Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1869-10-23

SYNOD OF WESTERN REsERyE-This eccle-
slastlcal body, now In sossisn with the Presby.
lerian Church In Ashiabula, IL composed Of the
Presbyterian ministers and churches In North.
ern Ohio, OF The Western Reserve. II numbers
about 90 ministers and 73 churches, several Of
the ministers being employed a. agents, pro.
fcssors, teachers, foreign missionaries, &c.
The Synod assembled at o'clock, on Tues.
day evening, October 10, and opened with a
sermon by Rev. VIM. IT, Goodrich, ID. d., of
Clsleland, on the pernlcious influence Of self.
shncss on society, and the exceeding excel.
lence and grandeur Of disinterested Christian
bencvolence.
Alter the sermon, Synod was organized by
the election Of Rev. DIR. GooDRIcH as Modcr-
ator, and Rev. B. F. SmARr, Clerk.
II is very evident, from the general appear
ance and bearing Of this body, and from the
very able and interesting discussions now TAX.
ing place on its floor, that 1t is composed
largely of men Of first.class talent The bust.
ness Of the Synod was transacted with re.
markable facility and dispatch. The prin-
cipal subjects coming before the body for con-
sderation are Education, Home and Foreign
Missions, Church Erection and Support Of the
Gospel in destitute communities, and bow TO
reach the Neglected Masses in all communi.
ties These discussions were all interesting
but those on the subjects Of Missions, and es-
peclally how TO call out the dormant energy
and lay element Of the Church, including the
female talent, was exceedingly stirring and
exciting, and none can listen to these moving
appeals and thrilling narratives and experien-
ces without himself forming new resolutions
and plans for future labors and usefulness
and 1t will be but reasonable to hope and cx.
pect the oder and influence of this meeting
to tell on their parishes, when these ministers
return to their people.
The addresses of Rev. DIR. Kendall on Home
Missions, and Rev. DIR. Eells on the wonderful
providence of God in opening the great Celcs-
tiaI Empire and bringing the Chinese under
the influence of the Gospel, were exceedingly
eloquent and instructive.
The following important resolution, offered
by the venerable DR.. Akin shows the fervor,
zeal and energy which that veteran retains in
his ripe old age This paper drew forth much
of the most interesting discussion of the meet
ing.
With view to obey the Divine command TO
preach the Gospel to every creature, it is here
by recommended to our sessions and churches
TO district their respective parishes and 10 APP
point committees consisting of one or more
persons in the different districts, to canvass
them and conduct Christian labor in them, for
the following purposes, viz:
/. To read the Bible to such persons as can
not read, and TO invite to some place Of public
worship such as go 10 no church.
2. To converse and pray in families, when
and where it is practicable.
3. To win children to Sabbath h-school in
struction.
4. To try, by all wise and kind measures, to
reform the intempcrate, TO reclaim backsliders
and wanderers, TO inspire greater reverence for
and observance of the Sabbath and of family
religion; in short, to do good in various ways,
as they have opportunity, making "a report of
their vistatiOns and doings, from time to time,
ut the stated prayer-mectings.
5. 1t is also specially recommended that these
committees consist of Christian females as
well as males, in such proportion as may bc
convenient, according to circumstances.
The following paper on the subject Of the
desecration of the Sabbath presented by DR..
Goodrich, was unanimously adopted as the
sentiment of the Synod:
Res0lUed, That in view of the events OF the
past year, we greatly deprecatc and solcmnly
protest against the disturbance of the Lords
Day by public professions and celebrations of
various Sorts accompanied by bands OF music, |
as serious interruption of the quiet of that
day, and an invasion of both the civil rights
and religious privileges of the people
That VIC also dcprecate the practice of hold |
ing funeral services and professions on the
Sabbath, where the eXigencies Of the case do
not demand it.
Resolced, That we feel impellcd TO protest
against the growing evil and desolating intiu-
ence Of cheese making on the Sabbath. We
believe this fearful evil among our country
churches is destroying their influence, cffi-
cheney and power, and rapidly working their
spiritual death and their organic existence.
Rcso!ced, That we would press the inquiry |
upon the manufacturers of iron, whether the |
practice which prevails in a portion of the fur
naccs in Ohio, cannot be made general in clo-
sing their furnaces on the Lords day, SO as
without wastetul damage, to permit the peace
tul rest of the Sabbath
Rev. d. c. Blood, delivered an address on |
the relations and duties of the Church TO the
Ministry, of the most urgent and stirring kind |
The speaker declared it to be, in his opinion
the greatest scanda, and the most humilating
and mortifying reproach that could fall upon
the Church of God, TO pinch and starve its !
and their sclfsacrifcing wives while |
they are wearing themselves out for the good
of the church, and then paupsrize them when
they are old.
The session closed on Thursday evening
with on able sermon from Rev. DIR. SHAW of
Windham, from Cor X. 3I--"Whether We
eat or drink" &c. and was adjourned by him
att t,,o
Warren. on the third Tuesday of Oct. next.
WILLoUGHBY GAzETTE.-It may not be very
generally known that a very crisp and reada-
BILE little paper of the above title has been for