The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-21
The treasurer's report was read and re


Permanent Committee on Evangelistic La.
Dor, read report on that Eubicct, con.
tanning specific information OF the progress
OF the work in the different preshyterles
and also setting forth the prospects and
wants Of the field OF labor In the Synod.
The report was received.
The Rev. w. D. Thomas, D. D., of the
Baptist Church, the Rev. e. M. Peterson,
Rev. j. p. Garland, and Rev. J. H. Crown,
Of the Methodist Church, were invited to
sit rs corresponding members.
The stated clerk announced the death oil
| the Rev. j. Lyon as the only one reported
| during the year. Rev. I. n. Naff, Rev.
b. NJ. Smith, D. D., and D. A. st. Clair
were appointed committee to report q
| memorial.
Elder Il. T. Brooke was appointed spc-
cial clerk to sign certificates Of membership
for the use Of members on the lines OF
| travel when returning.
At IL NJ. the Rev. J.-A. Lcfeyre preached
on Hebrews xiii, 9: Cooking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher Of our faith"
After sermon the Synod resumed its bust
ness.
The Rev. J. Leighton Wilson, D. D., the
General Asscmbly's secretary Of sustenta-
ton, IN accordance with an invitation pre-
viousy given by the Synod, presented the
claims OF sustcntation. He briefly stated
the origin OF the sustcntation scheme, which
grew out OF the enfeebled condition OF the
majority OF our churches at the close Of the
war, when it was necessary for all to stand
together rs one body, the stronger
helping the weak. He went on to show
that the scheme had given aid to
more than half the churches, many
had been supported in their time OF need
until they had become self-sustaining, and
many OF them able to do much for the
furtherance Of the work in other churches.
Statistics were given briefly to support this
position. The invalid fund and the evan
gelistic scheme were the outgrowth OF sus-
tentation. The address was brief and
pointed.
The Rev. Dr. Smith, of the committee APP
pointed to consider the propricty Of amend
ing the rules relating to the standing commit
tees, reported recommending the adoption
OF the following resolution:
Resolved, That the rule for appointing
standing committees, page 8, section 3,
Manual Of Synod Of Virginia, be amended
so rs to omit the clauses, "Three ministers
and two elders" and "two ministers and
one elder" wherever they occur, and sim
ply substitute the words "fiye members
clauses.
DR.. Smith, in support OF his resolution,
said that he believed that ministers and
elders stood on the same footing in our &C.
clesiastica bodies. He proposed, however,
merely to alter the rule and leave this ques-
ton. into the discussion OF which he did
not propose to go, untouched by our rules.
Mr.. D. Comfort, 4 ruling elder. would in
behalf of the elders repel the impression
that the disparity Of numbers was any i'm
putation upon the elders. He understood
the appointment of three ministers and two
elders on these committees to be an admis-
sion that two elders were in weight equal
to three ministers. He therefore did not
wish it changed.
Rev. DR.. Bullock was opposed to the
change. One OF the three ministers being
chairman, there were two ministers and two
elders constituting the voting portion of the
committee. In our synodS and presbyterieS
there must be minister to preside as
moderator. rs appears from the fact that
the moderator is required to open the meet
ings with prayer. SO in the committees 1t
seemed proper to have minister to pre-
side. He objected, too, to frequent changes,
and hoped the rule adopted last year would
remain rs it stands.
Rev. William Brown, D. d., who was 4
member OF the committee that drafted this
Manual containing the rules, favored the
change. When on the committee his atten-
ton had not been called particularly to this
point. He believed that elders were equal
in authority with the ministers in all the
courts OF the Church of which they were
members.
DR.. Bullock called the attention OF the
speaker to the fact that three ministers with
out an elder might form presbytery.
DR.. Brown declined going into the dis
cuSsion of the topic suggested, as it was
not. in his opinion, involved in the point
now before the Synod.
Mr.. Comfort suggested that whilst three
ministers would constitute presbytcry,
three elders would not.
DR.. Brown, who still held the floor, and
heard these points proposed in reply to his
position. maintained that all members OF q
Dresbytery or synod who were such under
the constitution had equal powers. lie
would not go into discussion OF the rea-
sons for having these bodies organized as
they are. There was an important dlstinc-
ton between influence and po,cer.
DR.. J. L. Kirkpatrick said our Book OF
Government had in it some inconsistencies.
1t laid down the general principle OF the
equality of elders and ministers, and yet
had some provisions in it that were not con-
siStent with this position. No disparage-
mcnt OF the elder was designed in the rule.
There were generally more ministers than
elders usually i'll attendance upon the
| Synod; and from the fact OF their more fire.
quent attendance they are more familiar
with its business.
| Elder p. +. Howard said there was no de-
sire on the part OF the elders to aspire to
honors and power, but he thought that the
usages Of the Church had not favored their
| training as spiritual rulers. He would favor
a change that would encourage the elders to
take more active part in the discharge OF
any proper functions OF their Office. The
elders did not complain Of any slight, real
or intended, but he thought more response
bility should be laid on them, that they
| might be trained to greater activity.
Rev. S. w. Watkins said he occupied an
extreme on this question Of the eldership.
He thought that, except in the matter OF
preaching the gospel, elders and ministers
were equal. He believed that the elders ougnt
to Law on their hands in the ordination OF q
minister, and should also give him the right.
hand of fellowship. Yet he was sorry sna'
the change was proposed.
He agreed with DR.. Smith in his theory,
but he did not think the change would
effect the end designed; inasmuch as With
out the restraint of the rule 1t would DC IN
the power OF the Moderator to appoint
ministers on these committees to the eN-
clusion of elders.
Rev William v. Wilson said it was clear