 
 matter I will not attempt to say if sufficient Scriptural 
 grounds can be shown for the use of the organ havin-- been 
 disallowed in our branch of the Presbyterian family ; Init this 
 much I will say, that having read and heard a good deal on 
 both sides of the question, I think that the friends of the ov<ran 
 have decidedly the advantage of their opponents, so much 
 so tnat 1 do not feel any conscientious scruples in confining 
 myself entirely to the question of expediency. I am very 
 much inclined to think that the organ was proscribed in the 
 early days of the reformation from policy on tl.e part of the 
 leaders, who no doubt wished as much as possible to do 
 away with everything that could remind the people of the 
 pleasantest part of the worship under the .system which had 
 been done away with. It was necessary and proper, under 
 the circumstances, that the leaders of the people should, in 
 those days, have acted as they did, for it is probable that the 
 prejudice in favour of the organ at that time can be equalled 
 only by a similar feeling which is entertained against it by 
 certain parties at the present day. But, if expediency 
 required its disuse then, it seems that the very same reason 
 would indicate that the time has arrived for its re-introduction 
 No one will pretend that its use now is likely to be followed 
 by the same consequences as were dreaded then On the 
 contrary, the want of instrumental music, by which the 
 psalmody of our churches might be kept up to a respectable 
 standard, has allowed it to fall into such an ill-condition 
 that we are constantly hearing of one and another who has 
 lett lis on account of the slovenly way in which this part of 
 wonship IS conducted. Again, music is one of the allure- 
 ments which are being used by Romanists to draw within 
 reach of the voice of its preachers the youth of Protestant 
 churches. If, as I believe, the organ cannot be prohibited 
 on scriptural grounds, and if its use will tend to prevent the 
 lallmg away from our communion, to other Protestant 
 denominations who use the organ— not to speak of the Church 
 ot Rome— It .surely becomes the duty of our Superior Courts 
 to throw no obstacles in the way of its introduction by such 
 congregations as may desire to do so. 
 
 Mr ALEXANDER McGIBBON .said, this subject is one 
 which has been before different churches, and in which 
 considerable discussion has taken place. The object of our 
 
! ! 
 
 ■conftTcgation has been to brins the matter before the Supreme 
 Court for decision. The fact of our tabHng that'petition shows 
 this to be so. I contend that we Iiave not acted inconsist- 
 ently with the laws of the church. I would like to ask if 
 there is any difference between public worship in a congre^-a- 
 tion on week days and on Sundays .' Other congregation.sMn 
 Montreal belonging to this Presbytery have organs in their 
 churches, which they use on week days in public worship. 
 Is there any more harm in using an organ in public worshi]) 
 on a Sunday than there is in using it on a week day > 
 But the truth is, the Presbytery is afraid to deal with Cote 
 Street, and Krskine and St. Joseph Street Churches, in 
 addition to ours, as they think so many would be rather 
 heavy tor them, but they believe they could use our little 
 church as a target to Hre their shots at. The last time I 
 was in this very place, the organ was used ; I have been 
 present at St. Joseph Street Church when an organ was 
 used, in Cote Street I have seen an organ, and though I 
 never heard 'it played, I have my suspicions it was not there 
 as a mere ornament. The proper way would be to bring all 
 before the Presbytery, and deal with them all alike. We 
 have been recommended to bring the matter before the 
 Synod, and many of the Upper Canada Ministers have 
 informed me that they will vote in support of the proposition 
 to give each congregation liberty to decide for itself It 
 must not be supposed that this is a new thing on the part of 
 the congregation. Even before we left St. Gabriel Street, 
 it was decided that we should have an organ in the new 
 church ; of course in a proper way. A place was prepared 
 for It; each minister who it was thought likely would be a 
 candidate for the vacant charge, was informed that it Vvas 
 intended there should be an organ, and no secret was made 
 of it. I may explain how it was placed in the church. We 
 had a small organ in the lecture room, which the children 
 enjoyed so much in the Sabbath School, that a larger one 
 was orde'-ed, and this was placed in the church on a special 
 occasion, with no intention of leaving it there ; but so marked 
 was the improvement, and so satisfied was the congregation, 
 that it was decided to allow it to remain till the decision of 
 the Synod could be obtained. This is the whole history of 
 that part of the case, and I fail to see where we have done 
 Vv-rong in this matter. I would only say that the Presbytery 
 should be very cautious in dealing with a matter which is a 
 mere question of convenience, and which breaks no law 
 cither of morality or of propriety. 
 
•e the Supreme 
 'petition shows 
 :tecl inconsist- 
 like to ask if 
 in a congrega- 
 ngrogations in 
 rgans in their 
 ubiic worship, 
 niblic worshi]) 
 a week day ? 
 ;al with Cote 
 Churches, in 
 ulcl be rather 
 use our Httle 
 e last time I 
 I have been 
 m organ was 
 md though I 
 was not there 
 •e to bring all 
 11 alike. We 
 2r before the 
 inisters have 
 le projoosition 
 or itself It 
 m the part of 
 abriel Street, 
 n in the new 
 vas prepared 
 would be a 
 that it Vvas 
 et was made 
 :hurch. We 
 the children 
 a larger one 
 on a special 
 .it so marked 
 ongregation, 
 i decision of 
 e history of 
 i have done 
 3 Presbytery 
 :r which is a 
 :aks no law 
 
 6 
 
 Mr. JAMKS BROWN : I am not about to use any 
 arguments in defence of tiic little instrument which has 
 excited so much controversy. Nobody here can ."-ay that in 
 that law which is placed above the laws of Presbytery, or 
 Synod, or General Assembly— the law to be found in the 
 ^aand uul Bible — one word is t<j be found against the use of 
 an organ i;i the wor hij) of God. In that grand old Bible 
 the command is given that wearetou.se musical instruments 
 in the service of the Sanctuary ; that law we intend to obey, 
 . and to have an organ. An instrument was used in the Sabbath 
 School at first, and the elders grumbled, but the children 
 were delighted. Twenty or thirty members then contributed 
 to buy a larger one — the first had been a gift— and it was 
 decided to use it, for it was cojisidercd that it conduced t(/ 
 the more worthy service of praise, and if anything can 
 brmg us nearer the great I Am than prayer, it is praise. 
 For this is a help, not a substitute for an intelligent rendering 
 of praise, and we have found it to be so. Many here arc 
 against the organ, because they have never heard it. If they 
 would come and hear the praise led by this means, they 
 would scarcely hear the instrument, as it is nearly drowned 
 by the voices. We have not gone against your church laws, 
 unless these are against the laws of God in this matter. If 
 they are then we have gone against them. We are i)ositively 
 enjoined to use musical instruments in jiraise, instead of 
 being forbidden to do so. You will find these words in the 
 last Psalm, and none can be more ex])]icit : " Praise him 
 with the sound of the trumpet ; praise him with the psaltery 
 and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance ; praise 
 him with stringed instruments and organs." 
 
 Mr. ALLAN thought if this course had been adopted first 
 it would have saved trouble. He moved that the Presbytery 
 transmit the overture. . 
 
 Mr. J0NP:S, (Brockville, who had been invited to deliberate 
 with the Presbytery), said the Brockville people were of the 
 same mind as those of Montreal. He would supj.ort the 
 overture at the Synod, and numbers of others had told him 
 they would do so also. 
 
 A long discussion ensued upon the effect of the form-ila 
 signed by ministers and elders, by which they are requir'.d 
 to "maintain the purity of worship, as established anc' 
 practiced," the one party maintaining that any innovation of 
 
tliis kind was a hrcach of the oidination vow, and llio other, 
 that according- to this ar-unicnt the custom of'the precentor 
 readin-; out the line should he continued, as tlie chanj^e was 
 as daiinj;- an innovation thou, as tiic [)resent i)ro|)osal is 
 now. and that the collection taken up after the service in 
 ba^s or boxes, instead of an elder slandin.i;' at the broil with 
 a pewlci- iilate before him, was rank hei-esy. 
 
 The motion to transmit was ultinrately carried by eleven 
 to five. 
 
 IN riir: s\'N()1), 
 
 The S\-nod met in Toronto, on tin 
 
 -th 
 
 June, 1.S67, 
 
 when, on motion o( Mr, Kl-Ml'. the Overture from Knf4.\ 
 Church, Montreal.'^ was taken uj). and havin-- been read, the 
 Commissioners were called upon to support it, which they 
 did as foIlo\\|-s : — 
 
 Mr, W. D. McLARI':N. one of the Commissioners from 
 Montreal. \vx^ called to the platform, and addressed the 
 Synod as lollows : In ur-in- on your favourable attention 
 the i)rayer ot the overture now lu-forc you, it would be 
 presumption in one hoklino- the humble position I do in the 
 church, to expect that anythin-- T could say in the way of 
 argument deduced from Scripture, would be new to those so 
 well versed therein, as the members of this house are. I 
 would remark that instrumental music had a clear and 
 explicit reco.o-nition in the Old Testament, was never 
 lorbuldcn m the New, and 1 know of no passat^e of scripture 
 that, unless to support a foregone conclusion, can be quoted 
 against the u.se of its aid to guide, sustain, intensify and 
 harmonise, the volume of Praise on the Sabbath day, and 
 I trust that this reverend court will api)roach the subject 
 with a determination to let no preconceived or prejudiced 
 opinion interfere with the exercise of its judgment in 
 dealing with the matter on its own merits. The use of 
 instrumental music seems to have been laid aside in the 
 Presbyterian Church in Scotland, from the motive of 
 expediency, if not from the less worthy one of sh^^cr 
 opposition to all the forms in use by Popery and Prelacy 
 bciorc Reformation times ; and in what I have to say, 1 will 
 speak only as to the expediency of its rc-introduction, stating 
 
 *The terms of tlie Overture will be found in page i, 
 
 in (hi; 
 
 not o 
 
 overti 
 
 in, ani 
 
 of oui 
 
 ackno 
 
 that o 
 
 J)i\'in( 
 
 gener: 
 
 is urg( 
 
 the sc 
 
 mattei 
 
 the ei 
 
 Re fori 
 
 sancti( 
 
 mattei 
 
 entirel 
 
 reform 
 
 that i)( 
 
 is no s 
 
 rule in 
 
 .still in 
 
 are of 
 
 custon 
 
 simtim 
 
 t..e mo 
 
 disallo' 
 
 compo; 
 
 metrop 
 
 use of 
 
 are wi 
 
 Reforn 
 
 brough 
 
 cventu; 
 
 possibl; 
 
 centuri 
 
 in, and 
 
 that th 
 
 which 
 
 sufficiei 
 
 opinion 
 
 I down tc 
 
 organ, i 
 
 good re 
 
 lately 
 
aiul the other, 
 'the precentor 
 le ehaiij,^c was 
 U proposal is 
 he service in 
 the jjrod with 
 
 ied by eleven 
 
 June. 1S67, 
 jroni Kn(4x 
 )een read, the 
 t, which they 
 
 s.s loners from 
 .ddressed the 
 l)le attention 
 
 it would be 
 •n I do in the 
 11 the way of 
 w to those so 
 house are. I 
 
 a clear and 
 , was never 
 c of scripture 
 an be quoted 
 ntensify and 
 :ith day, and 
 I the subject 
 )r prejudiced 
 udgnient, in 
 
 The use of 
 aside in the 
 i motive o( 
 iie of shner 
 and Prelacy 
 to say, 1 will 
 :tion, stating 
 
 in his regard what I know to be the feelin-s and sentiments 
 not only of the con-re-atiou which has sent ui, this 
 overture, but which I have reason to know are parliciiKUed 
 in and he .1 extensively by members of other con-reoatjons 
 of our body. li,,s overture had its ori;;in in Muit all will 
 acknowledKC to be a pious and laudable purpose, namelv 
 hat of improving the manner in which the musical part of 
 Divine worship is rendered on the Sabbath day It is verv 
 j;enerally acknowledged, that improvement in this direction 
 is urgently re.iuired in many of our congregations, and it is 
 the settled conviction of those who have moved in this 
 matter, that mstrumental music wouhl conduce givatlv to 
 he end in view. It is true (hat since the peiTod of\l e 
 Reh.rmation. the voices ol the people have alone been 
 sanctioned by our church, as the medium of praise • but im 
 matter such as this, where it is believed the re'ti'ic ,1 is 
 entirely arbitrary, we claim the same right as d d nr 
 reforming ancestors to alter, amend, set u]), or annul in 1 
 that pertains to the mere outward forms of worshi Tl ere 
 IS no such thing as rest in the whole universe ; chai I'^e is the 
 rule m al created things ; there is no possibility of ,Sti 1 ' 
 still in church order and modes of worshi,,. as far is .v 
 are ot human origin, any more than in the manners and 
 cusoms ot the people; and to illustrate the chan-'e 
 sentiment on this very subject, if I am correctly infm-med 
 ...e mover m its .Synod of the only motion of any consec|uence 
 disallowing mstrumental music in one of the bodies which 
 compose this now unitdd church, has since then' i, the 
 nietro,x.hs ot Scotkmd, delivered a lecture advo aii, 1! e 
 use ot he organ. The circumstances of the churc' fnow 
 are widely diHerent from those which obtained at the 
 kelormation period ; men had not then been born ad 
 brought up under the teaching of Protestantism a 
 eventuahtics had to be guarded against, which cd no 
 possibly occur now when, at the distance of more than two 
 eentunes, many more generations have grown up, all nurture 
 n, and prejudiced in tavoiir of the reformed faith The far 
 that the organ was in use in 'he economy of that system 
 which It was the life work of the Reformers to desl^roy' 
 sufficiently accounts for the tone of any expres ions ^f 
 
 aovva .0 u=, and it is believed that the re-introduction of the 
 organ, under proper regulations, would be attended byn a y 
 good results. Instrumental aid in public worship il^hZ 
 necessary. ,t our congregations are to maintain 
 
 lutely 
 
9 
 
 themselves aloiif^side of those of other P'v'angelical denomina- 
 tions. Music, at the present day, is cultivated in almost 
 every family, so that a taste for pjood music has become very 
 general. With an increased appreciation of the tasteful and 
 true, has conie a corresponding disgust, when people of 
 refinement are obliged to listen to the wretched singing, 
 which is confessedly the rule in most of our churches — no 
 matter how solemn or devotional in sentiment may be the 
 words, the musical rendering is generally of such a nature 
 as in a great measure to destroy their effect. It is of vital 
 importance to the church, that the doctrines she teaches be 
 pure and sound, and it is of hardly less importance if she 
 would have her teachings heard by the greatest possible 
 number, that her forms of worship be not such as to repel 
 any class of the people. If we believe, as I trust we all 
 most firmly do, that the doctrine and form of government 
 of our cnurch, is the most perfect, and most in accordance 
 with God's Word of any, then it is certainly our duty to use 
 every fair ijieans, to bring it under the notice of as many of 
 our fellow creatures as possible. The young of our congre- 
 gations especially, are liable to be lost to us from this cause, 
 and it is they whom we should n.akc it our study to retain. 
 Again, it is unquestionable that solemn music, rightly 
 rendered, has the effect of awakening a devotional feeling in 
 the human mind, and of preparing it for the reception of the 
 Truth. In order to the attainment of this in a promiscuous 
 assembly like a congregation, where all arc expected to join, 
 to the best of their ability, in praising God, a sustaining and 
 guiding power is requisite, which will blend the voices of all 
 as one loud acclaim. That this desideratum can only be 
 found in instrumental aid must be clear to all who have 
 given their attention to the motter, and if adherence to 
 severe forms of worship, however well suited to the age in 
 which they originated, is now working injury to the church, 
 by preventing her from taking advantage of those means 
 and appliances, which the advance of science and art has 
 placed at her disposal, why should there be any hesitation 
 about remodelling them to suit the circumstances of the 
 people of to-day .'' If church-goers were all converted 
 persons, who attended places of worship solely for the 
 purpose of giving expression to the feelings of their hearts 
 towards their Maker and Redeemer, it would matter little 
 whether they could make what is called good music or not ; 
 if they were sincere in doing the best they could, it would 
 be acceptable to God ; but we must take things as we 
 
 Mr. 
 
 sioneri 
 
 in sup] 
 
 subjec 
 
 of you 
 
 expres 
 
 this S 
 
 • instrur 
 
 questic 
 
 the Ca 
 
 its adv 
 
 but m; 
 
 u nan in- 
 
 represe 
 
 we fee' 
 
 We car 
 
 that we 
 
 membe: 
 
 a large 
 
 congre^ 
 
 stronge 
 
 before ^ 
 
 it is tf 
 
 our chu 
 
 some s 
 
 conside 
 
 such an 
 
icaldenomina- 
 tcd in almost 
 s become very 
 le tastelul and 
 K:n people of 
 tched singing, 
 churches — no 
 it may be the 
 such a nature 
 
 It is of vital 
 ihe teaches be 
 ortance if she 
 ;atest possible 
 ch as to repel 
 [ trust we all 
 if government 
 in accordance 
 ur duty to use 
 of as many of 
 )f our congre- 
 om this cause, 
 udy to retain, 
 nusic, rightly 
 onal feeling in 
 ccption of the 
 a promiscuous 
 pected to join, 
 ustaining and 
 e voices of all 
 
 can only be 
 all who have 
 adherence to 
 to the age in 
 :o the church, 
 
 those means 
 3 and art has 
 my hesitation 
 tances of the 
 ill converted 
 olely for the 
 f their hearts 
 ! matter little 
 nusic or not; 
 Duld, it would 
 things as we 
 
 10 
 
 find them ; congregations are in general largely composed 
 of unconverted persons, and if one of the great objects of 
 preaching the Gospel— if not the great object— be the 
 conversion of sniners, who may be either of our own families 
 or the stranger within our gates, we must take care not to 
 repel, but to attract them to our services, using all lawful 
 means for that purpose. Is it then the part of true Christians 
 to object to the use of instrumental aid in singing God's 
 praises which, although not necessary to themselves, would 
 be the means of drawing fellow sinners to the House of 
 God and when there, preparing their minds to some extent 
 for the reception of the truth. As I have reason to know 
 that those who are to follow will be likely to do the subject 
 rnore justice than I can hope to do, I will not longer take up 
 the time of this Reverend Court, and will close by askincr 
 you to entertain favourably an overture which is bound up 
 with so much that pertains to the Church's welfare. 
 
 Mr. ALEXANDER McGIHRON, one of the Commis- 
 sioners from Knox Congregation, Montreal, spoke as follows 
 in supiDort of the overture. He said : Mr. Moderator,— The 
 subject which we have the honour to bring before the notice 
 of your Reverend Court at this time is— as the overture 
 expresses it, "Th . congregations under the jurisdiction of 
 this Synod, be granted liberty of introducing the aid of 
 • instrumental music in the worship of God." As it is a 
 question that interests a great number of the members of 
 the Canada Presbyterian Church, I should have liked that 
 Its advocacy, at this time, had been placed in abler hands 
 but my colleagues and myself having been chosen by the 
 unanimous voice of the congregation we have the honour to 
 represent, we felt that we could not decline— the more so as 
 we feel a deep personal interest in the matter ourselves 
 We came too, Sir, all the more readily, knowing as we do 
 that we carry with us, not only the unanimous wishes of the 
 members of Knox Church Congregation, but also those of 
 a large and influential number of the members of other 
 congregations in Montreal, and throughout Canada. A still 
 stronger reason, Sir, has actuated us in presuming to appear 
 before you to-day, in support of this overture just read, and 
 It IS this ; we conscientiously believe that the interests of 
 our church and the cause of religion demand at this time 
 some such action as we have taken. It is therefore with 
 considerable diffidence that we venture to address you on 
 such an important subject, and should the subject not get 
 
11 
 
 I'' 
 
 "IH 
 
 4hat justice from us which it deserves, we will nevertheless 
 be conscious of havin;; done our best. The • resolution of 
 the C()n{;rcgation of Knox Church says, that singing to the 
 I)raise of (lod, has always been recognized as a part of 
 worship in every Christian congregation, and that every 
 lawful means shouUl be used to make it as perfect as possible. 
 It being the only portion of service in the I'resbyterian 
 Churches, in which the people take an audible part, you will 
 admit that it necessarily interests them to a greater extent, 
 than it possibly can ihe minister, who performs all the other 
 duties himself, and as it is the duty of the people to join in 
 {he service of praise, it is also their duty to make it one of 
 the r.iost pleasing and prt)fitable parts of worship, instead of 
 having it, as is very often the case, one of the most offensive. ' 
 The question then is, how is this service to be improved ? 
 Efforts are continually being made to raise the standard of 
 vocal praise, but so far all such efforts have been unsuccessful. 
 Up to this day no plan has been adopted to meet this great 
 want. Sinking to-day in Our churches, is no better than it 
 was thirty years ago, in fact if there is any chat.ge it is for 
 the worse. As an example of this, I would mention that in 
 one of our oldest Presbyterian Churches in Montreal, on a 
 late occasion, the minister preached a sermon on the attitude 
 of worship, and recommended standing instead of sitting 
 during the service of praise. By way of example he asked 
 them to sing the doxology standing, and to show to the 
 world that they did not require instrumental music. The 
 attempt was made, and they broke down three times in the 
 effort to sing a simple doxology. This church used to be 
 ihnied at one time for good singing ; but like many others, 
 those who have a taste for singing have all left. This is not 
 to be wondered at, when one looks fairly at the question. It 
 is useless to expect that when congregations are continually 
 ■changing — people coming, and others going, that singing 
 can be properly conducted under the present plan. No 
 matter how gifted the precentor or leader may be, he cannot 
 drag the voices of a whole congregation, into anything like 
 time or harmony, far less of melody, and the consequence 
 is that this part of public worship, which should be the 
 most solemn and sublime, is looked upon as an annoyance 
 by a great many who would otherwise like to join in the 
 praise. A great number, therefore, now-a-days wend their 
 way to church more to hear and criticise the sermon, than 
 to worship God! The people in this way feel a want of 
 interest, and this I am convinced accounts for so many, 
 
nevertheless 
 resolution of 
 nging to the 
 as a part of 
 [1 that every 
 :t as possible. 
 I'resbyterian 
 l)art, you will 
 reatcr extent. 
 ; all the other 
 pie to join in 
 ake it one of 
 lip, instead of 
 lost ofTensivc. ' 
 3e imi)roved ? 
 I standard of 
 unsuccessful. 
 :et this f;reat 
 setter than it 
 lai.^c it is for 
 :ntion that in 
 Montreal, on a 
 n the attitude 
 ad of sitting 
 iple he asked 
 show to the 
 music. The 
 times in the 
 h used to be 
 many others, 
 . This is not 
 t question. It 
 re continually 
 that singing 
 nt plan. No 
 be, he cannot 
 anything like 
 consequence 
 hould be the 
 m annoyance 
 to join in the 
 s wend their 
 sermon, than 
 eel a want of 
 for so many, 
 
 V2 
 
 especially the young, leaving the Presbyterian communion. 
 We take the ground, therefore, that the experience of th 
 
 past, is quite sufficient to i)r()ve that the present system o. 
 conducting the psalmody of the church, is not calculated 
 ever to give any hope of improvement. It has been tried 
 for nearly three hundred years, and the result is a complete 
 failure. On the other hand, experience shows us that 
 instrumental music, wherever used under judicious manage- 
 ment, has always tended to increase the interest of the 
 people in the service of praise, and to cause them more 
 generally to join in Hinging themselves. It requires no 
 argument of mine to prove this. We have but to enter a 
 place of worshii^ where instrumental music is used as an aid 
 to, and not a substitute for the human voice, and observe the 
 contrast, and if not blinded by prejudice and void of all 
 taste, we cannot but be impressed with the beauty, the 
 solemnity, and devotional feeling excited and awakened by 
 the one service, as compared with the miserable and drawling 
 efforts in the other. The objection raised by those who 
 really should know better is, that it is not singing with the 
 heart to use instrumental music ; that the piety of the 
 . ])eople who have to adopt such means must be at a low ebb, 
 and that its tendency is to lead our people into ritualistic 
 practices, and possibly to draw them to the Church of Rome. 
 To the first of these objections I would say, that singing 
 with the heart, making melody unto the Lord, does not 
 necessarily imply, that we should sing badly. On the 
 contrary. I am more inclined to the belief that we can all 
 join more heartily, and praise (iod more devoutly — making 
 melody in our hearts — when the service is ]:)roperIy and 
 decently performed, than we can possibly do when it is gone 
 through in a slovenly, careless, and offensive manner. " To 
 the second objection I would answer by asking. Is the piety 
 of the churches who use instrumental music of a lower or 
 higher order than that of the Canada Presbyterian Church.? 
 Will any one say that the piety of the Baptist, Independent, 
 Methodist, and American Presbyterian Churches, is ies.s' 
 than that of ours ? I think no one can take such ground. 
 Judging from the city of Montreal, where I am*^ better 
 acquainted wath the facts, where will you find a more 
 faithful, vigorous and pious people, than compose these 
 churches I have mentioned. They are forep->ost in every 
 good work, each one vies with the other as to who will 
 accomplish most good, in training the young, in supporting 
 our public charities, in establishing mission schools and 
 
 f 
 
18 
 
 churches, aiul advancin^^ the cause of Christ generally both 
 at home and a! mad. We as a chu'rch who by implication, 
 put ourselves on a highc '" level of Christianity, might with 
 very great propriety, imit. c their noble example in many of 
 these things. As to the ritualistic anil Romish tendencies 
 I would ask again — are those churches I have named, viz : 
 the Haptists, the Independents, the Methodists, and the 
 American Presbyterians, less I'rotestant than we arc ? 
 Such arguments I hold to be childish, and scarcely deserving 
 
 ' of notice. Facts can be given to prove that by f/ot using 
 
 the aid of instrumental music, we are actually, and on this 
 very ground, driving many of our peo])leboth oUl and young 
 into ritualism, and into the church of Rome. I will not go 
 into the question at length on scriptural grounds, for I 
 believe it has been settled long ago that scripture is 
 altogether in our favour, and therefore to attemfU to say it is 
 contrary to scripture is so absurd, that those who bold such 
 views, must be supposed to know very little of what the 
 
 ^ word of God rbally says on the subject. I cannot fmd in 
 the Bible, which is our highest authority, one word from 
 beginning to end against instrumental music. On the 
 contrarv, I find much in its favour. Our blessed Lord never 
 condemned its use, neither did his disciples, and when we 
 find them so' minute on matters of less importance than 
 this, and giving in detail so many things to be avoided, we 
 must come to the conclusion that had this practice been a 
 bad. one, it too would have been pointed out as such. The 
 Psalmist David sang his songs with the aid of a harp and 
 other instruments, and .surely there can be no impropriety 
 in following his example. We sing his Psalms, and why not 
 use the aids he used } Can it be affirmed that the praise 
 that David offered to Almighty God, was less acceptable, 
 because he brought into requisition and ni. '.U: .se v^f all 
 available and legitimate aids } I am inclined rat'^.r vo the 
 belief that his praise was heightened, and tV.ai he jciced in 
 it with far more fervour, feeling, and true devotion, with such 
 aids, than he could possibly have done with the mere human 
 voice, or else he would not have given so much prominence 
 ^o the use of instrumental music, as he does in such language 
 *i ■ ; •' I,et us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our 
 '■)'; \tinn " Let us come before His presence with thanks- 
 .i\i '^, LiLid mak" i joyful noise unto Him with Psalms.** 
 "Ida /-! 1 joyful 1 ' ise unto the Lord all ye lands." " Enter 
 ' into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His Courts with 
 praise." " O that men would praise the Lord for His 
 
 
u 
 
 rally both 
 npliration, 
 li^'ht with 
 n many of 
 cndcncics 
 lined, viz : 
 , and the 
 we are ? 
 deserving 
 uot II sin;; 
 ul on this 
 md young 
 ill not go 
 ids, for I 
 riptiire is 
 to say it is 
 b;)ld such 
 what the 
 :)t find in 
 vord from 
 
 On the 
 ,ord never 
 when we 
 mce than 
 oided, we 
 :e been a 
 ch. The 
 harp and 
 [propriety 
 cl why not 
 :he praise 
 :ceptable, 
 ;sc vvf all 
 \^r to the 
 jL!i;ed in 
 with such 
 re human 
 ominence 
 language 
 :k of our 
 h thanks- 
 Psalms." 
 
 " Enter 
 lurts with 
 
 for His 
 
 
 goodness." " Praise ye the Lord ; prais Him in the 
 firmament of His power." " Praise Him with the sound 
 of the trumpet." " I'raise Him wii!i the psaltery and lMr|)." 
 "Praise Him with the timbrel and dance." "Praise Him 
 with stringed instruments and organs." "Praise Him upon 
 the loud cymbals." " Praise Him upon the high soundin 
 cymlxils." " Let everything that hath breath praise tlic 
 Lord." " I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the 
 assembly of the upright, aiici in the Congregation." What 
 other meaning can be given to such language as tnis, than 
 that instrumental music is not only allowable, but positively 
 commanded \ It is plain that no principle is involved in the 
 use of instruments in the worship of Goil. and this being 
 the case it is surely the duty of this Synod to grant congre- 
 gations full liberty to employ the same, if they see fit. f' is 
 no innovation in the object of our worship, we sing tliesumc 
 psalms — SI me paraphrases, same hymns' — we all worship the 
 same God through the one and only Mediator — what we 
 want and what we ask for is, a help, a support to the voici ; 
 of the people, so that they may sing with unity of voice, ani 
 that the service may be conducted more steadily, more 
 uniformly, and more seemly, and thus heighten devout feel- 
 ings, whilst it prevents that discord and confusion which .so 
 often distract the attention of worshii)pers and mar the 
 whole public service. Referring to the laws and usages of 
 the church as contained in the Confession of Faith and Books 
 oC I'^orms, I find nothing in these books against instrumental 
 music. It is plain when the Confession was compiled very 
 little attention was given to the subject of praise. Page 
 upon page is given directing how the prayers are to be con- 
 ducted ; rules are laid down for preaching, for marriage, for 
 baptism, for visiting the sick, for fast days and other matters, 
 but it seems the public praise was almost entirely omitted, 
 for we find on the last page but a few words on the subject. 
 That sentence .says that the line is to be read by the minister 
 or some other fit person appointed by him and the other 
 ruling officers ; and the reason given for this mode of action 
 is that the people being ignorant cannot read for themselves. 
 No doubt this was the best arrangement that could be 
 adopted at the time, but it is evident the compilers of that 
 book thought it best to say as little as possible as to the 
 style and manner of singing, leaving these to be altered 
 according to the circumstances of the times. Doubtless 
 the reading of the line ma\ be suitable in some places to this 
 day. I dare say the practice is still continued in newly 
 
ni 
 
 15 
 
 settled districts, or even in parts 
 educational advantages, and where 
 
 of Canada remote 
 consequently the 
 
 from 
 
 ^ J J — people 
 
 may require such assistance ; and so long as they need this 
 help, and are satisfied with it, by all means allow them to adopt 
 the manner best suited to their circumstances. What we con- 
 tend for is liberty of action in non-essential matters. If strict 
 uniformity is insisted on, then the reading of the line must at 
 once be ordered to be discontinued. This has never been 
 asked. Where the reading of the line is useful let it be con- 
 tmued, but congregations who use a different method surely 
 ought to be allowed to adopt it vv^ithout the interference of 
 those who take a different course. So long as the matter is 
 the same, it is of less importance as to the manner. Indeed 
 congregations have more liberty now as to what they shall 
 sing than they have as to the manner of singing. Some use 
 only the psalms, others use psalms, pharaphrases and hymns. 
 It can be shown that the church has departed in many 
 instances from the old customs and forms as laid down in 
 the Confessi*on of Faith and in the directions for public 
 worshijS. I will mention a few to show that as circumstances 
 arose from time to time these customs and forms had a wide 
 berth given them. The custom of reading the line is one 
 that has almost ceased to exist. Celebrating the Lord's 
 SupjDer with only one table instead of several is another. 
 Introducing prayers, reading and singing at funerals, on the 
 other hand, have crept in, and is a most outrageous innovation, 
 because the Confession distinctly says that the dead bgdy is 
 to be taken from the house to the place of burial without 
 any ceremony, and that praying, reading or singing at or 
 around the dead body is superstitious, and must be laic' 
 aside._ What is the case now > We have reading, praying 
 and singing at funerals, and often they are held in Presby- 
 terian churches with a great deal of pomp and ceremony. 
 The Confession says that the ord'"- ...ce of baptism is not to 
 be administered privately, but is to be done publicly in the 
 face of the congregation ; now it is done privately every 
 day. The rule laid down in the Confession as regards marriage 
 is, that it is to be publicly solemnized in the place appointed 
 by authority for public worship before a credible number of 
 witnesses at some convenient hour of the day, and so on. 
 This rule has been departed from to such an extent that now 
 it is looked upon as an innovation to have the marriage 
 ceremony performed in a Presbyterian church. Here then 
 are written laws which still stand on the statute book unre- 
 pealed, and yet in respect to which the church has had to 
 
16 
 
 remote from 
 ly the people 
 hey need this 
 :hem to adopt 
 iVhat wecon- 
 ers. If strict 
 ; line must at 
 s never been 
 let it be con- 
 ethod surely 
 erference of 
 :he matter is 
 ler. Indeed 
 at they shall 
 , Some use 
 and hymns, 
 ed in many 
 aid down in 
 s for public 
 "cumstances 
 s had a wide 
 line is one 
 the Lord's 
 is another, 
 rals, on the 
 innovation, 
 ead body is 
 rial without 
 iging at or 
 ust be laii' 
 tig, praying 
 in Presby- 
 ceremony. 
 m is not ta 
 icly in the 
 itely every 
 Is marriage 
 I appointed 
 number of 
 and so on. 
 It that now 
 ) marriage 
 Here then 
 )ook unre- 
 las had to 
 
 accommodate itself to the wishes of the people. The same 
 arguments that are used against the use of instrumental 
 music might be urged against the introduction of Sabbath 
 schools for the children. They are not sanctioned by the 
 directory of public worship ; on the contrary, they are, 
 inferentially at least, forbidden. I will read the passage in 
 full, as it will show that we cannot rely upon these directions 
 exclusively for our guidance, nor was it intended by the 
 framers of the laws regulating our worship that we should. 
 The words are, that " what time is vacant between or after 
 the solemn meeting of the congregation in public, be spent 
 in reading, meditation, repetition of sermons, especially by 
 calling their families to an account of what they have heard, 
 and catechising of them, holy conference, prayer for a bless- 
 ing upon the public ordinances, singing of psalms, visiting 
 the sick, relieving the poor, and such like duties of jDiety* 
 charity and mercy, accounting the Sabbath a delight.'' 
 Here there is not only no mention made of Sabbath school.s^ 
 but, on the contrary, the heads of families are enjoined them- 
 selves to call theii- families round them for catechising, 
 instruction, &c. When Sabbath schools were originated, was 
 not the innovation as great as the introduction of musical 
 instruments ? I believe it was greater. Has it not been 
 said, with a great show of reason, that the duties enjoined 
 on parents would be neglected, and that the Sabbath school 
 teachers would perform it in their stead, just as it is said 
 now that the organ will supersede congregational singing; 
 and be adopted in its stead } Has it not been said 
 that the Sabbath school would do away with the solemn 
 household duties in which parents and children alike took 
 part on the Sabbath afternoon ? Were not objections almost 
 without number brought against them which many in this 
 court may well recollect ? Is it not true that many da 
 neglect the domestig training of their children, because they 
 trust it to the teacher ? And it is not unlikely, for it is true- 
 also, that the organ has been in like manner abused — that I. 
 will not deny. But because there is abuse in these things^ 
 must we therefore give up their use ? No man will be bold 
 enough to stand up and say that Sabbath schools are not a 
 help, a very great help, and nursery to the church, and that 
 they should be abolished because some have made them a 
 cloak for their own indifference. And in a very few years 
 the man who will advocate the removal of musical instru- 
 ments as an aid to worship will be just as rare — will, in i^xct 
 be undiscoverable. We are told that the office-bearers who. 
 
i I 
 
 ill 
 
 
 17 
 
 adopt instrumental music in the churches over which they 
 are placed are violating their ordination vows. I think I 
 have shown that whilst there is nothing binding as regards 
 instrumental music in any of the laws or rules of the church 
 that the obligations of those who wish to adhere strictly to 
 these laws and rules of the Confession of Faith and directory 
 are most fla-rantly violated in the matters of baptism, of 
 rnarriagc, of burials, of training the young ; and the same 
 thing can be said of fast days, of celebrating the Lord's 
 feupper and conducting other parts of public worship. This 
 being the case, we think the time has arrived when a similar 
 latitude may with very great advantage be allowed in the 
 manner of public praise. The universal cry from the Presby- 
 terian Church in Scotland, Engfand, Ireland, and in the 
 iJritish Colonies, is, that they lose the young people; the- 
 have no hold on them as they grow old enough to judge for 
 themselves. How is it that the Episcopal Church is gaining 
 such a firm footing, even in Presbyterian Scotland ? Just 
 because the services of the majority of Presbyterian Churches 
 are conducted in such a way as to repel people rather than 
 attract and retain them. I will read an extract from a letter 
 which appeared in the J? eco^d of our Church for June, 1866 
 Ihe letter is dated from New Zealand, and is signed by the 
 Rev. John Hall. He says : " We have not held our own in 
 the cities especially in Auckland. On the contrary, wo have 
 lost hundreds of families. Indeed, it appears to me that no 
 Church loses more in proportion to its numbers than we do • 
 a most uncomfortable reflection, and one which I should 
 suppress did I not believe that something might be done to 
 make our form of public worship more attractive to people 
 ot cultivated musical taste. We have become antiquated 
 and singular in our service of song, till our children of more 
 refined musical taste have been attracted by the choral 
 services of other churches." Your own reports state the 
 same thmg year after year, and we have precisely the very 
 same difficulty staring us in the face every day, where whole 
 tamilies have been actually driven out of the Presbyterian 
 Church by the antiquated and singular form of our service of 
 song. I vvoukl ask, is there no remedy that can be applied 
 to meet this great evil ? How is it that other churches 
 interest their people and we cannot ? How is it thpv ^tfrnrt 
 the young, and we drive them away ? It is not the fault of 
 the preaching, for I believe we have as faithful preaching in 
 the I resbyterian Church as in any other. Our fornt of 
 church government is as scriptural as any other, and our 
 
over which they 
 bws. I think I 
 ding as regards 
 2s of the church, 
 dhere strictly to 
 th and directory 
 i of baptism, of 
 
 ; and the same 
 :ing the Lord's 
 : worship. This 
 i when a similar 
 
 allowed in the 
 rom the Presby- 
 tid, and in the 
 g people ; they 
 gh to judge foi- 
 lurch is gaining 
 cotland ? Just 
 :erian Churches 
 pie rather than 
 ict from a letter 
 for June, 1866. 
 3 signed by the 
 leld our own in 
 ntrary, wo have 
 > to me that no 
 fs than we do ; 
 irhich I should 
 ght be done to 
 ctive to people 
 me antiquated 
 lildren of more 
 by the choral 
 •orts state the 
 isely the very 
 Y, where whole 
 ; Presbyterian 
 r our service of 
 :an be applied 
 ther churches 
 
 it they attract 
 ot the fault of 
 1 preaching in 
 
 Our form of 
 •ther, and our 
 
 18 
 
 doctrines are as sound and pure ; how then does it come 
 that so many Presbyterians are filling the pews of other 
 churches ? The reason almost invariably given by those 
 who have left us is, that they were satisfied with the preach- 
 ing, doctrines, and government of the Presbyterian Church, 
 but th^y could not stand the singing, and they saw little 
 hope of improvement ; and partly on their own account, but 
 chiefly on account of their families, they left and joined a 
 church where they and their children could alike be interested 
 and edified in all the departments of public worship. To 
 meet this difficulty to a certain extent a number of the 
 Canada Presbyterian churches have regularly in use in their 
 Sabbath schools instrumental music, but unless the same be 
 introduced into the congregational singing, the evil is only 
 aggravated, for the scripture proverb which says, " Train up' 
 a child in the way he shall go, and when he is old he will 
 not depart from it," will bear its fruit in this as in other 
 respects, for if the children are trained to the use of instru- 
 mental music when they are young, rest assured they will 
 not depart from it when thev are old. The congregations 
 who thus act are plainly 'admitting the advantages of 
 instrumental music as an aid, whether their representatives 
 here to-day will vote or will not vote in support of the over- 
 ture, for if it is necessary as an aid to the young, it is as 
 necessary as an aid to the old. You may therefore expect 
 thatif the difficulty is not met in some shape or othei, that 
 not individuals only, nor families, but whole sections of the 
 people will leave your communion. Some object on the 
 ground that if instrumental music be permitted, the con- 
 sciences of those opposed to it will be off"ended : on the 
 other hand, the consciences of those in its favour will be 
 greatly hurt if it be not permitted. What is the grand 
 object the church has in view > Is it not the salvation of 
 souls to Christ and the edification of the people .' Her great 
 commission is— to preach the gospel to every creature. 
 How is this to be accomplished ? One way is to bring the 
 people under the influence and sound of the truth, an'd for 
 this end all proper means should be used by the church. If 
 the seemly service of praise will attract and keep the people, 
 and bad music drive them away, then by all means let us 
 .lave the good music. I hold that the Presbyterian Church 
 m neglecting to make use of this help— this aid— is allowing 
 a stumbling-block to lie in the way of the great work given 
 ner to do. We ask nothing unreasonable. We wish to 
 mipose nothing on any congregation against its will. All 
 
l> 
 
 19 
 
 we ask is liberty to judge for ourselves as to how we shall 
 worship God in the department of public praise. But Mr 
 Moderator, there is something more to be considered 'than 
 the use or disuse of instrumental music in this question 
 Uur fathers contended for freedom of thought and liberty of 
 opinion, regulated by the Word of God. and in obedience to 
 Its dictates. If a usage was begun in the Presbyterian 
 Ghurch under circumstances which rendered it expedient 
 and was continued as long as these circumstances seemed to 
 demand, are we therefore to be compelled when the neces- 
 sity has i)assed away to remain bound by acts which were 
 called lorth by the times in which they originated, and which 
 Ijada noble end and aim, but were neither supporled nor 
 ( elended as being enjoined by the laws of God. To hold 
 that IS simply to assume the cast-off robes of the Pharisees 
 who held the traditions of men as superior to the Word of 
 God. Upon that Word we take our stand. Prove from it 
 that what we ask is unlawful and opposed to its command.s, 
 and speaking for myself and, I venture to say, for the whole 
 ot the congregation I represent, I will, from henceforth, 
 however expedient I may believe it to be, never again ask 
 this court to sanction such a practice. Jkit feeling as I do 
 taking my ground on the faith of our Protestant forefathers, 
 who protested against yielding their reason up blindfold to 
 the dictates of a church which sought to stifle all discussion 
 under the weight of authority, I must be shown not mere 
 assumption but conclusive proof from the authority which 
 we all acknowledge as our sole rule and guide. To come to 
 the special case of Knox congregation, I may be permitted 
 to remark that we placed a small instrumenf in the church 
 lor a public missionary meeting, and it gave such universal 
 satislaction that it was thought wise to leave it there, pro- 
 viding the congregation were unanimous in its favour, until 
 the approval ot the Synod might be obtained. The improve- 
 ment in our public singing is 30 great that a few who were 
 opposed to It at first are now the strongest in its favour 
 Ihe people all join in the service of praise with a heartiness: 
 and a will never before experienced by us as a congregation 
 1 he same thing can be said with the Sabbath school. Wc^ 
 are accused by some as acting in opposition to and in 
 dehance ot the authority of the church ; we deny this most 
 ernphatically. After we have tried the experiment for our- 
 selves, we have come here to-day, the first opportunity we 
 have had, to ask permission to continue it. On a matter of 
 such importance to the congregation, in which tbere is not: 
 
5 to how we shall 
 praise. But, Mr. 
 ; considered than 
 in this question, 
 ^ht and liberty of 
 J in obedience to 
 the Presbyterian 
 red it expedient, 
 itanccs seemed to 
 when the neces- 
 acts whic/h were 
 nated, and which 
 ;r supporled nor 
 f God. To hold 
 3f the Pharisees, 
 r to the Word of 
 . Prove from it 
 :o its commands, 
 ay, for the whole 
 rom henceforth, 
 never again ask 
 t feeling as I do, 
 itant forefathers, 
 1 up blindfold to 
 fle all discussion 
 diown not mere 
 authority which 
 le. To come t(; 
 ly be permitted 
 It in the church 
 : such universal 
 v^e it there, pro- 
 its favour, until 
 The improvc- 
 i few who were 
 it in its favour, 
 'ith a heartines.s 
 a congregation, 
 th school. We 
 ion to and in 
 deny this most 
 jriment for our- 
 opportunity we 
 On a matter of 
 :h tbere is not 
 
 20 
 
 dissenting voice, we preferred to have the mind of the 
 lighest court expressed on the subject, as we are aware that 
 I large and influential number of the members of this Synod 
 enow better than we do the advantages of instrumental 
 lusic ; and whatever decision you may come to, doubtless it 
 Ivill be'complied with by the congregation we represent. We 
 ^ontend we have done nothing amiss in this matter. The 
 synod has alreatly received, if I am correctly informed, into 
 ts communion in the Presbytery of Hamilton, a congregation 
 In which a musical instrument is regularly used. The Synod 
 'urely has not one rule for the Presbytery of Hamilton and 
 nothcr for that of Montreal. Taking all these things into 
 onsideration, we, as a congregation, i'eel that we have been 
 ubjected to grievous interference by both ministers and 
 aymen from the country districts, whose conduct and 
 language, as expressed on different occasi(;ns, against us, 
 Have been, to use the mildest term, most gross and offensive, 
 t is well known throughout the bounds of the Presbytery of 
 tlontreal that a more peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious 
 ongregation is not in the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian 
 Jhurch at this moment, and surely we will not appeal in vain 
 X) you to-day for protection from such painful and unwar- 
 rantable interference, or, I might more properly say, high 
 jhanded tyranny, of parties residing in district.s disi „nt from 
 lis. What M-ould the Glengarry "congregations think of a 
 Reputation going up from Montreal and interfering with 
 Iheir manner of public worship ? They would certainly 
 think they were interfered with. We think so too, and I 
 Would humbly submit that such interference is at variance 
 with the general rules of the church, which enjoin on 
 presbyteries the necessity of fostering and promoting peace 
 ind harmony among the various congregations under their 
 fare. In this instance no complaint was laid before them 
 Dy any of our congregation, and surely it was quite time 
 enough for parties to give their advice and counsel when it 
 was asked. A good deal has been written and said lately 
 bout our progress ?s a church. It would be out of place 
 r me to venture an opinion on the subject, but this I will 
 ay : we, as a church, are too much inclined to be satisfied 
 'ith things as they are ; we are not acting enough on the 
 ggressive. Our church has barely held its own in many of 
 he cities and towns, whilst many of our country stations 
 'lave been snatched out of our hands by other and more 
 ctive denominations. If you want your home missionary 
 ichemes better supported, if you want your colleges placed. 
 
21 
 
 on firm and permanent foundations, and to occupy a front 
 rank among the institutions of learning, and if you waVt ?he 
 mmistry supported as they ought to be, get hrpeonle 
 more mterested, remove all obstacles which^seem toTand 
 m the way to hinder the general prosperity of our churc^i 
 One of these obstacles, we think, is the subject which we 
 have endeavoured to bring under your notice at this tinTe 
 And now, Mr. Moderator, we leave the question in th^ ha^ds 
 of this court, trusting that it will be carefully and imparHally 
 
 onlf.rl^l^ ',^'' ^'"^ "^^y ^' ^"i^^d -^h wisdom from 
 on h gh, which alone can enable you to arrive at a proper 
 conclusion ; and whatever that conclusion may be, let us all 
 
 ot His church, and the advancement of His kingdom 
 
 whTch^thTc:''''i^r'"^°i-^'^ ^°"^^"'^^ °^ Canada over 
 M.r ill ^y^''''^ u^' jurisdiction. Before sitting down Mr 
 McGibbon asked the permission of the moderator to make 
 an explanation regarding a statement made in the forenoon 
 
 Mr Mcnhr "^ '^? r°^- ^^' permission was granted 
 Mr. McGibbon said that a member had stated that Knox 
 
 TZJnr "rJ,^ ''^"^^ '' P'^y ^'^^^^ ^"bscription of $2^Z 
 to he college if the organ was ordered out of the church 
 This was a mistake. Whatever they had promised to pay 
 I thZ 7u ^''^ honourable enough to pay the last cen^f 
 It, whether the organ ivas allowed or di.sallowed. This he 
 would say, however, that had they not been subjected to 
 such annoyances, instead of their subscription being $2,000 
 It would have been nearer $5,000. ^^.^^^, 
 
 Mr. JAS. BROWN, also a lay delegate from Montreal 
 then rose and spoke as follows :— Mr. Moderator— At the 
 request of the congregation of Knox Church, Montreal I 
 appear before you to urge the granting of the prayer of their 
 petition ' Anxious to get the strongest arguments in its 
 favour, I turned at once to the Word of God, and found them 
 written on many a page ; but for me to go over ground that 
 will be so ably taken up by others would be a task of supe- 
 rerogation, and It seems strange that business men should 
 even require to come before this august body on such an 
 errand, irksome and unusual to men in our position. But we 
 have a duty to perform ; let us strive to do it honestly and in 
 Christian charity towards those who may differ from us on 
 Uiis question. We believe that in granting this petition you 
 would violate none of the laws of the church ; were it other- 
 wise a higher law than that of the church courts would be 
 
99 
 
 broken by the laws of men being placed above the laws of 
 God. As individuals, and as a congregation, we have no 
 wish to set at nought or disregard the pleasing duties laid 
 uponus or tothink lightly of the privileges secured to us 
 
 .7 ! T^^u^'^r^^'J-^'"'- .}^ '' ^^'^ ""'S^^ "f ^^ery Christian to read 
 that Bib e for himself, and to worship the Creator according 
 to the dictates of his conscience, and that worship, the 
 Redeemer tells us, " must be in spirit and in truth " We 
 believe the aid of an organ will not hinder our conforminjr to 
 this requirement. To man alone above all the works of His 
 hands has the capacity to worship and adore been vouchsafed 
 by the Creator. With more understanding than the beasts 
 that perish, we feel the impress and superscription of Him 
 who has stamped us with this religious sentiment, and -iven 
 to us the power of language that we may call Him "Our 
 Father or gladly sing His praise. Surely, then, with such 
 
 fw p K?' '^ ?,°"' 'Y^'' "° ^^'' ^^^"^ our privilege, to search 
 that Bible and learn how we can best serve Him, and what 
 that worship requires. We believe then that we are com- 
 manded to " sing unto the Lord a new song" and " to nraise 
 him with the psaltery and harp," and we believe that instru- 
 mental music, as an aid, and kept in its proper place will 
 conduce to the more worthy rendering of that praise! and 
 the solemn strains of the organ are the best suited for that 
 purpose. We know it, for we have felt it ; we believe it is 
 not contrary to the word of God. But I may be met with 
 my own argument, that we are at liberty to worship God 
 according to the dictates of our conscience, and whilst we 
 preter the organ, others might choose a very different 
 instrument. I grant the objection is perfectly valid, but we 
 arrogate no privileges to ourselves which we do not concede 
 
 X ^^^n'^Ti-u?"^ "^^ ^.^/""^ ^^^"^ ^^""^ ^^^ their authority on 
 that old Bible, and if they are earnest in their search and 
 choice of an instrument, the sacrifice of praise which thev 
 render will not be far from being accepted. But I -o farther • 
 when they can bring us that instrument that combines in the 
 sweep of Its octaves a power that will cast a more hallowing 
 
 !."rerf T^AT^r' ^'u, '^l'^ /".lifting it higher and nearer thS 
 great 1 AM, and blends in its swell more harmoniously the 
 compass of the voices of the worshippers, we will let the 
 org-an go. We can remember when we regarded that or-an 
 Avith pious horror, and we can sympathise still with anv in 
 similar straits ; and if by stealth in these early days we went 
 trom the church of our fathers to hear it, we felt as if we had 
 an additional sin to confess. But that day has gone In " 
 
23 
 
 the journey of life we have been thrown into circumstances 
 that compelled our hearing it, and wc have learned that it is 
 not such a deadly sin to seize its powerful aid in raising us 
 nearer and closer to Jehovah, for the worship that he requires 
 can only be rendered by the soul to him, and it is no sacrifice 
 of thanksgiving or of praise if the worshipper delegates that 
 high privilege to the loudest organ or the loudest song, and 
 his heart not right. It must be a song with the spirit and 
 with the understanding also. We believe it is possible to 
 render this homage. One of those circumstances to which 
 I refer of being compelled to hear it was this. Many years 
 ago I had crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Liverpool on 
 a Sabbath morning, and I asked a person I met to show me 
 to a dissenting church. He directed me to the Rev. H. 
 Stowell Brown, and as I entered and was shown to a seat, 
 that vast congregation arose, and, along with the organ, 
 commenced to sing that grand song, " O come let us sing 
 unto the Lord, let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our 
 salvation," and then the words farther on, " for the sea is 
 His and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land ; 
 O come let us worship and fall down and kneel before the 
 Lord our maker." I remember that song still, and am not 
 ashamed to confess that, as instinctively I joined in that song 
 of praise, the cobwebs of my early prejudices were given to 
 the winds, and I do not wish them again respun. But public 
 opinion and prejudices have undergone a mighty change 
 since then— fifteen years ago — and if, instead of those 
 v.'ho now sit in judgment on this overture, the congregations 
 you represent were to decide, I believe it would be carried 
 by_ an overwhelming majority. We have had a sort of 
 religious dread of approaching this question, a dread that we 
 might fall into the hands of the session, of the presbytery, 
 or the synod ; but if we are right in regard to the ground 
 we take in making our petition, we "ought not to be afraid. 
 And similar opportunities of hearing the organ have happened 
 to our children with similar results. Every New Year's 
 morning they muster at our several churches, and march to 
 one large enough to hold' them, and the Sabbath School 
 Association of Montreal have dared to take them to churches 
 that used the organ, have dared to select music and hymns 
 suited to the joyous temperament of the little ones, have 
 dared to make no compromise with customs contrary to 
 reason and religion, and at each tune the band of little ones 
 rise up that they may render on that New Year's morning a 
 more reveiend homage and a louder song. There are some 
 
24 .. 
 
 customs observed by the church that would be more 
 honoured m the breach than in the observance, We are not 
 prepared to tell our children it is unseemly to stand upri-dit 
 when singmcr the praises of the sanctuary, or that it is wro^'ng 
 U) snig a new song like " Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to 
 Thee, or to tell them the aid of the organ is forbidden in 
 our Bible. Ten years ago, when this question was brought 
 up m one of the presbyteries of our church, amongst other 
 arguments advanced against the use of the organ there was 
 this : that instrumental music in the church was like the 
 deadly night shade, the taste of the leaf of which being so 
 sweet. It would the more easily work the ruin and poison of 
 the churches, and the vote went against the organ. Do you 
 thvik that that vote has anything to do with the census of 
 our church to-day .? Has the use of that instrument wrouc-ht 
 the ruin of the churches which have adopted it > Has the 
 Baptist church been ruined by the introduction of that 
 music .' Has the American Presbyterian church gone down 
 by using it ? Have the Independents decreased by the use 
 of the organ ? Are the Wesicyans less powerful for usin-r 
 instrumental music ? Has the roll of membership of the 
 Methodist church decreased .' And is it not likely, think 
 you, that m anofher ten years, if the Methodist church 
 increases in the same ratio as it has done in the past through 
 the length and breadth of the land, it will bid fair for beinff 
 the church of the Dominion of Canada .' We believe no 
 small share of its success is due to the more attractive char- 
 acter of Its services, especially in weaning over the young 
 And looking to our children as the foundati-ons of our futu?e 
 churches for their sakes, too, I say, grant the petition of 
 their fathers. The strongest argument against the organ 
 bemg introduced into our church I heard more than a year 
 ago by an office-bearer, and it was this : that it would cause 
 division in the church, and many would leave it. I replied 
 "And where would they go to.?" "Go to," said he. "go 
 right over to the Auld Kirk." That gentleman bore about 
 equal love to the organ and the Auld Kirk. However it 
 was the only place he could send them to for refuge But 
 going right over to the Auld Kirk a year or so ago, 'as the 
 only alternative, would not be quite so safe a place to seek 
 retuge in to-day. Whatever we may have felt in that Auld * 
 Kirk in Scotland years ago, contrary to freedom of worship, 
 It IS marching up with the times here. Is the use of instru- 
 mcMital music commanded in the Bible.? and has the old ' 
 church of our fathers in its highest courts decided its use is 
 
25 
 
 neither against the laws of God nor man ? We answer 
 unhcsiatingly yes ; and if division comes, it will but advance 
 the interest of that cause and kingdom which the laws of 
 men, framed in error or oppression, can never arrest, for 
 past history declares the Ruler of All l-^vents can make 
 opposition subserve His own wise end. No, the divisions 
 of burghers and anti-burghers, old light and new light, 
 relief and secession, and last, but not least, of the Free 
 and the Auld Kirk, never weakened the Church of God. 
 Have no fear, then, that in granting our prayer you will 
 weaken our church. Twenty-four years ago the 'General 
 Assembly of the Church of Scotland met within the walls cf 
 St. Andrew's Church in Edinburgh. The royal commissioner 
 presided over its sittings. You may say that church bore 
 the royal arms, that its charter rights were secured under 
 the Crown — rights and privileges that would have satisfied 
 even the requirements of a Kno.x. In the eye of the law and 
 of that church it wap the right of the patron to fill the pulpit 
 with a pastor of his choosing, not the right of the people to 
 choose and fill their pulpits with a pastor of their own 
 choice. Many good and loyal ministers and : len believed 
 there was a flaw in the charter rights of chuvch and state, 
 and that they were not bound to see through the short- 
 sighted spectacles that fitted the nose of any patron. And 
 there was some temporizing with the people, and they gave 
 them a choice of two or three pair to keep them quiet. It 
 would not do ; these good men and true insisted on the 
 right of choice for themselves. To the beck and 
 nod of any single patron in the land these ministers and 
 congregations would not bow down ; these pastors threw 
 themselves on the people and their God, and sacrificing the 
 tribute money and their homes rather than their consciences 
 and their freedom, ignored the superscription of the Caesars, 
 The principle involved in their case then — right of con- 
 science — is the same that is involved in ours to-day. Twenty 
 four years ago an honoured band, headed by such men as 
 Welsh and Chalmers, Gordon and Cunningham,. Candlish 
 and Buchanan and Guthrie, laid a protest upon the table of 
 that Assembly, and marched with uncovered heads from the 
 walls where they were met, leaving behind charter rights of 
 patrons and the Church of Scotland. But they brought 
 away with them a charter older and more honoured far than 
 that of Imperial Britain, and under it boldly proclaimed they 
 were free. That charter which they brought with them was 
 an open Bible. Though we are not the Free Church of 
 
2G 
 
 Scotland, wc abide by the rights and privileges of that 
 charter It is equally well adapted for us now as then in 
 our mother land, and lower than what its privileges have 
 bequeathed to us we are not prepared to stoop It i^' the 
 heritage of the Canada Presbyterian Church to-day, a id the 
 prayer ofour petition is based on no lower authority than 
 he foundation of that Jiible. Our children know no.hinii or 
 httle of the causes that led to that disruption, because these 
 causes do not exist here, but should similar circumstances 
 arise, what we did then they would do now— open up that 
 old royal charter that has weathered many a storm and 
 inquire in its pages what its duties and what its privi'letrcs 
 are. And in regard to this service, and the use of instru- 
 mental music in it, they will soon find out that as the 
 otierings to the King of kings were to be the best of the 
 ttock, that as nothing impure, or maimed, or a weaklino- was 
 to be presented to Him. so they will take care that the 
 sacrifices and offerings of the lips and of the heart which 
 they bring are not of the lowest order, but in accordance 
 v/ith His word. Baptists, and Independents, and Wesleyans, 
 and the Church of Scotland are setting us an example we 
 need not be ashamed to follow ; and while we would compel 
 no one to do violence to his conscience, wc would at the 
 same time ask that no violence should be done to a unani- 
 mous congregation, unless it can be shown we are in error 
 1 he organ will do very well for us now as a church, and its 
 solemn music will carry nothing of levity amongst us as 
 vvorshippers, nor will its hallowing influences make us fall 
 short of comprehending that it is not to the instrument we 
 are to look for sanctifying that offering, but to the heart 
 mat is presenting that sacrifice. Surely as Presbyterians 
 worthy of the name, we will not forget to whom that homage 
 is to be rendered, nor that command, "Sing unto the Lord 
 with the harp, with the song, raid the voice of a psalm." The 
 author of these words, when' a youth in the tents of Jesse, 
 struck the chord of that harp, nor did he forget the song or 
 harp when he had reached a throne and was Israel's 
 anointed King. We have asked you to sanction the use of 
 instrumental music, but the day may come when our chil- 
 dren will wonder that this was necessary, or why it was 
 delayed so long, and we trust the most pleasant tasks they 
 may have to learn will be Zion's music and Zion's .songs. 
 Ten years have passed away since a small congregation 
 humbly craved what we are here to-day to plead for, and 
 their petition was refused. Before another ten years have 
 
27 
 
 |;;f ii 
 It i^ 
 
 passed away wo may be gone, but there will be other 
 pleaders in the field, and that little army now training; in our 
 Sabbath Schools, and in our homes, untrammelletl by the 
 prejudices of old Scotland, that army will alter the com- 
 plexion of the battle, for many of them will fill the places 
 you, their judges, occupy to-day. And they will have the 
 strongholds and fortresses of the church in their possession, 
 the hearths and hearts of the people. We do not wish to be 
 uncharitable — leave it to the peoples choice — let it remain 
 an open question. There is room enough and work enough 
 in this Dominion of Canada for us all. Write not over our 
 little Zion as the first act of your Synod on the birth-day of 
 your nation — We forbid you to worship the God of your 
 fathers according to the dictates of your conscience — we 
 forbid you to use instrumental, music in that worship — we 
 place you under our bann. One word more, we come not 
 here to argue this question on the ground of appearances 
 or expediency, or because the Church of England, or the 
 Church of Scotland, or any other church has introduced 
 the organ. Our appeal is not to General Assemblies, or 
 Synods, or Ca:;sar's tribunal, it is to that code we place 
 above them all — to the Law and to the Testimony. Mr. 
 Moderator — The eyes of thousands and tens of thousands 
 are upon us this day, let no verdict be recorded more 
 suitable to the dark ages, than the present time. I trust 
 the Synod will listen to the voice of a united and flourish- 
 ing congregation, and pursue the only honourable and upright 
 course open, by granting the prayer of our petition. 
 
 It was moved by Mr. W. B. CLARK, of Quebec, 
 
 seconded by Mr. JAMES WATSON : 
 
 "Tliat permission be granted, nieiinwhilo, to such Sessions and Gongroga- 
 tions lift are genenilly agreed on the subject, to avail themselves of, the 
 assistance (if Instruniontal Music in the Service of Praise; but that such 
 Sessions and Congregations be enjoincid to take order that no tunes bo intro- 
 duced but such as are plain and simple, and fitted lor general congregational 
 singing; and that the nuitter be sent down to Presbyteries in ter.ns of the 
 Barrier Act." 
 
 The Rev. W. B. CLARK remarked that he would have 
 liked if the question had come up unencumbered by the 
 difficulties connected with Knox Church, Montreal. Still, 
 that disadvantage was in a great measure counterbalanced 
 by the very aole manner in which the subject iiad been pre- 
 sented by the commissioners from Montreal. Their advocacy 
 did honour to their ability, and it was creditable to the church 
 that plain ordinary members could set forth and defend the 
 
28 
 
 case as they had clone. It is a principle of Presbytcrianism 
 he continual, that nothin- ought to be introduced into the 
 worship of God unless we have the .sanction of scripture for 
 It— that the worship and discipline, as well as the doctrine 
 of the church, ou-ht to be regulated by the Word of God 
 only. As Presbyterians, then, we ought to permit no re-ard 
 to expediency, or to the taste, or opinions of men to sway us 
 in consenting to introduce into the worshipof God anvthinff 
 which has no sanction in His word. But if we are true to 
 our principles, we ought to be just as zealous in permittinr^ 
 nothing to be excluded from the worship of (Jod which is 
 clearly sanctioned in His word. There is such a thincr as 
 attempting to be wise above what is written, as well as to 
 be righteous overmuch ; and if, from an alfectation of superior 
 spirituality, we banish from the worship of God cvervthin-^ 
 which appeals co the senses, even though sanctioned by His 
 word, we are certain to suffer loss. And I believe that from 
 their opposition to the use of hymns suited to the e-Vis in? 
 state of things, and the assistance of instrumental music in 
 the service of God, Presbyterians have lost much, and are 
 stdl continuing to lose seriously, not only in numbers, but 
 m something vastly more important. The question, then 
 tor us to consider at present is simply this— Is the use of 
 instrumental music in the service of God sanctioned in His 
 word, or IS it not.> It will not be denied that the use of 
 mstrumental music in the worship of God was extensively 
 used m the temple service, as arranged by men acting under 
 the mspiration of the Holy Ghost. But it will be replied 
 that this was emblematical and ceremonial, and, having 
 served its purpose, has passed away. It is admitted that all 
 which was typical and figurative has passed away But he 
 would be a rash man who would say that everything that 
 was practised in the temple service has passed away 
 I'rayer, though constituting an important part of the temple 
 service, has not passed away, and there is no reason why 
 instrumental music, fitted as it is to guide and sustain the 
 people s service of song and stir the innermost depths of the 
 soul, should pass away. The ceremonial law of the Jews 
 having accomplished its purpose, has passed away, and so' 
 to a large extent, has their municipal law ; but truth once 
 revealed is for ever truth, and no change of circumstances 
 can destroy its character. We believe that God employed 
 the use ot instrumental music in His service, not merely to 
 direct and sustain the singers, but to impress and solemnize 
 more deeply the mind, and to call forth more fully the 
 
29 
 
 -.devotional feelings of the soul. And as human nature is 
 still the same, music, as experience teaches us, produces the 
 same effect still. In the 147th Psalm, which has nothing 
 ceremonial about it, but which is purely moral and devotional, 
 and in comparison of which the finest modern hymns and 
 the grandest compositions of ancient times are but as the 
 chaft' to the wheat, in that noble psalm we have these words, 
 " Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving, sing praises upon 
 the harp unto our God." Now, if the authority of this psalm 
 is worth anything, it appears to me undeniable that scripture 
 recommends us to avail ourselves of the assistance of instru- 
 mental music in the service of God. In the 3rd .chapter of 
 the Second Book of Kings we have a very striking illustra- 
 tion of the power of music in soothing and composing the 
 mind, and preparing it for the reception of the spirit of God. 
 The mind of Elisha appears to have been dark and discom- 
 posed when he saw Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, 
 associated with the son of Ahab and Jezebel, and when 
 rasked to enquire of the Lord for them, after indignantly 
 addressing the son of Jezebel, and declaring that had it not 
 been for the presence of Jehoshaphat he would not have 
 looked towards him nor seen him, he said — " But now bring 
 me a minstrel. And it came to psss when the minstrel 
 played that the hand of the Lord came upon him." Now, if 
 the power of music thus soothed and composed the mind of 
 the prophet, and prepared him for the reception of the 
 spirit of God, ought such assistance to be refused by us who 
 stand fully as much in need of it as he did .' And if the 
 power of music produced such an effect upon an individual, 
 it is equally fitted to produce the same effect upon a multi- 
 tiule ; and hence you may see the folly of refusing to avail 
 ourselves of the power of music in the public worship of 
 God. But it may be said that all this took place in Old 
 Testament times, and that we have no sanction %r the use 
 of instrumental music in the service of God in the New 
 Testament. To this I would reply — Is there anything 
 *n the New Testament prohibiting the use of instrumental 
 music in the worship of God } I know of nothing. But I 
 know of one passage in the New Testament where the use 
 of instrumental music in accompanying the voices of God's 
 worshippers is very plainly recognized. When the apostle 
 John obtained a glimpse of what was taking place in the 
 upper sanctuary, he " heard a voice from heaven as the 
 voice of many waters and as the voice of a great thunder, 
 .and he heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps." 
 
30 ! 
 
 Now, if the spirits of the just made perfect avail themselves 
 of the aid of instrumental music in singing the praises of the 
 Lord, are we, poor mortals, still in our sinful and imperfect 
 state, to refuse such assistance, and thus by implication to- 
 accuse the saints in heaven of doing a wrong thing ? But it 
 is alleged that wherever the organ is introduced the voice of 
 the people is silenced. If I believed there was any necessary 
 connexion between the use of the organ and the silence of 
 the people, I would never plead for it, for I believe that it 
 is not only the privilege but the duty of the people to take 
 part in the service of sacred song in the sanctuary. But 
 there is no such necessary connexion. There is none such 
 in heaven, for when John heard harpers harping with their 
 harps„he heard at the same time the voice of the saints 
 rising like the sound of many waters and as the voice of a 
 great thunder. And so I believe that when there is true 
 devotion in a congregation, this will call forth the voice of 
 the people, and the judicious use of our instrument will guide 
 and sustain the voices of the people. It is quite true that 
 when the organ is introduced the people very often cease to 
 sing, but this arises' from the injudicious use of the instru- 
 ment, and from the unwise selection of difficult pieces of 
 music unfitted for general congregational use. But let 
 plain, simple tunes only be used, and the use of an instrument, 
 instead of silencing, will call forth the voices of the people. 
 I remember once preaching in a church at Thirsk, in York- 
 shire, where the psalmody was led by a clarionet, when the 
 whole congregation joined, and the effect upon me was ta 
 elevate my whole soul, and put me into the most favourable 
 frame of mind for the work in which I was engaged. I have 
 heard nothing in the way of argument worthy of a moment's, 
 consideration against the use of instrumental music in the 
 worship of God. In coming along in the cars a friend with 
 whom I was arguing attempted to turn the subject into 
 ridicule by proposing that the bagpipe should be introduced. 
 Well, I can see no objection to the use of the bagpipe if you 
 would banish the drones. The simple chanter of the bagpipe 
 would answer well enough for striking the key-note and. 
 regulating and sustaining the voices of the people. And it 
 might be well to banish the drones from the church as well 
 as from the bagpipes, unless we could uitlize them, as the 
 Irish have improved the drones of their bagpipes by putting 
 keys upon them. The reverend gentleman concluded by 
 proposing that permission be granted to such congregations 
 as are generally agreed upon the subject to avail themselves. 
 
31 
 
 of the aid of instrumental music in conducting the people's 
 service of song, but that they be enjoined to use only plain 
 and smiple tunes, such as are suitable for general congrega- 
 tional singing. 
 
 It was moved in amendment by Mr J. McLACHLAN, 
 seconded by Mr. JOHN ROSS :* 
 
 "That the S.rmd disniiss this Overture and enjoin the Kirk Session and 
 Confrrejralion of Knox Churcli, Montreal, to eouduet Divine Worshin 
 agreeably to the law and usages of the Church." ' 
 
 Rev. Mr. McLACHLAN.— Moderator, I rise to oppose 
 the motion, and to move an amendment. Labouring under 
 the disadvantage of not hearing well, I but very "seldom 
 occupy any part of your time in addressing the house. This 
 IS a question, however, of such importance that I cannot let 
 It pass with a silent vote. I shall, therefore, claim my 
 privilege as a member of this Court in giving an honest 
 expression of my convictions on the subject. I feel con- 
 strained in conscience to oppose this overture for various 
 weighty reasons, chiefly because the use of instrumental 
 music in the public worship of God would prove a fruitful 
 source of strife and division in this Church ; because it 
 would break up the harmony and uniformity in divine 
 worship, which now happily prevails ; and above all, because 
 I am persuaded that the use of instrumental music ii. the 
 worship of God is unwarranted and unauthorized in the New 
 Testament Church, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the 
 alone Head and King and Legislator, who hath left this 
 solemn charge with His servants and His Church— -"Ob- 
 serving all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and 
 lo, I am with you alway," &c. Now we ask. where bath He 
 commanded or authorized the use of instrumental music in 
 the worship of God .? or where have we any example of it in 
 the Acts of the Apostles or in the history of the primitive 
 Christian Church .? We hold that there is no authority, 
 whether by precept or example, emanating from our blessed 
 Lord, or from any of His inspired apostles, for the use of 
 instrumental music, and in the absence of any such 
 authority for it, would it not be hazardous, would it 
 not be presumptuous to introduce any foreign element 
 into the sacred territory of God's holy worship .? In that 
 case might not the Lord justly say, "Who hath required 
 this at your hands ?" Is it not solemnly declared 
 that " God IS a spirit, and they that worship must worship 
 Him m spirit and in truth." " We are the circumcision who 
 
32 
 
 worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus." 
 " But be ye filled with the spirit, singing to yourselves in 
 psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making 
 melody in your hearts to the Lord." ' Now, let these 
 respected brethren, who have overtured the Synod on this 
 subject, point out to us any expressed authority from Christ 
 our Lord or his inspired apostles for the use of instrumental 
 music in the New Testament Church, or any example of the 
 kind in the primitive church after the effusion of the Spirit 
 on the day of Pentecost. Let them point out verse and 
 chapter in the New Testament in proof of it. This, I am fully 
 persuaded, they cannot do ; but, instead of this, they draw 
 all their arguments in favour of instrumental music from the 
 ritualism of the Mosaic economy, or from human expediency, 
 overlooking the fact that the Christian Church is differently 
 constituted altogether, and that the Gospel is a new and 
 more spiritual dispensation. But until they do this, we will 
 never yield them the matter in question, and we hold that it 
 would be u/tm vires of this Court to grant them what they 
 pray for in this overture. This Synod, Sir, hath no power 
 and no authority to add to or to alter the ordinances which 
 Christ has instituted in His Church. This Synod hath no 
 power to legislate on its own authority, independently of the 
 revealed will and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. We 
 must observe all things whatsoever He hath commanded us, 
 and, by parity of reasoning, we are equally bound to reject 
 all rites and ceremonies which He hath not commanded us. 
 This overture now before us, let it be observed, is based on 
 a wrong foundation — on the assumption, viz., that the church 
 or church courts have a discretionary power to regulate the 
 manner of divine worship, or " that the church hath power 
 to decree certain rites and ceremonies in connection with 
 the worship of God," a principle which is held and acted on 
 both by the Church of Rome and the Church .of England, 
 and which has opened the floodgates of innovation and will- 
 worship in both, but a principle which we repudiate as 
 anti-Christian and a direct usurpation A the sacred preroga- 
 tives of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of Zion and 
 Head of His Church. We deny the thing in toto. We hold 
 that the church never possessed such a discretionary power 
 since it was a church, never under the Old Testament, much 
 less under this gospel dispensation. It amounts to nothing 
 less than sacrilege and superstition on the part of the church 
 to assume or to practise such a discretionary power, either 
 in the matter or in the manner of God's worship. In vain 
 
38 
 
 do these brethren tell us that instrumental music wa<^ 
 employed in the worship of God under the Ok l^estament, 
 and that with the divine approbation. We reac'ily grant it' 
 But so also was sacrifice. So also were their meats and 
 drmks, and divers washings and carnal ordinances imposed 
 on them until the time of reformation. So also were all 
 those rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic economy, of which 
 mstrumental music was a part, and we tell them that with 
 those rites and ceremonies of Judaism we have nothing more 
 to do. They have served their purpose long ago. They 
 have been entirely abolished. They are dead and gone for 
 ever. I am aware, indeed, that this is denied by our 
 opponents, m so far as the use of the organ is concerned 
 fhey mamtaui that this particular part of the Jewish ritual- 
 ism has not been repealed, and on this ground they contend 
 lor the continued use pf it in the gospel church. But if it 
 bus not been repealed and abolished, together with that 
 ritualism of which it formed a part, wc may justly ask why 
 IS there no mention made of the organ or of any other 
 
 Ij/^u^"""^"^ °^ "^"^^^ ^" *^^ primitive Christian church > 
 Why was it left in abeyance for so many ages after the 
 Christian era ? Why was it left in the grave of oblivion 
 until the 8th or 9th centurv of the Christian era, until those 
 times which are emphatically called the ^ark ages, when 
 darkness covered the land and gross darkness the people ; 
 for It IS a well known historical fact that it was in those dark 
 ages of growing corruption and superstition the organ began 
 to be introduced into the church > In vain do these brethren 
 tell us that instrumental music is habitually employed by 
 some other churches. We know it, but surely that is no 
 authority and no example for imitation to us. To their own 
 Master they stand or fall. So are many other unscriptural 
 and superstitious usages, such as the sacrifice of the mass, 
 kneeling at the Lord's table, sponsors and signing of the 
 cross 1' baptism, the surplice and priestly garments, and the 
 whole of that grand ritualistic movement which is making 
 such rapid strides towards Rome in the present day. 
 Against these, and all unscriptural innovations and super- 
 stitions, we must solemnly protest. We lift our solemn 
 testimony against them, and we say to our people, Touch 
 not, taste not, handle them not, which things are to perish 
 with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of 
 men.' In vain do these brethren tell us that the use of the 
 organ in public worship is most agreeable to their taste. 
 JNo doubt of that. But let us remind them that many things. 
 
34 
 
 may be agnx;ablc to the taste and vain imagination of man 
 which are abomination in the sight of God. We tell' them 
 decidedly that ^vc have no divinewarrant or authority for the 
 use of the organ, and consequently the use of it is unlawful 
 and wrong in the worshij) of God. We fear that this restless 
 hankering after instrumental music indicates a low state of 
 spiritual and experimental religion. Let these brethren 
 pray more earnestly for the spirit— let them be filled with 
 the spirit, and then they will need no extraneous aid, then 
 they will be singing and making melody in their hearts to 
 the Lord ; and we tell them, moreover, that if the use of the 
 organ be agreeable to them, it would assuredly be most 
 disagreeable to the conscience of a large number of their 
 Christian brethren in this church, insomuch that if the 
 Synod was to grant the prayer of this overture, and to 
 authorise the use of instrumental music in the worship of 
 God, I much fear that the knell of the Canada Presbyterian 
 Church as a pure and prosperous church of Christ would be 
 rung, and .hat thousands of its faithful would be constrained 
 in conscience to abandon its fellowship, and to go forth under 
 the banner of Christ's crown and covenant that they might 
 worship God in spirit and in truth, with one heart and one 
 mind, without any human inventions savouring of Judaism 
 and popery and superstition. I beg leave, therefore, to 
 move that the synod dismiss this overture. 
 
 The Rev. WILLIAM COCHRANE, of Brantford, then 
 spoke substantially as follows : — Moderator, I - ^remely 
 regret that any effort is made in this Synod to abridge the 
 liberty of debate on this most important question, or that it 
 should be regarded as a minor matter scarcely deserving of 
 our patient attention. I hold, sir, that no question more 
 important, as regards the continued and increasing prosperity 
 of the Canada Presbyterian Church, has come before us for 
 years, and whatever be the decision arrived at, the present 
 discussion must have a very direct bearing upon our prospects 
 as a church for a considerable period to come. It is not 
 simply the case of a single church that we are rtovv considering, 
 but, along with it, the interests of the entire church in the Do- 
 minion of Canada, east and west. The motion I beg to submit,, 
 which is seconded by the R.ev. D. INGLIS, is as follows : 
 
 " That the memorial from the Kirk Session of Knox's Church, Montreal,, 
 be sent down to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions for their consideration during 
 the ensuing ecclesiastical year, with instructions to report their views to the 
 clerk of the Synod before its expiry ; and that meanwhile the following be the 
 interim act for thj guidance of the church during the year : 
 
 " The Synod, desirous of meeting as tar as possible the earnest wishes o( 
 
85 
 
 congregations who desire greater liberty in the forms of u-nr<;i,;., fi u 
 
 in accordance witli tlie long-estabIished^,"age oY tl^e churcrj , a Thn''^ ^ 
 .me n^mtaining intact the rights of Presbyteries a fd h^, tine pie o ^e'sbT 
 ter.an Church government,, declares that al such arrangements is Lvp in vi/' 
 
 that the decision of Presbytery in view of all the ffrtT of tl,/' ^"u"'„^u'' 
 absolute until and unless rever.^^d by the Synod " "'' '''"' ^^ 
 
 , Before speaking to the merits of the motion, let me say 
 sir hovv deeply grieved I have been to hear it stated on the 
 rtoor of this Synod that the desire for instrumental music is 
 
 stated, indicates a want of experimental religion " I 
 protest against such a sweeping charge brought against the 
 memonahsts from Knox Church, Montreal, or any of our 
 churches who hold the same views in this mktter If 
 gentlemen who make such statements knew the character 
 ot the men who composed that session, so ably reoresented 
 here to.day, they would pause before uttering ISnX^t 
 table language. But, sir, it is not only a charge against one 
 church, but against every other evangelical denomination in 
 the land as well as in Great Britain. The Baptist denomi- 
 nation for many years have almost universally used 
 mstrumental music in the worship of God. Will any 
 member of this Court say that it has decreased in vital piety 
 because of this practice ? And the same is true of the 
 
 .rr^"S'^?-^'°"^'''^f 'r^l^^ Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, 
 and the Episcopal Church. For so far as regards decreasing 
 m eyperimental religion, if their efforts to extend the king- 
 dom of Christ be any evidence, their zeal and piety never 
 was so great as at the present day. Rather, sir, than hold 
 hLt K denominations to the wholesale condemnation we 
 have heard it were well for us as a church in many respects 
 to imitate their conduct. If a scrutiny could be made of the 
 members of our church who earnestly desire the use of 
 mstrumental music to aid in the "worship of God, it would 
 be found that among them there are very many whose />iety. 
 andcea/, and Mera/ifi/ will bear comparison with an/who 
 hold contrary opinions. But it is said, we must as a church 
 resist the organ because it is an innovation ; and this word 
 mnovation is now found on the lip. of every one who 
 opposes progress in any direction whatever, no matter how 
 desirable the object contemplated may be. Some good 
 people seem to think that if they can .but cry "innovation " 
 
36 
 
 it is an end of all controversy. Now, it is no argument to 
 say that the use of instrumental music in the worship of 
 God is an innovation unless it is an evil, and calculated to 
 injure our usefulness as a church. Do I need to remind 
 members of Synod that within the last century the Presby- 
 terian Church of the mother country has silently permitted 
 innovation after innovation against the established usage of 
 the church, without a single word of remonstrance ? There 
 was a time when it was the almost universal custom to read 
 out the psalm, line by line, and yet this has been long ago 
 abolished, and our present system adopted without one word 
 of complaint. There was a time when it was considered a 
 mortal sin in the eyes of many good men to sing a repeating 
 tune, or to sanction a choir to assist in the praise of God. 
 There was a time when it would have been considered a 
 flagrant breach of order for any church to adopt the method 
 of simultaneous communion, and yet this is now with us the 
 all but universal practice. Nay, sir, I believe there still 
 remains on the statute book of one of the Presbyterian 
 Churches of Scotland a law prohibiting ministers from 
 reading their sermons, a law, permit m"e to say, that if 
 carried out rigidly in our denomination, might cause con- 
 siderable trouble to many of our ministers. These " inno- 
 vations" have all taken place without a single word of 
 complaint and without any evil effects whatever. Unless 
 those who oppose the use of instrumental music frove it to 
 be in itself sinful, I cannot see on what grounds they can 
 resist the prayer of the memorialists, and this no member of 
 this Court has yet attempted. I need not enter upon the 
 Biblical view of the question, which has already been 
 sufficiently handled, but will simply say that, while there is 
 nothing either in tl e Old or New Testaments against the 
 use of the organ, there is much either directly or impliedly 
 in its favour. None of the former speakers who have touched 
 upon the question o, Jewish types and ceremonies have 
 3i-own that the use of the organ under the Old Testament 
 dispensation was typical, and if not typical, on what authority 
 do we argue that it is forbidden under the New > If so, then 
 the question of expediency, coupled with the sanction of 
 Scripture, should form a very important element in our 
 decision to-night. But it is said, " if j-ou agitate this 
 question you will produce division," and for the sake of peace, 
 whatever be our convictions, we are counselled to forbear. 
 Now, Moderator, I hold that while peace is to be sought 
 after and maintained by all possible means in society and 
 
il!i 
 
 37 
 
 the church not even for the sake of peaee have we any right 
 as a church to introduce a new, and shall I say, unseriptural 
 /m;/ of communion. This I maintain we are doin.^ by saying 
 to churches or to individuals, you cannot belong to our 
 denomination if you desire instrumental music to aid in the 
 worship of God. The true way to secure peace is, in non- 
 essential matters to allow congregations under proper 
 1 resbytenal regulations to worship God with or without 
 the aid of instrumental music, as they shall see proper 
 
 rf "l^.°T" P''"'"' ^ ^"^ "°^ ^^s'^ the Canada Presbyterian 
 Lhurch to be known only as a " Scotch Church," fettered bv 
 petty restrictions which must militate against its success. 
 1 desire it to be such in its mode of worship that all classes 
 and all nationalities shall worship within its pale— its 
 boundaries extending to the utmost limit of this New 
 dominion— so that commensurate with our growing com- 
 mercial and political greatness, the church shall increase in 
 numbers and m influence. This most desirable end we 
 cannot expect to attain so long as we refuse congregations 
 the liberty in question. Our position as a church in Canada 
 at the present day is very much the position in which the 
 msbyterian Churches of England find themselves placed. 
 Men like Drs. King and Edmond plainly say that large 
 numbers of Episcopalians, dissatisfied with the present state 
 ot their church, are prevented from uniting with them 
 because of the existence of such like prohibitions. They 
 Jove the Presbyterian form of church government and 
 discipline— they love the truth as proclaimed in Presbyterian 
 pulpits, but they cannot understand, far less sympathize 
 with, a denomination that, in their opinion, makes so much 
 ot non-essentials. Now, the sentiments of Drs. King and 
 Edmond and many of the most prominent ministers of the 
 United Presbyterian Church, represent the feelings of many 
 of our own I honestly believe that if, as a denomination, 
 we are not losing ground, we are failing to gather in thou- 
 sands every year who might be with us, and would be with 
 us, but tor this prohibition. Nay, more than this, we cannot 
 expect to retain the younger adherents of our churches 
 unless the lioerty sought be granted. Our young men and 
 women in innumerable instances are wandering to other 
 churches, and are in danger of being lost to us altogether as 
 a church. My venerable father, Dr. Burns, has just said 
 that "this is the entering of the wedge," and seems to think 
 tnat It the prayer of the memorial be granted, and an organ 
 introduced into our church, it will soon be found in all 
 
m 
 
 i any right 
 nscriptural 
 ; by saying 
 'ng to our 
 
 aid in the 
 is, in non- 
 ler proper 
 3r without 
 se proper, 
 esbyterian 
 'ettered by 
 :s success, 
 all classes 
 
 pale — its 
 this New 
 ving com- 
 ncrease in 
 e end we 
 ;regations 
 in Canada 
 which the 
 es placed, 
 that large 
 ;sent state 
 'ith them 
 IS. They 
 nent and 
 :sbyterian 
 empathize 
 ! so much 
 King and 
 ^rs of the 
 3 of many 
 mination, 
 
 in thou- 
 d be with 
 ve cannot 
 churches 
 men and 
 to other 
 gether as 
 just said 
 5 to think 
 an organ 
 id in all,> 
 
 Yes Moderator, such is the fact, and I for one am not in 
 the least alarmed at the prospect. If the prayer of the 
 memorial from Kno.x Church, Montreal, is not granted this 
 year, succeedmg Synods will have to deal with other 
 memorials still more urgent, and irresistible Delay or refusal 
 will only have the effect of making congregations more 
 strongly determined to have the concession. Mr. Cochrane 
 f'l.'^r^/ ;"^^cated why he preferred his motion to that 
 ot Mr Clark, as more in accordance with Presbyterian 
 Church government, and more likely to meet the views of 
 the bynod. 
 
 Dr. IRVINE spoke to the following effect :— He had much 
 to learn and much to unlearn on this subject, for, " alter the 
 straitest sect of the Seceders.he was an 0/dL ightAntiburHiet " 
 He had never heard a Paraphrase sung in his own mother's 
 lamily, nor in the church in which he was born and baptized 
 And as to instrumental music, it was proscribed. When he 
 turned his mind to the subject, he found an array of prejudice 
 against It which it was no easy task to overcome. He was 
 hrst led to believe that it was yavis/i. This he admitted 
 iiut It Jewish, It must be a chn/, or a ccmnonial or a moral 
 institute. No one will for a moment dream that it was civil • 
 and if ceremonial, it must be typical, and if typical, it must 
 have an antitype. He could find an antitype for most of the 
 types. He saw in the paschal sacrifice, " Christ our passover 
 sacrificed for us ;" in the goat on the day of the great 
 National Atonement, Christ bearing away the sins of an 
 elect world. So in the burnt-offering, and sin-offering, and 
 trespass-oftering, and peace-offering, as well as in the diverse 
 workings of the law, type answering to antitype .; but he 
 could find no antitype for the instrumental music of the 
 temple service. Hence he inferred that it was not typical 
 not ceremonial. If it was, we had the strange anomaly of a 
 type without an antitype— a shadow without a substance 
 i^ut that it was not ceremonial is easily proven, from the fact 
 that it existed before the law was given from Sinai, and was 
 not tormally introduced as a part of the ceremonial service for 
 several centuries after. Instrumental music was employed 
 by Moses and Miriam in commemorating the passage of the 
 Hebrevv people through the Red Sea and the destruction of 
 Pharaoh s hosts. 
 
 " Sound the loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea, 
 Jehovah has triumphed— his people are free." 
 
 So that the use of the timbrel and- other instruments was 
 
39 
 
 allowed before the ceremonial law was (riven, and several 
 centuries after wc find it adopted by DavW and Solomon as 
 an aid in praising God. Now we kn ,w that the law of 
 capital punishment was given in the time of Noah, and the 
 aw ol the Sabbath existed from the time of Adam, yet both 
 these are incorporated with the precepts of the decalogue 
 because they are in themselves moral and right. So it seems 
 hat the aid of instruments in divine praise existed Se 
 the law, and being deemed essential to praise, after the 
 delivering of the law, was a divine, and therefore a moral 
 institute ; and being right in itself, it could not be limited 
 or confined o any dispensation of our world's or rhurch's 
 history ; and if moral, it is unrepealable. Ask a Jew, or 
 ask any wri er on the types of the Law of Moses, from the 
 inspired author of the Epistle.to the Hebrews dov^n What 
 IS the au itype of the psaltery, or sacbut, or cymbal, or i arp 
 
 doe's Tt hef \''T' '"" y°"- Thereason i^that the organ 
 does n,,t belong to the ceremonial or typical part of God's 
 worship. It IS moral-it is hindiug-^S is unchangeable 
 But again, some say it is Romish, and it is Ritualistic 
 These are phrases which have recently come to mean come: 
 
 _ Ritual, and you terrify a great number of good, well-mean- 
 ing devout Christians. Still, despite the hue'and cTof 
 Romanism and Kituahsm. we may venture to look calmly at 
 this question. H the organ is Romish, then all the churches 
 that use It must be Romish. Hence, the Episcopal Church 
 of England i.s Romish ; the Methodist Church L Romish ; 
 It ^.^"f^g^tional Baptist, N. C. Methodist, the Primitive 
 the Wesleyan Methodist, the O. S. and N. S. Presbyterian 
 SnH'thfor/^' United States-all these must be Rom sh 
 And the Old Kirk in this New Dominion must be Romish 
 Nay, the Christian family, and the teacher of the EvangS cd 
 Boarding School who uses the piano at family prayefs--an 
 these must be Romish. Are the churches or families vvhich 
 
 Jdnnt .Th'"^ 'i''^ t^^' '' ^'^''^ "^°^^ R°"^i«h since they 
 adopted them han they were before ? We all know John 
 
 Calvin s prejudice against the use of instrumental music in 
 
 the worship of God. Yet when he comes to comment on 
 
 Colossuns 111. S-I6. what are his admissions } Hear his 
 
 words: "Under the three terms (psalms and hymns and 
 
 spiritual songs) he includes all kiids of son^s^^ThL ar^ 
 
 commonly distinguished in this way-That a^W;^ i^that 
 
 m the singing of which some musica/ msfmmmt besides the 
 
 tongue is made use of; a Aj^mn is properly a song of praise 
 
40 
 
 whether it be sung simply with the voice or otherwise • 
 
 ot r '^:^'^'l^T P"'^ ^^^^-^i-^^^-^' ^"^ exhortwr^nci 
 muei matters. Now, Paul exhorts, nav enioins thnf 
 
 Christians exhort one another with ^S that s vim 
 songs reqiurmg the use of instrumental aicf If you Svcun 
 the instrument, you must -nve im fho ,.^ni^. / >ougivc up 
 
 the conchision is, that accordin- to Paul tUr^ \l r f I ' 
 mental aid is as positively enjoin^? in e N^^rxltamSt 
 as the injunction "Go into all the world and nrea h fh. 
 gospel iinto every creature," or " This do in m'cmbSnce of 
 Ztr^ -^'"^ ''. y'' ''^"^^h'^'- ^^''^'•^"1 Obstacle wlTichmanv 
 worship" Tt'fs th^^'l ''' "f °' instrumental aid In dTvI"^ 
 were opposed to it T'V"t^^>' "^ ^/^/^.z..;//.;. Our fathers 
 Zr!,?} , PP°^^" *^ ^\ > John Knox was opposed to it Now T 
 
 Catechism which he gave to ScXnd h^v^ i ? °'l^' 
 
 tomnierce, the education, the ao-ricultural inf^r..? lu 
 moral and the social insti utions of the rProvinlf ' ' ?^ 
 m the hands of Scotchmen. But I would a^kzf Tohn K^^ 
 were living to-day would he not be amont the fi-^ f "^ 
 
 John Calvm, upon a question in Biblical criticism ? wJn 
 
 v^t inlTlerl cir'.''' ".Confession of Fai.h'as a „h„"/ 
 
 elS,fy':^JS;,s^" V™ r^ 4* manyttht -n-nr^i : 
 4Udiiy serious. Way, you are innovating all the time. The 
 
41 
 
 Sabbath School is an innovation. The half-hour sermon is 
 an innovation. The time was when a " bawbee elder" stood 
 at the door of the Church with a pewter plate before him to 
 receive the Sabbath collections. Now the plate passes from 
 pew to pew to receive the weekly offerings. This is a fearful 
 innovation on the "good old ways." If these innovations 
 glorify Christ and advance the interests of his kingdom in 
 the hearts of his people, then God speed -all such inno- 
 vations ! 
 
 Rev. DAVID INGLIS, in seconding Mr. Cochranc's 
 motion, said .-When the subject of the u"se pf instrumeiUa 
 music was before the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of 
 Canada ten years ago I took strong grounds against its use 
 n public worship. ^ I did so under the conviction that to seek 
 the aid of an organ in connection with public praise is con- 
 trary not indeed to any express command of the Word of 
 God, but to the whole spirit of our New Testament worship 
 It IS not pleasant to recede from a position to which one has 
 publicly comnntted himself, yet this I am constrained to do 
 as my opinions have been very greatly modified within the 
 
 W f%°' '^'^ >T^'\ l^"' ""^ ""^^^ to agree with much 
 that has been said on both sides of the question. I cannot 
 agree with those who have maintained that we are com- 
 manded to worship God with musical instruments, and who 
 have classed the allusions to the use of such instruments in 
 the Bible as belonging to the moral precepts that are neces- 
 sarily and universally obligatory. On this principle there is 
 positive sin in not using such instruments. Thc>e are 
 extreme views on the one side that will not stand rhe test 
 o being followed out to their proper conclusions. On the 
 other hand, the instruments of music did not belong to the 
 class of typical enactments. The types of the Old Testament 
 have their fulfilment in our Lord Jesus Ch t as the antitype, 
 rhey were figures of great things to come ; but no one will 
 
 S">>, 1%^"''''"^ ^"^ ^^^ "^^ o*' the harp or the timbrel in 
 the Old Testament with the positive enactments which pre- 
 figured the mediatorial person, office, and work of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. The use of the organ cannot properly be 
 regarded as a return to the abrogated ritual of the Jews, of 
 which It did not form a part. As an aid in leading the praise 
 ot the great congregation, it may be used wiiiiaut doing- 
 violence to the simolicitv of New Te.o.t.-^menJ- vv.-.r=hip In 
 the ten minutes allowed to each speaker I cannot'enter fully 
 into the arguments. I ma) . however, notice that we have in 
 
42 
 
 the Bible allusions to the use of instruments of music nnf 
 only m connection with the temple worshio h,?/ o ' ° 
 passages that arc clearly prophetic of mS c ti J,I %\ '" 
 are never spoken of a^ne^s taking te Ice ^^^ vor^J' 
 articulate and intelligent praise from the 1 ps of Hvin/men' 
 but as accompaniments of the psalms sung n public worfiln 
 it IS alleged that we have no tnrp« Ar fK«- ^ormp. 
 
 Apostolic Church. True but for Th? 1 "'^ '" *^^ 
 
 the Church during the^a^of t ^a^L 1^^^^^^^^^^ 
 cumstances to render the use of such instruments posiblT 
 In reference to the New Testament worsh^ we h.vl 
 such minuteness of enactment as in the Jevfsh Church w"" 
 are not, indeed, at liberty to invent new Tnsdtutf^n« .^ 
 alter those appointed ; to the apostolic rules we must firm v 
 adhere, but their enactments relate exclusivdv To wL? -^ 
 essentia ; in reference to what is merely cSstanSf '' 
 have only general instructions. It is a fact ^^1,?^' "^^ 
 not ce here, that while the apost e vvritino nnt ^ f T 
 . their own times, but for the whole SisS Church nfl ^''" 
 age. unfold all the principles of theVrl\T.^ . of every 
 word can be found in thefe aLs^, 1;^ ?'V'P°'^^">^' "°* °"^ 
 Church against danger in theT f- / '"^' "^""'T^ *^^ 
 
 The aposges warnTtrctr^hes^a'aifsraTeU^ Ttte 
 ceremonies of an abrogated ntua!. yef in vain do we sea ch 
 their writings for anything like a warning against that whirh 
 IS claimed by many to belong pre-eminently to these "weak 
 and beggarly elements." Are we then to makp th! r if- J^ 
 ding of the use of instruments in public worsen Z.?'^''^; 
 communion ? Allusion has been made to the fa?t tS °^ 
 
 tion illustratL thVpofntth^h 1^^ S^^l^T'^^ 
 congregation belonged to the American Presbnerian Ch Jr^f 
 and they have used the instrument for manvvearsF.-i^' 
 years ago they applied to he taken Tde^o^r are '^1^,^^ 
 
 r. w^'^l^'"^"*"'^'^^^^"^^ them on the ground ?hi^ 
 they had such an instrument > WouM w^ uT ^"^^""^ ^^^^ 
 
 refusing other congregations who^rethrorSn'sTc'fth^ 
 American Presbyterian Church of Montreal ff /hi . 
 
 make application to be received ?ntf our Chu-h^'^''^''' ^ 
 thmk we would. I am not prepared ?o make t hV . t "°r 
 communion whirh I ^-^ — *«„?.•.. ^^ P^^?^ ^^aj a term of 
 
 subordinate standards:"TnVe?eyn;eTo'?hr.lf '•' "'•^" T 
 
43 
 
 liarps in heaven is wholly incompatible with all true ideas of 
 the heavenly state. We grant this, and yet we ask would 
 > sucTi a figure be employed if the use of these instruments in 
 the Church on earth were contrary to the Divine will, and in 
 - opposition to the purity and simplicity of New Testament 
 worship ? Are our ideas of heaven to be formed from figures 
 taken from things on earth which the Great Head of the 
 Church disapproves ? I acknowledge the practical difficul- 
 ties of the subject. I have no wish to. have the subject 
 . agitated m our congregations where there are conscientious 
 differences of opinion, and where, as in my own congregation 
 It might prove an element of strife and discord. But, on. the 
 other hand, I cannot be a party to making it a term of com- 
 munion, and denying all liberty to congregations on this 
 subject. I know. Moderator, my time is expired ; but there 
 is one thing which I wish to say, and I will do so in a sentence 
 or two. It has been asserted here that the use of the organ 
 is an act of will-worship, and if so a heinous sin. Do those 
 who make such declarations think of the consequences to • 
 which this statement leads > If we declare the use of the 
 organ to be will-worship, sinful in the sight of God, we cut 
 off from our fellowship all the Presbyterian, Congregational 
 and other Churches who do allow its use, and every time we 
 take part in the worship of such congregations we sanction 
 this sin, and are ourselves guilty of it. Surely it becomes 
 us to be careful as a Synod that, in resisting innovations, we 
 
 - take our stand, not on mere customs or preconceived opinions 
 but on the firm rock of the Word of God. The very neces- 
 
 - sity for seeking to conserve the scriptural doctrine and order 
 of our Church should cause us to guard against dealing with 
 the circumstantial as though it were the essential. 
 
 The hour of eleven o'clock having arrived, on motion of 
 the Hon. Mr. McMurrich, the Synod agreed to sit for half 
 an hour longer. 
 
 Dr. BURNS stated very decidedly his conviction that 
 such an ovetrure as that from Montreal was just one of the 
 rery cases against which the " Barrier Act " was intended 
 -to guard, That Act was specially meant for the protection 
 -^^of the Presbyterian worship as established at the Revolution 
 in 1688, and afterwards by the Act of Union in 1707. The 
 LfisUrCx Ot ._-cotiaiicl v/as always opposed io the use of 
 instrumental niusic in the public worship of God, and hence 
 the well known announcement of Principal Baillie to the 
 Assembly at Edinburgh, in 1644, was the occasion of great 
 
44 
 
 North of ScoSdWerT^ut'e/toS'^.h'""'? '" ""> 
 easy terms, and there was g"2t dan«r " f tw ''L'":^^''" 
 with them their cherished fo™« 7,f^ ?• '^ f. ''""gmg 
 
 rrfe^trfto^iisS""^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 ;a j"o- -xcSSH' r " 
 
 and even under that economy U never h.H I '^ economy, 
 service of the svna^om.P t/ ^ ^"^ ^"^ P^^^^ ^'^ the 
 
 rhr-'cf J TT- ^>"^&og"e. It was unknown in the tim<» nf 
 
 Ite^SiSS-o^tStlaS^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 was sileid n7R? ""'■ "■" °'S™ '" Ws gorgeous church 
 The overt\,?e: ""' '■^™">°«>'«'ed the non-adoption of 
 
45 
 
 The Rev. A. F. KEMP said that he felt gratified at the 
 aspect of the discussion. A new light was evidently break- 
 ing in on the minds of the brethren on the subject of the 
 organ. Reflection and inquiry were breaking down old 
 prejudices and changing old convictions. Many were now 
 discovering that the Word of God placed no such restrictions 
 on the means of praise as was so confidently assumed by 
 some of their opponents, but gave a large and generous 
 liberty to the Church now as of old wisely to use helps in 
 the expression of the sacrifice of song. He rejoiced to see 
 such progress. He remembered the time when in the city of 
 Kingston, and in the Synod of the former Presbyterian Church 
 of Canada, he stood almost alone in defence of the use* of 
 instrumental music in our churches, and could scarcely then 
 find a seconder to a motion on the question, very mild and 
 moderate in its terms. He felt as if he was an apostle of 
 progress when he found that now, after the lapse of seven 
 years, he could reckon around him so many able advocates 
 and defenders of the church's liberty to use an organ. This 
 gave hope that there would shortly be such a general change 
 of feeling and opinion on the subject as would lead the Synod 
 to give Its deliberate and hearty sanction to the use of this 
 noble instrument. If there was one feature in the Presby- 
 terian Church more marked than another, during the past 
 two centuries at least, it was its sad neglect of the devotions 
 of the sanctuary, and especially of the service of praise 
 Since the introduction of the rugged and uncouth veisions 
 ot the psalms by Colonel Rouse, the English Puritan, the 
 art of psalm singing had almost died out in the Presbyterian 
 Church. Before that time Scotland was celebrated for its 
 skill in the singing of sacred song. It then possessed its 
 psalms and hyms, and knew how to render its melodies with 
 effect in the sanctuary. But from the date of the introduc- 
 tion of Rouse's version, her praise had degenerated to such 
 ^K ^^}f^^ ^^ *^ become a byword and a reproach to the 
 church. Of late there had been some attempt at a revival 
 and some progress had been made. But the work was slow, 
 and, with Rouse's version and the absence of the organ' 
 never could be effected to a satisfactory extent. Choirs 
 might be got up here and there, and they might sing with 
 both beauty and power the songs of Zion, but they would 
 kill out congregational singing, and the people would listen 
 instead of singing. It is choirs, not organs, that destroy 
 congregational singing, and that close the lips of the people 
 They sing in strains too lofty by far for ordinary voices, and 
 
46 ' 
 
 ^often choose a kind of ornate music lacking simplicity, with 
 which, for the most part, the common people had no 
 sympathy. The organ, on the contrary, invited singing. 
 It created an atmosphere of sound, in the breath of which a 
 congregation's praise could live. He would despair of any 
 progress in the art and act of praise in our churches until 
 the church took a larger view of its own liberties, and left 
 congregations free to use the organ as they Uked. He 
 regretted the opposition of their Highland brethren. Why 
 should they seek to interfere with the liberty of others in 
 this matter.? No one thought of interfering with their 
 Gaelic songs or Gaelic music ! They had no less than two 
 metrical versions of the Psalms of acknowledged excellence 
 from which to choose. They had a peculiar way, to'^ of 
 intoning and singin the psalm. He would let them have 
 their own wa' ' ^hy should they not reciprocate, and let 
 others praise , in such ways as they thought for edifica- 
 tion and to be agreeable to His word > Let them study the 
 conscience of others as well as their own. With many it 
 was a matter of conscience to use every means which 
 Christian liberty might allowably make available for height- 
 ening the effect of praise, and making it an edifying means 
 of grace. They believed that this could not be generally 
 done without the use of an instrument, and why should they 
 be hindered from using that instrument known as the organ, 
 which had been for ages consecrated by the almost universal 
 consent of Christendom to the service of God in the church's 
 praise > The opponents of this liberty had, in the person of 
 one of the speakers to-night, threatened a disruption on the 
 question. He was sorry to hear such incautious words fall 
 from their venerable father. He did not think they would 
 or could do that. Other bonds would bind them still. But 
 if they did leave us they would soon rue the day. They 
 would, ere a generation passed, be left high and diy. Their 
 young people would leave them by the score. They might 
 grip fast the sack that contained the wheat, but the wheat 
 would leak out in spite of them, and they would be left with 
 the empty sack in their hands. They would soon, like the 
 ancient Cameronians of Scotland and Ireland, cease to exert 
 any influence at all on the country or people to which they 
 belonged. Brethren should remember that outside of the 
 church great progress had been made in these days in the 
 education and culture of the young. It was not now as it 
 was in the days of their boyhood when the study of music 
 had little or no place in their scholarship. The youth of 
 
47 
 
 ISyTS^'cit^t^^^^^^ f ^ ^^^--- There is 
 in which will Z be fo nd one orTn'°^? ""^ ^^'^ ^^^"'"^^^^^ 
 have been trained m the art of mn« ""i ' "'""''"" ^^^ 
 most skilled masters of the dav Th. . ^T^^^^^" by the 
 our people are familiar wfth Th. ^-^Z' ""^ "^^^^ "^^^X of 
 
 Beethoven, the r'™h meMes of Sn^"V^?."' ^^™°"^^^ ^^ 
 Donizetti and Verdi ^d thfwnL /f ^' *^^ "^^^^ ^^^-^ of 
 and Haydn. They can relish?. A''^!"^ ?'^'°'^°« °^ «a»del 
 immortal composftions Bvlh.i (f ^- '^" f ^^^'"^ ^^ ^hese 
 a delight that can onlv be^l tf f f '' 1°"^' ^'"^ ^"ed ^ith 
 But what must be thl^4\^s "n ,h' '^' -^T °^ ^^^^^«- 
 come into the church offheiviLri^l "^if' ^^^" ^^^^ 
 heaven-and find there . music hft ^r^lZ: il' ""^'^ ^^^^ ^ 
 on the ear, that offends good taste thftm^K" ^" ^'"^^ ^ ^^P 
 miserable in the extreme Whl; T^^tj^^ pronounced 
 
 should seek other communionYtre7aithfn/ ''r'\ ?^^^°"^ 
 service of song, and find in i him /^'^ *° ^°^ ^n their ' 
 edification which "hevfai to fin^ '''"""^"^ '° P^^^y and an 
 communion. If we wodd keent^''^'] '" °"' "^^^^ ^^^^Pt^^al 
 great centres of popra?bn 3 . ^^"^ ^? ^ "^"^-^^ ^^ the 
 the rising geneS we m,,!. T'^ ''"' ^^^' influence on 
 shall not £e orLa's ^' .^ '"^ J° ^"^ P^^P^^' " You 
 
 style of prafsl but father vv^ \ '°"^'"^" ^^em to a low 
 in the us'e of iium^^^^^^^^ ^^^"^ ^ J"«t liberty 
 
 the exercise of it he pea^e of tL ^^^^.^^^tion that in 
 be disturbed. ^ °^ *^^'^ consciences will not 
 
 ROBERtTiHl' ""'■ ^- ''^^^^^' ^^-"^^^ ^y Mr. 
 
 up b^tt'a^e'froii'L'rx^^^^^^^ the subject brought 
 
 improTcmoutiu the Servico of Se h tL J^"^™"'' ^'M' the necessity for 
 consider it inexpedient to agitate at thi ti..? ,?"S'"^«'^*»'"s of our Cliureh, 
 MU310 m the service of Pmisrthereforo tho's>l'.^?'f"'.^ of Instrumental 
 prayer of the Overture." ^neretoro the hynod declines to giunt the 
 
 It was moved in further amendment by Mr T M KINC 
 seconded by Mr. J. McTAVISH : ' 
 
 Om?u?^/lJu^Sttn*S na/tVl^lfT'"^^^ ^^ P-^-«f the 
 
 uetructions to report thereon to neTt ZZT'^*^"? ''"•.' ^^>^^iom, with 
 
 Oonrt m coming to a decision on the subject ■' " "' " ^"'^' ^^'^ ^"P^'«°^e 
 
 Near the close of the additional half hour for which the 
 
48 
 
 . Synod had agreed to sit, the previous question was moved 
 and was decided in the negative. 
 
 At the end of the time agreed upon, the Synod proceeded 
 to take the vote upon the motions before the House, when 
 the amendment of Mr. King was, successively, carried by 
 large majorities over the amendments, respectively, of Mr 
 Watson, Mr. Cochrane, and Mr. McLachlan, and 'over the 
 motion of Mr. Clark ; and the Synod decided in terms of 
 the said amendment. The yeas and nays being taken, the 
 said amendment was declared to be affirmed, almost unani- 
 mously. 
 
 Dn IRVINE, for the Kirk Session and congregation of 
 Knox Church, Montreal, craved extracts, which wete 
 granted. 
 
 On Monday, June loth, the Synod took up a Reference 
 from the Presbytery of Montreal, in the matter of Dr. 
 IRVINE'S appeal from a decision of the Presbytery of 
 Montreal, in regard to the use of a musical instrument in 
 Knox Church, Montreal. 
 
 The Reference and relative papers were read and 
 received. 
 
 Mr. JOHN ANDERSON and Mr. NATHANIEL 
 PATERSON were heard in explanation and support of the 
 Reference. 
 
 Dr. IRVINE was hear/, in explanation of his position in 
 regard to the Reference. 
 
 It was moved by Mr, DAVID INGLIS, seconded by 
 Mr. J. McTAVISH :— 
 
 That the Synod sustain tho Reference and dismiss the Appeal of Dr- 
 Irvine, and appoint a Oon.inission of Synod to take such action as may bo 
 UnnS'/" "•■'^er to secure that the use of tho organ in Knox Church, 
 Mon real, be discontinued in the meantime. The Gommissioii to consist of 
 the following Reutlemeu: Me;^srs. T. Wardrope, (Convener), W. McLaren, 
 W. AitkcD, Ministers, Mr. Hay, Dt. Edmoudson, i)r. Holden, Elders. 
 
 It W3= moved by Mr. J. M. KING, in amendment^ 
 seconded by Mr. J. ROSS, as follows :— 
 
 Sustain the Reference; dismiss the Appeal of Dr. Irvine against tho 
 decision of the Presbytery of Montreal, instruct the Session of Tnox? 
 
49 
 
 and SesRious to next Synod and nT rAnf»^ti,y "oports of Presbyteries 
 
 tiou to the fir.t regalar^u^^eC; th?£;fc; oF t S;^ *''^ '"«^-« 
 
 A vote was taken on the amendment of Mr. I M 
 
 KING, as against the motion of Mr. D. INGLIS when 
 
 the amendment of Mr. KING was carried by ^ lar^e 
 
 majority, and the Synod decided in terms thereof 
 
 Mr. JOHN ANDERSON craved extracts on behalf of 
 the Presbytery of Montreal! 
 
 MEETING IN KNOX CHURCH. 
 
 M^^ ',T'^'"^ ""^ *^' Congregation of Knox Church 
 Montreal held on 17th July, 1867, duly convened by ord'; 
 
 car vilf "' 'r'"']' '' ^^^ ^^^'^ '^^'^^-' acquiescing and 
 carrying out the order of Synod to discontinue th. Organ in 
 
 the Church; the minute of Session having been rfad " 
 M ^Tt^'T''''' ^'^ ^°"°"^"S resolution was moved bv 
 EWART f • ''^^'''^^' ^^^^"^^^ 'y ^HoHn' 
 
 JJo^h 'JraTrSVe^^ at\f tltsVu^dCi'^^er ^^^f *« '""^ «-«- «f ^^- 
 Montreal, and as said PrKer/Sror n! 7®f 5 *''"'° ^^« Presbyterj of 
 
 ■ ^t'ch was clearly the duty c^" the P?esbvf «rr f ?.' ° '^''^T ^"'' "^«''' interests, 
 of the Church; and inasmuch a' the sTm.Zhn,'^''' ''' ^ireoted by the law. 
 Reference, without affording tLsesSSth« rnn^.'!S'''1- •'"''i"^«°* «" *'»« 
 being heard in self-deiouco therefore be it p ^ '^^*Tu ^^^ P»vilege of 
 Memorial be prepared and t ansmit ed to th« Resolved that a respectful 
 
 Moved in amendment by Mr ARCH c:waat , , 
 
 by Mr. R. C. WILSON :- ^' '"^'^"^^^ 
 
 appa?bVfe7ntp^^^^^^^^^^ E, "f the Commissioners 
 
 Synod on the subject of instruLatairu^^^^^^ *" *''*' 
 
 Session through its Chairn.an he Rev Dr I^S IZ p'^'°^ il"^'",*^ '™«^ *!»« 
 of Synod HI reference to the Organ now used In onrrh^°'^°'' *^ deliverance 
 of the said instrument in the m?an tinT- ?,. il !• ^}'^'^^^' ordering the use 
 from said deliverance on what we cSdSr t t'^^ll^-Ued, while (fissenting 
 
 .tSt'nuMh'"*^ ''^ submiTtrthnSiS 'o^rs/orc"f r%^?^ 
 
 si^n^d^Tlt^ne^^^^ 
 
 Committee be now appoiS to draw UP aZuC^^^^ 1«' ^"d' '^at a 
 
 grounds for su.h dissent, the same^^ "b^ e^nXTLrr^^slorSS' 
 
60 
 
 in the discussions at the ]ate Svnol WhL '"'^{^ 
 
 and pet?rspite th^ for ^^r'"'' ''?'\^'^'^ Personal feeling- 
 glory of the Mas erthlv . f ^''''f "^ '^" ^h"^^h °^ the 
 they would be infnL?-^ ^'•''^^'' *^ "^'■^'^- '^^ contended 
 on ^he part of th. c? '" '?''''T^ '^'' tyrannical proceeding 
 F^m7"^hP vl;? ^^"°^' ?"^ ^"°t«d from the "^^^^ ^z 
 KW had n?.d/ '^^f ^' ^^^''"S °" «"ch cases. If Mr 
 
 ttrit'urhLTbTen^r^o'r^^f^^^^^ 
 
 siJided out i^hH r?. • ^ complain of, but as he had 
 
 wrath h^fiifK C^o"^''^Sation as one on which to vent his 
 There was I "? ^" conscience to resist to the very utmost 
 to'b rC i^nS' 'Snc?al,r^^^^' ""^ -^-^'-qui^S 
 
 fhe sla^ve who mJsTlL unde Thl ^l! T'i,^'^ ^^ *^^ P^^^^ ^^ 
 not open his mou h A .1 • ^^- ^ ^1 ''^ ^^''^"^ ^"^ dare 
 
 for further e^ncroacf men.ron tie rfehls"? C-rt' "' -^^ " 
 and he thought it so (rrn« „ L i .t "' V"'*''^e^nons, 
 
 }Si?e5aS^ 
 
 been hro^h?ra"nd^^rLd"l.''ri^S:^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
51 
 
 us out of the Communion altogether. A striking instance 
 may be seen m the appointment of the College Board for 
 Montreal on which not a single subscriber from this Con- 
 gregation has been placed, although above a dozen names were 
 fw /'"''"' i' '*^'"' ^.''J'Srcgations in the City, He trusted 
 that the motion would be passed unanimously, as it was 
 
 r'^^nnc'i^ "V*' ^^Tt ^^«Pe^tf""y framed, and merely asked a 
 reconsideration of the question so hastily decided. He could 
 see no good in acquiescing under a protest. If the decision 
 
 ZTJJi?^^~"?'^^ '' ^^"^'J">^' ^^ '' ^^^^ "g^t. then acquiesce 
 
 gracefully and ungrudgingly. He thought he had shewn that 
 
 t was wrong, and if the Congregation wished to maintain its 
 
 liberties, It could not with any self-respect submit to the 
 
 ofTvThJ^^'^-^''^^ t?'" '""1 ^^^^ ^^^"'"S ^"d approved 
 
 Fld.r. f rT''\ ^^^ Z^' ^''"^>'' ""^ ^^^ «Pi"io" that the 
 Aiders of a Church were bound to look after the interests of 
 
 the Congregation who elected them, but it seemod the Session 
 
 hirrr'\ "/? ^''^- ""^^ ^'* °" ^^'^ principle, but in this he 
 had. no hesitation in saying they did not represent the 
 feelings of the majority of the Congregation. 
 
 Mr. EWART, in seconding the motion, spoke strongly in 
 ^^JZT' "V^;"^^'"^'J that the congregation had an inheient 
 fw.K -""I J^ "^^* ^° "'-'^"^Se its own internal affairs ; and 
 that the interference on the part of certain members of the 
 
 riLh<-/ T ^^^^'^^ ^^ '^'^'^^"^ ^>^ ^""^'y '"an who held such 
 rights, as he did, to be sacred. 
 
 Mr. VVM. BROWN said, that as an old Elder of this 
 congregation, and still greatly interest ^l in its progress and 
 prosperity, he would like to be permitted to say a few words 
 on the general question. As allusion had been made to the 
 congregation of Cote des Neiges, where he now worshipped, 
 he might say that two years ago the people there had intro' 
 duced an instrument of music into their congregation An 
 urgent necessity existed for the ^tep then taken, for" there 
 were none specially qualified to lead the service of praise 
 i^or a iew Sabbaths things went on admirably, young people 
 were gathered into a choir, and there was eVery promise of 
 success; but at last, through the clamour of a few, the 
 instrument had to be removed, and with the most lamentable • 
 results He, the speaker, had some ear for music— he knew 
 discord from concord— and he was constrained to say that 
 
 11 *v,- '^ ° , ^^^ P''^'^^'^ "^ God— thai which ought above 
 all things to be distinguished by devoutness and propriety 
 —had become, in that congregation, most offensive to hii 
 
62 
 
 arguments againstthe use Tf."'^' '^"^^ ^'""'^ but two 
 
 Churches-the first was thtr^""'^"*' ""^ """''' '" ^"^ 
 wont, and the second was thn h7''.K'°"'T>' *° "«^ ^^'^ 
 ever done away S brthe extinctLV of¥.^^^^ 1 '^^" ^°^ 
 or departed with its ritL and t" Lenfices 1X171''', 
 these statements he thou^rhf thlr« " ^"^ ^^^^ ^^ 
 
 for but the other davtw-^ ""^ argument at all, 
 
 messages across an I'^^i^Lrcable Z if' ^'^"^ *° ^^"^^ 
 wont to travel at Lrrer^t^ZJ' } '^ '"''^^ "^^ "«e and 
 use and wont to send o^rth ^W^'^^^, and it was not 
 printing. Wth regard ^o th. ^^^'' f^'^'^ ^^ ^^e art of 
 nothing%ould be nlSner hnn fh '^"''"'^ argument, so called, 
 praises of the sanctu.rv v- f '"f "^^-^tal music in the 
 Psalms. Hfvvould 3 TfC """"'^r'''^ "^ the Book of 
 
 yea, as much is doctrine as fhel7. ''"'f ^ "^- '^''' '^««'^' 
 faith is part of the Enktif t. .k £*""^ of justification by 
 of a vicarious sacrLe is thV if •^''^.'?' "^ '^^ ^o^trine 
 Hebrew.s. S isa bo^^ '^^'\TlV\' ^'^''^' '" the 
 
 stantly consulted in the PreZter H^'-f !^'u '' ^^"- 
 were consulted more In thlv. ^' ^l "^'^^""'^ the Bible 
 
 superior to all I.ZZ a'.th Hty^ofyC si^ Th ^''V' 
 m which vou are pntrao-^.i i. ^" y</"'^ side. Ihe conflict 
 
 merdy on'e "ofTnsSn a Tsif 1? 1X 'Tf"' *=" 
 which troubled the ChnrrlT;,, fu i i *"^ ^^'^ question 
 we obey God or manrH^ nS'-'^T ^^ ^he Apostle, Shall 
 fearlessly, imde^errTbv an vfh1n'''fK'/^'"^ *° ^o forward 
 
 could sa^or do.'^Hetrbt Vre'senTiT^t^^^^ 
 Toronto, and was crripv^rJ <.Ja K^,^'^,^ ^t the Synod in 
 
 what he'heard and wEssedthe?e"h1h^^^^^^ "^"^"^^ ^^ 
 head with shame and felt t hit- if' i"","^ ^""^ ^°^» ^^'s 
 that interest in the Canada PrLh^ could never again take 
 had long done Presbyterian Church which he 
 
 wh^tLr'^gh^orrrngit^lt^r^ ''.' ^^^^ ^'^d- 
 submit ; bu? inThi: insSr Th" ^^^ ^ ^^^ ?-P^^ to 
 would like to see a strnno- nr^f. '"-^""tice nus so glaring he 
 books. "^ P'^^^^"^ recorded on the Session 
 
 Mr. WM. ROWAN, Elder, was of the same opinion as. 
 
53 
 
 the last speaker. Respect should be maintained to the 
 authority of the Superior Courts, no matter what they 
 decided. He advised unqualified submission, but would not 
 oppose a respectful protest. 
 
 Mr. R. C. WILSON was of opinion that the Congregation 
 Had been too p.osperous, and this difficulty about the organ 
 was a device of the devil, introduced \n interrupt and mar 
 the harmony of its members. 
 
 T».^li.^^^^^^^ BROWN said he did not know whether 
 Mr. Wilson was correct or not as to this being the work of 
 the devil. Did he mean to say that the respected clergy 
 Irom Glengarry were the devil's agents, for there had' been 
 peace and harmony till they interfered ? The prosperity of 
 the Congregation had gone on like a flowing stream till 
 interrupted by the " raid " from Glengarry. 
 
 Mr. W. D. McLaren was of opinion that by acquiescing 
 in this decision now, it would tend to hasten on the prayer 
 ot the overture. He was willing to wait until June next. 
 
 Mr. THOS. McNAB could only characterize the action 
 ot the Synod as nothing else than a piece of ecclesiastical 
 tyranny worthy of the dark ages, a want of Christian 
 liberality, and a most unwarrantable interference with the 
 religious liberty of the subject. He would vote for the 
 motion with all his heart. 
 
 Mr. ANGUS McINTOSH supported the motion in a 
 strong speech, stating that if subjected to any further 
 interference of this nature, he was prepared to withdraw from 
 the Canada Presbyterian Church altogether. It was no 
 honour to belong to such a body und controlled by such 
 narrow-mmned men. Certainly no benifit had eve/ been 
 ""atfon ^' Presbytery or Synod by this congre- 
 
 Mr. GEORGE BROWNE advised submission, though 
 the measure was a very harsh one, but as a congregation of 
 Christians, he would remind them of the words of our 
 Blessed Saviour : "Blessed are they that are persecuted for 
 Righteousness sake," and again, "Pray for them that 
 <lespitetully use you and persecute you." 
 
 Mr. WM ^. LIGHTHALL said, he would confine him- 
 self in speaking to this question, to the two great principles 
 of right and wrong. If it was right to use instrumental 
 
to the 
 at they 
 
 64 
 
 music in the worship of Almighty God in one place, it was 
 right in another, and if in one congregation then in another, 
 and neither Session.Presbytery, Synod, Assembly nor Church 
 Court had authority to interdict what was right, and no 
 wrong could be right. He was in favour of a re olution! 
 setting forth that the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian 
 Church, by sending down to Presbyteries for consideration 
 the overture from Knox Church, anent instrumental music 
 jn congregational worship, thereby tacitly admitted that such 
 overture was not contrary to the word of God, to any funda- 
 mental doctrine of the church, and that such music might 
 be an aid in the congregational worship ; that that overture 
 having passed the Synod by a more than two-third majority 
 had a right to be-as the Moderator of Synod had a right 
 to declare and did declare it to be— an interim law until next 
 meeting of Synod ; which decision of the Moderator was 
 reversed on appeal to the vote of the Synod ; that the effect 
 pi such appeal and vote was to prevent instrumental 
 music from being used in congregational worship until 
 next meeting of Synod ; that beyond this, on a reference of 
 Presbytery with respect to the organ in Knox Church, 
 Montreal, the Synod, contrary to its own laws, and without 
 summoning or notifying Knox Church or its Session, 
 heard such reference, and passed a most harsh, severe, and 
 unjust judgment against the congregation of Knox Church 
 Besides which sUch harsh and severe judgment was 
 pronounced, while it was admitted on the Synod^ floor, that 
 two other congregations within the bounds of the Synod- 
 hnnnl '^'"^ ^^ be the largest congregation within its 
 
 bounds— were in constant use of instrumental music in their 
 congregational worship, many churches within its jurisdic- 
 tion using organs and instrumental music in their Sabbath 
 bchools and basements, and many members of Synod in 
 their families devotions ; and that as the question had 
 already caused scandal, for the peace, harmony, and welfare 
 
 adont Vh."'f n ^^ '" his opinion the congregation should 
 adopt the following or in similar terms: That out of 
 respect which the congregation bears to its pastor, and in 
 order to promote the peace, harmony, and welfare of the 
 Uiurch, and for no other reasons whatsoever, the congre^a- 
 tion/.m./. the resolution of Synod to take effect until next 
 t^ffT^if'-D^^' , : ^"?- "^^'^^ ^^^"^ congregation protests 
 
 unwarrantably severe, and more especially so as this con- 
 gregation had no opportunity, and was not summoned to 
 
56 
 
 defend its rights, as it should have been. And 3rd That 
 
 Presbytery and Synod lorwarcied lo the 
 
 that law let us stand or fall. The Bible enjoins the ^se of 
 the organ, and let us take our stand on the Bible whatPv.r 
 
 campaign entered on With the C P Church R. 7 ^^^ 
 
 would stand such persecution no longer. "^ 
 
 Mr. ROBERT GARDNER spoke strongly in sunnort 
 of he motion, and said that he for one would never be ' 
 
 C^ladTrntre's "^' ? ""l'^^'^°- decisS^Tlstd 
 hfm th!? i . ^'''f '°^ ^^■"'S''' : ^"d it was evident to 
 
 him that a great deal of this trouble had arisen frnm 
 
 "Ttth^sf °"%r P^"y^P'^- on tL p^rt: Tu^sider? 
 At this stage of the proceedings. Mr. D MacGRFGOR 
 
 rose and asked the Chairman (R?v Dr iVvinet what ef2c^ 
 It would have upon the Pastor if the motion we e carried a1 
 information on this subject would influene several 4^^^^^^^ 
 and he for one would not vote for anything to cause Dr 
 Irvine further trouble although his sympathies were whoUy 
 wita the supporters of the motion. were wnoiiy 
 
 Dr. IRVINE replied that if the motion were carried the 
 fnc h? ''''?l^ '' r^°"u"^ '" ^^^^^"^ ^"d record thelrTrotest 
 :nd ttsTelcedttJgV^^^PP^^ ''''' ^^^ ^^^-^^ 
 
 The supporters of the motion took a different view 
 contending that the Congregation were a distinct pai ty in 
 this case, and that any action of theirs, simply as a Congre- 
 
56 ■ - 
 
 gation could not involve the Minister or Session, so long as 
 
 he,r d,ssent was recorded. Some even contended thafif 
 
 the Synod or Presbytery would act so harshly as indicated 
 
 by the Cha,rman, the Congregation had the choice of vTh 
 
 draw,ng from the body altogether. The motion would have 
 
 been carr.ed by a large majority but for the statement (Z 
 
 he cha,r, as a number voted in oppo--ion to their ow" 
 
 eehngs rather than ,u„ the remot .st ri... of losing tie 
 
 services of their pastor. ^ 
 
 The motion and amendment were .inallv put from the 
 chair when the amendment was earru .; by a matritv of 
 
 It f';t *''*'""™ '^'"''^"^ "^ <«-ent fr": ons 
 tated at the time, and which are embodied in the followin ' 
 
 a. T^;:!!'"" '"^ " ''''"''■■ "' '"^ Church, puiS 
 
 Montreal, 17th ScpteniLor, 1867. 
 To TUB Editor of the REcoBr 
 
 I dissented from the reasons mvan Kt, «i, 
 if obedience were due to X g^^ o^°b Sdm T.fy^T' ^^<'^"«° ^ ^^^^ that 
 My. and I felt that a Krudginff obedi«n^'' - «hould be given uncondition! 
 reasons wa8 more detritnenSliThedisdpl^^^^^^^^ ^"^ Potest Sith 
 
 Church, than a refusal ..n le^al pruuds to oL J an ^>°'''^.* I'^sbyterian 
 contravention of the law. whrch rSue aU nraoLT '°J»?°«on, ordered in 
 Sjnods I will Dot here refer to thVs eL tlEl^^''^J^'''^^'"*^«'^^-te^ and 
 by ft;o8byteries. whose citation was^toKe^iSar^T'?'"''.^ '^PP^'^ted 
 by aU who have looked into the subject V^Ti'«' '^ a^^knowiedged 
 reference, and on this the law is very efpl ^ ^ h« f^°^ "'^'^'^ ^ the 
 Chap. II Sec. 2, under the head '• R« L^n^V^*' •^"•'"^ ''^ ^'"''ed^^^ 
 references for judgment, ''all the panersm,!tr''^^ ,'*,'" "^^ted that in 
 the parties concerned ae warne7to^ann««r h^r '''^^l'''"^^ ^^^s^itted and 
 
 *hatthey maybe heard for their nTcrcsI" Sop" 1?***'^ '''°i to them, 
 are m erested m a cane carried to a Serior Slrt ViT''^" other parties 
 earned along with it, and intimaUoni^ ZR°T' }}^y ^^^ ^ccessaribj 
 nppearfor their interest. Sec 14 statn/n^^^ ^'^ ^'"'"* '''«^ 'A^V mau 
 which is to ascertain, " that parties h2l« i^;?^°^'"^' *° bo taken, one of 
 The order in which partiS are^To'I ^'Jid? ^,^.1 ^''fl? T'^"'-^ P^^^^^t^ 
 other parties havinn an interc-.t" " ^^^^^< the last being " an-j 
 
 "Whether the action of the Srnn.l hn v.»k* 
 continuance of the oriran in Knoxr nrWc «^'«^""g '» ordering the dic- 
 tatorial to „«k wheaier "he hearing of'" a« If r**"^ question^. Tr is t 
 -cold have made any diilerence in ^^A^Cir^it^.^S^l^-:':, 
 
57 
 
 gregation of Knox Church was norcaIP,/\ '"''^ '" '^°?*^«^- ^hfcon! 
 Presbytery or Synod on the reforenno w '" .^^^''*^ ^''^e"" before the 
 declared that that congregatfon™t ' bm f 'riV;f''^. *" ^*^' «'« '"'Voritj 
 having its case pleaded To som^thi^ Z^i!' ^'t^o"* any opportunrty of 
 
 spite of the orders of Synod. '^ retained for three years, in 
 
 loSif?hSefpS? wiir^^^^^^ Synod, and by 
 
 through its commissioners before tL ^f.n,. , f" congregation was heard 
 .The contravention of ?aw bra bar/ZVlh*"'f^ ^S '^'^''"^^ ^he matter, 
 incalculable danger, and when the law Lf."'"^ ?* 'i,^^"°<* '» fraught 'with 
 in a meeting at^which not more hl^KX mem?.'. ^^ " ^"'"^ ^'^•'""^y 
 was the case on the occasion referred to Tfnrnn^'' T"^^^ P^«««"t' *« 
 against it. ii-ierrea to, i lor one must raise my voice 
 
 I am, Sir, very respectfully yours, 
 
 ALEXANDER McGIBBON. 
 
 Mr^Edward Moore, Elder, Mr. W. D. McLaren, and Mr. 
 ^. swan. Deacons, were named a Committee to draft 
 reasons of dissent, who reported as follows, on the Zh 
 July, at the close of the weekly prayer meeting - 
 
 the discontinuance of the ins iSnt ut^ f ?, ttn 1"° }f '^™'*'''^ ^ requiring 
 l^JroSrL^S- - r'abTatta^uf tS Ct/fi"!^' 
 
 in i^^riKcfS^^rtSf \S'a^i^^^ ^esbyteiy 
 
 s^d^frircrterbTt^rr^^^^^^ 
 
 that the Presbytery sffid Co invftedtolai^ ^'^P^'*'" 
 
 thisCongregationafewmem^sfromrnrnio.^** with the office-bearers of 
 and prejSdi^es in this mS^t' wS wKnown ^^^^^ ^^°«° ^'«^« 
 
 with ours but with those of other congTegaJroTof'theTre's"^^^^^^^ "°*«'^^ 
 
 paSaiitJrnTe^'iU'efS^ 
 
 Knox Church, Montreal ItTs well kno^n ?„ r'* ^^ *?" Conj^regation of 
 bodies thatinkrumenta^aidinrTSing God is n'conSr "^^"''^ ^'^^^'^ 
 the families. Sabbath Schools u d wfeWv ServL?fh *°*,"^^ '? many of 
 and also on the Lord's day in some c™S^nn. throughout the Church, 
 xjongi-egation could ii«t he La-atJdX^^^ •*« "^"^ ^^-V tbia 
 
 considering it a valuable aS in tlf Put &«" '^"'^^""' '™ ^^nanimous in 
 3rd. We deeply regret tl.t we are obliged to .omplain that the Synod of 
 
58 
 
 J-eg.LL?'"''' "" '""'""'' '" "■■' """"" "■""" "» o™ P"WfeW law,, .„d 
 • So..inn *?^ "*^^' "iPPoiptnient, he asked the M<.doratoi of Kno" Chm^^^^ 
 
 mlLtihZ''Sum'in^^^^^^^ ^'fr^ '■'■"'" ^'^*' 0">">niH«ioucrs appointed to 
 
 <;on^'re^mtionto a,, near fftheh^h^^^^^^^^^^ pvevionsy eitnifr eitlier the Session or 
 in t^ " Hoolc of^S ' ad;':ted'I^S'^ " ' '''''''''' '^" "''^ ^"^^^ 
 
 iiieiit,did, by a largo maioHtuf ,.,..,, to letam the use o( the musical iustru- 
 Sessiou t. h'ave i?drscon inue.i a i7..n«r'"''**i'^ '"•'""''*:''" i"«tructins the 
 tile Presl.vterV , f E ,..? Vh i ? ■'* eouipliauee at the next meetiiigof 
 int!.Steomsi!,if '' '"' ^^'''^y l-nngoig the Session and Congregation 
 
 Plattonn appoiatmen, on that .y^C at tt aSr^aVrntfe^X^tSie'Sfe 
 
S9 
 
 mm ,„ti,« ,„,„„i fiM'^h :rS£^ ..Z^'";"!';''"'''''' ''' '>^ •''•tm- 
 
 (■-^i.ancd,) 
 
 Chiiiriiifni. 
 
 Tl c fo.cgo.ng havms been read to the Congre..ation tt 
 the dose ofsenice on Wednesday .4th [nlv . w , • 
 resolution was m„ve<l by M,- r i," „ ' ^' "'" '^°"°'""" 
 
 Mr. A. Mcintosh, and ca'ned 1 Lf""^^'' '''""''''' ^y 
 
 ^;;; be .h. :-. :-,— --^. ~, 
 Sh^iS'S^ei^tr:;:':;;;::;;'™;;----^ 
 
 come to orderinn- the onnn tn U. •/ "^ /"'^'^'"» 'Hco-ally 
 "s right to use\.n i:rje,t'; 'tdi '/'tt'c'"''^'"-' 
 "onal pnise, and its determinaticf to .l!; "o" "■'"*'"■•'■ 
 
 of ?:l 'iur::::;,'':""'' '" •"= -"--.io„s scnpies 
 
 'n..ec,.te,y,iM.as .solved not .:,.JI;;^^:;^^ 
 
 Moufeal: Primed Uy H.e Mont.;,., PHn.i,. ^.i ,::;;:;;:T.;;,--