Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-22
The Sy nod.

THIS MORNINGS sEsHloN-THE WEST CIIuRcn TRoU.
BILE UNDER CONSIDERATION AND A SUBSCRIPTION
RAISED IN ITS BEHALF.
At $50, this morning, the Synod was opened,
and half hour spent in devotional exercises,
which were condusted by Rev, MIR. Beach Of
Darnestown, Md.
A communication on vacant churches and nm
employed ministers, containing resolution for
the appointment OF IL committee over them, con-
tanned some Objectionable features to many of the
members, and Rev. Jno. Squires, OF Port DepOs-
it, spoke in opposition to it. Among other things
he said he would not obey the resolution If adopt
and recognized the Presbytery Of New Castle
as the only ecclesiastical power on the Peninsu-
In to which he was subject. lie thought the pro-
position an original discovery and an ecclesiast-
cal curiosity. On his motion the whole subject
was indefinitely postponed.
The Committee on Home Missions made ita
report. 1t states that number of churches have
boon supplied with the gospel, represents the
sabbath schools in prospering condition., and
says that other churcnes are needed, The re-
port was adopted.
Rev. j. NJ. L. OTIS of the West church, this
city, brought the difficulties which now surround
that church to the attention OF the SYNOD and
asked advice as to the best course to be pur-
sued. lie said that he had done everything in
his power, that the church membership had I'M
dertaken all they were capable of, to remove
debt of sl0,5OO upon which a judgment had
Deen oDthlneu anu Ior WHICH ule sIellH hau
made II levy upon the furniture of the church.
After all the exertion which had been
put forth, only about $1,000 had been
raised, leaving ~, 900 for which no saw no
way of providing The church, he said,
was on good foundation the current expen-
ses have been met notwithstanding the hard
times, including the monthly payment of the
minister's salary and an interest of .35, 900 on
debt.
Rev. Dir. Backus, Of Baltimore, felt more
1 tI....
erspoon monument, which had already been fa-
yorably acted upon, and was afraid
the Prosbyterians are tending too
strongly towards congregationalism. Did the
church belong to Catholics, the Methodists or
Epscopalaus, it would not be permitted to be
sold. If permitted the sale would be hurtful to
the cause and all the members wonld feel tho
shame. Having been called to look over tho
West church in an official capacity, lie had dis
covered that it stood second or third in tho Pres
bytery i'll membership, while in the amount OF
money 1t gave it was above any other.
Rev. s. A. Gayley thought it would be an cv-
erlasting disgrace to the Synod of Baltimore to
permit the church to pass into other hand s-id
said that had it not been for the ilnanst fio-
sure of the times it would not now b,
trouble il it,. Tho church, he further aa
necessity here. and il there is not enough no.
IN Wilmington to relieve it lie thought there w@s
III the SYNOD.
Rev Geo Morrison, editor OF the i'resb,iis-
ridn Wetkly, offered resolution laying an
ressment upon the churches in the Synod to
raise the amount needed. He said he had con.
suited with his elder, and that their church, in
Baltimore, was ready to submit to an aseessinent
of thirty cents per member, which would return
about $50
Rev. Mr.. Gayley thought the best way to raise
the money WAS not by assessment, as his expe-
rience proved that more could BE- obtained by
simple approval of the object.
Mr.. OTIS said that what is done must be done
a
ever is DONE he desired that no delnslve hopes
be held out.
Rev DIR. Chester offered resolution earnest
ly commencing tho West church to the Presby-
terians OF Wilmington, and after that to the
sympathy and help of the churches elsewhere
within the Synod. This was offered as an
amendment to Mr.. Morrison's resolution, but
became the original, the previous motion being
withdrawn.
Rev. DR.. Spottswood offered an amendment
which beng adopted, authorized the soliciting
OF voluntary subscriptions from the members of
tho Synod, and in this way 5jl6 were secured.
DIR. Chesters resolution was also adopted, after
some further discussion of the subject.
The minutes of the Presbyteries of Baltimore,
New Castle and Washington (snd some addition
al papers with the latter were approved.
The Committee on Finance made its report i'll
Which the assessment Of $3.50 with which to de-
fray the expenses of the next Synod WAS recon-
mended and apportioned as follows Presby-
tGrles OF BdltliuOTe, slUO, Now ltStle, TuO. dllu
Washington $40.
The Committee on the Minutes of the Gener-
al Assembly reported series OF resolutions ap-
proving the action of the last General Assembly
IN relation to the Centennial recommending
tho setting apart of one day of the next session
of the Assembly for the consideration of papers
on certain subjects named, and also the appoint
ment of u day of pray and expressing the con-
yiction that it il inexpedient for the Synod to
take any action on the subject of Synodical Rep
resentaton. Adopted.
A paper which had been offered by DIR. Nourse
N relation to the instruction of children by par
ens, urging greater watchfuness over them,
and counseling refusal. to place Protestant
children under Catholic teachers, WAS brought
up and taken from the table, but OH motion OF
kev. j. T. Carter the latter clause was amended
10 as to read all Influences which may peryert
them from their faith or VOWS" Tho paper was
then adopted.
A recess was then taken.