The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-02
Proceedings of the synod Of st. Paul,
20. 8. Presbyterian,) at. Minneapo.
lis, Minnesota.

WESTMINSTER CHURCH.,

WESTMINSTER CHURCH.,
MINNEAPoLIs, Sept. %.
After adjournment on Friday P. M, the
Synod assembled again in the evening in
formally with large congregation to listen
to an able sermon by the Rev. Mr.. Froth-
ingham, from tho text C My son, give me
thy heart
SATURDAY MoRNING.-Synod met and
spent pleasant half hour in prayer and
conference. An overture was then pre-
scented from Bro. Jackson, of La Crescent,
relative to the United States Christian
Commission, asking the Synod to take &C
ton to accomplish the following objects:
1st. In turning the benevolence of the
membership of our churchs toward the SOL
diers through the channel of the Chris
tan Commission. Much is being done in
one form or another for the Sanitary
this is well-but it seems more proper, if
indeed it is not our duty, that the Chris
tan Commission, where their gifts will
not only relie"e the physical discomfort
of their soldier friends, but also promote
their spiritual welfare.
I'd. To encourage in every place where
we have church the formation of Ladies'
Soldiers Aid Societies, auxiliary to
State branch Of the United States Chris
tan Commission at St. Paul The bust
ness of the central branch would be to at
tend to the physical and spiritual wants of
| the soldiers on our own frontier, after
! which those most distant.
Sd. To secure suitable delegates who
| will be willing to give their services for
six weeks or longer as volunteer chaplains
to labor in field or hospital. Our own
| Board of Publication promises to send up
a box of books for distribution among the
soldiers if the Synod will secure some per-
son who is willing to undertake their
distribution.
| This Overture was referred to the Com
mittee and the action Of Synod on it will
be found in the proceedings Of Monday
| Overture No. 2 presents the question:
"What constitutes working church, and
how shall our churches be made such. !"
For answer, see below.
| The Committee on Domestic Missions
presented an interesting report, which was
accepted. An interesting discussion was
held OF the report, and it was reported
that in view of the depressed condition of
the cause of Domestic Missions in the
bonds of our church, a special represen-
Synod, which covers one Of its most i'm
portant fields, with a view of awakening
deeper interest in this subject. To effect
this object a committee was appointed,
Rev. ". Speer, Chairman, and the report
read on Monday, was ordered to be pub
lished in the II. and T. Record, Presby-
terrain and Presbyter. Another commit
tee was appointed, Rev. Robt. Strong,
Chairman, to secure the services of mis-
sionary to labor throughout the Synod.
and to secure the funds for his support,
the Synod pledging itself for $3.50 toward
that object.
Reports were also made on Foreign
Missions, Education, Church Extension,
Publication (tracts and books and Dsa-
bled Ministers Funds.
| AFTERNooN.-The committe on the Min
utes OF the General Assembly reported,
| endorsing their recommendation Of the
observance Of the week of prayer in Jan
uary, and of the monthly concert Of PRAYER
| for missions.
| Resolved, That the Church need additional
| effort to inauguratc and keep in motion the
| plan of systematic Senevolence. That in the
want of such effort we find one cause of the
| languishing condition of the Board of DOmes-
| tic Missions. We would urge upon the as
sembly the pressing wants of the Home Mis-
sionary field, the wide door Of usefulness open
to our Church, the many fields inviting us to
enter, and the labOrers standing idle, while the
Church has abundant means to employ them
| all,-and in view of these things we would
| earnestly request the Assembly through its
Board Of Missions to increase such means as
shall serve to arouse the Church to the impor-
| lance Of this vital cause.
Adopted.
The Committee on Presbyterial Bound
aries reported, transferring Olmsted county
to Owatonna Presbytery, and the Church
of st. Peter to st. Paul Presbytery.
! The narrative on the state of religion
within our bounds, most interesting
paper, was ordered to be read Sunday at
the prayer and conference meeting at 81
Pm. Synod adjourned to Monday at
81 Am.
Sunday the Synod, heard an able SER
mon from Rev. B. Phillips on "Justi-
fication by Faith, after which the Sacra-
ment of the Lords Supper was admin
istered. In the afternoon nearly two hours
were spent in mutual conference and
prayer. In the evening Rev. Geo. Ain
site preached forcible sermon from the
text, " That ye may fear the glorious and
fearful name-the Lord thy God" The
Synod will long remember these services
and exercises. Rev. I. c. Caldwell
preached in the Methodist Church, and
Rev. Mr.. Cochrance in the Plymouth
| Church, additional to the other appoint
| ments
Monday morning the Synod met at 81
A. NJ The minutes of the preceding meet
ing were read and adopted
Rev. D. II. Palmer, Agent of the Amer
lean Tract Society, made some interesting
statements to the Synod on the work Of
that Society.
After some miscellaneous work Over
ture No. l from Brother Jackson was
taken up, and the following report of the
Committee adopted:
This Synod, feeling the importance of giving
some suitable direction to the liberality of our
| churches, in administering to the physical and