The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-06
TIE REFORMED CHURCH.


tant scssipn-Proposed Amendments to
the Constitution OF the Church-The
Organization Yesterday Afternoon
Sermon by DIR. Taylor.
The General Synod of the Reformed Church in
America commenced its annual session yesterday
afternoon in the Middle Reformed church. on Har
rison street. The attendance OF delegates was
quite large, but all were not present. There were
no representatives from the Southern States pres
ent, the Church does not extend to that section
of the country The Middle and Western States
were well represented
Yesterdays session was merely devoted to or
ganzation, but to-day and tomorrow the real work
OF the Synod will commence, and then all the dele
gates about two hundred in number win be
present.
At about three O'Clock the Synod was called TO
order by Rev. W. J. r. Taylor, ID. d., OF Newark,
President of the last Synod, VINO opened the pro-
ceedings with a fervent prayer. Rev. W. II. Ten
Eyck Of Astoria, Permanent Clerk, then called the
roll OF delegates, which consumed considerable
time.
Dr. TAYLOR then announced that the next bust
ness in order was the election of President, Ad-
SCISSOR (Vice President) and two clerks, who were
TO be elected by majority OF the ballots. The
Synod proceeded to ballot for President, Assessor
and two temporary clerks, Rev. M. g. Hanson and
Rev. A. n. Guck being appointed tellers. The vote
being taken the tellers announced the result, when
the President explained that there was no election
for President and Assessor, inasmuch as neither
OF the candidates had received q majority Of the
votes cast The rules OF order provide That II after
the first vote there is no election the choice shall
be made from the two having the highest number
OF votes. Dr.. Taylor announced that Rev. Drs A..
b. Van Xandt and j. Elmendorf had received the
prs Petz and Emendorf for Assessor. Rev. Drs.
Hanson and Quick were elected temporary clerks.
ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT.
AS DR.. ElmendOrf was received as u candidate for
both President and Assessor, the Synod proceeded
to ballot for President alone with the following
suIt:--Dr. Elmendori, IS; DR.. Van Zandt, 49,
DR.. Elmcndorl was declared elected DIR. Elmen-
dorf ls pastor orthe Second church at Albany, and
was the delegate OF the Reformed Church at Albany
to the Presbyterian General Assembly at Richmond
| last month
The PRESIDENT announced that the election OF
Assessor next in order and that as Drs. Holmes
and Peltz had received the highest number OF votes
| on the first ballot they were the choice for candi-
dates. DR.. Holmes withdrew, which made Or. Van
Zandt candidate in his place. DR.. Van Zandt also
withdrew, by permission OF the Synod
| Rev. DR.. GANsE wanted to know what would be-
come OF the constitution If this kind of thing were
! to continue. The constitution expressly provided
that the election must be from the two having re-
ceived the highest number of votes.
/ The Synod proceeded to ballot Tor ASSESSOR and
| Dr. Peltz was elected.
THE NEW PRESIDENT IN THE CHAIR.
DR.. ElmendOrf was then welcomed to the chair by
| the retiring President and returned his warmest
| thanks for this unexpected honor. While appreci-
ating it truly, he had sincerely wished that the
choice had fallen upon one more competent; but he
acknowledged the call of God in their election. He
cast himself upon their Kindness. Clergymen at
best were poor paramcntarians, but he would say
that to the best Of his ability he would apply
the rules of the Synod IN their proceedings.
Ppsaaa to TO the Of Ss synod
and said that they needed for their guidance the
help of their friend ana brother Jesus None who
cast ourselves on the Lord" DR.. Emendorf con
Guided "and follow his calling"
hnttr. x,ft fntra NJ tCnr 6yn
from nine A. M. to twelve NJ, and from hall-pas
two to halfpast five 7. M.
Or. PETTY moved the appointment Of committee
on devotional exercises. The motion prevailed
and the President appointed as such committee
Rev. Drs. Holmes and H. Dater, and Elder S.
| stewart.
The balance OF the session was consumed in dcvo
| tional exercises, conducted by the President ano
| DR.. Van 2andt, and at half-past five O'Clock The
synod adjourned
/ In
TIE EVENING
Or. Taylor, the retiring President preached q pow
eyfu sermon before large congregation in the
church.. His subject was, "rhe Building OF the
| Church." and his text from Ephesans H., 1922
The discussion OF the subject was strictly teXtual
embracing the foundation, the cornerstone, the
ana the great design all growing into
Il holy temple of God. He applied the principles O
the discourse to the circumstances OF the Reformed
Church in this centennial year, and referred parti
cularly to the growth OF the Church. to her theolog
ical foundation, TO the composite character OF hel
present ministry and membership. which
had been drawn largely from other de
nominations of Christians, and to Tho
practical Illustration of Christianity which was thus
exhibited. Dr. Taylor closed with brief reference
to the probable future OF the Church.
THE WORK or THE SYNOD.
This session of the Synod promises to be OF more
than ordinary interest. Reports OF the centennia
work Of the Church during the past year will bt
presented and professor OF theology in the New
Brunswick seminary appointed. 1t Ia also under
stood that the Church constitution Is 10 he revise,
and amended There are thirty three classes repre-
scented in the Synod each Chassis sending three
ministers and three elders as delegates. According
to the last minutes OF the General Synod there were
| 510 ministers, 467 churches and 63.4S3 members o
| the Church.