The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-11

consisting of one minister and one ruling elder
from each Presbytery. This committee was
instructed to consider the expediency OF dl
visiou-and if deemed cxpcdient, to propose
the lines.
The next morning the Rev. D. B. Ewing
reported from this committee the following
resolution, stating at the same time that there
were a few who did not agree to it.
"ReSolred, That in the opinion of this COM
mittee IL is inexpedient to legislate upon the
subject of the division of the Synod of Virginia
at this time"
The report was accepted, and the question
recurring upon its adoption, Rev. Mr. Nell
waine, OF Farmville, offered the following sub
stitute:
Whereas. in the opinion of Synod, the in
terests of religion within our bounds might be
promoted by division of our territory into two
or more SynOds. If satisfactory lines can be
agreed upon; therefore
''Resolced, That the Presbyteries within our
bounds be, and they are hereby, directed to
take this subject under prayerful consideration,
and report their views and action to the next
meeting of Synod"
Mr. NcIhcaine then proceeded to support
his resolutions in forcible speech of consider
able length The main points were these:
LIST. The tendency to attach too much I'M
portance to the idea of very large Synod
We were indeed blessed with one large in mum
bers, as well as great in intellectual power. Ii
was certainly something to be thankful for
But he feared we were in danger of indul ging
in spirit of idolatry. Do we not sometimes
so unduly exalt this venerable body, that this
very thing becomes hindrance in the work
we have to do? This is the tendency of oul
nature; this was the sin of Israel of old. The
Brazen Serpent was erected to serve grea
purpose of religion. But it soon became such al
object of idolatrous affection, that in the reigr
Of Hezekiah it was broken to pieces
3 The Synod had become too large fol
practical purposes. If all the members were
convened together, the only places that coulC
conveniently accommodate them and the visit
ors, would be few large cities. These mem
bers alone would fill nearly any of our common
churches, and we should have mass meeting
instead of court of the Lord Jesus Christ
1t was probable that perception OF this fact
that the body, if all together, is too cumbrous
had insensibly led to a neglect to require tha
punctual attendance which was incumbent
upon all And are we content to meet togeth
er FROM year to year, with only one-third OF
one-fourth of the members present?
8. The practical effect on the minds of the
members-and through them on the churches
As things now stand, some ten or twelve mem
bers transact the business. No blame rest
upon them, it iS.the fault of our arrangement
But others just as capable are practically ex
Guided because of the numbers present. anC
thus the gift of ruling and edifying the Church
is not used, and consequently is in grea
measure lost to it. In smaller body thi
would be in measure, at least, remedied.
4. The practical effect of multiplying tn,
places of meetings At present We have TWEEN
ty places where Synod ought to be held
Must we go to each place only once in TWEEN
ty years? But if We divide into two or three
parts, we bring remedy for this. If we wer,
separated into three Synods, the only one which
would be larger in the number of its ministers
would be the Synod of North Carolina. Eacl
of these would produce an impression upon tn,
community as deep as that which we now see
each would become centre OF influence, anC
in this way their efficiency in advancing thu
cause of Christ would be vastly augmented.
| This being his conviction, Mr.. McIlwaine earn
estly appealed to his brethren not to allow tn
great question of duty to be decided by ques
ton OF personal feeling
Rev. c. s. H. See of Augusta county, mad
a brief speech which, both as to the argumen
and spirit, was received with much satisfac
ton.
We regret that some circumstances prevent
ed our securing full notes of his pleasant anC
forcible remarks. The principle points OIL
which he commented were-thatso many breth
rem were precluded from attending because o
the expenses incurred-that smaller bodie
could come into more intimate sympathy-wer,
more likely to produce a deep spiritual i'm
pression-that it was exceedingly desirable Il
have these meetings at each suitable place of
teuer than once in fifteen or twenty years, anC
u nave q SltdlCi uuuuDCl bAOQSub iuNO al az
tive participation with its business. He very
pleasantly remarked, in conclusion, that al
though he had been a member of the SynoC
more than ten years, this was the first speech
like to have Synod small enough to allow hin
to indulge in that luxury once in every three
or four years.
Reu. c. II. Read, d. d., of Richmond, mex
addressed the Synod in speech which entered
thoroughly into the merits of the question:
He remarked that the question was new t
some of them, and therefore if their mind,
were slower in coming to decision than other:
had been, they would readily grant them due
indulgence.
His first point was in reply to DR.. Armstrong
He contended that if division were effected
the same difficulties now encountered as to dis
lance and expense would remain substantially
the same. He did not believe the attendance
would be increased. No line of division yet
proposed was free from objections.
Then as to DR.. Armstrong; objection thai
the influence of this Synod was too great anG
likely to override the General Assembly, the
reply was that the Assembly was far larger
than the Synod, and the faintest suspicion that
any such thing was attempted, would always
awaken the most decided resentment and be
instantly and effectually repealed.
Next, in reply to Mr. McIlwaine, he con
ceded that there might be an idolatrous at
taehment to our Synod; but it might as readi
ly extend to many other things-to oul
churches-Our Sabbath SchOols-our children
and our friends.
A number of strong points were then intro
duced and forcibly argued.
|. The gregariOus tendency in human ia,
ture. Men everywhere naturally crave to 20