The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-03


and the reading Of the minutes the report
ON religious exercises was read and Sum
siny services were appointed for the several
churches OF the town and for the Uniyer-
stfy chapel. An invitation from the chair
man of the University OF Virginia tor the
members Of the Synod to visit the Univer-
Sity was received and thanks were voted.
Rev. DIR. Hall read q report OF COM
mitfce on work among the colored peo-
pIe. II Is an able and elaborate paper,
md opposed a separate organization OF
the colorcd people into Synod OF
fheir own. The writer evidently does
NOT believe In "the debasing infiu-
snce of slavery, but does believe that the
southern people did much 10 civilize and
Christianize the negroes while they were
IN slavery.
Rev. DR.. Leievre, OF Baltimore, spoke in
high terms OF the report, but dlssented
from a single point presented. involving
an Interpretation Of Noah's curse oil Ca
man.
The report was received and the dill
gcnce OF the committee approved. The
resolutions in the report were considered
ssg;atin, pending which the order OF the
day arrived namely, the consideration OF
DIR. Il. NJ. Smiths resolution Qaid over yes
tertiay) touching the propriefy OF electing a
tzymln moderator OF a church court. The
resolution was printed, and reads as foi-
lows:
Rssolred, That the next General As
srmbly be requested 10 send down the fol-
lowing overture 10 the prcsbyteries Tor
consideration and decision-yiz. That to
she clause in the Book Of Order, chapter
w. section 8. subsection 2, stating that
ruling elders "possess the same authority
in the courts OF the Church az the minis
tiers OF the Word shall be added this sem
tence: 'sWhen, however, a ruling elder Is
moderator OF prcsbytery. synod. or gen!
eral assembly, any official duty devolylng
on him, the performance OF which re-
.quireS the exercise OF the functions per-
tanning on.y to the teaching elder, shall be
RENTED by him for execution TO such
rainster OF the Word, being member OF
the court. as he may select, whose acts in
the premises shall be as valid as ii per-
formed by said moderator"
Or. Smith spoke on the subject at con-
siderable length, going back TO the time
..when Cod established His Church in the
family of Abraham" DR.. Smith said he
had never read any work on Church gov.
crnment except the Acts OF the Apostles
and the Epistles. He gave an elaborate
historical review OF the Presbyterian elder
ship, and insisted that it was proper to
elect i ruling elder moderator OF a church
court whenever such court chooses TO do
SO. He had little respect for Augustine
and the other " Fathers" rs authorities on
church government. He insisted that tie
sld Hanover Presbytery, and not Mr.. JEFF
.erson, originated religious liberty in Nir-
rinia.
Pending this discussion, the order OF the
day Ney. Or. y. X. HaZen's speech on
the Interests of the Publication Commit
tee) was announced.
Or. Hazen, OF Richmond, secretary of
she Assembly's Publication Committee, adj
drtssed the Synod, reviewing the financial
status, past and present, OF the publiea-
ton work. The mortgage Of $4,000 on
the house had, he said, been paid off the
bond scheme had proved successful. Prices
Of books had been Reduced ID TO 80 per
cent. The Presbyterian Publishing Com
pany" is not the Presbyterian Publish
ing Committee they are separate con-
Germs. DR.. Hazen made a calm, business
like speech, full OF facts and figures. lie
said that the Baptists Of Virginia are do
ing twenty times rs much rs the PTeS5yte-
IEltis III lHc NOIh VI NOipDItd-t.
Committees were appointed TO consider
the addresses Of the secretaries on educa-
1ion Yesterday and OH publication to-day.
Rev. DR.. McI!waine made statement in
behalf Of new chapel for the University OF
Virginia, and Rev. Mr.. Glazebrook, the
chaplain, was invited to address the Sy-
nod on the subject. MIR. Glazebrook spoke
accordingly. lie said that the present
chapel Is a reproach to the University. lie
Rel; called to work for this object, and he
earnestly appealed for the aid of the Sy-
nod. c. that the body will sanction the
movement. DIR. Pryor WHO was ut the
University in 1927, advocated the move
mcnt. He made a most amusing speech.
The sanction OF the Synod was unani.
mously given.
Committees on Records OF various Pres
byterics were called, and several OF the
records were adopted by the Synod as cor
rect.
DIR. Il. VI. Smith, on question Of priyi-
lege, explains the statement made in his
speech this morning questioning the usual
ly-received opinion rs TO Mr.. J"iferson's
authorship OF the statute establishing reli-
gioUs liberty.
The report o; the Committee on Union
Theological Seminary was read by Rev. Dr.
Armstrong, of Norfolk, and adopted with
out discussion.
The report OF the Committee on Minutes
OF Assembly was read 10y DR.. Daievre, OF
Baltimore, slightly amended, and adopted.
Adjourned to 1880 tonight. JIG. III.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF TIE RULING-ELDER
RESOLUTION.
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.l
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, November =.
The Synod occupied the afternoon ses-
sion with reports OF the standing commit
tees and with further consideration OF the
narrative OF the preSbyterS. There was
considerable discussion OF the clause on
work among the colored people. The dis
rcouraging clause" was stricken out
The night session was devoted manly to
the discussion OF DR.. b. Nj. Smiths resolu-
ton allowing ruling elders TO be elected
ynoderators OF church courts. DR.. Rich
ardson. of the Central Presbyterian, led of
against the resolution, followed by Rev.
X. r. Howison, OF Richmond, in its favor:
Dr. Read. OF Richmond, against; General
Lilly, OF Staunton, in favor; DIR. Norman,
Of Salem. for; Judge Tredway, OF Prince
Edward. for; DIR. Hopkins, Of Charles
town. against; Hon. j. l.. Mayre, of Fred
crleSs5urg, against. Pending the discus
sion the Synod adjourned to $3.50 A. NJ. to-
morrow.