The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-23
Letter from Ireland.

MesSrS. Editors, Your excellent, able,
and learned friend, Mr. McMeekin, has
given you the result of the vote on In
strumental Music at our late Assembly.
1t was close vote, considering the num-
bers that voted on each side-345 and
800. 1t is generally supposed that the
balance of power rests in the hands of
the country elders 1t was the majority
of these that decided the vote, but if all
the members present had recorded their
votes as they would have done, the ma
jority would have been on the other side
1t is best for the peace of the Church that
the decision was on the side of the anti
Instrumentalists. Ministers who are op-
posed to each other in politics, voted with
each other on both sides of this question
The Cork Presbytery recorded its vote
unanimously for liberty. 1t is the only
Presbytery that recorded a united vote.
Dublin would have done so but for re-
cent importation from the North. The
triumph of the liberty party is neither
doubtful nor distant.
In one week four Of the ministers of
the Assembly have died. They were all
OLD men who had rendered long and faith
ful service, and all had assistants and
successors but one, and he had asked and
obtained permission of the last Assembly
to obtain one, but was called over to the
majority before his successor was chosen.
Scotland and England both keep
covetous eye on the ministers of the Irish
Presbyterian Church, and calls to both
countries are frequent. There is a trio
of brothers named Wylie in the ministry
IN the land of st. Patrick and the Virgin
Mary and one of these has lust received
call to church of the Scotch Estab-
llshed body, but he declines the invita-
ton.
The Moderator of the Route Presbv-
terry, Rev. j. B. Armour, of Ballymoney,
intends visiting the United States. lie
surprised the Assembly by speech on
the work of the intermediate Education
Act. 1t was very able, and demonstrated
capabilities which few supposed Mr.. Ar
mour to possess. He is a man of bigb
attainments and broad and rare culture.
and if not D. D. before he leaves your
country for home, the degree will soon
follow him.
DR.. Begg, the well-known Free Church
leader In Scotland, has organized cru-
sadeagainst instrumental Music. This We
teran divine never tires in combating some
fancied or real grievance, and he intends
to have petitions, numerously signed ,
presented to the next chief courts Of his
own the Established and u. P. bodies
The redoubtable war-horse will not sue
ceed. He forgets the spirit and tendency
OF this age. Times have changed since
he buckled on Che armor, and men of his
views and sympatbies are in a minority
now. The OLD high land marks, both Of
doctrine and ritual, are being lowered and
widened, and the Churches of Christen.
dom are modifying the one and changing
the other; both, it is supposed, are de
marnded by the altered circumstances
and surroundings Of the Church. It is
impossible not to admire and respect DR..
Begg and grand old worthless Of his tvne
and guild, however much we might differ
from their platform and policy.
British Wesleyan Methodism has held
its annual Conference in Leeds. and q
numerical increase of over 1000 was re-
ported as having been added to the de-
nomination during the past year. AsI
this is the oldest and chief of all the
Methodist Assemblies in England, and