The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-02
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Synod of North Carolina.

GREENSBORO N. g., NOU. 25th, 1868.
Dear Brother Brown,-I have just returned
from the meesA Of our Synod. 1t com
menced its sessions in Wilmington, on We'd
nesday, the 18th inst, at P. VI, and ad-
journed Saturday last, after three days of de-
lightful and well filled sessions, and of charm
ing weather. They meet next year, Dec uolante,
in Morganton, about the middle of October.
The Rev. DR.. Mcbride, of Fayetteville Pres
bytery was our Moderator.
The Presbytery of Fayetteville overturned
the Synod to set off new Presbytery to be
called the Presbytery of Wilmington, the new
body to consist of about twenty or twenty.one
churches, and of about twelve or fourteen min
listers. The overture was approved, the new
body was constituted, and held its first meet;
ing during the same week. There was no ju
dicial business, and little beyond the ordinary
rotation of Synodical business
The four causes of benevolence, (Educa-
ton, Publication. Sustentation and Foreign
Missions had special hours appropriated to
them. The reports OF the Synodical agents on
these subjects were read, and DR.. Wilson and
DR.. Baird who we're present. each addressed
the Synod in connection with the causes which
they specially rep esented as they came up
from day to day. Dr. Hammer, of Baltimore,
was also present, and plead ably and eloquent
ly the cause of Education 1t would be hard
to tell which of the four causes most deeply
interested the Synod, and the general audi
ence that attended from day to day. The
claims and Importance of each were so clearly
and fully set forth, that while Education was
up-(the interesting fact being announced that
about two hundred young brethren desired to
preach the GOSPEL, many of whom needed
help, )-wef felt this, perhaps, had the strongest
and most pressing claim But when Publica
ton was up, the interest awakened in this
cause was no less than the other And so it
| was with reference to Susteutation and Foreign
Missions I was reminded of DR.. Chalmers
admirable and eloquent passage, when after
stating the various theories of virtue, one
basing it upon its utility, another upon its
beauty. another upon its fitness of things, an
OIuCI upOu ito Htu"uNtHcooi SC &C,. TIC CUul-
bines them all together in loftier unity, and
shows that each of these virtues has so much
to recommend her, they are so necessary to the
love and practice of mankind, that theorists
have stopped short, one at one and one at an
other. So it is with these agencies. The
great subject is the Church and Kingdom OF
Christ; her advancement is aimed at by each.
These causes are but means to spread the Re.
deen.er's Kingdom. 1t is hard to tell which
is most helpful. All are ancillary. All seem
to be indispensable, and when simply and full
ly unfolded, they awake the deepest emotions
of the Christian heart. All were interested in
the reports and addresses that were made in
connection with Education, Publication, Sus-
tentation and Foreign Missions 1 think t. he
members of the Synod took and evinced a
greater interest in all these things than com
NOR. There was hopefulness, and zeal, and
determination to move onward, to lengthen our
cords and strengthen our stakes, that augurs
well for our present and future spiritual pros
perity, and UNCONVENTIONAL growth.
There was most pleasant feeling of broth
ery love all through the meeting; a delight
full unity of sentiment, and re, olive to ,oork,
and to get the churches and our members,
male and female, to work.
The Wilmington Presbyterian church is
beautiful and imposing building It's inside
structure, arrangements and fnsh-the tout
ensemble " is exquisitely beautiful and appro-
pirate.
DR.. McPhail, President of Davidson Col.
lege, addressed the Synod and the public, on
the condition and prospects of that College.
1t was gratifying to hear such favorable &C
counts Few Colleges in the South, if any,
present more inducements to parents--to
Christian parents, and especially to Presbyte-
ran parents, to entrust their sons to the care,
the discipline and the scholarship that are now
making Davidson one of the best Colleges
in the land. Davidson College appeals es
peciay no,o to all the Presbyterians of North
Carolina
We had about an average attendance of
members. | think there were about eighty in
all. Some sixty ministers perhaps and about
twenty ruling elders jill