The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-07
THE REFORMED CHURCH.

nays Proce edings-RepOrts OF the
Church Work or the Past Year-In-
creased Indebtedness and . Falling
On In Seminary students-An ImPor-
tant acknowledgement Union OF the
"Aeformod Church I'm America" and the
"Heiormed Church In tho United
Statcs''-A Voice from tho West Urging
the Union.
The General Synod OF the Reformed Church In
America met again yesterday morning in the Mid.
die Reformed church REV. Mr.. lngersoM, pastor) in
Harrison street. There was an increased attend.
ance OF delegates but all were not present The
Synod was called to order about nine O'Clock by the
Assessor, Rev. DR.. Petz, the President Rev. Dr.
Elmend0rf being absent. DIR. Elmend0rf. however,
subsequently appeared and took the chair. The
minutes OF Wednesdays session were read and ap-
proved, and the following half hour was spent in
devotional exercises after which the minutes Of
the last regular session and those OF the special
session In September were read by Rev. Mr. Van
Cleef, the stated clerk The rules OF order were
likewise read, and the President then announced
the standing committees. Below will be found the
names OF the chairmen and the committees -
Committee on Prolessorate, chairman, Rev. DR.. A.
B. Van Zandt; on Overtures, Rev. H. d. Ganse; on
Syndical Minutes, Rev. H. w. +. Jones; on Domestic
Missions, Rev. c. II. Hartranft; on Foreign Mis-
G. L. Wells; on Education, Rev. Isaac
Reilly; on Judicial Business, Rev. w. X. Gordon;
on Widows and Disabled Minister'S Fund, A. II.
Van Branhen; on Publication, Rev. John A. Stats;
on Nominations, Rev. J. Nee. Holmes; on Cores
pondence, Rev. A. G. vermilyea; on Board of Di-
rectors, DR.. James Anderson; on Leave of Absence,
Rev. James LeFevre; on Accounts, Rev. =. M. Doc
little.
The Synod ratified the appointments.
The superintendent OF the Hertzog Hall Seminary
presented satisfactory report, and the Council OF
Hope College also gave a gratifying account OF last
years work. The sum Of 900 has already been
realized for the endowment of the college.
DECLINE IN STUDENTS.
The report Of the Committee on Professorshps re-
vealcd the TACT that there were but thirty young
men studying In the seminaries, less than was In
OF them ten years ago. The committee felt that this
could only be accounted for on the ground that the
system OF theology Is not high as 1t should be-
they suggested therefore, the establishment in the
Summaries of proiessorship on the science of
Christian apologetics to be filled by a man OF repu-
tatiOn. The report was made the special order for
this morning.
The Committee on the Re Vision OF the Liturgy
reported progress, having partially completed their
work; referred to a select committee. The Synod
then, at twelve NJ, adjourned until half-past two
Afternoon Session.
The Synod reconvened at halfpast two O'clock
the Assessor, DIR. PcltZ, presiding.
DIR. YERMILYEA introduced to the Synod DR.. Diehl
Of n q6e and that nc be
morning The motion prevailed.
A communication was received from the classis
OF Schenectady in reference to the talkedof union
with the German Reformed Church, warning the
Synod to be careful lest disarection should be
ated. Referred.
THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTION
was read and showed that the Widows fund
amounted to $34, 5l5 The collections from churches,
individuals and interest during the year amounted
to $1,S15. Annuities had been paid from the fund
for six months ending May l and November, 1871,
h%S"a ne Eope sTs wo
delegates smiled and bond of the Sioux City and
Pacific Railroad OF $1,000 and the fund now
to $22, 800. Churches and individuals
had donated $47S as centennial gifts. The amount
received to May l, on account or the assessment of
$4,000, made by General Synod June, 1854, to in
crease the permanent fund, was $50. The COM
mittee, with regret, reported
INCREASED INDEBTEDNESS
during the past year, which produced embarrass-
ment and rendered it almost impossible to defray
current expenses The expenditures exceeded the
in Adm making * the oa for sa
these advances. frhe expenses Of the Seminary
were $l6777. In the present condition Of the treas
ury the committee report there were
NO FUNDS TO PAY THE PROFESSORS SALARIES
number of other reports were referred
INTRODUCING CORRESPONDING DELEGATES.
The CLERK read the credentials Of Drs. Hogue
and Wilson, who were appointed by the Presby-
terrain General Assembly of Richmond delegates to
convey Christian santatlon to the General Synod of
mitted to take their seats as corresponding dele
gates. The credentials OF Revs. y. F. Hatfield and
Frazee Presbyterians), OF Detroit, and DR.. Dleh
Uutheran) were also read. and they were also re-
ceived as corresponding delegates.
AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.
A copy OF series of resolutions, I'm reference to
the union between the Reformed Church in America
and the Reformed Church in the United States
adopted 'by the Ohio synod were read. The
that Synod to this General Synod should
request the appointment of a commissioner to their
ject of union. The contemplated union met with
the approval Of the Ohio Synod, which earnestly re-
quested the General Synod to adopt such measures
as would be calculated to effect II as soon pos
sibe, upon such basis as would be just and honor
able to all concerned. The resolution also requested
the Northwestern Synod to consider the question,
and If it met their approval to unite in overturing
the General Synod to that end. Referred to the
Committee on Correspondence.
WORK ABROAD.
From the fortieth annual report OF the Board OF
Foreign Missions, which was presented to the
Synod 1t appeared that the receipts of the year
have been:-
individuals through the churches So 600 IA individuals,
sSarc saf0ss g. e ssaGssss %
70 e Tbs ses sS Sm Is ali
ssss es We have 5000 g Lett as Offering the
he the Ee the tnsrss e
I. The Sf hs the o al
acensy being in the amount received from issaSes
& 80 a'ss s
Usually the receipts OF the summer months are much
less than the expenditures. During the present
year this deficiency in income continued until the
ist Of December. The debt Of the Board due
at the bank had by that time increased to
$4,000 AS there to expect in succeeding
months income sufficient to support the work the
then existing and decrease the debt to cons er
able extent ting Hoard reduced its appropriations 70 the
gold to the Japan Mission, 600 gold, and to the Home
Department. about 5000 In currency-makng total re-
ducon OF about $4,000 in currency.
The appropriations at present -$2o00 to the Arcot
Mission $1,000 the Annoy Mission, and 5000 TO the
Japan Mission; in all ss2ooO in gold in Asia equal TO
nearly SO0M I'm currency Expenses to be charged to
the missions for the travelling expenses of missionaries,
for the support Of the children Of missionaries at home
dnd other items, will amount to about 1000
The OF home administration will be about and
Will he brought within smaller amount II possible The
debt $ therefore necessary expenses of the
he met and the debt removed, the income of
the treasury must be $S5,0W
The report further shows that there are IL sta
tions, 40 oustatons 10 missionaries, IL assistant
missionaries, % schoomasters, IL schoolmis-
tresses, 2 academies, 9s scholars In academies and
AZ day schools
WORK AT HOME.
The report OF the Board OF Domestic Missions