The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-27
!, s-.od - order this morning at theusual
nuro, oa1cAL SEMINARY.

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
rh. Committee on the Union Theological
Seminary (Rev. DR.. Bullock chairmanj
Scented q further report on that subject.
T n mart of the report recommending 1he
.ranofar ~ the seminary from the joint con-
tro oI' ~ the Synods Of Virginia and NORM n.
Ga =. TO the General Assembly was as
s"ssed at length by Rev. J. Fl. Fitzgerald
d. T ". Leps, Rev. DR.. b. NJ. smith
Rey DR.. kirkpatrick, Rev. DR.. Foote, Key
n W shanks, Rev. W. V. Wilson, Kew. b
TRorrv Rev. DR.. Dabney, and Rev. L
r. Preston, and was finally laid on the to-
bic.
The balance Of the report-referring to
rho general conduct of the seminary; ap-
nointing Rev. Henry M. White as director,
vice Rev. William s. White, D. D., re-
signed prescribing that the failure of q
director to attend two meetings in success
sion shall be cause for his removal provi-
ding for the payment of the travelling ex-
penses of the directors-was adopted.
A resolution expressing the qualification
of Synod at the cheering tidings that fve
Of the graduates Of the seminary are pre-
pairing for the life Of foreign missionaries
called forth an earnest address from F. N.
Watkins, Esq, of Farmville, and was
unanimously adopted. The Moderator was
requested to communicate this action of the
Synod to the young missionaries in appro-
PIRATE terms.
STATE OF RELIGION.
Rev. DR.. Handy submitted the report of
the Committee on the Narrative, which was
adopted. The report, which is made up
from Presbyterial narratives, mentions the
dearth of reyivals, the want of cooperation
in some quarters between ministers and
members, the failure of negroes to appreci-
ate the efforts in their behalf, etc. but
also cites as ground for encouragement the
increased attendance Oh the means ofgrace,
the adoption, with good results, of o system
of weekly collection, the earnest working OF
the ministry, many if not numerous addi-
tions to the church, and renewed interest
in the Sunday school work.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS. .-
Rev. DR.. Hammer, from the Committee
on Bills and Overtures, reported, urging
that the pastor and officers of churches are
the only legitimate guardians of Sabbath
schools, on whom it devolyes to provide for
the instruction of the young, and to exer-
else q sleepless vigilance over the character
of the books to be deposited in the libra
ries. The committee recommend the Sy-
nod to declare that, in view Of the magnitude
of the curse of corrupt literature which has
grown in the land, the officers of Sabbath
schools are bonnd to exclude all reading
which can in any way foster an unhealthy
mental taste; that the true method to de-
velope the powers of the soul is to tax the
exertions by acquisition in advance of pre-
vious ideas, and that it is an abuse
of child's energies to employ the period
when memory is most retentive in storing
it with matter which will be discarded as
trivial at the maturity of ITS powers, and
that the preparation of works for Sunday
school libraries should not be left to incon-
siderate agencies, but requires the best wis
dom and care of the Church. The commit
tee also suggest the appointment of O Sy-
nodical Sabbath School missionary, to be
supported by contributions from the schools,
whose duty it shall be to superintend and
advance the organization and management
of Sabbath schools under the direction of
Synod and Presbyteries. The organization
by pastors of classes of teachers and con-
ventions of teachers and superintendent
was also earnestly recommended.
Rev. Mr.. Berry spoke Of this subject of
Sunday schools as Of the greatest import
ance.
Rev. DR.. kirkpatrick made some inte-
resting remarks, warning the Synod OF the
danger of having our Sunday schools torn
from us by other denominati ons, and also
of the danger Of turning Sunday schools
into mere places of amusement.
Rev. DR.. Peck rather opposed the plan
proposed by the committee, and clearly pre-
sented his own views, taking the ground
that the elders of the Church and the pas
tor had the whole matter under their con-
troll, and were responsible.
Rev. Mr.. Hooper urged the Importance of
preaching to the children.
The debate was further participated in
by Rev. Drs. Atkinson, Hammer, White,
Leyburn, and P. F. Howard, Esq; after
which the subject was referred to com
mittee of five with instructions to report at
the next stated meeting Of Synod. Com
mittee: Rev. Charles H.. Read, D. D., Rev.
P. B. Price, Rev. E. H. Rutherford, P. F.
Howard, and r. 7. Brooke.
Several ommittees reported on unim-
portant matters and we're discharged. Votes
of thanks to the good people of Harrison
burg for their hospitality, and to the rail
road and stage lines that have committed
the fare of members of Synod, were unani-
mously passed.
The Synod then adjourned until the last
Wednesday in Octo Der, 1858.
PURNELL.