The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-27
p ,o,,,,nke iprcsDyters.5

Anderson, Darlington, Atkinson, and .. ID.
Hauns. with representatives from thu
churches of CiarksYiile, Rough Greek, Hat
Greek, Village, Roanoke, Cub Creek, Prov
dence. Bethlehem, Buffalo, Old Concord
New Concord, Concord. Diamond Hill, Chase
City, Wylliesburg, Bethesda, and Draket
Branch. E# as.
Mr.. Hanna was ordained to the full WorR
of the ministry during this meeting 10 very
impressive service under the arbor, IN the
presence of vast thropg. and Wild vie"
70 his installation at an early day as pastor o,
the churches Of Old and New Concord ano
Diamond Hill. DR.. Fl. G. Alexander was ap'
nointed TO install Dir. Hanna at Old concord
on the Saturday before the second Saohatf
If September; DR., T.. E. Peck to perform
the like service at New Concord on the Sat.
urdav before the first Sabbath of October
and Messrs. Darlington and Watkins at Dla.
mond Hill on the Saturday before the third
Sabha'h of September.
Rev. r. C. Anderson, of Henry county
was chosen moderator.
Rev. G. Ii. Gilmer was dismissed 70 inc
Presbytery of Abingdon, and Kew. n. Il
Laird obtained further leave to labor With
out our bounds.
The or9anlZ3GiOn Oh Inc Cuul Cu w Di"hs
branch was reported, and Ruling Elder Jo'
seph 3. Friend appeared as its representa-
tive.
Calls we're presented for the pastoral SER
vices of Rev. II. Drew (already for some time
past serving them as stated supply from the
churches of Chase City. BIuestone, and
Wyllesburg, Of which Mir. Drew signifies
by letter his acceptance; and order was
taken for his installation-viz: AT chase
CITY on The Saturday before the trst Saooath
of Octobe-, by Rev. Thomas Wbarey; at
Bues,one on the Saturday before the second
Sabbath of October, by Rev. f. n. Whaley
and at Wylesburg on the Saturday before
the fourth Sabbath of september, by Rev.
III. A. Brown.
The resolution offered at the last stated
meeting, and deferred for consideration al
this meeting, declaring insufficient excuses
for absence on the ground OF detention to
perform the marriage service, was, after de-
bate. laid on the table, the Presbytery not
being able to lay down a rigorous rule. but
hoping that this discussion of the subject
may induce parties concerned TO exercise
tnouc httulncss in fixing the times and sea.
sons tor these Interesting performances, so as
less fro dnently to deiain the officiating minis
tiers from their presbyterial engagements.
On Thursday afternoon an animated de-
bate, participated in by Messrs. Brown, Car.
rington, DAVIS, Wbaley, and the Moderator,
arose upon the plan for more efficiently rails
ing the needtul funds for sustentatlon, mis-
sionary. and other benevolent schemes sent
down to the Presbyteries for their considera-
ton by the General Assembly.
The plan proposes to appQrtion the amount
needed for each years work by the several
schemes, among the Presbyleries, and by
them amocg their churches according to
comparative pecuniary strengthened as a
tax 10 be vigorously collected, but as an in
dication of the proper share for each and
all 10 take, according as God has prospered
item in the great work of the church, In or
der to bring all concerned up to the measure
of their duty as fur as possible. AT Il later
stage of the meeting the matter was refer
red to the Presbytery's Committee of Mis-
s,ons, to report upon it at the spring meet
Ing. '..
The General Assembly has also proposed
a llan for cQualizing the burden of nlalu-
tanning representation in the General Assem-
bly, 50 as to relieve the weak and distant
of the diSproportionate share
which they have been bearing. After an
earnt st and lively debate, on Friday after
pocn the plan was rejected. 1t would not
have increased materially the charges upon
this Pre<bytery; but some OF the members
are jealous Of every appearance of centraIl-
cation of power in the General Assembly.
AS long as the old General Assembly met
uniformly in Philadelphia, as it did for mlnv
wears, plan of equalization Of this kind
was in force, the necessity for which, in
those circumstances, was universally fcltapd
acknowledged. 1t fell into disuse when the
Assembly began to meet in all parts of the
country. But notwithstanding that process
of partial equalization, some inequality still
remains. In the Northern Presbyterian
Church. which covers so much larger an area
than our own, this has compelled return 10
the old plan.
The PreSbyterial treasury being in arrears,
and the General Assembly meeting next
May at so distant a point is st. Louis, re-
adjustment Of the assessments upon our
churches was found in any case to be ncces-
>arv, with some increase in the rate. The
rate was fixed at two and three-eourthS per
cent. on the an CUNT Of salary which each
pays its minister, or is supposed
to be able to pay, according to its engage
mcnts. .....
A reference having been made to Presby
.ery of the question Of al equitable division
Of the proceeds OF sale of the Halifax Court.
house parsonage among the several parties
claiming, the following apportionment was
made-Yiz.: TO Providence church, 1910
to Mercy Seat church, Sl55; to Halifax
Courthouse church, 1888; and to Rev. John
A. Scott, 1902. .....
Narratives on the state Of religion were
read from the congregations, and the usual
attention was given to the sustentatlon,
eyapgeliStic. and Sabbath school questions,
systematic beneficence, and other matters
heprosperity and growth OF the
churches.
Order was taken for exercising hereafter a
more careful and thorough supervision in
the matter of pastoral support. Written re-
ports on the state Of religion will hereafter
be required only in the spring.
DR.. Peck not appearing to preach on the
subject of "The Relation of Baptized Chill
dren to the Church," his appointment was
renewed for the next stated meeting, which
is to be held at Bethlehem on the Wednes.
day before the fourth Sabbath of April, at
- Nj.
Under the review of the minutes of the
last General Assembly the attention of min.
listers and churches was called to the plan oil
organizing Presbyterian churches among the
colored people, altogether separate from our
own organization, and to the collection or
dered by the General Assembly to pay for
the publishing house in Richmond, on the
first Sabbath in December; and the order OF
last year was renewed touching the collec.
ton for the evaDgelistic fund in September
The narrative to the Synod on the state Of
religion. gathered from the congregational
reports, as usual presented features On The
one hand of discouragement,a and cause fol
amentation and humiliation; and on thu
other of encouragement. The need Of revi