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


and derives its name from Erskine, who wa
among the founders of the secession church o
Scotland. 1t was organized in 1889. The frs
President was DR. E E Pressly. who resigned In
lS47. He was succeeded by DIR Robert G Grier
who held the position until his death in 1871
except three years before 1861, when DR..
Patton filed the position. After the death 0
| Dr. Grier, the Synod called his son, DR. VIM n
Grier, to the presidency who is now filling the
| station.
| The Colleges the largest denominational insti
| tuition in the State of South Carolina, and ont
of the Oldest in the South. 1t had a liberal en-
dowment, but the results of the war swept tbs
resources away. Since then, it has accumula-
ted a fund Of about $50 co., Five hundred of 1T
graduates have been sent out, many filling
positions of honor and trust In the South. Tht
present ministry in the Synod. with few excep
ton, are graduates. 1t is growing in favor ant
influence
The faculty is as follows -
Rev. VIM M Grfer, DID,. President.
u Mccain, A. B., Professor of Greek an(
Grammar.
John H Miller, A. b. Professor OF Mathemat-
les and Nat. Sciences.
VIM Hood, A. NJ, Professor of Chemistry
History and Bellies Lettres
Rev. Nc G Todd, Professor of Latin and
French.
Tutor-Mr. L p Kennedy.
The Theological Seminary has been conduct
ed in connection with the College. but now il
is to be separated as provision has been made
to have buildings erected, and, it's equipm nj
enlarged. The effort now going on will secure
liberal endowment of $4,000.
The Faculty is as follows:-
Rev. James Boyce, DID,, President.
Rev. w L Pressly, DID,, Prof. of Hebrew.
Rev. VIM M Grier DID,. Professor of Greek
Exegesis.
der control of the Synod, is recognized in con-
nection with the church, and is literally pa
tronized throughout the denomination in the
Southern States. 1t has full faculty of ten
professors, and well equipped In all Its depart
men is.
The Synod was occupied on the afternoon OF
the second day with the subject of Foreign
Missions. In 1880, mission station was open
ed at Tampico, Mexico, Rev Neill E Pressly in
charge. He was present and delivered lengthy
andsi discourse on the progress and
state of the work committed to his hands The
difficulties in prosecuting the cause in Mexico
were more than generally anticipated, which
he enumerated. The principal station is Tam
pico, other stations g. ordained ministers 2.
licentiates l. students of Theology l. Number
received into full membership IS, member OF
baptism 81, schools 2, pupils 7l-total member
ship in all stations 1l5
During the day, the Rev W McNary, from
the United Presbyterian church, was introduce
ed, and received with rising Synod. Rev DR.
Murray, of the Presbyterian, and Revs W T
Abraham and ] T Shipman, of the Baptist
church, were invited to seats as corresponding
members. Rev James Boyce, of KY, preached
to large congregation in the grove on the Sec
ond day during the session of the Synod.
Rev Mason Pressly conducted services in the
church Thursday night.
The third days proceedings were opened by
continuation of the discussions on Foreign
Missions. Mr. Lawson, of North Carolina, q
young man, who had offered himself for that
service, was recognized, and, on motion of DR.
Grief. he was recommended to pursue his
studies in preparation for it. The report of the
Board on Foreign Missions coming up the re-
commentators made were concurred in. Rev
Neill E Pressly, in charge of the mission in
Mexico. made a further report in relation to the
translation of the catchism, Psalms. etc.,
which he had now ready for publication. Dur
ing the debates. the missionary was frequent
ly called out. His responses always elected the
greatest interest, and it was evident that the
Synod entertained for him the highest regard.
The large audiences present participated In the
general desire to see and hear this able young
mar who has successfully conducted his
difficult work in distracted, and. to a great
extent, pagan section of Mexico.
The hour of the day arriving when the synod
would formally receive Rev W McNary, of
st. Louis, Commissioner from the United Pes
byterian church, he was introduced by the
Moderator to rising house. He commenced
by saying that the greetings he bore to his
brethren in the South were not mere formal
expressions of feeling, but genuine and sncere
in their desire for union and fraternal brother
hood. There is not space to follow him through
a lengthy address Astounding in sentiment in
dicated'by his opening rema rks He was heard
with profound attention
The Moderator responded in a happy style,
and expressed the hope that the sentiments and
purposes OF this overture would in time yield
the genuine fruits oil that love which his BROTH
er for his church had placed upon the altar of
Psalm singing Presbyteriaus. A common
cause, common trial, and the same forms Of
worship should unite all who were SO earnestly
enlisted in the Great Masters cause.
During a recess of i've minutes, there was
general Handwriting and congratuation of Mr.
MoNary, who had mentioned the fact that
this was the first address he had ever made in
the South. He Is the editor Of his church paper
"The Midland" published at st. Louis.
The.other proceedings of the day were rou.
tine-reports from Committees, etc. The most
important was that which, upon discussion
and amendment, fixed the status of the Theo-
logical Seminary. 1t will hereafter have three
identified with it, remaining at its head From
the discussion, it was evident the matter had
occupied the earnest thought of the Synod.
The chairman Of the Special Committee, who
had charge of tine subject,-Rev DR. Sloan of s.
C.,-was congratulated by many members up
on the efficiency of the plan as well as for the
labor and care which he had given this impor-
tant matter to the future of the Church.
DIR. Grier, the College President. and Rev w
l. Pressly of Due-West who were aiding DR.
Boyce, heretofore, resigned the appointments
they bad filed in the Faculty of the Seminary,
their designations to go into effect as soon as
the Synod was prepared to fill the chairs with
permanent Professors. The Synod returned a
vote of thanks for the generous services they
had rendered the Seminary.
The order of exercises for the Sabbath at Old
Providence and several churches in the CUR
rounding county was as follows: Two ser
mons and communion in the forenoon at OH
Providence-in the church, Rev E Pressly,
d D., of c., from John, CHI 10: Slst to 3Ilh
verses. In the grove, Rev NJ W Pressly, OF O..
Text, ought not Christ to have suffered these
things and entered into His glory? At night
Rev DR. Grier, President of Erskine College,
preached from Acts 9th ch. part of 9th verse;
"Whatwill thou have me to do?' AT Mr.. Car
mel, Rev G E Belts, of s G. At Bethel, Rev w
L. Pressly, of S G. AT New Providence Rey ID
G Caldwell, of N G.
Rev Miller, Of Tennessee. conducted the
services Friday night: Rev E Mcdonald. of
Arkansas, In the groves Saturday morning, and
Rev Mr. McNary. of St. Louis, preached in the
church Saturday night.
Due-West, 8 c., was selected as the place OF
meeting for the next session of the Sy nod
The Church paper is published at Oue-West,
and is in It's thirty-second year. Rev III
Grier, D D., President Of the College, and Rev
] McTodd, Professor of Mathematics are Inc
Editors DR. Boyce, and DR. Latham. the Cierk
of the Synod, who is also Pastor at YorkV1ile,
| S C., are regular contributors.
| The Synod Will not adjourn before Iuesday;;