The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-11-03
OBLIGATION AND PUBLICATION.

He said the work of the Education Committee had
grown to be one of the greatest importance. For
months after the war there were only few candl
dates for the Gospel ministry in the whole South
ern Presbyterian Church. In Baltimore now there
were more than go young men in our Church OF
whose purpose to enter upon the work of preach
ing the GOSPEL he had been advised These men
must be assisted, that they may carry out their
purpose. About two.thirds of them will require
pecuniary aid and to this end the speaker begged
the ministers to bring the matter properly before
their churches Oh the day appointed for the taking
up of a collection for this object
Dr. Baird also spoke of the claims of the Pub
LEGATION Committee upon the Church. The ltera
ture Of the day has become greatly corrupted, and
rationalism peryades large proportion OF the
books, magazines and even the newspapers OF the
day. We must preserve our faith by our own pub
licatOns or our people will partake OF this ration
aliStc decentralization. He had recently had occa.
sion to examine one thousand Sunday school
| books and in that number had only found about
one hundred and fourteen that were hit Tor the
purpose. The remedy was to write and publish
books of our own, and he called upon the breth-
rem to send in their manuscripts If approved,
they will be published; and when published, the
books should be circulated, thus supplying the peo-
pie with pure literature.
Rev. Hugh A. Brown inquired whether the dis
count of twenty per cent allowed by northern pub
fishers to ministers would be allowed by the Pres
byterian Committee,
in an application for books at this discount 1t would
be well for the applicant to state that he Is MIN
lister.
Rev. Dr. kirkpatrick, of Lexington, also urged
the claims of the Education Committee. He said
the policy of the Church on this subject was set
tied The Church should feel it duty to educate
and support candidates for the ministry. AT the
commencement of our late civil troubles he was
connected with an educational institution at which
there we're upwards of forty students looking for
ward to the ministry. They all entered the service
OF their country All but eight died in her de.
fence and these eight lost their interest 10 the good
work and entered into other business pursuits
He was depressed by the knowledge of the fact !;
but how much had he been >rejoiced to hear OF
the rapid increase in the number of students as
the clouds of war were dispelled, until now, when
there were no less than 270 in this branch OF the
Presbyterian Church.
Rev. j. G. Shepperson then addressed the Syn
cd, particularly upon the dignity and Importance
of the Christian ministry-its holy pleasures and
its rich rewards. His remarks were eloquent and
impressive, and moved many in the audience to
tears
At the night session the Moderator appointed the
following committee to respond to the address OF
the Secretary of the Education and Publication
Committee Revs B. NJ Smith, D. d., NJ. l..
Lacy, and Elder George A. Endey.
DIVISION OF THE SYNOD.
Rev. DIR. Mitchell, from the Committee on Bills
and 0vertureS, presented the following report In
regard to the proposed division of the Synod
which, after some discussion, was adopted
1.-THE Committee on Bills and Overtures recon-
mend that the question of the division Of the Syn
cd be referred to the Synod at its next meeting in
the following form: That an overture be presented
to the General Assembly to organize into Synod
to be styled the Synod Of Northern Virginia, con-
sisting of the following Presbyteries- wit: the
Presbyteries of Chesapeake, Winchester, Licking
ton, and Greenbrier."
PUBLICATION OF SENTENCE OF SUSPENSION.
The same committee in response to an overture
from Montgomery Presbytery, reported that in the
Judgment of the committee the publication OF a
sentence of suspension was left to the discretion OF
the church, which was adopted.
SUSTENTATIoN.
| Rev. Dr. ]. Leighton Wilson then briefly ad-
dressed the Synod, by special invitation, on the
subject of Sustentation; after which, the Synod
5 adjourned until Saturday morning.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER BOTH.
The Synod met at the usual hour and was
opened with prayer by the Moderator.
On motion of Rev. William Dinwiddie, the
thanks of the Synod were rendered Messrs. Wood
house Il Parham for donation of stationery.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS.
The Moderator appointed Rev. j, NJ. Kirk
patrick, Rev. Alexander Martin, Rev. George H.
Gilmer, and Elder W. D. Reynolds a committee
to consider the address of Rev. DR.. Wilson on
SuStentation.
Rev. John Miller called up the resolutions on
Domestic Missions offered by him on yesterday
They we're read by the Clerk, and after discussion
by Rev. r. T. Berry, Rev. DR.. Handy Rev. A.
@. Hopkins and Rev. Mr., Wilson, were referred
to the committee on DR.. Wilson's address.
PBEsBYTERIAL RECORDS.
The committees on the records Of East Hanover,
Greenbrier, and Abingdon, reported them ap
proved as far as written, and the reports were
adopted
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Rev. Dr. j. B. Jeter, Rev. Dr. j L. NJ. Curry,
of the Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Plumer, of South
Carolina; and Rev. j. G. Neffer, OF the English
Lutheran Church, were invited to seats as CORES
ponding members
THE CHURCH AND THE CoLoRED PEOPLE
Rev. DR.. Smith, from the Committee on the
Minutes of the General Assembly. presented re-
port stating that while there is no specific order
addressed to the Synods of the Church, there are
( two subjects upon which the decision of the Gen
pery topics for the consideration of the Synod =
The first is the adoption and publication Of def
mite plan of operations among the colored people.
Among the details of this plan it is provided that
committee may be appointed by each Synod to
carry it into operation. Thus the committee have
felt called on to point out features Of the plan
which are at least of doubtful cOnstitutiOnality,
and consequently to recommend that the Synod
respectfully decline the suggested concurrence. In
~ hn, 1,Nln, hot
arate churches may be established, the same to be
established, the same to be united with adjacent
white churches under common paStorate; to be
allowed to elect deacOns and ruling elders; and to
be represented In the upper courts by the pastors
in charge of them and by the ruling elders of the
white churches with which they would be thus as
ISOLATED. This provision is obviously inconsistent
with our Form of Government; Chapter TX: vi
last clause, which explicitly recognizes among the
functions and powers of the church session that of
appointing delegates TO the higher Judicatores Of
the Church" The committee believe it would be
entirely in accordance with the powers Of the Pres
bytery to authorize the organization of coored
churches, composed of coored members, including,
of course the election and ordination Of elders and
deacons and that it would be expedient in such
to exercise this power among this part of our
population as it may be exercised by missionaries
in foreign lands for a church gathered from Pa
gans. The representation Of such church like
that Of heather churches would be vested in the
minister acting as an evangelist. The committee
tOrbear to express in more specific form the view
which has thus been presented, but respectfully
submit to the next General Assembly the duty &C
cording to its wise regard for constitutional ORDER
of so modifying the plan now adopted as to divest
it of this manifeStly Objectionable feature
The committee report in the second place, that
in view Of the Irregularities of provision recorded
on maze 800 of the printed Minutes in cOnnection