The New York herald., 1872-12-15

all parts OF tne country. Besides the regular rep
resentatlves there were a large number OF visit
ors in attendance. There are several branches o.
this denomination; but the Reformed Church sp
proximates closer to the old Dutch Reformed
Church, the nrst established In New York, than amp
other form OF Prcsbyterianism. In fact consid-
cradle portion OF the time OF the Synod was takeD
up in discussing measures for an immediate unieD
OF the two. c0mmuni0ns. Their principles are
set forth In the resolutions OF the Synod OF Dort
held In 1918. Another denomination, known
as the Reformed Church, Is composed oi
what are called Covenanters. They oiain
lneai descent from the men who
entered into u solemn league and covenant In
Great Britain and Ireland in ls4s. The members
adhere to the same doctrines, however far they
may come short in carrying out their application.
The latter have been regarded as entertaining cer-
tain peculiar opinions on the subject OF civil rule.
one party holds that they cannot own allegiance
10 any government that refuses to acknowledge
allegiance to Jesus Christ and the United states
constitution does not contain this acknowledgment
they In measure decline to recognize the author.
ity OF the government. At their last annual SynOl
resolution was adopted calling for an amendment
to the constitution providing for the acknowleds-
ment or the Christian religion. From time to tinaa
some OF the COvenantcrs have entertained tina
essentially immoral and iniide and therefore dis.
sented from both. In consequence In 1888 num-
ber OF minister's ana adherents seeded and formed
q separate organization. The great body OF the
Church. however, believe q representative democ-
racy Is ordained or God and approve OF the repubit
THE SYNOD OF DORT.
The synod which has just closed its session -
The synod OF bort, from which they take their d0o
trines, assembled l54 years ago IN consequence o.
upon nve points relating TO election, redemption,
original sin, grace and perseverance,. Each party
In Holland loaded the other with repr0aches, and
NJ in nfnrN ~n0 IN NM snA -
and threatened the dissolution OF the government
Of the Galvinists though really entertaining the
same views as their opponents because they wero
were opposed to u stadtnolder took part with tho
Armenians. The Synod consisted OF thirty-eighe
Dutch aud Waioon dvines, i've university pro.
sixty-one persons. Besides these, twenty-eighs
foreign divines, from Great Britain, Switzerland.
France and Germany joined In the deliberations.
They held lsO meetings, and during the twenty
third each member took an oath expressing hls
ANY KIND OF HUMAN WRITINGS,
but only the word @ OF God as sure and infallible
OF the Ca!vnists alter which the Armenians were
dismissed the assembly and banished the country
aw e @ ea,tv tney " S 70 sns
far from being recognized out OF Holland. OF its
proceedings very different opinions have obtained
| among the contending parties some holding that
since the days OF the Apostles never had assem-
bly, more excellent divines, and that it's equity was
were treated with more forbearance Others how
ever. poured contempt upon II, and braved every
danger sooner than submit to its decisions. Bue
all impartial men think that 1t much to bo
wished that they had been more c0nformable to the
spirit oil charity than the representations OF history
fairy considered, show them to have been. In
Great Britain Presbyterianism after the teachings
OF Knox took root, ana in France the consistOriA
system which Is more nearly Presbyterian than
either German or Dutch, was established. The
principles Of the synod OF bort were introduced in
the New World by the first settlers OF New York.
BUSINESS OF THE SYNOD.
The National synod was organized by the cleo
ton OF Rev. Dr. Klein, of Louisville, KY, President;
Rcvs. G. b. Russell and J. H. Good vice Prcsi-
dents; Rev. ID. +. Klapp Secretary. The chief
related to reports and communications from the
Dutch Reformed aud M0ravian churches looking
towards unity; to applications from negroes in
Southern States to form district syn0ds, and for
| the formation OF German Chassis within the bounds
OF English classis, wmch were granted From
The number has grown to eighty, showing Q
healthy and vigorous progress. The missions
number l25 congregations 900 members, 100 sun
day schools and 1000 scholars. The chief subject
! Of discussOn-whch lasted two days-was an ap-
peal from the decision Of a district synod in regard
Eslnius College, the lower body wishing to connno
theological instruction to theological semnarics.
The district body pronounced the Doctors conduct
asStSefS anS or deence . TIE case % really nSo!sss
parties in the Church (gigh Church and Low
Church) divided The High Church Is in favor
of a centralized system OF teaching, while the Low
Church party is for the right OF ministers TO pre-
pare students for the ministry by giving them in
struction in theology. The right to give private
theological instruction was sustained by u vote Of
| 100 10 Is.
/ MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
! The last days OF the session taken up In the
discussion OF appeal from the action OF the ONO
/ synod IN the case OF Rev. Henry Knepper. who
| had appealed from the Illinois classs, which had
deposed him, having found him guilty OF the
charge OF adultery, on the ground that he married
after obtaing divorce, which, though legal, was
not procured on Scriptural grounds. 1t appeared
further, and the charge was sustained, that he
had married woman whose husband was
living and from whom she had not been
divorced on Scriptural grounds. Mr. Knep.
per had been twice legally divorced The complaints
were aganst-First, the action OF the ohio synod In
remandng the case to the classs on account OF new
! evidence; second the decision OF the President
sa Mr Ss aa s
be suspended from exercising the functions OF .
minister. This matter called forth lengthy dis
ctlsson, the result being that the National synod
suspended Mr.. Knepper from the ministry aud the
Church. He was thus practically communicated
and deprived OF his living 1t Is very doubtful, II
this proceeding took place In Germany at present,
but the members who voted IN Its iavor would
not have laid themselves liable TO punishment un-
der the new law passed by the Prussian Relchstag
MISSIONARY SPIRIT OF The CHURCH.
The Reformed or German Church has ever been
that spirit, and spend considerable time In preach
ing to the destitute beyond the bounds OF their
immediate congregations. The members are scat
tered over the Middle and Western States. The
Committee on the State or the Church reported
that since the last meeting the number or ministers
had grown from 526 to 1885, an increase OF so; Chassis
from II to "a members from 1890 TO I3o, 220,
increase nearly $4,000; added by confirmation
and certificate from 2s 1902 to s2s 500. Contributions
S22s Si7. The proceedings were harmonious. The
next national synod viii be held in 1875. when t ls
hoped Il complete union will be formed with the
Dutch Reformed Church. which has Its great
strength III New York.
The Jesuits In Austria.
A considerable number OF Jesuit fathers ban.
ished from Germany, took refuge in the Austrian
dominions, where the order has several iargo-
establishments. There Is no law in the Empire
inhibting their residence in the country There
Is, however. police regulation that requires all
VINO enter It's territory TO register their names