The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1885-11-06
SYNOD OF NORTH CAROLINA.
HIGHEST ECCLESIASTICAL COURT
OF THE PRESBHTERIANS.
\ Condensed Report of the Proceedings
and Pen Pictures of Leading Mem beTs
Written by IA Prominent Divine.

Condensed Report OF the proceedings
and Pen Pictures of Leading Mem berS
Written by Prominent Divine.
To THE CHRONICLE:-The Synod of North
Carolina is the highest ecclesiastical court
of the Presbyterian church in the State of
North Carolina, and is composed of all the
ministers and a representative of each of
the churches within its bounds. There are
four courts In the system of church courts
in the Presbyterian church, the session
COR parochial Presbytery), the Presbytery,
embracing all the ministers and churches
within certain district) the Synod Gn-
Guiding three or more Presbyteries) and
the General Assembly, made up of repre-
sentatives or commissioners from all the
Presbyteries.
The Synod of North Carolina held its
annual meeting this year in the busting
and thrifty town of Reidsville The hos
pltaIty was generous and warmly apprc-
ciated by the delegates each one carrying
away most pleasant recollections Of the
prosperous town and it's courteous and
large hearted people.
The session was a busy and important
one affecting the general interest of the
church throughout the State, and marked
a positive progress. 1t was not very large
body-many being absent and excused for
special reasons-but an energetic alert
and thoughtful parliamentary assemblage.
There We're present fifty ministers and
fortyfour voting elders representatives of
churches. The opening sermon was preach
ed by the Moderator, the Rev. P. T. Pen
lex, of MoOresville, n. c., minister well
known in the State for his theological
learning and ability. For his successor,
the Rev. J. G. Alexander, of Guilford, was
chosen, an earnest, useful and successful
country pastor, and the Rev J. A. Ram
nf Rowan /
Of Harnett county, were chosen temporary
clerks.
Omlttlng many matters of usual bust
ness, we mention the more notable discus
sions and important items.
On Wednesday evening at 7.30 o'clock,
after the report of the Synodal agent of
Foreign Missions, the Synod and a very
large audience in attendance were address
ed by the Rev. John w. Davis D. D.,
of the late d. A. Davis, Esq, Of Salisbury,
a man well known and venerable, and is
a native of that town, member of the
Synod and has been for twelve years a
missionary in that far land. His address
was illustrated by maps and charts, and
pictures by native artists, and was crowd
ed with valuable facts, and historical
knowledge, and with earnest appeal. DR..
Davis is man apparently 80 or 3d.
youthful, slender, almost boyish looking,
but for a grave and serious and earnest
countenance, with sense of humor, an
energetic and nervous staccatO way of
speaking and good practical sense and
manly independence.
The Rev. Walter W. Moore D. D., the
| youthful Professor of Oriental Literature
| at Union Theological Seminary, which in
stitution is partly under the control of the
| Synod, made brief statement as to the
interests and prospects of that institution.
| DR.. Moore is a native of North Carolina,
| under thirty, fluent and easy in speech, of
! graceful and engaging manner, and with
a face exceedingly expressive and winning,
! and made a most favorable impression.
The address of Rev. L. Mckinnon, the
new President of Davidson College, was
marked by vigor, thought and strong
sense, candidly and earnestly spoken, and
sometimes with true majesty and power.
1 He advocated denominational education
and showed its great advantage to the
State and its necessity to the church.
There was a grace and courtesy, too, becom-
ing his position, but the refreshing manll-
| ness of his honest utterances won general
admiration. President Mckinnon is a man
in early prime, vigorous in mind and
body, commanding in appearance, of great
energy and practical wisdom and has
eminently successful. He reported 1O5
students on the ground at Davidson Col
lege and others expected at the opening of
the new term, January 9Th.
The appeal of the Rev. D. P. Robinson
against the Presbytery of Mecklenburg,
took up much of the time of Synod awoke
general interest and elected some of the
most animated discussions of the Synod.
His counsel was the Rev. Geo. L. Cook. of
Mecklenburg, a successful and laboriOus
country pastor and his speech showed
much ability and acuteness. His ridicule
was very effective The opposing counsel
was the Rev. N. NJ. Woods, of Charlotte
who represented the Presbytery. Mr.
Woods is the beloved pastor of the Second
Presbyterian church, and had served his
apprenticeship at the law before entering
the University. He conducted his cause
with skill and ability and spoke with power
Both gentlemen are young and talented
with good record for past service anG
abundant promise. The result of the ap
peal was that the case was remitted to The
Presbytery of Mecklenburg for new trial
Reports We're made on the Sabbath Schoo
cause by the Rev. L. G. Vass, of New
Berne, on the cause Of Publication ant
Colportage by the Rev. J. NJ Rose, o
Goldsboro. on Sustentation by the Rev
DR.. Hill, of Fayetteville, and on Evangel
istic work in the Synod by the Rev. J. G
Alexander, of Guilford. The last was sup
plemented by reports from evangelists il
the field and by Synodical Map whicl
revealed the wide vacancies and EXTENDED
territory in the State unoccupied by tn
Presbyterian church.
The statistics of the year, as gatheret
i, from the reports of the Presbyteries, shoy
! ) Presbyteries, 1 4 min; ;sters, 8 licentiates
26 candidates, 249 churches, 1 ,494 adde
: to the church during the year, a total o
10, 461 communicates, and contribution
aggregating to S133, 9S2. Ten churche
! were organized, four candidates license
and four hcentiates ordained to the fu
work of the ministry. There are 80 manses
valued at $7S, 200. Eleven ministers, thrc
licentiates and nine candidates We're +,
ceived into the Synod. Seven minister
q were removed by death
e The memorial service was solemn an
e interesting. Brief minutes were rea
n touching each one deceased, and commen
: orative remarks, sincere, unstudied an
s tender tributes We're made by members {
e the Synod and the exercises fittingl
s closed with prayer.
e Among the older meubers of Syno
|. whose past labOrs, or venerable appearan(
IS attracted attention We're the Rev Nei
is Mckay, D. D., of Harnett, and the Re,
r Evander McNair, D. D., of Robson. tt
< Rev. J. Henry Smith, d. D., of Green