The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-11-17
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.
Ninety Ninth Annual Session.
FIRST DAY

Iesoy IeIleS, covering all OF virginia and
parts of West Virginia and Maryland
A full attendance would give 226 minis
tiers and over 300 ruling elders, but the
largest attendance at any meeting of the
body has never reached half that number
Judging from the number present at the
opening, there will be an unusually large
attendance at the present meeting.
The Synod last met in this city In 1869
1t then numbered on its roll 1877 minis.
tiers and 228 churches, and has since
grown to the numbers given above.
The present is the ninety ninth annual
session of this body, which organized at
New Providence church, in Augusta
county, in 1888.
The Sy nod begauits session at s o'clock,
Tuesday, November 9th, in the First Pres.
byterian church, Richmond, Va, Rev. R.
P. Kerr pastor.
The opening sermon was preached by
Rev. James P. Smith, the Moderator who
presided at the last session, on John xiv :
II: "And greater works than these
shall he do because l go unto My Faith.
err"
The sermon was a clear and forcible
argument to show that the Christian re-
ligion, in its influence in regenerating
and elevating fallen man, has done a
greater work than any of the miracles
wrought within the sphere of material
action.
After the sermon the Spnod was consti-
tuted with prayer by the Rev. James P.
Smith, Moderator.
The roll was then read, showing that
there had been enrolled up to this point
one hundred ministers and fifty nine rul-
ing elders-the largest number ever pre-
sent at the opening session.
DR.. PRESTON CHOSEN MODERATOR.
The Moderator announced that the
first business was the election of a Mod
orator.
The Rey. DIR. Pryor nominated the
Rev. Thomas l.. Preston, D. D., and
stated that, in addition to his personal
qualifications for the office, it would be
most, gratifying to this congregation to
have their former esteemed pastor preside
over the sessions of the Synod.
The Rev. DR.. Hoge heartily seconded
the nomination, which it was his purpose
to make himself had not DIR. Pryor been
too quick for him.
DR.. B. M. Smith also supported the
nomination and DR.. Preston was then
chosen Moderator by reclamation.
Ruling Elders S. L. Flournoy, of Rom
ney, and j. F. Fitzgerald, of Farmville,
were chosen Temporary clerks.
1t was ordered that for tomorrow there
be but one session of the Synod from
$50 A. M. to 2:30 P. M, the first halt
hour to be spent in devotional exercises.
There will be preaching at P. M.
The Rev. DIR. E. M. Richardson, Of
Memphis, Secretary of Education, will be
heard tomorrow at an hour to be fixed
by the committee on Devotional Exercises.
APPOINTING COMMITTEES.
General Robert D. Lilley moved to in
struct the Moderator, in appointing the
standing committees, to appoint on them
alternately three ministers and two elders
and three elders and two ministers.
This led to brief animated discussion,
after which the motion was lost by a ear
ly unanimous vote.
The Synod then adjourned till 9:3OA A..
M. tomorrow.
SECOND DAY.
The Synod rssumed its sessions at $50
A. M. The first half hour was spent in
devotional exercises, conducted by the
Rev. DR.. Pryor. Special prayer was Of
fered in behalf of Gen. Robert D. Lilley,
who left the house at the close of the SEES
sion the night before quite i'll, and sent
the request to the Synod for prayer.
A goodly number of new members were
enrolled, both ministers and ruling elders.
The Moderator announced the standing
committees.
The Rev. DR.. Murkland, of Baltimore,
obtained leave Of absence after the morn
ing session on account of a death in his
congregation, and the committee of De-
votional Exercises was directed to substi.
tute some one for him to present the cause
Of Foreign Missions.
The records of the several Presbyteries
we're called for and placed in the hands
of the respective committees for review.
The reports on Systematic Bene6cence
were called for and referred, without be-
ing read, to the standing committee on
that subject.
The narratives of the state Of religion
in the several Presbyteries were read and
referred to the standing committee. The
general tone Of these reports is most en-
couraging as to the condition and growth
Of the churches The Presbyteres aud
the churches under their care show, gen
orally zeal and efficiency in prosecuting
the aggressive work Of the Church.
Rev. James P Smith, treasurer, read