The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-20
Synod of Virginia.

turtner EXTRACTS ieaVlnS the luuSI uepdleS Aol
the next paper.
GENERAL COLLECTIONS.
The Synod adopted the General Assembly's
scheme, viz:
SusteRtatioa-Firs Sabbath in January.
RlbLedtiOR-First Sabbath in March.
FOreiQa MSNoaS-FirSt Sabbath in May.
Edueation-First Sabbath in November.
THE ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
The Synod recommended to all its churches
in Virginia, to avail themselves Of the act OF
Legislature of that State of February Is, 1867,
which indicates the plan by which all religious
congregations may secure the right to their
property, By this act it is recommended to
each church to decide by vote of its members
and other qualified voters designated, to what
branch of the church it belongs, and record
their decision with the Circuit Court within
whose jurisdiction the congregation is located.
A paper, offered by Rev. John Miller, re-
commencing that all Theological Seminaries
be under the control of the General Assembly
instead of SynodS, was reported upon adverse
ly by the committee to whom it was referred,
and their report was adopted-viz: that the
subject be not now considered.
A spirited debate occurred on the applica-
ton of Rappahanuock Presbytery to be al
lowed to strengthen itself by additions from
adjacent parts of Winchester, West Hanover,
and East Hanover Presbyteries, which would
give them Front Royal and its pastor, Rev.
Mr.. Berry; Orange C. H., and Gordonsville,
and Dr. Handy; fredericksburg and Mr. Gil
mer; and Yellow Chapel and Mr.. Woods. The
claims of Rappahannock were earnestly advo-
Gated by Revs. John w. Pugh, of Warrenton,
and Leftwich, of Alexandria; and DIR. Dabney
appeared in behalf of West Hanover.
In view of the prospect of an increase to
Rappahannock Presbytery by union with the
Patapseo, the question was postponed for a
year.
DIRECTORS OF UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
Rev. VIM. Brown aud Rev. j. H. Fitzger-
aid, whose term of service had expired, were
reelected Mr. L. NJ. Armstrong was chosen
in the place of Mr. Jos. Cloyd of Pulaski
TRANSFER OF THE SEMINARY.
DR.. Brown, tromthe committee on the trans
fer Of the Union Theological Seminary to the
General Assembly, reported as result of a
conference with the Synod of North Carolina,
to which, with the Synod of Virginia, the Sem
mary jointly belongs, that the transfer is at
this time inexpedient. Adopted.
EvANGELISTIC LABoRS.
DR.. Dabney from the Committee on the
Minutes of the General Assembly, reported
the action of that body, in which it is recon-
meuded to all The PssSS1 kssss-sa earn
estly in eyangelistic Ian De1dse elelr va
cant congregations to assemble for worship,
and seek out the elders who have the best gifts
to minister to them by prayer and exhorta-
ton, and to induce all their unemployed min.
lister to seek fields of labor; and that Synods
inquire into the fidelity OF Presbyteries in
these matters, and report to the General As
sembly.
ORDINATION OF CoLoRED MINISTER'S
1t was
Resolred, That this Synod overture the Gen
eral Assembly that Is TO convene in Nashville
on the 2ltst Of the present month to revoke
the paper adopted by the last General Assem-
bly on the subject of the relation of our
that the whole subject of licensing and ordain-
ing persons to the Gospel ministry is by the
Constitution placed in the first instance in the
power OF the PreSbyteries.
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
DR.. Foote made the report OF the Financial
Committee. Several Presbyteries were delin-
quent in the payment Of their assessments,
and the treasury in debt to the amount of these
delinqueucies. On the recommendation of the
committee, the salary of the Stated Clerk,
Or. McFarlandl was fixed at 500, to be di-
vided between him and his assistant, Rev. L. H..
Blanton, of Salem.
Appropriate memorials Of deceased minis
tiers of Synod were presented by committees APP
pointed to prepare them, and adopted-viz:
By Rev. Mr.. McChain on Rev James King,
of Bristol, Tennessee, founder of the Bristol
High School for the education of ministers
BY Rev. Mr.. Lupton on Rev. John McNlur-
ran, of Fairfax; and by Rev. Mr., Bedinger
on Rev. j. l.. Fray, of Jefferson county, and
Rev. j. f. Hughes, of Martinsburg.
A committee, consisting of Rev. Messrs.
Leps, Brown, and Preston, and Elder Mat
thews, was appointed to visit and report upon
at next Synod the vast missionary field of
Greenbrier Presbytery.
Synod adjourned to meet in Harrisonburg on
the 2lSt of October, 1868, at p. NJ.
After the above notice was in type the fol-
lowing article was received The report of
DR.. Dabney's speech on SustentatiCn will ap-
pear next week.
ORDINATION OF NEGROES TO THE MINISTRY
Discussion in the Synod.
The following resolution offered by the Rev.
A. w. Pitzer, was unanimously adopted by the
Synod on Friday morning at an early hour.
Whereas, the paper upon the subject of
the col0red people adopted by the last General
Assembly has been enormously construed by
some as teaching the doctrine that colored
men, possessing the qualifications required by
the standards OF our Church and the word Of
God, should not be ordained TO the full work
of the Gospel ministry, simply because they
belong to the negro race, therefore,
ReSOlred That the General Assembly be
overturned 20 declare that the Church is Christ's
universal Kingdom; that Its doors are open
alike to all those who love the Lord Jesus, and
that ordination to the work of the Gospel
ministry Is TO be given TO all those called of
God to, and qualified for, the work, without
respect of persons.
Afterwards the vote adopting it was recon-
sidered, when an extended discussion took
place, in which Rev. Mr. Leftwitch of Alex
andria, DR.. Dabney of Union Seminary, DIR.
Leyburn of Baltimore, and MIR. kirkpatrick,
ruling elder from Lynchburg, took part, all
except the second named in favor of the reso-