Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1886-09-18
Lafayette Presbytery

Met at Springfield, Mo-, Sept 9th, and was |
opened with a sermon by the last moderator,
Rev. W. ID. Morton, from 2 Cor. 5:2l. There !
were in attendance during the sessions of
Presbytery thirteen ministers and eight ruling !
elders.
Rev. j. A. Quarles, d. D.. was, lat his own re.
quest, ,dism Used to unite with Lexington, Va,
Presbytery, and Rev. j. V. Barks was recelv-
ell from the Presbytery of Palmyra; and Rev.
B. l.. Hobson. Licentiate of this Presby-
terry, having satisfactorily passed all the
usual examinations. and having re ceived and
accepted u call from the Springfield church,
Was, on Friday night, solemnly ordained to
the full work of the Gospel ministry ''by til e
laying on of the hands of the Presbvtery,"
the moderator prOpOunding the constitutional
questions and Rev. g. l.. Leyburn, his form
er pastor, preaching the sermon; and on Sab
bath morning Mr.. Hobson was installed pas
tor of the Springfield church; Rev. J. w.
Wallace presiding, Rev. W. D. Morton giving
the charge to the pastor, and DR.. Bowen that
to the people,
The Presbyterial Evangelist. D. Mister,
reported the organization of church at
Prairie Lick, Cooper county.
The church of Central Prairie asked and
obtained leave to continue the services of
Rev. j. w. Wallace for six months; similar
request was granted Lees Summit church
aud Rev. II. NJ. SydensLricker; and MIR.
Sydenstricker was permitted to retain the
meeting of the Presbytcry.
Reports were received and adopted from
the committees of home and foreign mis-
sions, of publication and education, of the
Sabbath, and of Sunday schools, showing for
the most part continued and increasing inter-
est and enlarged contributions to these great
causes.
The committee appointed to attend the ex-
aminations at the f. A. Seminary reported
the presence of two of them ut the same,
their qualification at what they saw and
heard, and their hearty approval of the school
and Its methods of instruction. Further
statements were also made as to the recent
changes, caused by the resignation of DR..
Quarles, and the present condition of the
seminary; and the following action was
unanimously taken, viz:
The Presbytery recognizing the importance
of maintaining our Presbyterial Female Sem.
mary, and its obligation to sustain this in
daughters; Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we make special mention of
this school to our people and recommend 1t to
their patronage.
Rev. B. l.. HObsOn was requested to furnish
for publication in the st. Louis Presbyterian,
his sermon for ordination preached before
the Presbyteryi and the stated clerk was ,
directed to have 1000 copies of Sabbath com.
mlttees report printed and sent to the ses-
sions of the churches of the Presbytery for
distribution among the members.
| A very able report, and strong paper,
was presented on the subject of Christian
Beneficence, by a committee appointed at the
last meeting; this report elected an earnest
discussion, and was in part adopted; but
without completing the subject it was moved
that the further consideration OF it be de.
ferred until the spring meeting.
The following paper on worldly amuse-
ments was adopted, viz:
Presbytery would repeat what the church
through Its different courts has so often said
| and what our standards declare, namely, To
express our dsapprObation of the practice of
dancing, card-playing and attendance upou
hort all of our members to observe the rules
OF the church and to adorn the doctrine which
they profess.
The narrative of the state of religion for the
year is as follows:
Your committee would respectfully report
that the facts as set forth In the narratives
from the several churches under our care,
almost without exception, indicate not only
healthy state In grace, but growth in the
divine life and AN increasing zeal for the
prosecution OF the work which the Master
has committed to our hands.
/. The brethren of the eIdership are reas-
ona6ly faithful in their high calling and are
coming more and more to realize that the
Holy Ghost has made them overseers of the
flock.
2. The attendance upon the services of
Gods house on His holy Sabbath IS good and
| in not few cases increasingly so.
3. Judging the prayer meetings by the ordi.
nary standard they are well attended, and in
some cases there is more than usual inter-
est taken in this means of grace. 1t is earn
estly recommended to the sessions of the few
churches where such meetings are not regu-
larly held that they consider this important
matter, and, If possible, establish and main
tain the weekly prayer meeting.
4. Family worship is maintained in the
homes of most of the officers of the church.
but 1t is to be feared that the circle is extend.
ed but little beyond this.
D. The Sabbath Is generally well observed
by our own people, though lightly esteemed
and in some cases greatly abused by some
in every community.
&. The liberality of our people, considering
the stringency of the times in money matters,
is fully up to their standard in the past, and
in some cases beyond it.
I. The Lord has been specially good to us
IN giving US an Increase of laborers during
the past summer in our five candidates for the
ministry, and in adding to our churches dur
ing the year about two hundred on certificate
and two hundred and forty on profession of
their faith in Christ. To His name be the
praise.
The following resolution was unanimously
and most heartily adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the thanks OF the Presbv.
terry be extended to the good people of this
city for their generous and delightful hospi-
tallty; also our thanks to the sister churches
for the courtesy of their pastors and pulpits,
and also to the railroads for favors eXten led
us.
We would hereby also congratulate our
youthful church, at Springfield, upon its
gratifying prosperity thus far and the bright
future before it.
Presbytery then adjourned to meet at the
call OF The moderator during the sessions of
sYnodn necessary; and in regular session at
Pleasant Hill next April. STATED CLERK