The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-10-03
For the Central Presbyterian.
Abstract of the Proceedings OF the
Synod of Virginia.

The Synod of Virginia met i'll Lewlsburg
on the 2nd Of Sept. 1857, and Ill the an
sence of the Moderator was opened with
sermon by the Rev. VIM. IT,, McGuifey
y. d. L. l.. D., of the University OF Va,
from Rom. xii: -. The Rev. Michael
Osborne was chosen Moderator, and Rev.
Messrs. James NJ. Wilson and John 5. Gras-
ty clerks.
There were present during the sessions
40 ministers and 80 elders, total So mem
hers. viz: from the Presbytery of Green
brier II ministers and : elders, Lexington,
II ministers and 10 elders; West Hanover
II ministers and II elders, East Hanover,
s ministers and 8 elders; and Montgomery
7 ministers and elders.
The Presbyteries were called on to report
the diligence of their ministers in preaching
on the duties of ruling elders.
The Moderators of West Hanover, East
Hanover and Montgomery, having failed to
report, it was ordered that they perform the
duty and report at the next meeting OF
Synod.
The standing order for the appointment
of minister to preach sermon on Popery
at each meeting of Synod, was rescinded.
The Rev. VIM. Brown and Rev. DR.. j. L.
Wilson were appointed a committee on the
printing and distribution Of the minutes OF
the present meeting.
On enquiring it appeared that crafty
ing Improvement had taken place in carry
ing out the S5nod's plan Of systematic 6ene-
roIence. The failures were mostly in the
weak and vacant churches.
The committee appointed at the last
meeting of Synod on tie support of the goa-
pei ministry, J. B. J. Logan Esq. chair
man, made a report which was accepted and
referred to a special committee of which,
A. D. Dickinson Esq, was chairman.
This committe subsequently reported, re-
commencing the approval of the report
and the adoption of SO much thereof as
provides for the annual appointment by Sy-
nod of "a standing committee on the sup
port of the ministry" That said commit
tee consists of eleven ruling elders lat least
two from each Presbytery) whose duty it
shall be to report at each meeting OF Synod
the progress of the cause of ministerial sup
port throughout our churches, and aS TAR
as practicable, the amount of the salaries
paid by the several churches, as well rs the
sums invested in manses and parsonages'
and to make suggestions from time to tine
of means which in their judgment are cal
culated to advance the work SC, &c.
al ftan Uglfh
materials from which to make their annual
reports; your committee farther recommend
that the Presbyteres connected with this
Synod, be enjoined to adopt standing
rule requiring the churches under their care
to report to each spring meeting of Presby-
terry, what amount they promise, and what
amount they actually pay to their pastors
and stated supplies.
And that it be recommended to the Pres
byteries to appoint among their standing
committees similar committee to the one
hereby recommended to the Synod, to con-
sist of at least Ire ruling elders, vino shall
pay more special attention to the practical
details of this system, and to whom all re-
ports on reciprocal duties of pastors and
people shall be referred. This report was
adopted by Synod.
On the report of the committee on the
state of the church the following resolutions
were moved and adopted.
Resoircd, l. That the Synod recommend
to each of the Presbyteres in connection
with this body the adoption and arrange
ment of system of evangelist labor for the
occupation Of their own vacant territory.
2. That in the execution of such system,
the Presbyteries be earnestly advised to
take measures for securing at least one
years itinerant missionary labor from every
lieentiate.
1t was also Resolved that the report Of
the committee on the state of the church
shall be published.
At a subsequent period, in connection
with the same subject the following were
adopted.
ResoLred, ]. That each congregation lis
this Synod be required to report to their
respective Presbyteres, and through them
to this body, whether they are fully orga-
nized according to the requirements Of the
New Testament and the constitution of the
Presbyterian church, with rui.Ig elders and
deacons.
2. That the Synod earnestly enjoin upon
all its churches to comply with the will of
Christ, touching these Offices, and upon the
ministry of the word, to teach Systematically
the whole scripture doctrine, touching the
expressed and implied ideas of the dia-
conate.
8. That Rev. James B. Ramsey Of Lex
ington Presbytery, or in his absence, Rev.
A. W. Miller of Petersburg be appointed to
preach sermon, on the nature and implied
ideas of the Office of the deacon, as it is de-
fined in the New Testament and construed
in the standards of the Presbyterian church,
before this Synod at its next stated meeting.
4. That in view of all our delinquencies
and barrenness as church, the Synod APP
point the 4th Thursday in October next as
day of fasting, prayer and humiliation be-
fore God.
The committee on colportage reported the
following resolutions which were adopted.
Resolred, l. That the Synod views with
an interest increasing every year the great
work of colportage in which the Presbyte-
rian church has been engaged.
,. That with the expectation Of giving
greater efficiency to the work within our
bounds, this Synod does hereby commit it
into the hands of the Board of Publication,
to be prosecuted amongst us in the same
way as in other parts of the church.
3. That the Presbyterial committee now
existing shall be continued, whose duty it
shall be to cooperate with the Board of
Publication, by promoting the contributions
af 4Ln nhnrchaa nnd hu sankinor ont and rn-