The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1867-10-10
5oLD 8 SERIES VOL 10 NO -
rER MS..Se,O 90 In a A4vancs.
For the Courier.
4 MOUNT PLEASANT,
Monday, Sept. 30. 1867.

?. 80"
day last. The Synod embraces with
in its territory the Southern half Of
our State, and has on its roll 50 min
isters and S3 charches. In addition
to the ministers, the Synod includes
= ruling Elder from each Pastoral
charge and from each vacant church.
Rev. F. A. Shearer, of Washington
preached the opening sermon. Rov.
6. D. Stewart, Of Burlington, was
chosen Moderator, Rev. H. r. Lewis,
Of Bentonsport and j. II. Whiting
Esq, OF Mt. Pleasant, Clerks.
The ordinary business of the Synod
is to inquire into the state Of religion
within it's bounds; supervise educa-,
tional, missionary, and other ecclesi-
sstical operations; and careful.
ly review the proceedings Of its con-,
stituent Presbyteries, acting as a
court of appeal to havo all causes
that may be in an orderly way
brought before it. Many Of you
readers may not be aware that that
feature Of our civil polity, BY which
the humblest citizen may appeal from
the decision Of q court which tries
him to higher tribunal, was mod
eled originally after the Government
Of the Presbyterian church. e
The meeting Of the synod just
closed was q very pleasant and har-
monious one. On Friday, Rev. H.
|. Coe, of St. Lonis, addressed the
Synod on Church Extension, and
Rev. J. D. Mason Of Davenport, on
Domestic Missions.
On Saturday afternoon Synod visi-
ted, by invitation, the Iowa Hospital
for the Insane, where they were re-
ccivcd with much courtesy, and
shown through the whole institu-.
ton.
Thence according to invitation
they visited tho Mt. Pleasant Female
Seminary, Of which Rev. e. L. Bel
diem is Principal, where music, and
smiling faces, and table, in the
centre Of the spacious dining hall,
loaded with tasteful" fi.nits, await.
ed them. On the Sabbath the pull.
pits Of most Of the churches Of the
city were occupied by members of
the Synod.
In the University Chapel at 2.
p. m, Rev. W. G. Craig, of Keokuk
preached a very able discourse to q
crowded congregation. In the even
ing, at st. Michael's Episcopal church
the Moderator of tho Synod, Rev. G..
D. Stewart, preached the sermon,
having been invited BY the Rector,
Rev. C. B. Stout.
Synod at its adjournment express
ed cordial thanks, as it had much oc-
casion to do, to the church and CON-
munity of Mt Pleasant for their gen.
eral hospitality. The next meeting
will be at Des Moines. Mt. Peasant
is well named except the Mount. -
The Pleasantseemed to be everywhere
but the Mountain nowhere. It's show
of business houses is not equal to-
what We have in our own city ofOt-
,umwa. But in its many comforta-
Bile residences, some Of them elegant,
surrounded oy ample grounds; in it's
public Institutions; and in its high
toned morals it is far in advance Of
us.
am told that thirsters for athe
ardent" have a hard time OF it, and
sellers Of it find the atmosphere Of
Mt Plcasant msalubrions.
A word about the Female Semi
nary before alluded to. / am porsuad-
cd that but few of our citizens are
aware Of the fine advantages which
this Institution offorsto parents who
desire to send their daughters to u
select family boarding school. /
know Of no Institution of its kind
within seventy-five miles Of Ottum-,
wa that will at all compare with it
in the advantages it offers. In fact
il there be any other Seminary in
our State, modelled after the best
Eastern Seminar.es, with ample ac-
.ommodations, with full corps Of
we'll qualified teachers. all under tho
management aud proprietorship Of
experienced practical educators. ] am
not aware of The principal, Rev.
Mr.. Beldcn, has spared no expense
in his enterprise. A four story brick
addition has been erected during the
past summer containing y dining
room and school hall with sixteen
large and convenient sleeping rooms.
Mrs. Beldcn was formerly teacher
in the Washington Female Seminary
Penn, and is regarded by VII as adj,
mirablv adapted to tho responsible
position she occupies.
Among the favored pupils of the,
Seminary was pleased To find two
Of our Ottumwa young ladies'. had