THE ORGAN QUESTION

Our good friends, the Presbyterians of Otago, have been exercising themselves lately, over the organ question. To high church Presbyterians a church organ is an invention of Auld Reekie, an abomination, a delusion, and a snare. They think with Pope : —

" Some to church repair, Not for the doctrine, but the music there." The Rev Mr Bannermann of that ilk hoisted hh anti-organ flag, and plunged into the thick of the wordy conflict. He denounced the church organ as anti-Scriptural, and wound up a fervid denunciation with the statement that "if the innovation were permitted, they would be worshipping in the manner of heathenism, Judaism, and Romanism." But Professor Salmon d bred an 82-ton gun at Bannermann when he replied that if the Kirk will accept of nothing except what is prescribed in the New Testament, Mr Baunermann among other things, would have to follow the example of Beccher, and the Good Templa'sby " greeting the sisters with a holy kiss." I think we need hardly go among the Presbyterians to find some clergymen who would not object to a more rigid adherence to the good old customs, even at the expense of parting with the church organs. But what connection is there between church organs, and Judaism ? I do not think that Moses ever referred to the instrument, and I have my doubts whether it existed in those days.
THE ANTI-SMOKING SOCIETY.
