Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-11-21
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
This Ecclesiastical Court opened its ses-
sions at Abbeville Court House, on the 9th
instant, and closed them on the 9th. The
attendance was not so large as usual, which
was attributed to the agitated condition Of
part of the State, and the monetary strin'
gency now pervading the country, But
the eighty.fve members present, addressed
themselves earnestly to the routine of bu-
siness, and dispatched it in less than the
ordinary time.
DR.. T. L. McBryde, the last Moderator
present, preached the opening sermon
Other sermons were preached during the
occasion, by Rev. T. f. Smith, Rev. Jno
S. Harris, Rev. J. NJ. H. Adams, Rev. J.
L. Wilson, D. D., and Rev. G. Howe, D.
D., in the Presbyterian Church, and Rev.
J. NJ. Mcdowell in the Methodist Church,
and Rev. S. L. Watson, in Upper Long
Cane Church,
Two of the Ministers of the Synod, viz
Rev. G. c. Gregg and Rev. A. W. Ross
were reported as having died during the
year, and appropriate tributes of respect to
their memories we're adopted. From the
Presbyterial reports, it was evident that the
work of Domestic Missions is systematical-
ly and energetically pushed forward within
the synodical bounds. A partial embar-
rassment has, however, ensued in this good
cause, as we'll as in all others, upon the
crisis now pending in the country. The
cause of Foreign Missions also received
prominent consideration in the Body. DIR.
J. L. Wilson, who has had control of this
department for several years past, and since
June has been located in Columbia, where
the benefactions of the churches have reach
ed him, reported that there has been but
little decrease in the contributions to this
object, from churches in South Carolina,
during the last year, as evidenced BY the
fact of over four thousand dollars having
been received from our Synod. Having
recently returned from tour among the
Western Indians, he presented before the
Synod, an interesting detail of the condi-
ton of affairs out there. The missions and
schools, SO long and vigorously conducted
by our church, among the tribes to the
West of Arkansas, have been up to late
period very prosperous and successful
Many hundreds of these red men have been
received into the Church of Christ, and
have been elevated to very respectable de-
grees of civilization. The various tribes Of
any note-which are 6ve-number abou
one hundred thousand 10 population ano
the past success of missions among them
and the presenpSacilities for prosecuting
the work there-they being thoroughly II
sympathy with the Southern Confederacy
having more than two large regiments ready
for the field, to fight in our cause; the no
BILE, devoted and experienced Missionaries
now on the ground there, and the earnes
calls of the natives for more of the Gospel
constitute this hopeful field for the South
ern Church, and it will doubtless receive a
her hand, in proportion to its CLAWS. Th'
few Missionaries Sfrom the South, upol
Heather soil, will also be cared for, as sool
as, in the Providence of God, the way ma.
be opened. There is one member of ou
Synod in China.
A very able paper was adopted by th'
Synod, covering the ground of the Eccle
siastical relations of the Body. The fou
Presbyteries constituting the Synod, having
renounced their allegiance to the Genera
Assembly of the United States, and callet
for the organization of an Assembly for tn
Confederate States, at an early day, it onl
remained that the Synod endorse that ac
ton, and indicate its mind as to the ground
justifying the step, and as to the futur
policy of the church as about to be remod
elled-all of which was done in the pape
alluded to, and from the pen of DR.. Thorn
we'll.
Apart from this, the Synod also made
timely deliverance in reference to the war
now so wantonly and wickedly waged a
gainst the South. From the Presbyteria
narratives, it was manifest that the advance
ment of religion iD our bounds, is now re
tarded, by the heavy tribute under whicl
our churches are laid, to support aud pros
ecute the war in which our country is in
volved. In some churches not NAL
member is now at home, and but for tn
devoted females, the Sabbath Schools, &c.
would be suspended. The benevolent con
tributions, although necessarily lessened
are much larger than might have been ez
pected. To the honor of our churches b
it said, curtailment has not begun at tn
treasury and house of the Lord
Initiatory steps were taken, for the fu
ture transfer of the Theological Seminar
at Columbia, to the control of the Genera
Assembly of the Confederate States. Thi
was regarded as an important measure
This "School of the Prophets" is now full
and ably manned, having FIVE Professor
and Tutor, and about forty Students
The Literary institutions, four in numbe
connected with the Synod, directly or II
directly, although feeling the pressure
these eventful and trying times, are all abb