The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-10-19
ZION The CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN. ]
The Synod at Lynchburg.

\ Virginia Synod differs widely from eccle-
siastical meetings Of the kind as they are con-
Quoted in some portions of our country. With
u.s. they are not only Courts of the Church for
the transaction Of business relating to the
kingdom Of Christ, but they are great social
and religious festivities
For weeks before meeting of Synod the
Pre- byteiian population all over the Common
wealth is astir; both young men and mai
dens, old men and children, as well as men in
middle life, think Of it, talk about it. consider
how many Of them can attend, and begin to
make their arrangements for going.
The consequence Of this general interest in
the meeting is a crowd of strangers at the
place where It's sessions are held hotels and
boarding houses are filled, and private houses
are thrown open with generous hospitality for
the accommodation Of strangers as well as of
the delegates to the body The presence of so
many people of intelligence and refinement
drawn from different and distant portions of
the State, adds 4 social charm to these convo-
cations that constitutes at least one of their
attractions, and greatly contributes too, to the
interest Of the religious services crowded as
they then are, with appreciative hearers, such
as minister loves 10 address. These social
and sacred reunions afford opportunity for the
meeting of old friends. and for the formation
able to the Development Of all kindly and
christian charities so that long after the close
of such Synod the memory of il remains
fragrant and precious. The discussions that
were held, the sermons that were preached.
the scenes OF interest that occurred, the say
ings and doings Of the more prominent mem
bers OF the body, the kindness of the hosts
whose hospitality was enjoyed-these and sim
liar topics furnish themes for conversation
around many fircSidcs for months after the adj
journment Of Synod Now, all our Virginia,
visitors to the late Synod are discussing sub
jects like these, and for months and years to
come they will retain lively and grateful memo
ries OF their visit to Lynchburg. There will
be some who have gone from us to distant
States, who, as they read these lines, in memo
ry OF similar occasions, will have awakened
some OF the most pleasing recolections of
their lives, and who will say, would that
could once more attend meeting Of the Sy
nod of Virginia
Another characteristic Of Virginia Synod
is the eomminglng of religious services with
the ordinary routine business of the body
There are always two sermons each day of the
sessions; besides the time appropriated to de-
votional exercises on each morning. Our GUS
tom III this respect differs from that which pre-
walls IN other parts OF the country, where 1t is
only required and expected that sermon should
be preached at the commencement of the ses--
sions. We do well TO retain this practice
Better spend another day or two at the place
Of meeting for the completion of business. if
necessary, than omit these religious exercises.
We cannot make our Synods too devotional
Prayers, hymns and sermons prepare both mind
and heart Tor the proper transaction of the du-
ties OF Court of Christ. 1t is not time lost,
but time well appropriated that is spent in the
exercises OF public worship; and it is only on
special and rare occasions that the Synod should
hold its sessions during the hour allotted to
prei ching. 1t Is pleasant and profitable for
the ministers TO hear one another preach at
these convocatons. Indeed, it is the only op-
pOrtunlty that many ever have of hearing
brethren who live remote from their fields Of
labor. 1t Is best too for the people of the place
where Synod meets, and for the strangers in
attendance, that no sessions should be held du-
ring the hour Of public worship for many of
them desire to hear the sermons that are
preached, as well as the discussions that take
place during the sessions of the body, and this
they cannot do when these sessions are held at
the time of public service Glad as~ye are to
see our friends interested in the business proper
of the Synod, it always disappoints us to see
them in attendance on the debates in the base
ment or lecture-room, during the hour when
there is preaching in the church. We act
wisely therefore when we keep those seasons
separate, and when we allow time for both.
The Synods which are eminently devotional
are always the most profitable and remember
ing, as we ever must some of our meetings
where the preaching of the gospel was attend
Cd by the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit,
and followed by precious revivals, as for exam
pie, the memorable one held in Prince Edward
III 1858, let Us not allow our Impotence for the
completion OF business to trench upon the sea-
sons allotted to public worship, so that minis
ters and people may all join in the same SER
vices and be refreshed together.
In addition to the large number of delegates
IN attendance many circumstances combined to
make our late meeting one Of peculiar interest
and enjoyment.
After SO long drought many feared that
Synod week would be one of storm; and we all
knew that In town Of PERCEPTIONS hills, and
deep raylnes and uneven pavements, the arri-
val Of the deferred equinoctial gales would be
specially inconvenient But Providence wlled
that we should have week Of cloudless skies
and delicious temperature. Brilliant days and
moonlit nights form no small item in the agree
ableness of such a season, and with these we
were favored throughout But better than the
harmony OF the elements, was the harmony of
spirit that pervaded the body.
During the discussion of subjects that excited
deep interest, there was no exasperated feeling,
and not Il word of unkindness uttered from the
beginning Of the sessions to the end Perhaps
none of us have attended Synod where more
uniform courtesy of address was maintained
while topics so important and so calculated to
excite difference of opinion, were debated
This unanmity of sentiment at a time so criti-
cal. is Il matter for special thankfulness. We
were grateful for it during the progress of our
meeting, and now in the review of it our graft
tude is rekindled.
In the prOtracted debate which ensued as the
various items presented in DR.. Ramsey admit
rable report on the State of the Church came
under consideration, such as to the duties we
owe to the colored people and the best means
of dischargng those duties in the new rela-
tons we sustain to them; the most efficient
means Of sustaining our Theological Seminary
and of supplying the wants of our domestic
missionary field, and our proper course as a
separate and independent branch of the Church
OF Christ, there was a happy concord of senti-
ment which bctOkens future good and which
gives us new occasion TO confde in the love and
talthtulnesS ofthe Covenant keeping God, who,
IN answer to our prayers, permitted us to know
by happy experience how good and pleasant it
was as brethren to deliberate together in unity,
and to whose care and guidance We have rever-
emily and humbly committed the interests Of
our beloved Zion for all coming time.