The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-09
THE REFORMED CHURCH.
Fourtn Days Proceedings Of the General Synod I
The Alleged Decline Of the New Bruns-
wick seminary-Another Long -
Debate, but No Vote,


The Synod was called to order at nine o,c,oox
yesterday morning and the usual devotions, erer-
cises ensued
Rev. GILBERT DAVIS, or tho Reformed Chprcs a
the United States was introduced to the SYNOD ana
read paper containing history Of the HedeIbera.
CateChism. He alluded to the talked OF union be-
tween the two Reformed Churches. and said thai
the Ohio Synod had taken steps to have o union of
all the synods. This action, however had not
come before the Synod OF which he was member,
but they looked for candor from all the synods.
Wnile this matter of organic union was discussed in
MS synod they were blamed for demanding thor
ougn organic organization In all the synods. I'm
whch all would have one faith. 1t was the opinion
OF ms synod that the mere fusion OF syn0ds each
having different idea OF thorough organic union.
Would not accomplish the object aimed at Mr.
DaVis Said that 1t was the glory of the Reformed
Cnurcn that they had the general truths OF Christi
anty but none OF them would claim that IL indvid-
ualy held all and the whole truth OF Christi nttv
and ne was satisfied that the Church which be re-
presented would never claim such thing.
The greatest difficulty at present which the Church
experienced was the difference OF opinion and II anv
member could show some method by which these dfe
ferences could be healed, and solid fusion made OF
faith, the Church which he represented would be the
first to sing ''Te Deum" In his honor The Heidel
berg Catechism In which his Church believed, was
full exposition Of all the doctrines OF Christianity
and broad enough to be embraced by all Christians
The work OF Christ was the first thing to be DONE
The record OF the Bible was that God had given IN
eternal hope, ana this came through His Son. So
that knowledge Of Jesus Christ, and / n Him was
the lile. In the Church OF Christ we had q new
order OF things and there was their standing point
President Elmendorf delivered an address or well
He also discussed the differences in the doctrines OF
the Reformed Church OF America and the Reformed
cal practice OF his own Church, and claimed that
the Apostles creed was broad enough ground IOr
all the Churches.
AT the conclusion of the Presidents remarks,
DR.. vEEMLYEA, speaking to question OF privi-
lege, said he wanted to correct an impression thak
prevailed that he intended to reject upon tho
motives Of some OF the members by what he had
Mr.. HoIsRs replied that DR.. Vermilyea had stated
that he (Mr Holiness, General Pruyn and another
thay an written h letters all over tns
stating that that which was claimed to be false
THE DECLINING SEMINARY.
The debate on the report OF the Committee on
Passionate, in regard to the New Brunswick Semi
fore the SYNOD. He referred to Dr.. vermilyea'a
speech, and said that he had never heard such q
been allowed at political meeting ting" he s defended
the committee In their report and asserted that
ne Chairman a tos who 9 made the
far as General Pruyn knew the commit
tee was appointed In the most perfect
there could any hostility grow out Of it to
the Theological Seminary These statistics about
tendance was on the descending scale, and every
year the number was less since 1858. II they could
see the average attendance on the increasing scale
they might do q little selfglorifcation, but under
glorIfy themselves. The great trouble with the
know the faces OF the theological professors, and
or identity OF feeling between the people OF tho
Church and the professors. DR.. vermilya himself
it the Ratger Theological seminary. danghter.1
when such profound Ignorance In the doctors OF
divinity as to the institutions Of the Church as this
rest DR.: vermilya had made most eio-
guent and able speech, and he would ap-
II this were not so. He wished he could praise his
taste and Judgment for the same speech, but he
would not undertake to do this. The speaker then
went on to speak OF the question Of the adoption Of
the report presented yesterday In recommending
the creation OF an additional professorship on
Christian p0lemics in the Theological Seminary. He
alluded to the acrimonious discussion to which IL
bers Of the committee in the making OF the report
DR.. ANDERSON defended himself from the attack
upon MN oy Dr. Vermilyea saying that he had
debate OF Friday. He commended that the committee
had performed the duty which they had been ap-
under the feeling in the synod that some
change was needed In the management the semi
had held with prominent member Of the Church,
who charged that the affairs Of the seminary wero
not conducted as they might be, and that none Of
the professors there could build up the Institution.
He also said that there was q general
FEELING AMONG THE STUDENTS
to leave the place In body.
This brought DR.. Garretson to his feet, VITO SAID
he would advise DR.. Anderson to change the style OF
his argument II DR.. Anderson did not he (Dr.
Garretson) would be obliged to have.
rs he could not remain and lsten
to words which caused him more pain
than any he ever heard DR.. Garretson had ,een
born In the Dutch Church and had lived there NJ his
life; but he had never been panied SO much no
had been by these words
The venerable DR.. Anderson, In reply, decred
that he had been longer in the Church than DIR. Tar
retson, but that was reason why he should hep
silent when an institution In which they all ha. 30
great an interest was sinking under bad NANCE
ment DR.. Anderson continued his remarks utn
noon, when the Synod adjourned for the day, WITH