South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-11-15
THE SYNOD.
To the editor of the Charlestown Free
Press.

II DEAR STR In Inc CONCLUSION OF the
brief but respectful notice of the synoe
f of Virginia which appeared in YOU
paper of1ast week, you minated tina
it would afford you pleasure to oper
your columns to any further communi,
cation which might be presented, 10 re.
lation to the proceedings of that body.
| For the satisfaction ofthose who hac
not the privilege Of witnessing the deep.
lily interesting deliberations Of thesynod
l have to ask the favor Of you to pub.
lish the following hastily drawn synop.
sis, in your journal ofthe present week.
/ The synod met in the Presbyterian
church in this town, agreeably TO ad.
tjodrnment, on the 25d ult., and con.
,idued its session until the 9Th. Ia
conse quence of the meeting being held
in this remote corner Of the state, the
number Of members who attended was
4 much smaller than it otherwise would
have been. The following ministers
were present, viz:
Rev. wmilam Hill, b. d. WIN. Arm
strong, w. S. Plummer, Jas. H. C.
Leach. Sam'l. B. Wilson, Frs. McFar.
land, James Paine, Mr.. Steele. MIR.
,Burwell, Mr.. Whorry, Mr.. Van Lear.
Mr.. Van Rensselaer,, Mr.. Calhoun
Mr. Lenneau, Of S. Carolina, Mr..
Chester, Mr.. Watt. }. Edwards, D. D.
of BostoD, Thos. B. Balch, VIM NJ.
Atkinson, J. X. Mitchell, jas. M.
Brown, Septimus fusion. VIM. II.
Foote, J. T. Hargrave, W. C. Mat
thews, J. d. Matthews, John J. Royal
Nenry Brown.
The Synod was opened with an i'm
pressive sermon by the Rev. Samuel B.
Wilson, the last moderator, on the
qualifications, motives, and objects oil
the Christian Ministry.
The Rev. Francis Nc F arland was
then chosen moderator, and the Rev.
Messrs. Atkinson and Ven Lear clerks.
The narratives of the state of ReIi.
gion within the bounds of the several
Presbyteries we're encouraging. The
spirit Of active and selfdenying piety,
among the friends Of the Redeemer,
appears to be moving forward with a
gradually accelerating progress. The
various christian schemes for the pro.
motion Of the welfare of our species
have been literally sustained. Peace,
order and harmony prevail, to a most
gratifying extent, throughout the entire
\ limits Of the Synod.
During the sessions Of the Synod, the
temperance society of CharIestown held
meeting, and the claims of that be-
nevolent enterprise we're ably sustain.
ed, in the presence Of an overlooking
congregation, by the Rev. DR.. Edwards,
Of Boston, and the Rev. Mr.. Plummer,
of Richmond.
A scheme for imparting religious in
struction to the slaves Of this state, by
setting apart ministers for that service
alone, was next taken up. This mo.
mentous question called forth tbe intel.
lectual strength ofthe weightiest mem.
bers of the Synod. All appeared tore
alize the importance ofthe subject, and
to feel the hesitancy with which il
should be approached. The arguments
on both sides we're listened to with the
most intense interest by crowded au-
dience. After mature reflection, and
patient investigation of the various
bearings Of this enterprise, it was con.
cluded that, in view Of the present ag-
itated state OF the public mind, in ref
erence 10 that portion Of our popula.
ton, it was inexpedient, at present, to
legfslate in any shape or form; and Sc
the whole subject was postponed.
No subject was more interesting than
that of foreign missions. A paper of
thrilling interest was read, aud several
addresses made, all which we're well
calculated to make an abiding impress
ion on the minds Of the rejecting. The
recent formation Of the central board Of
commissioners, may be regarded as a
bright era in the history of missions.
Ii is now believed that the indifference
which has hitherto prevailed in our
southern churches, in reference to the
benighied heather, will soon pass away
like The morning cloud before the orient
beams ; and that christians will look
back, from amidst the light with which
they will presently be surrounded, up,
on their former apathy with shuddering
an, a2emenf.
A report from the directors Of the
Union Theological seminary, located
in Prince Edward county in this state,
then claimed the attention of Synod.
This important document exhibited in
letters OF light and love the salutary in.
fuence which tina, school ofthe proph-
cts must have upon the destinies of the