II.

The first hour of this meeting was spent in devotional exercises, con- page 42 ducted by the Rev. Messrs. Gow, M'Naughton, Chisholm, and M'Cosh Smith. Returns from Presbyteries respecting the overture on hasty legislation were sent, which showed that two Presbyteries disapproved of it. The Synod dismissed the overture. A reference was considered from Southland, respecting a call from Winton and Forest Hill which had been given to the Rev. J. M. Thomson. The Synod instructed the Presbytery to proceed with the call according to the laws of the Church. A minute of Clutha Presbytery was read, stating that Mr. John Steven having finished the literary curriculum required, was now enrolled as a theological student of the first year. An overture on Sabbath Schools from the Dunedin Presbytery was introduced by Mr. Johnstone. The Synod adopted the overture, and agreed to appoint a Committee to bring up a report on the whole subject, with statistics regarding the number and state of Sabbath Schools to next Synod. Mr. Gow to be convener. Mr. Miller, elder, moved that the Moderator be requested to allow his address to be printed, and that it be sent to all the office-bearers in the Church.