The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-11-08
REPORTS OF ECCLESIASTICAL
MEETINGS.

The fact cannot escape those who keep an
eye upon passing events that the proceed
ings of ecclesiastical bodies attract far more
attention now than formerly. Thirty years
ago the secular press made only a brief notice
of them, often none at all. Now it is
different, and not Few contain full and in
terestjng report they are quick to dis
cover and prom. supply what the pub
lie wish to read, the fact referred to indicates
an increasing public interest in these religi-
Gus assemblies. The religious papers also
contain reports now such as were not found
a good while ago. There can be no question
that this may be used as an important means
of difusing truth, in awakening the attention
and quickening the zeal of our churches. A
good debate or good speech in any of these
meetings is always eagerly read; by some
because they like that sort of intellectual
collision; by others because also they per,
sonally know some of the speakers. 1t will
commonly excite far more interest than if
the same were in the form of an ordinary
article On this account it becomes mat
ter of growing Importance to use these oc-
casions wisely and efectually for good end.
Let those who speak remember their re-
sponsibiity, and say nothing they will regret.
And let those especially to whom God has
given the power to speak well, and whose
names carry much weight with the public,
endeavor to use this great gift, not for osten-
tation, but "for the edifying of the body of
Christ. A well prepared speech of ten or
fifteen minutes, may be blessed not only to
the ministers, elders and Christians who
hear it, but may be read by fifty thousand
people, in the crowded city or in the
secluded mountain home, and may produce
wider and more lasting impression than
the sermon preached on the same occasion
much as this chosen ordinance Of God is to
be esteemed.
The business of reporting also becomes
every year of more consequence; for the use
fulness of the proceedings depends, of course,
very much upon the extent to which the pub.
lie becomes acquainted with them. But it is
not always an easy matter to secure really
good report. There are but few persons. e
trained to stenography, who can make one,
and good stenographers are rare. Having
often felt the perplexity, we speak from ex-
perience. Without stenographic attachments
we would be able still to make tolerably
satisfactory account of a meeting of the
Synod of Virginia, for instance, if other
things were not in the way. But how can a
member bear a part in the usual work of
committees, attend to all the money matters
brought to his attention, both in as well as
out of doors, take down notes of discussions,
copy papers, and then sit up till after mid
night to make out fair copy for his paper?
1t turns what ought to be season of delight
full refreshing into sort of purgatOry. Few
of our religious papers have an income ena-
bling them to be always employing paid
reporter.
But we started with the intention to say
something of the excellent report of the pro-
ceedings of the recent General Convention
of the Episcopal Church in Baltimore. The
CHurclman, published in Hartford, Conn.,,
published in Baltimore Daily paper, which
gave great satisfaction; so much so as to
elicit a vote of thanks, connected with high
commentator. Attention was drawn by
Rev. DR.. Haight of New York, and ex-
Governor Stevenson of Kentucky, to the
great value of such production, ten copies
(bound) were ordered to be preserved, and
Mes8rs. Mallary & Co., were requested to
make similar arrangements for reports in
future. Having read this detailed report
with care we can say that it seems to deserve
all the concentrations bestowed We con-
slider ourselves fortunate in obtaining copy
at the subscription price of $3.50. Only a
few remain in the publishers hands, which he
advertizes - sale in bound volume of 500
quarto pages, at SO copy. The interest
felt in the discussions and action (or non &C
tom on ritualism, makes this report of great
value. We shall probably treat our old
friend of the Southern CEurchman to many
a precious morsel from these debates between
this time and the next General Convention.
But much as has been said in praise of this
Daily ChurcAman, when the publisher claims
that the report els absolutely without paral-
lei in our Church pres" beg leave to
dissent. We Venture to say that for COM
plete accuracy it was surpassed by the report
of the proceedings of the Synod of Virginia
in 1870, made for the Central Presbyterian
by the Rev. George L. Wolfe, a member of
the Synod, and the report he made of the
of our last General Assembly,
published in the Central the Southern, and
the South Westeraa Presbyterian papers,
This was made by himself alone, and there
is evidence on the face of the two reports
that it is far more accurate than that of the
Czurchman-though it is only fair to con-
slider that the former was made in weekly,
while the latter appeared in daily paper.
If a more accomplished reporter than brother
Wolfe can be found, we have never heard of
him; and while holding the office of minis
ter of the Word-the highest office on earth
we wish there was some way by which his