The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-08
The Virginia Synod.

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The Virginia Synod.
From the Spectator of Tuesday we copy
the following account OF The proceedings
OF The Virginia Synod. which held its
session in charlottesville last week:
The Synod of Virginia held its recent
sessions in the Presbyterian church of this
prosperous and hospitable town Thepre
liminaly services were conducted Ivy Rev.
&. Il. Vaughan. u. D., who preached II
mastery sermon on Jude. 3 Contend
earnestly for the faith once delivered to
the saints. He thinks now if ever, is
the time ior earnest. defence of everything
worth living for i'll social, ecclesiastical
and political matters. y more intensely
conservative address has not been heard
i'll the recent history OF the Synod, and the
impression made lN he earnest and elo-
qHent divine is very marked. The pre-
sYailfng philosophy on which the so-called
progress of the age is based, he designated
is the philosophy of Death, and pre-
plres the way for the ''bloody foot strokes
of the mysterious horsemen seen on their
march hy John from the outlook of Pat
mos.
Rev. VIM. II. Hall, u. d.. of Lynch
burg, WAS chosen Moderator, and Revs. J.
II. Smith, a. Il. Cooke, and Elder ]. F..
Floumoy. Temporary Jerks.
The distinguished James p. Smith. of
fredericksburg, who shielded with his
own person the fallen Jackson. is nerma-
nent Clerk, and has been in the service of
the Synod for many years.
One hundred and fifty names were en-
rolled ut the opening.
The reports on the State of Religion
presented many items of encouragement.
Several churches lave been greatly eheered
by.tekens Of speeiaFfeligio interest.
There. has been marked progress in
various departments Of religious effort,
Some few churches depIore the ravages of
intemperance, and undue Indulgence in
such social amusements as are regarded
inimical to true piety.
DR.. Z. NJ Richardson, Secretary of Min
isterial Education. reported Il gratifying
increase Of candidates, and the indications
now are that enough ministers will be
ready at an early day to meet the pressing
needs of the denomination.
Rev. Mr.. Baker presented resolution
on Temperance. He enunciated the prin-
ciple that while it would not be well for
the organized church to address the organ
lied State, still the unorganiZed members
of the church may petition the organized
State for legislative aid in eases where
moral persuasion is plainly inadequate to
meet the evils complained of, and all union
of church and State be thus avoided.
There is nothing about which Virginians
seem more sensitive than the relations be-
tween the two.
Rev. DR.. b. M. Smith was greatly pleased
at the turn affairs have taken in reference
to the church S interest in secular educa-
ton 1t seems to have been u disastrous
mistake to have regarded the education Of
youth us inconsistent with the functions
of the church in its organized capacity =
The indications now are that most Wig
orous efforts will be made to recover the
lost prestige, which should never have
been forfeited fol mistaken abstraction,
I. the dream of an eminent .theorist, per-
soiaIly interested in promoting the pat
ronage of State Universityin South Car
.olina.
f. Synod adjourned to hear DR.. IIoge S eel
ebrated lecture. on the Finality Of the BIZ
DE, on "Wednesday evening. His text
was 1.-The law of the Lord is perfect. -
Psalm, 10.
1t is saying great deal when it is, be
lieyed that this is the grandest effort !, OF
this eminenti pulpit orator. Its whole
force depends on the assumptions that man
has made no moral progress material pro-
| gress in arts and sciences, but none what
ever III morals. The man born in this
period is no better off morally than the
pagan of prehistoric times
DIR. Hazen presented the Publication
cause III very business-like manner. 1t
is evident this important agency is about
to assume its place as one Gf marked use
fulness in promoting the calRe Of enlight-
ened piety. ~
Home Missions elected much attention.
DIR. Hopkins has prepared very elaborate
report that required one hours solid read
ing. All who heard it felt they had full
and accurate information to aid in de-
vising the ways and means most needed
to meet the demands of the churches in
regions requiring assistance.
Wytheville was chosen by Il large plural
ity as the. nextlplace Of meeting.
In four years will be the centennial of
the VirginiaSynod. 1t is sincerely hoped
that this event..may..be made ever memoir
able by the Synod resolving itself into three
Synods. In thespresentsbonnds, three syn
odicals bodies might have met, just as
large as the one that did assemble at Char
-lottesyille. and athree-fold influence exert
ed.
The narrative on the State of Religion
as read by Prof Alexander presented many
tokens OF religious prosperity. In the dis
cussion that arose over a clause referring
to the freedmen, it is manifest that if the
atajfcdtion of the races be left to the Pres
byterians, it will be the day after forever
more before such q contamination can be
achieved or hoped for yet nc. people have
kinder feelings for the colored element
and will do more to aid them in helping
themselves.
The eligibility Of the Ruling Elder tot the
Moderatorship elected a very spirited dis
cussion, and shows that these officers are
goingt to to be Ruling Elders in the near
future, and primitive Presbyterianism will
be revived.