The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-30
TIE ASSOCIATE REEORAIfSD SYNOD


, TIE ASSOCIATE REFORMED SYNOD.
CHESTER, October 25.-This ecclcsi-
astical body convened in tho Associate
Reformed church Of Chester to-day at
IL a. M. Its name, "Associatc Re-
! formcd", arises from a union formally
consummatcd between the Associate
Prcsbytcrians and tho Reformed Pres
bytcrians Of America in Philadelphia,
Pa., November 1, 1882. The founders
Of this church originally seeded from
tho "Established Church" Of Scotland
because of certain corruptiohs tolcr-
| atcdin the parent church, and also be-
cause Of certain questions touching
the relation between church and State,
the power of civil government, etc.,
regarded by the leaders Of the scccs-
sion movement as inconsistent with
tho genius Of true Prcsbytcrianism.
This gave rise to tho title Seceders,
commonly applied to this body of
Christians, a name that is most honor
able and suggestive when historically
understood, but one inapplicable 10
the church in its present existence.
The Synod of the South was organ
lied at Ebenczcr, an old brick church
yet standing upon the banks Of Little
River, in Fairfield county, s. G. The
body then consisted Of not over eight
ministers. 1t numbers as present over
eighty ministers, with ll0 congrc@a-
tons in-as many as twelve States, cX-
&c utling from Ohio TO Texas, eight
PrasbytcricS and membership of
about 1000.
The sessions were opened with 4
sermon by tho Rev. II. a. Ross, ID. D.,
Of York county. The Doctor selected
as the foundation of.his discourse the.
llth verse of the 18th chapter Of the
books of Revelations: "And they
ovcrcame him by the blood Of the
Lamb and by the word Of their tcsti-
luony". The sermon was one of tho
Doctors best efforts, and was dcliv-
cred in his usual clear, logical and
iOrriblc manner.
In the absence Of the last Moderator,
he Synod was constituted by the Rev.
James Boyce, ID. d., tho senior mcm-
Der of Synod. On calling the roU,
from Virginia, North Carolina. South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Niissis-
sippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas
and Texas. DR.. Boycc was chosen
Moderator. Though in feeble health,
he Lcrtorms the duties Of his office
with promptncss and ability.
Ehc most of the dav was consumed
in taking mp the unfinished business
Of last Synod, and in nsccrtninin@ from
the pastors whether or not the various
orders had been complied with, etc.
A tier the opening Of the afternoon
session, the Moderator announced the
various committees. Papers were then.
called for, TeaQ: and referred to the
different committees. From the DIFF
tcrcnt Prcsbytcrial reports and tllo
reports Of the trcasurcrS of ErSkinc
College, foreign missions, etc, it ap-
pears that the financial condition IF
the Synod is better than il has been in
years; that, while nearly every portion
has been visited by severe and pro-
tractcd drought, the people have gem.
orally nb0undcd in the grace Of libcr-
ality and have responded most cordi-
"lly to the various calls OF the Church.
At five o'clock, D. m., the SYNOD
adjourned until $50 a. IN. tomorrow.
d. FRIDAY, October &c.
Synod met Mt the usual time. Most
Of the morning was occupied with
routine business. The Rev. William
johnson, the delegate from the United
In