Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-24
EFIRD DAY OF THE SYNOD
THE WOODROW CONTROVERSY
STILL UNSETTLED.

portsArT the Matter 60 be Taken Up
again EO-daY-The Condition OF the
PresbyteFies--MOre Sernl Ons Wanted
on the Observance of the sabbath.
The morning session OF the synod OF
South Georgia and Florida was opened
yesterday with devotional exercises.
The Arst business Of Importance trans
acted was the reports Of committees. Rev.
James w. Snesrer, chairman OF the com
mittee on the sabbath, read report,
portion OF which was as follows;
$50 tar rs we can see and learn there is
a growing Indifference TO the proper oo-
seTvance Of Sunday as day ~ worship.
Even among church members in many
places there is q neglect OF blple reading
and study as OF yore and substitution OF
she newspapers OF the day or other lighter
reading instead. In many places eepe-
eiallv in out OF the way places where
there is little preaching, the day IS spent
in hunting and fishing. Sabbath trains,
newspapers and boat excursions help to
encourage mis- tendency"
The report suggested that ministers and
stated supplies preach sermons on this
subject more frequently.
j. w. Montgomery, Chairman OF the
Historical Committee, reported that his
vannah has been prepared. The presby-
terry Of st. Johns urged the preparation
Of historical sketches Of its churches with
a view to a sketch OF the pTesbytery. The
report and the recommendation were
received and a vote OF thanks was
rendered to Mr.. William Harden, who pre-
pared the sketch of the savannah pres
terry.
REoRGANIZING TaE COMMITTEES.
The committee on the organization Of
committees reported the following through
its chairman, Rev. a. b. Curry.
Foreign Missions-R. Q. Way, Benia-
min Helm, X. ?. Julian, Il. Clay, j. W.
McLaury.
Home Mlssions-W. Il. Dodge, B. L.
Baker, J. W. Rogan, A. NJ. Jones, j. D.
Palmer.
Edueation-D. J. II. Myers, Il. NJ. An
derson, Z. z. Cation, Joseph Hull, j. n.
Bradshaw
Publicatlon-D. w. Eumphries, W. B.
Tetord, j. w. Montgomery, G. III. Whet-
stone, E. p. Miller.
Sabbath Sch0Ols-W. II. Crane, L. Link,
W. g. +. Wallace, T. c. Lanier, j. .. Var
Madoe.
Sabbath. W. shearer, 7. Z. Smith, j.
W Quarterman, j. L. Way, John Pater-
son.
Historical Matters-J. w. Montgomery,
". II, Dodge, A. B. Curry, VIM. Harden,
Angus Paterson.
The Committee on Sunday Schools re-
ported that the synod is composed Of three
presbyteries, in which are Is churches,
with total membership Of 214l.
The Florida presbytery has % churches
and I95 communicates. Twelve churches
report Sunday schools. The membership
Of these u churches is 666. and the num-
her OF children attending these schools is
$50. Eleven churches with a membership
OF 129 report no Sunday schools.
Savannah presbytery, D churches, 1,025
members, II Sunday schools, children on
the roll 405. Membership Of these II
churches 493. Membership Of the Ii
churches which do not report Sunday
schools 532.
st. Johns presbytery, % churches, S27
communicates. Eleven churches report
Sunday schools with I03 pupils. Eighteen
churches with membership OF 237 report
no schools.
HEARING THE REPORTS.
Rev. A. b. Curry, chairman pro TEN.
u the committee on publication, reported
gratifying Improvement in the financial
condition OF the publication cause. The
executive committee is out Of debt, and
So, 900 Of the outstanding 4 per cent. bonds
have been retired during the year The
assets exceed the liabilities by 1000, a
gain Of about $500 in the past twelve
months. Books aud papers worth $4,000
have been donated.
Rev. II. NJ. Houston, d. D., Of Balti-
more, secretary Of foreign missions, and
Rev. 7. T. Christian, Of Georgia NJ. +.
conference, were invited to sit, the former
As corresponding member, and the latter
as a visiting brother. The subject OF for
eign missions WAS made the special order
for Sunday night at 8 O'clock, and DR..
Houston wss invited TO address the meet
ing at that time.
An overture from the Florida pres
bytery inquiring as 70 the prNpristy Of
member OF q presbytery not in connection
with the general assembly 10 act as mode
rator Of a presbytery, was referred TO the
Committee on Bills and Overtures.
At II 80 a. m. the synod took a recess
until $3.50 p. m, and made the report Of
the Committee on Theological Seminary
the special order for the hour OF re-
converting.
THE WOODROW CONTROVERSY.
Soon after the synod was called to order
mittee on Theological Seminary handed in
a majority and minority report. The
preamble Of the majority report read:
That il is with sincere sorrow that sc learn
Of the troubles connected with this beloved
institution columbia, and pray that they
may be soon satisfactorily settled and our
seminary enter upon career Of greater pros
perity.
Then followed an approval OF the APP
pointment OF DR.. c. G. Herman, Prof
TadlOck and Prof. J. Il. Vaughan 10
chairs IN the seminary, and certain
amendments 70 the constitution OF the
seminary. That part which referred TO
the Woodrow matter read:
Resolpad, That the synod dsapprove the ac-
tOu OF the board M removing Rev. DR.. Wood
row from his chair In the seminary for these
reasons.
!. That the synod, having decided that his
views on evolution, as presented III public adj
dress OF bis, shou q not he taught ia the semi
nary, and having instructed the board 20 car
~ out lts Will I'm this respect they failed 20
ascertain from Or. Woodrow whether nc
would obey the viii Of the synod OF not.
9, That they proceed q to execute Judi
clal sentence without having hrst given him
Judicial trial as provided FOR Ina the consti-
sutton Of the seminary. Sec q Art. II.
hss0tUed, That We further disgpurOve the
action Of the board by which they elected "a
provisional instructor when the constitution
recognizes no such office.
b l.. BAEER.
y. L. QUARTERMAN.
J. q. NARNEboE.
JAMES MCRAR.
TWO REPORTS SUBMITTED.
The minority report alluded 10 nothing