The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-12
Entered at the Post Office at Richmond, Va, as
second-class matter.
CORRESPOND NOE.
Letter from Ireland.
BALLYMENA, June I'D, 1882.

BALLYMENA, June 22d, 1882.
MeSsrs. Editors,-Since 1 last wrote to
you the General Assembly of the Irish
Presbyterian Church has been in session
The Assembly began its sittings in May
Street church, Belfast, Cate DR.. q Cooke's)
on Monday evening the 5th of June, and
concluded its business on the evening of
Wednesday the 18th of June The out
going Moderator was the Rev. DIR. Ste
phenson. DR.. Stephenson, besides being
minister of the congregation of Rathgar,
Dublin, is Convener of the Foreign Mis-
sion of the Irish Presbyterian Church.
He is one Of the Irish ministers who is
widely known, a man of culture, and an
eloquent preacher of the gospel. AS an
author he occupies an honored position
in the literary world His book, Pray
ing and Working" has had wide circu-
lation. His successor in the chair of the
Irish Assembly is the Reg T. Y Killen,
minister of the congregation of Duncairn,
Belfast. Mr.. Killen is nephew to the
= Rev. DIR. Killen, Professor of Church His
tory in the Assembly's College, Belfast.
The name Killen is very familiar one
in the Irish Presbyterian Church, and as
such is respected. The present Modera-
tor is perhaps not so widely known as his
predecessor, still he is a man who has
done good service in the Irish Church.
He is the Convener of the Sustcntation
Fund, and as a preacher he is much
sought after. He is man Of about fifty
years of age, and is of strong, robust
constitution. His congregation in Bel
fast is large and respectable one Their
contributions for religious objects are
very generous.
The usual subjects were before the As
sembly-nissions to the heathen, the
Irish mission, temperance, Sustentation,
besides number of minor matters con-
nected with the several congregations.
The matter coming before this Assembly
which seemed to enlist most sympathy
and create most excitement was what has
latterly been known in Ireland as "The
instrumental Question" I now hasten
to communicate to you the result of the
debate on this question. Friday the
9th of June was reserved for the discus
sion of this subject The Rev. H. B.
Wilson, of Cookstown, moved, and the
Rev. j. Robson seconded a motion to the
effect that congregations be permitted tc
employ instrumental music in the wor-
ship of the sanctuary. To this it was
moved as an amendment by the Rev. DR.
Petticrew, and seconded by the Rev. ].
NJ Rodgers, Londonderry, that the AS
sembly do not grant the liberty sought
for, The motion and amendment were
ably supported by the several speakers
who followed the movers and seconders
OF the motion and amendment. During
the entire day on which this vexed oues
ton was being discussed there was great
excitement in Belfast. The audience in
May Street church on the evening of the
day OF discussion was perhaps the largest
tnat had ever assembled inside It's walls
hundreds were unable to gain admission
At an early hour in the evening the door,
had to be locked to prevent overcrowd.
ing The Moderator tried to suppress,
all applause by requesting the audience
to refrain from all manifestations of an
proval either for the one side or the other
1t was ali of no use. As the evening
wore on the meeting gradually reached 3
high pitch of excitement. About mid.
night the audience became restless, and
there was cry of "Votel" Vote T.
This cry did not as yet prevail. Still
the discussion proceeded About 2 o'clock
IN the morning Of Saturday, there were
indications that the discussion was about
70 come to close. A few more cries
Vote J. Vote" and the Moderator
rose and said it appeared to him that the
mouse was now prepared to vote on this
question. The roll was afterwards called
when there voted for the amendment
900 against, 345. On a scrutiny Of the
votes we find that there voted-minis.
iters, 4O8; elders, 297 making a total oi
IO5 members. OF the ministers 161