Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-09-23
SYNOD.

| Inc SYNOD convened It's sessions on the morn
ing of the 18th instant. 1t has been twenty
| seven years since 1t held session previously at
Old Providence.
| The Oldest minister of the entire church, Rev.
James Boyce, DID,, President of the Theologi-
cal Seminary at Due West, s. c., being the re-
firing Moderator, delivered the sermon from
End Corinthians II chapter, % verse; Besides
those things that are without, that which
cometh upon me daily, the care of all the
churches" 1t was review of the state of the
churches in the bounds of the synod and its
| special charge to care for them. Frequently
| the DRY of The church was referred to, as
various subjects concerning its mission came
eup for consideration. Its home work-the
growth and prosperity of the educational insti-
| tutions-the Willingness to make sacrifice and
endure trial that enlargement might follow
with large share, in missionary work, were the
principal points of the discourse. DR.. Boyce is
| a tall spare man. and but for the bend of form
which more than four score years produces
would be erect in statue. He yet speaks with
| force and animation. frequently with much
| emphasis.
| Immediately after sermon, DIR Boycs called
| the Synod to order, and Rev A Latham, DID,,
Clerk, called the roll when there many re-
sponses and from all the States mentioned in
| the Introductory.
Whilst there were several aged, and some ad-
vanced in years, yet the majority of ministers
and elders were young and in proportion to the
number no finer collection of representative
| men is to be found.
Rev K G Miller of South Carolina was elect
ed oderator, and being introduced by his
venerable retiring predecessor. assumed the
duties of the chair in a brief and appropriate
address.
The Standing Committees were then an
nounced.
Revs Mr. Hamilton and McElwee, of the Pres
byterian, and Rev Mr. Torreyson, of the Metho-
dist church, were invited to seats as cores
ponding members.
The remainder of the first days session was
taken up with consideration of deferred busi-
ness, reading reports from the Presbyteries
! etc.
The report from the board OF Foreign mis-
, sions embraced work in Mexico, having Tam
pico rs the centre of operations. 1t wasread by
Rev Neil E Pressly in charge of the mission
who came direct to Virginia from Mexico. The
report shows the objects of the mission to be in
progressive state and co-laborers enrolling in
the cause, natives of the country.
During the session, Rev DIR Boyoe made a
verbal report of the transactions of the Presby-
terrain Council at Belfast Ireland, to which he
with others had been delighted The following
are the points in his report as nearly as they
could pc caught during delivery. Drs Boyce
and Latham were the delegates The session
: extended through ten days. There were 275
| delegates In AUTOMATICALLY from America: II
from the Continent; 81 from Bohemia: l from
Russia; 2 from Waldenses; l from France. from
India; from China; some from Africa. the re-
mainder from England Scotlan nd and Ireland d.
1t was learned, pious and influential body
Many of the papers prepared for the occasion
and read IN the council were of an excellent
character. The discussions were often excted
but were interesting. There was some diver.
sity, even on points where the constitution had
forbade discussion; for instance the clause
expressing the conditions upon which a
denomination may be received into the Coun.
; Gil. viz The holding to the Calvanistic article
and to the Presbyterian form of church gov.
eminent. Notwithstanding all this, the Coun.
Gil received into membership a church which
is avowedly Armenian, having eliminated
from the West minister con fession the Calyap.
istc articles therein contained. The admis-
sion of this church into the Council produced
some dissatisfaction, along with the course
pursued in reference to the psalmody.
The council may continue fifty years at this
rate of disregarding the conscientious scruples
of the Psalm-singtng churches and flourish
too after name, but such council may be
i, stripped OF its Pan Presbyterian character, and
away goes part of Its glory.
These, with other developments, such as the
ritualism of some of the members. made us an.
, prehensive with respect to the future of the
, council, and constrain us to say that our zeal
is abated, and as things now stand we are not
prepared to recommend the Synod to keep up
the delegation, unless In the meantime the
| wind should blow in different direction. and
furnish an indication of a disposition on the
part ofthe council TO follow the things that
tend to peace.