New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-13
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
GENERAL SYNOD OF THE PROTESTANT
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.

From Our Own Reporter ,,,
NEw-BRUSswrcK, y. j., Monday, June II, 1855.
Tie General Synod met at O'Clock in the after
noon aereeably 10 adjounment-the Rev. DR..
WILLS, President, in the chair The attendance Of
delegates was mole numerous than any previous
occasion. After the usual preliminaries the report Of
tic Committee on
THE WIDOWS FUND
was taken from the table and was recommitted to
Committee.
CHANGE or TIE PARTICULAR sYSODs.
The Committee 20 whom was referred the answers
of the Chassis 10 the questions sent down by the last
General synod viz Shall the particular Syuods DO
/" made conventional instead of being as now, dele
"gated bodies, aud If not conventional, shall the
delegations be Increased y reported thet they hal
received answers from sixteen OF the twefity-four
Classis But two have reported in favor OF the pro-
posed change. one reported IN favor OF subdivis-
ION of the particular Synods and modification OF tho
nature aud extent OF their jurisdiction, and II thA be
done the S, nods to be conventional Two report in
evor OF the abolition of the particular Syn0ds APP
p, nded TO The report the following resolutions:
Re,osed That it be declared inexpedient mako any
eange the present time the manner Of consniing the
particular Synod.
The resolution Of the Committee was adopted.
ANSWERS TO CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS, &C.
In answer TO the following constitutional questions
The churches of the different classes returned generally
affirmative replies.
?. Istbe Heidelbereh Catechisn regularly explained
agrceaby TO the Constitution OF the Reformed Dutch
Church.
g. Arc the catechising of the children and the IN
sruoiion Of youth fully attended to
The Rev. DR.. MEssLER, Chairman OF the Com
mtee on
THE STATE or RELIGION,
then read the ReIort of the Committee Before the
Report was accepted however il suggested that it
was imperfect IN the omission OF the of the Rev.
Mr. Livingston of Philadelphia who had passed away.
Dr. Messor stated that the omission was accilentai,
and the name was inserted in its proper place.
The Rev. DIR. BETHUsE stated that he thought the
Report in speaking OF the fact OF many MINISTERS oeng
81
upon the CHURCHES This he thought To DO wrong. He
believed that any minister, were he willing to accept
of such settlement as was offered, could secure one
without difficulty.
The Rev. DIR. HoEs believed that much Of the re-
s,onsibty rested with the churches. He alluded TO
instances of old and able ministers who have been and
are now without settlements though anxious tor them;
aud who, TOO were willing TO accept moderate sala-
ros. When it was known that many churches were
without pastors, and many pastors without settle
mens he could not but think that much Of the fault
was with the churches.
The Rev. Dr. BErHuNE said that he had not wished
10 convey the impression that the churches had not
faults which they could and should correct IL w@a
fact that all cations ambitious to get smart
men for their pulpite, and many OF them would be sat
isfed with nothing less than Demosthenes sanc;fed
at $500 d year. But much OF this could be attributed
TO the action of ministers in candidatng for calls. In
his experience he hal received many letters from set
tied ministers asking him to his influence 20
them opportunities TO preach in vacant pits "a cam
idates. The system of universal csndidating could
lave other result than TO make c0ngreg ons dainty
in selecting their pastors and TO lead them to aspire
TO secure men of the highest ability. lie could tel
e an instance himself where the congregation had been
without settled pastor for a long time wholly be-
cause of this system OF canddatng. In conversation
with an elder in church III the country no inquired
of him whether they he'd preaching twice each Sabbath.
The elder replied tnat there was one good old minister
who preached for them generally IN the morning. and
when they had candidates they had preaching twice.
Young ministers were from the very nature of their
POSITION candidates. but canddatng he believed to DO
degrading TO The ministry. To solicit settlement
ana particularly when the act was that OF a minister
already settled, he thought TO be stepping from tho
high POSITION OF Christian minister. To be solicited
be thought 10 be more In accordance with right. He
LoIe therefore to the report modified that the
responsibility in the matter of the tement OF
ministers DO not rest wholly upon the churches.
The Rev. DIR. hEssLER adyerted 10 instances wherein
able and talented ministers, who desired settlements
anxious 10 obtain them. One he spoke OF who
was able mil ister who had no aspiration above O
salary OF $780, and yet could not obtain settlement.
Another minister, who SO far as ability in the
composition of bis sermons well in the EXPOSE
lion of the doctrine and thorough understanding Of his
cut ecs, was exceeded by no member Of ths General
Synod was without settlement. He would DO glad
to obtain a settlement where he could get $500 year,
but 10 congregation would give him 500. The OBJ
lection 10 him that he delivered his sermons IN
what had been deDOminated by religious newspaper
lately holy tone" With that objection all his piety,
and learning, and his talent could avail nothing with
congregations which were not supplied with pastors.
In the further discussions OF the subject il stated
that OF those ministers who were without settlements
some sick and unable to accept calls were they
rendered; others unable TO secure permanent
connection with churches, while Others had betsken
themselves to secuer emplOymens, although this was
IN contravention OF the rules of the Church.
The Report Of the Committee was, on motion, re-
committed for the purpose of securing its modification
in some Of Its particulars.
On motion the Synod then adjourned TO meet on FIJI
day ct oclock A. nj.