On the singing of Psalms in worship:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND
WEDNESDAY MORNING, 7 O’CLOCK […]
ADJOURNED MEETING
The Assembly met again at half-past three, when four propositions (given below) of the new code of discipline, agreed to by the joint Committee, were taken into consideration.
The following three propositions were passed without opposition:-
1. That a profession of belief conformable to the Westminster Confession by made by all persons, previous to Baptism and Communion.
2. That erroneous and immoral persons be debarred from the sealing ordinances.
3. That communicants must previously receive tokens, to be distributed by the Minister and Elders conjointly.
The fourth proposition called forth much discussion. It ran to the following effect – That no hymns of merely human composition be authorized by the Assembly to be used in public worship.
Dr STEWART explained that the resolution meant to exclude hymns and paraphrases, and retain the Psalms of David alone.
It was afterwards moved by Dr STEWART and seconded by Dr BARNETT, that the words of the book of discipline be substituted for the fourth resolution, viz. – That the metrical verses of the Psalms of David were the only authorised composition to be used in Psalmody.
Mr JAMES CARLISLE, Mary’s abbey, Dublin, addressed the house at great length against the motion,
Mr McKAY replied to Mr Carlisle.
It being near six o’clock, the discussion closed for the present. […]
Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 10 July 1841