Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-17
A. r. PRESBYTERY.
From the WinnsbOrO News.

IN the SYNOD. ICS territory Is exclusively
in the Carolinas, and it represents strong
and influential church membership. Its
sessions were formally opened on Monday
morning, April 7th with a sermon by the
retiring moderator, the Rev. ]. f. Pressly,
D. D., who discussed the following theme,
"The Divine Method for Evangelizing the
World" based upon Zech. 4:6, and Mark
1915. The preacher elaborated the theme
in strictly biblical way, and emphasized
the two great elements of this nethod-the
divine and the human. This sermon was
listened to with interest by the members, as
the missionary interests Of the Church are
at present receiving more than usual atten-
ton. 1t was, therefore, eminently appro-
pirate that something be said in relation to
it's method of operation. Emphasis was laid
upon personal influence, pecuniary contribu-
tons and concerted prayer, as the absolute
conditions of aggressive missionary work.
So long as the attitude of the Church toward
this enterprise is merely negative, nothing
can be accomplished. 1t is necessary that
the ministry and membership of the Church
be aroused to it's essential Importance, and
that they realize that Christian giving is
Gods own condition of blessing, coupled
with harmonious associated prayer. 1t
would be interesting to allude at length to
this discourse, as it clearly set forth the duty
of the Church and the conditions of success
in this great feature of her work.
After the sermon, the Presbytery was
constituted by prayer, the roll was called
and the following delegates responded to
their names: Ministers-J. G. Chalmers, j.
Hunter, r. A. Ross, D. D., l. G. McLaugh-
lin, E. E. Boyce, J. E. Pressly, D: D., G. B.
J. M. Todd, R. G. Miller, w. M. Hunter,
G. r. White, D. G. Caldwell, w. w. Orr, j.
A. White, J. T. T.Chalmers, G. E. Mcdonald,
Mason w. Pressly, w. Y. Love. Licenti
ate-W. A. NJ. Plaxico Elders-S. c. Reid,
r. NJ. Plaxico, w. B. Cochran, w. A. Grier,
G. l.. Smith, w. S. Leslie, w. NJ. Kenne-
| dy, John Douglass, D. NJ. Moore, J. c. Bell,
S. "A. Garrison, j. Ransom, Jno. r. Patrick,
IT. R. McGill, j. R. McMaster, l.. NJ. Nc
Allister, Matthew White; Commissioner
VIM. White, R. T. Robinson, j. K. Nor
| riSOn.
Rev. r. E. Pressy was by acclamation,
elected Moderator, and it was moved that
the Presbytery recede from business ten
minutes in order to prepare the committees.
After re-assembling the following were ap-
| pointed chairmen of committees w. A.
(irier, on Pastors Salaries r. G. Miller,
on Finance w. w. Orr, on Congregational
Reports l. G. Mclaughlin, on Sessional
Records; R. G. White, on minutes of Syn
cd D. G. Caldwell, on Supplies.
The afternoon was allowed these commit
tees for preparing their reports. The dock
| ct of unfinished business was then taken up,
and after some discussion was dispatched.
The financial reports from the respective
congregations were then read. Acommend-
| able Improvement was indiCatedln the pay
ment of pastors salaries.
The Rev. J. T. Chalmers offered a resolu-
tion making it imperative upon sessions to
call their representatives to account for alb
sence from the regular meetings, which was
unanimously adopted.
At o'clock on Monday evening the Mod
orator called the Presbytery to order. Mr..
Grier, student of divinity, proceeded to
deliver trial discourse from Matt v. II.
This discourse was, after criticisms by the
members in private session, sustained as
specimen of progress. Mr.. Grier has been
student of theology but three or four
months, and presents quite a youthful ap-
pearance in the pulpit.
Reports of committees were called for.
The Rev. w. w. Orr, chairman of the con-
ference committee, presented as subject for
discussion at the next meeting "Christian
mers be appointed to preside and open the
discussion.
Reports were also received from the COM
mittees on supplies and sessional records"
A very animated discussion followed the
presentation of resolution to change the
time of meeting from Mondayto Wednesday,
allowing the ministers an opportunity of
reaching home and filling their own pulpits
on the Sabbath Some good reasons were
l>%I Il nf fhn hI1f
when the vote was taken, it was found that
q majority of the members were in favor of
adhering to the old time of meeting. The
time of the next meeting, however, was
changed from Monday after the first Sab
bath in September to Monday after the fifth
Sabbath in August.
A very pleasant episode during the even
ing session was the presentation of an
elegant silver service to the Rev. Jno. f.
Pressly, D. D., as memorial OF the Presby-
tery's appreciation of his long and faithful
service as clerk.
hands by the Rev. D. G. Caldwell on behalf
of the committee, accompanied by some
very happy and graceful remarks. The
memorial was received by DIR. Pressly with
emotion, who also responded very pleasant
ly to Mr.. CaldWell's address.
After an evening session, Presbytery rece-
ded from business until 1890 A. NJ, Tues
day.
The Rev. G. R. Miller presented the re-
port of the committee on finance. From
this report we cleaned the following items
Of interest: Amount assessed the Presbytery
for the synodical year just closed-for Do
mestic Missions, 1,470; for Foreign Mis-
sions, S7O3. Of these assessments 81 400 had
been paid to Home Missions, and something
over 5000 to Foreign Missions. Eighteen
churches had paid their assessments in full,
nine in part only, and five had paid nothing.
An hour was spent in conference upon
subject previously agreed upon, "The sane
tifcation of the Sabbath embracing the
duty and mode" DIR. Ross presided during
the discussion. Interesting and profitable
remarks were offered by the chairman, and
Revs. /. G, Mclaughlin, E. f. Boyce, John
Hunter, DR.. Latham, NJ. W. Pressly and
others.
At the conclusion Of the conference reso-
lutions were submitted and adopted, en-
bodying the sentiments of the Presbytery
upon this important subject, eXhorting pro-
Tossing Christians to a more faithful and
Scriptural observance of the day, and pro-
viding that pastors be required to preach
sermon on the duty and manner of sanctify-
ing the Sabbath.
a very touching tribute to the memory Of
the Rev. William Barron Pressly was offer
ed by DIR. J. E. Pressly and adopted. Pre-
ceding the adoption of this minute, Presby-
tery spent some time in memorial service
in respect to the deceased.
Addresses we're made by many of the min
listers touching the life and character of MIR.
Pressly.