Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-11-07
NIGH SESSION


Synod met at = O'Clock, Kcv. JAS,
ing of IL Psalm, and Prayer by tho Rev.
Alr. Baker, the moderator introduced
the Rev. DR.. Mctiilvary. missiunay to
Siam. who had been invited br the
Synod to address them on thc subject
OF Foreign Missions.
DIR. McGilyary gaye,Iujte auntcrest-
ing and graphic account of the conn
try III which lie had been Iaburiug i'll
the cause OF Christianity for 50 many
years, as we'll also of the manners and
customs of tine Siamese people, among
whom his lot had been cast The
name OF Siam, by sad missioner,
means the land of the free 1t Ii Is
also been called the land of the White
Elephant. Bancock is the principal
city in the kingdom. and contains
about 100, 900 inhabitants; this city
has been called the Venice of the East.
There are four large rivers that liow
throughout the empire and which
water the whole country. The gov
ernment is that OF an absolute mo-
narchy, and the crown is hereditary.
! The present ruler is superior 10 ilis
predecessor and does not retard the
course OF Christianity. In speaking
of the manners and customs OF the
| Siamese, the lecturer stated that it
| was GGthlH" uncommon, 80 Years ago,
| to see some Of tho inha bitauts in 4
state OF almost perfect nudity, but
now it was quite different, us they had
adopted, to some extent, the European
| fashion of wearing clothes. The male
| portion of the inhabi ants could near
Iy ali OF them read, while with the fe-
males this accomplishment was very
rare. The language which is spoken
is very difficult one for an adult to
learn. 1t is a very peculiar language,
as one word seems TO express fonr or
five different meanings, owing to the
tone or emphasis which is given to the
word when spoken. The relig on
there is Ghoulism; it recognizes no
Creator; ii is Il sort OF atheism.
Polygan,y exists there to an alarm
ing extent, the young King himself
has at least 100 wives. The lecturer
here spo6" OF tha effects Of Christi
! anity npOn some OF the natives and
the means hy which they were con-
verte,l He also spoke of the advance
ment of the canse of Christianity III
this benighted country. The lecture
was deeply interesting throughout.
and was listened to with profound
attention by the large congregation
pr sent At the conclusion Of the
lecture Rev Mr.. Atkinson, Rev Mr.
Rumplea aud Rev. Mr.. Hill made earnest
exhortations III all Of the Foreign
Missions.
On motion of Rev. Jacob Doll, Rev.
T. Fl. Johnson was appointed tempo
rary Clerk in place of Rev. l.. c. Vass,
who was granted leave of absence.
1t was moved and seconded tnat ;ne
appointment of the time and place for
the meeting of the next Synod be now
considered. Carried.
Salisbury, Statesvi!le and Concord
were put in nomination as the place
for holding the next Synod. The vote
was then taken, which resulted in Il
ma joritv i'll favor of Concord.
1t WIS moved and seconded that tie
appointment of the time for the meet
ing be postponed until this morning.
On motion, the Synod adjourned t,
meet again this morning, at - clock.
THIRD DAY.
After the usual devotional exercise:
the meeting was called to order at II
O'Clock a. IN. for the transaction o