Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-28
Synod of Virginia.

ton, w. Va, on Wednesday week, Prof.
Kirkpatrick, of Lexington, preaching the
opening sermon. Rev. Jos. R. Graham, Of
Winchester, was chosen moderator. and
Rev. E. G. Gordon and Col. S. G. Dunn
clerks. The out Of the way place and the
times prevented a large attendance, only
100 out of $50 being present. The follow
ing representatives from Lexington Pres
bytery were present:
Ministers: Samuel Brown, J. L. Kirk
patrick, D. D., D. B. Ewing, D. D., S. W.
Watkins, J. W. Pratt, D. D.. VIM. Pink
erton, J. R. Bowman, VIM. E. Baker, E.
II. Gilmore, J. II. II. Winfree, E. G. Cor
don, E. T. Hoge, Alfred Jones, J. 1.
Brown, D. C. Erwin, D. A. Penick, J. W.
Rosebro. Ruling Elders: J. B. Quidor, of
Loeb Willow; VIM. Thompson, of Hebron,
J. e. Steele, of Lexington; W. A. Donald,
of Mt. Carmel; George Grattan, Of Harri-
sonburg; W. A. Bell, Of Staunton Jas.
A. Walker, of New Providence; I. S.
Hogshead, Of Union M. Pilson, of Bethel;
j. W. Gilkeson, Of Thinking Spring; VIM.
FL. Bryant, of Warm Springs; S. w. Will
son. Of Timber Ridge; VIM. Withrow, Jr.,
Of Waynesboro.
CHURCH EDUCATION.
Synod took up the report made at
the last meeting on secular education,
printed in the minutes and laid over for
consideration to this meeting.
Rev. B. M. Smith, D. D., author of the
paper, moved the adoption of the first reso-
luton, which is as follows:
'sThat it is in accordance with heteach-
ings of the Holy Scriptures, the spirit of
the Westminster standards and the history
of the Presbyterian churches. in all times
and places, for the church to found and
control educational institutions of all
grades, whenever such action is required
for the full performance OF its spiritual
functions"
Rev. R. L. Dabney, D. D., made a strong
address in opposition, taking the ground
that the church as such, had no right
to found and manage such literary institu-
lions. He held that all true education
must be christian, and, also, must be de-
nominational, because all christians, with
but few exceptions, belong to some denom-
nation. And, hence, while the church, as
such, ought not to have direct control, yet
the Synod ought to so guard the Board Of
Trustees, and see that they conduct these
institutions in a proper manner, as that
education shall be thorough and thorough
ly christian.
Rev. J. M. Watkins continued the dis
cussion on the other side, land was followed
by Rev. DR.. Smith in most excellent and
logical speech, showing that the church
ought to control the education Of it's chill
dren. He despised a sectarian education,
and as trustee of one of our institutions,
if he knew that one of the Professors was
trying to proselyte one of the students, he
would ask him to resign. The fact is we
have no special ground on which as Pres
byterians, we can be bigoted, as sectarians :;
in that we differ from other denominations.
who have some special doctrine, as ritual
on which they can be sectarian, but our
only aim is to make them good christians,
and give them a good education. He also
drew comparison between Davidson Col
lege Of North Carolina and Hampden Sid
ney, and Washington College, in regard to
supplying seminary students for the min
istry. DR.. Smith closed with reading a pa
per, which he was willing to accept as a
substitute, and is as follows:
Resolued, That whenever the authorities
of any literary institution within our
bounds, may desire to form with this Syn
cd, or with any Presbytery, or session I'M
der it's care, a relation, giving to such ecle-
siastical court supervision of such insti-
tuition, ON terms consistent with the con-
stitution Of the church, and the interests
of the institution, such connection may be
constituted; and whereas, the President
and Trustees of Hampden Sidney College,
who are present at this meeting, not only
wish to assure the Synod of the Presbyte-
rian character of that institution, but in
order to secure such a permanent charac-
ter, are willing to grant to the Synod Ueto
power in the election Of Trustees, there
fore
Resolved, That Synod will unite in form
ing such relation upon the terms sugges-
ted, whenever the Board Of Trustees shall
secure such legislation as may be necessa-
ry in the premises
Maj. t. J. kirkpatrick. opposed such a
motion, and thought it would produce q
rivalry between Hampden Sidney and
Washington and Lee University.
Rev DR.. Baird, Secretery of the Board
Of Education, made an address on that
subject. He spoke in the highest terms of
our candidates, in regard to their Christ
ian character and their intellectual and ed
ucational advantages. He also spoke in
high terms of those who had been assisted
by the Committee. He also spoke of the
wants of the students, and their fears in
regard to the present financial embarrass-
ment. He urged all the churches to do
their whole duty in this respect. The sub
ject was referred to a committee consist
ing of one member of each Presbytery.
OPERATIONS OF SYNOD.
The committee on systematic benevolence
reported, showing statistics of systematic
benevolence of the Synod of Virginia for
the year ending October LIST, 1878, as fol-
lows: Out of 259 churches of the synod 113
have contributed to invalid fund So, 531 ::
173 to education, $40, $3.50; $50 to publica-
ton, So, 631 1876 to sustentation, $12 1903 :;
ia to foreign missions, $6,9S4,
The average contributions per member
of the 1887 members is: To invalid fund,
per member, 13cents; publication, Is cents;
sustentation, 81 cents; foreign missions,
Al cents; education, 81 cents
The 1887 members have contributed to
the five objects ordered by the General As
sembly, S3S, 1888, which is an average of on
ly $2.04 per member.
The total number Of contributions made
by our. 25a churches to all five objects is
S06; whereas had all the churches obeyed
the order of the Assembly there would have
been 1896.
Synod adjourned to meet at Loudoun
Street Church, Winchester, on the Sd We'd
nesday in October, 1874. at u P. NJ.
Rev. DR.. White, the venerable emeritus
pastor of the Presbyterian church at Lex
ington, Va, and Dr.. j, W, McClung were
both carried in the arms Of their friends
into the court house to vote for kemper.
The old men had as much spirit as the
young in that election.
A Richmond correspondent of the Pc
tersburg Index" says Col. VIM, E. Cam
eron has severed his connection with the
Richmond E'Enquirer," and its former
editor, James G. Southal, is now assisting
in it's editorial conduct,
Daniel Andrews, g rich old resident of
Delaware, died the other day, and his will