The Reverend David Robertson, minister of St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee and editor of The Record monthly magazine, has said traditional psalms would not be sacrificed if music and hymns were introduced.

The Free Church of Scotland has used unaccompanied psalm singing exclusively since its formation in 1843 – until Friday, November 19.

The Free Church of Scotland has just voted to relax its rules to allow hymn singing and the use of instruments in its churches
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A plenary assembly gathered in Edinburgh to rule on the change (see background to this meeting here. The last time a plenary session took place occurred when the Free Church split from the Church of Scotland in 1843.

The vote ended with the commissioners of the church, splitting 98 to 84, with a majority of just 14 in favour of allowing hymns and instruments.

Ministers who supported the change believe it could attract new worshippers to congregations suffering from declining membership. But traditionalists fear it could damage the unity of the church.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-11795996

Editor’s Note: The Aquila Report will publish a summary of a blog report with details as soon as they are available.