The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-14
Shall the Synod of Virginia be Divided

We understand that this question In some
form or other will come before the Synod at Its
approaching meeting in Harrisonburg. More
than thirty years ago, and many times since II
has been discussed publicly and privately by
those accustomed to look in dispaSSlonate
manner at theinterests of the Church. In the
minds OF an increasing number the subject has
of late, and especially during the past year,
been undergoing more full examination.
And as the meeting of the Synod Is at hand,
when so many from all parts will be brought
together, there are some suggestions which
may serve as topics for conference.
l. Let it be remembered that Synod Is
constituted precisely like Presbytery. 1t
consists of all the ministers within Its bounds,
and ruling elder representing each church.
This proves that it was designed that it should,
if possible, be attended by every such minister
and elder None will deny that it is OF great
importance that something like this should be
secured for it has long been noticed, as gen
eral rule, that where, on the part OF either
class, the absence is frequent, lively interest
In the affairs OF the Church declines, the
person does not keep abreast with its move
ments, and to the extent of this abatement the
Church is injured.
Besides this, let it be borne in mind that the
theory of our government requires that the
action of all the PreSbyteries, and, in general
sense, Of all the churches composing the Syn
cd, should be reviewed by the whole body, as
far as it can be assembled together. That is to
say, the government OF all the parts should be
by the whole Now, whatever defeats or hin
ders this, mars the beauty OF our spiritual
fabric. Do We, then, practically secure what
our own form Of Church government calls for?
This leads US to say
2. The attendance upon the meetings OF our
SynOds falls very short of the design in having
this court as a part Of our system.
The number actually present is indeed res
peetable, bat it may be doubted whether the
average attendance has been more than one
third OF the whole number Is this Satistac
tory result? Leaving out OF view the effect IN
failing to foster lively interest in church
matters, look at it as a question OF Church
government Are the decisions thus made
is the government thus exercised the real voice
OF the whole Church within the limits of that
body? That voice may indeed be, in many,
perhaps in most cases, just what 1T would have
been had all been present. But who can as
certain this? We are aware that in all bodies
constituted as our several iudicatories are, de-
cisions OF important questions have to be some
times left TO a small part-tO those present,
and who may be only minority Of the whole.
There is no help for such small attendance oc-
- casiOnally, or for the results from it. But
what are we to say when it is hGbitval? Is it
not a most serious drawback to the right work
ing of our system? Ought it to be continued
unless the evil is unavoidable?
8. Under present arrangements there is no
remedy.
With the recent accession of the Presbytery
of the Patapsco, our territory stretches from
Baltimore to Tennessee, aud from the Atlantic
TO the Ohio, a distance either way of not less
than four hundred nai2es-the dimensions of an
Empire. Is it at all practicable to assemble
anything like the whole Synod from distance
so very great? Experience has settled that
question. The expense too, as we'll as dis
lance, has always been serious trouble to not
a few and that trouble is not diminished now
with all the facilities granted by lines of travel,
nor is it likely to be for long time to come.
T. The body has become inconveniently
large.
The whole number of ministers is now lS9,
and of churches 246 Suppose the half to at
tend-whieh is sometimes the case-and We
have body of nearly two hundred members.
The inconvenience referred to is not so much
because an assembly of this number is un-
wieldly, as because the business gathered from
quarters so numerous becomes excessive
Custom, If not convenience, requires it to be
transacted within the space of about three
days. But does not experience prove the in
adequacy of that period for the deliberate,
wisest disposal of so many and such important
matters? We are commonly pressed out of
measure.
5. There is no necessity for longer enduring
the inconvenience and evils above mentioned.
The chief difficulty hitherto about dividing
has been In finding line which, under the
old modes of travelling, would much remedy
the inconvenience that all admitted to exist.
But this has been already changed to great
extent within the last ten or fifteen years, and
in little while will be gOue Railroads must
soon pervade the Valley from the Potomac to
Tennessee The gap of eighteen miles from
Winchester to Strasburg will be filed next
year, and then, even should nothing more be
done, Ia hating not to be anticipated) there
is not place through the whole length of that
great Valley which cannot be conveniently
reached The Chesapeake and Ohio enter
prise too will soon reach the Ohio river.
How then could the line of division be run?
There are two ways. o. Throw Winchester,
Lexington, Greeubrier, Montgomery, and Alb
iugdou PreSbyteries into one Synod; and
Roanoke, East and West Hanover, Rappahau-
mock, and Baltimore, into another. THIS would
make the Blue Ridge substantially the line.
Or (2) throw Roanoke into the Western Syn
cd, and Winchester into the Eastern. Either
of these plans would give a good boundary
line, would divide the Synod as equally in
ministers and churches as can be expected in
such measure, and would leave both SyuodS
abundantly strong for all the purposes of their
creation.
6. A division would increase the efficiency of
our Church.
One great value Of our Southern Synods is
that they bring together in Christian fellow
ship so many people. This value would be
doubled by division. And would not the
same effect be produced upon ministers and
elders? A much larger attendance, probably