Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-06-02

pie in every congregation an opportnnit,
to contribute to each and all of the ~
jects for which collections are ordered br
the General Assembly. Report adopted
SEVENTH DAY.
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 1871
Tie report OF the committee on the Na,
rative was read and adopted, as follows.
The General Assembly of the Presbv.
terrain Church in the United States, to the
Church under their care:
Brethren. A view Of the State Of Relic
Ion within our bounds presents many fen.
lures OF Encouragement. Forty.eight Of
our htty-hvo Presbyteries have sent up re,
ports to this General Assembly from wLicl,
1t appears that there has been "a steady al-
vance upon former years, in all the elf
ments OF beautiful and vigorous churcl,
life. Although this improvement has NOT
appeared in every portion of cur field. and
although there are many adversares. vet
We cannot contemplate the results which
have been achieved without devout graft.
tude to God.
Almost without the exception, tie Pres
byteries report increas ed interest in Sab.
bath Schools and Prayer Meetings, a..
tendance upon, and attention to the preach
lug of the Word, added devotion u pom tie
part of ministers and elders, higher stan.
dard of piety among believers, sud STEADY
increase IN the membership Of the church.
The grace OF giving Is more conscientious
ly exercised than last year, although Still
far below the standard required by our
needs. Nearly all Of our PIesbyteries re-
port refreshing seasons of revival in some
of their churches, by which largo numbers
have been added to their communion.
whilst none but those churches which
have been wholly vacant have remained
stationary or lost ground. Vacant church
es have been supplied more fully than at
the last report, and there seems to be in.
cree sed unwilliugness upon the part Of orr
destitute congregations 70 remain without
pastoral care.
In several cases the narratives from TIE
Presbyteries make special mention of the
jealous and successful efforts of individual
churches to invade tho destitutions which
prevail around them with the word of life
The experience of the past year illustrates
the value of faithful missionary and evp.n-
gelistic labor in overtsking the needs os
our desolated field. Wherever these. have
been diligently employed, tie results nav,
been in the highest degree cheering
Several of the Presby te.ies have exhibited
a commendable zeal in supplying their
own Domestic Missionary fields Il is be-
lleved that some additional. progress has
been made in reaching the ear OF the col
u
they remain YET aloof from us. Increased
and undiscouraged efforts in their belal;
is earnestly recommended. Several of the
Pfeeby teries report the building of new
church ediiceS, IN one instance four in &
single Presbytery. In few of the church
es too, manseB have been provided for the
Pastors. We note these as Encouraging
tokens of temporal prosperity in the midst
OF wide spread need and as cheering evil
deree of liberali'y.
And yet, Notwithstanding these COM
forting facts, the greater number Of the
Presbyteries are compelled toydeplore the
many and sad hiudrlnces which they find
to Vie work Of tle Lord. There IS still
painful neglect of the privilege aad duty
of family worship, the spirit of worldiness
has in very many places invaded the church
to lamentabie degree the obligation OF
individual conservation is not realized by
all, as it is realized by some, and the
effort of this practical infdelity within
the church is paralyzing to her energies
Outside OF the church the sins Of Sabbath
breaking, profanity and intemperance are
rife III many places. As these things
surely try, SO should they stimulate tie
faith OF our people and rouse them to
proportionate prayer and effort. Faithfui
IS be who hath promised that the cry Of
his people, shall be heard, and their labor
The Rev. Ell. Bryson presented the
report OF the Standing Committee or Sab
bath Schools.
The following statistics are7 gathered
from the reports in the hands of the COM
mittee
Number OF schools in operation -. $50
Number of teachers. ............ 4,5OJ
Number Of scholars. ........... 81 O47
Amount contributed. ..........$1 2,741
As compared with report of last year.
there is an increase Of 555 teachers and
IL, 1877 scholars. In the amount of contri-
buttons there is a falling off of So, Isl.
Judge Mitchell offered the following
resolution which was adopted
The report of the Committee Oh relief
tor the widows and children of deceased
recommends tho Assembly to
adopt the proper means to have the CHAR
acter SO enlarged as to enable the "rrus-
tees of the Presbyterian church in the
United States" to hold the funds for such
purpose. and al for other elem osynary
objects Of the church, therefore,
ResoloeH, That the said Trustees lie re-
luested to apply 10 the Legislature Of
North Carolina for an enlargement Of their
powers in this respect, aud that a copy O.
his proceedings be furnished by the slated
clerk to said Trustees
On motion Of DIR. kirkpatrick . Com
nlttee was appointed to fill vacancies il
he Board of Trustees. DIR. Kifk patrick,
1r. Crawford Of Arkansas and DIR. Wood,
# Georgia, we're appointed on tho Com
nittee.
Rev J. l.. Wilson reported the receipt
# letter from the Chinese Mission as
ate as the 9Th OF April. stating that Mr.
1ouston was building his house. This
eemed to indicate that no danger of litter
erence with the Mission by tho Chinese
7as apprehepded. Mr.. Helm had met
Nth an accident injuring his ANGLE.
Rev. DIR. Hendrick presented report
the PreSbytery Of Sac Poulo,
q Brazil. Adopted. r
The Rev. DIR. j. II. Wilson presented
be following report from the Committee
( Finance:
The Committee Of Financs report, re
ommendipg the following assessments
pom the Presbyteries for the year 1872,
nd until further ordered, to meet the ex-
enses of the Assembly, and to provide
mall fund for meeting in part at least, the
xPenses of Commissioners from the more
istant and Impoverished Presbyteries.
The following Pres bvtaries al otI ha nc