The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-27
Editorial Correspondence.
Synod of Nashville.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. Oct. Is. 80


ing of the Synod of Nashville in the First
Presbyterian church on Thursday even
ing the 18th inst Although 1 had to
travel nearly one thousand miles, it did
not take aslong time to get here as it did
to reach the Synod of Virginia when 1
first attended it as member and when
it met less than one hundred miles from
the place of my residence.
The city of Nashville is beautifully
situated in bend of the Cumberland
river, and from the top of Capitol Hill
which rises more than three hundred feet
above the river, one has view which
will compare we'll even with that from
Windsor which has been immortalized by
Gray. The site of the Capitol is well
chosen, and not often from castle or pal
ace is finer prospect presented. The
Capitol itself GROWING this noble hill is
built after the model of Greek temple,
and is structure which would be an or
nament to any city in the world The
new, but noted Vanderbilt University is
situated just west of the city limits on an
emlnence OF nearly the same elevation as
the Capitol Hill, and towards the north is
Fisk University, an institution for the
education of the colored people, the
funds for the building of which were
raised chiefly through the efforts of the
Jubilee Singers" These institutions
(and there are others besides in Nashville
which l cannot mention) are not only or
naments to the city, but make it an i'm
portant centre of education and influence
for the Southwest.
By the courtesy of Prof Humphreys,
formerly of Washington & Lee Universe
ty, and well-known as one of the most ac-
complished scholars of this country,
had the opportunity of seeing the costly
and well-appointed buildings of the Van
derbllt University, school which, with
Its rich endowments and its various de-
partments, academic, theological, medical
and legal, is destined to exert a control
ling influence in the future of the Meth
odist Church South.
My chief object in coming to this place
was to see what our Presbyterian Church
is doing in the west, and especially to
observe its modes of working in this
Synod. The church in which the Synod
held its meetings is the oldest church or
ganization in the city, and is one of the
largest and most influential. Although
1t has in few years sent out several col
onies, it has not been weakened, but has
still a membership of over 700, and is,
with the exception of DR.. Palmer's church
IN New Orleans, the largest in our con-
neotion. Rev. DR.. J. A. Hoyt, the pas
tor, succeeded the lamented and beloved
Rev. DR.. T. " Moore, whose memory is
most affectionately cherished in Nashville
as well as in Richmond. There are five
other organized Presbyterian churches in
Nashville, besides two missions where
they have good congregations so that
the city is well supplied with Presbyte-
rian churches in every section, and the
pastors are all earnest and able men, who
lose no opportunity to extend their work.
The Synod includes four Presbyteries,
Holston, Knoxville, Columbia, and Nash
vile, embraced in Middle and East Ten
nessee, and covers about two-thirds of
the State. The meeting was well attend
ed about fifty of the sixty-two ministers
connected with the Synod being present,
and nearly forty elders. 1t was organ
lied by the election of Rev. DR.. Bachman,
OF Chattanooga, as moderator, who pre-
sided well, and have seldom seen any
ecclesiastical body conduct its business
with less waste of time. There was no
trouble about points of order, or the ar
rangement of business, which so often
cause annoyance in such meetings. I do
not propose here to give any account of
the proceedings. There were discussions
on subjects bearing upon the vital inter
ests OF the Church, and conducted in the
very best manner. Committees appoint
ed tor the purpose had prepared before
hand programme Of subjects, TO be pre-
sented in order, embracing Home Missions,