Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-11
Miscellaneous.
From the Lancaster, Pa Union and Tribune.
SYNOD OF THE GERMAN REFORMED
CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

SYNOD oF' THE GERMAN REFORMED
CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
This body commenced It's annual sessions
in the first German Reformed Church in this
city, on Thursday morning the 10th instant
The opening sermon was preached by the
Rev. DR.. Wolf of Baltimore, Nd, from Ex-
odus XIV Is Fear not, stand still and
see The Salvation OF the Lord" 1t was an
able and interesting effort, in which the speak
err graphically portrayed the special providence
of God over his Church, as ground for the
exercise of undated confidence in him as the
protector of his people
The synod is delegated body, and rep
rcsents that portion of the German Reformed
Church, which lies East of the Aleghany
mountains The number Of delegates pres
ent was 50, nearly one half of whom were
elders. There were also present number
OF delegates from bodies in correspondence
with the Synod, such as the German Reform
ed Synod of Ohio and adjacent States, the
General Synod of the Reformed Protestant
Dutch Church, the Gcueral Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church, and the German Evan
geical Lutheran Synod Of Pennsylvania be-
sides a large number of ministers belonging
to the several classes in connection with the
Synod, who occupied seats as advisory NON
bers. The Synod is composed of eleven elias
es which have IN their connection about two
hundred ministers, six hundred congregations,
and fifty thousand members. 1t has under
its care Theological Seminary, and Col
lege, for the transplanting OF which to this
city series of efforts have been in progress
for some time, which, there is every proba-
tility will be soon crowned with success.
A large amount Of business claimed the
attention of the Synod, some Of which is of
sufficient general interest to merit briof no
tice.
An earnest petition from the second Ger
man Reformed Church of Philadelphia re-
Gently under the pastoral care of the late
hev. DIR. Bibighaus, was laid before Synod,
asking the Synod to release the Rev. DIR.
Schaf, from his connection with the Theolo.
gieal Seminary, with view TO his accepting
call from their congregation. This petition
was taken into serious consideration, and af-
ter thorough investigation and a somewhat
lengthy discussion, the request Of the petit
TONERS was denied by nearly unanimous
vote of yeas and nays. This vote was re-
garded as one of special Importance, in as
much as it was, from peculiar circumstances.
looked upon as a test vote as to the standing
of the professor theologically amongst his
brethren. The result must be truly crafty
ing to the learned professor, and his numerous
friends
A most interesting report was presented by
the Treasurer Of the Theological Seminary,
in conjunction with Financial Committee
appointed by the Synod at its last annual
meeting, to whom had been ESPECIALLY com.
mitted the fnancia. matters Of the Seminary
during the past year. From this report, it
appeared that the amount of tue present
available funds Of the Institution is between
$S1 and $4,000, and that the amount Of the
receipts during the past year is between S6
and 1000; and that the prospect of the FIN
apees for the future are most favorable.
The subject of parochial schools received
considerable attention. A very interesting
report on the subject was presented by the
Rev. DR.. Hoiner, Of Baltimore, in which he
traced out the close connection Of such schools
with the carly history os the German Re.
formed Church. This report is to be pub
lishe1 in the periodicals of the Church.
The subject was Also by special resolution,
recommended to the serious attention of the
several classes at their next annual meetings.
No specific plan for establishing and sustain
ing such schools has yet been proposed and
adopted The measures thus far pursued
are intended to be preparatory to some sub
sequent and more definite action.
A very interesting and able discourse on
the subject Of systematic benevolcnce was
preached by special appointment of Synod
by the Rev. DR.. Sehaf A report also on
the same subject was presented by the Rev
George d. Wolff, Of Norristown Pa, Chair
man Of committee to whom the subject had
been referred by the Synod, at its previous
annual meeting. The report entered into
the subject somewhat at length, and was
characterized by considerable ability 1t
concluded with proposing specific plan for
turtheflng the cause it advocated, which is
10 he carried onf unlnr tho dirpctiao of Fhc