The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-11-22
MAJORITY IN KINDS COUNTY.
The Meeting of Mississippi synod
AIT Natchez
STEAMER NArcHEz. Nov. 20, 1876.


DEAR CLARION: The pleasant impressions
of Natchez resolved when some ten years
ago, first visited that city as one of the
delegates from Jackson 10 discuss the
Natchez, Jackson and Columbus railroad,
and again in 1868, when the Masonic Grand
Lodge met there, created the desire to
again visit the city, and ! accordingly
awaited myself Of the assembling of the Sy-
nod of Mississippi on Thursday last. 1t is
no small point gained when you visit a
place where you are comparatively stran-
ger, TO 90 alorg in good company The
kind reception that we received on the
landing of the steamer. and the hospitable
entertainment that we enjoyed during our
stay will be forever q pleasant remem-
brance 1t seemed to me that the entire
community were on the alert to make us
feel that it was good to have been there So
much old-time hospitality igo mach hearty
courtesy and kindness, so much elegance,
refinement, beauty and goodness, all have
left their indelible impress upon us, and
invoked the verdict of our abiding graft
tude-
The Synod of Mississippi is composed O.:
six Presley teries--Mississippi Central Mis-
sssippi, Tom beck bee, Red River, Louis
lana and New Orleans There are l66
churches aud IS ministers within its
bounds The attendance on synod, how
ever. d ID not exceed 81 ministers and II
ruling elders; but such names as Rev.
Drs Palmer. Stratton, Mallard, Lyon,
Markham, Hunter, McInnis Price, Doremus,
Smith, Dunlap and 3ardwell, e. al |, made
up quality what was lacking in quantity
Rev. j. III. Alexander, of KoscluSko, the
Moderator, preaching an excellent opening
sermon. Rev. j. L. Davidson, Of Red
River Presbytery, was chosen Moderator.
The principal business transacted was
the transfer of the assets of Oakland Col
lege to Mississippi Presbytcry for the re-
establishment of school of liberal chris
tian learning within its bounds. These
set, amount to about forty thousand dol
lars, consisting OF notes and cash ut inter-
est, and valuable real estate in Louisiana
and Mississippi The Preabytery will As
socn as practicable legally qualify itself to
receive these asset', and there will
be no little rivalry between Match
ez, FIyette, Port Gibson, Hazlehurst,
4 -ookhaven and other places for the Ioca-
ton of the proposed College. McComb
City would also compete literally, but it so
happens that it is in the bounds of New
Dreams Presbytery. If she bids high
enough, however il would be easy TO trans
fer that town to Mississippi Presbytery--
the latter consenting. The citizens OF
Natchez regardless of UNCONVENTIONAL in
te rests. will make very liberal propositions
when the time comes for locating. Synod
f.r ipf
and it is hoped that the Presbytery will not
find them as ''an ephant' on its haas
There was only one question before
Synod that involved sharp debate, to-Wlt;
the use of the Synodica Depository Fund
in the establishment anu support OF the
Southwestern Presbyterian newspaper, in
New Orleans. The subject came up under
an overture from Tombeckbee Presbytery,
which recited reports and rumors OF the
perversion and alienation of said fund from
the use intended by the original donors.
committee of twelve brought in two reports
the Majority Report, by Rev. Or. Bard
we'll setting forth that there had beed no
alienation of the fund, and the Minority
Report BY Rev. Dr.. Hunter, setting forth
the contrary. and recommending that the
use OF the fund in support of the paper be
discontinued after the next meeting o.
synod. Able and earnest argument fol-
lowed. and the discussion continued until
II o'clock Saturday night, when Rev DIR.
Stratton submitted a compromise paper,
which, however, was subsequently with
drawn, and the question recurring on the
majority report, it was adopted, upon call
of yeas and nays, by y il the affirmative,
and 81 in the negative. Ii there had been
a full attendance of Synod there would have
been a different result, | am disposed to
think, and the subject must continue to De
agitated while there are so many members OF
Synod impressed with the conviction that
the original design of the donors was the
establishment of a Book Depository, and
Colporteur work in connection herewith
The net proceeds of the Depository Fund,
amounting to about $500 year, have been
for eight years expended in supplementlng
the income of the Southwestern PreSbyte-
rian newspaper, which many insist should
be published on self-sustaining basis, or
as private enterprise.
Synod will hold its next annual meeting
at Baton Rouge.
The Sabbath exercises were very inter-
esting. Rev. DIR. Mallard preached in tie
morning and Rev. DR.. Palmer at night. a
Sunday School meeting in the afternoon
was addressed by Rev. Drs. Shearer, Mark
ham and others. Rev. DIR. Hunter preached
in the morning at the Methodist church, OF
Which Rev w L. c. Hunnicut is the be-
/ loved pastor. Under the rule of Conference,
he has been here the full term allowed, and
have heard the names of Rev. C.. B. GAL
H A.
preference Of the Natchez congregation.
We cannot spare Mr.. Galloway from Jack
! son, however, for another year at least /