The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-11-16
The Atlantic Synod.

This Synod, which is composed Of
oolored Presbyterians, met ut the Second
Presbyterian Church, ut this place, on
Wednesday last. Rev. w. A. Alexander,
Of Wilmington, N. c., who has been III
the ministry only three years, and who
is u graduate Of Biddlc University, ut
Charlotte, N. c., was elected Moderator.
This Synod consists Of 8 Prcsbyteries,
2O2 churches, LOG ministers, and en-
braces the territory within the States Of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
and Florida. During the past year
about fifteen new churches have been
organized and fourteen hundred new
members added. The Synod undertakes
a large educational work. They have
under their charge and patronage Bid
die University, at Charlotte, N. c., with
Preparatory, Collegiate and Theological
departments; Scotia Seminary, at Con-
cord, N. c., devoted to the education Of
girls, are the most. prominent. They
have also complete systems Of Parochial
schools and a number of academies, such
Is W%adlingford, ut Charleston, S. c.;
Branerd Institute, Chester, S. c., and
Ferguson Academy, at Abbevilie, S. G..
1t will be observed that those schools
and institutes bear the same relations to
each other that the different chairs
which our wealthy friends have endow-
ed do, in perpetuating the names Of the
b~enefactors. This work was begun by
the Northern Presbyterian Church
eighteen years ago, and has been fos-
tered by it with tho results as above
mentioned. 1t may be as we'll to state
that this Body labors in the same field,
without collision, with their white breth-
rem Of the Southern Presbyterian Church
and that they have the same belief, the
same Confession Of Faith, the same Cat
echism, and preach tina same doctrine
which their white friends inculcate, and
endorse also the deliverance Of the last
Southern General Assembly Wherein
they declare AZ to the Northern Presby-
t~erians, a belief in fraternal relations,
but no organic union. While this is
true as to the Southern branch Of the
Presbyterian Church, in the Northern
section Of the same church they arc &C
corded all the privileges which their
Divine calling entities them to, and are
received as equals in the Presbyteries,
Synods, and General Assemblies. The
exercises were very interesting to our
colored friends; many came from q dist
ance to attend the meetings, and we trust
they were edited by their attendance.
Without detracting from any of the
efforts of the ministers present we may
mention that we have heard that the
Rev. - Sanders talk on education
was filled with practical thought, and
showed him master of his subject, gifted
with an unique vocabulary, a fluent
talker, and pointing him out as q worthy
exemplar Of his race and On exponent
Of their wants eduSationally. There was
present at tho meeting Of the Synod the
following white men, viz: Dr.. Mittoon,
whs is Dean Of the theological Depart
ment ut Biddle University, Charlotte,
N. c. and who is q Doctor Of Divinity
and a former Missionary to Siam: Rev.
A. s. Billingsley, engaged in regular
pastoral work; Rev. Luke Dorland Pres
i,Leat Of Scotia Seminary, Concord. NC;
Rev. A. G.. West, a regular minister at
Sumter, s. c.; and Rev. H. Payne Mel
son, General Secretary.
In Abbevllle County there are four
rfesbytefaan churches of the colored
persuasion their establishment, at first,
was found difficult on account of the
prejudic Of the negroes, against any but
the Methodist church, but the Rev. E..
w. Williams, after much opposition
has succeeded in overcoming this preju-
dice, and has now q church composed of
the most influential colored people. as
the following list of officers Of his church
will show besides many useful allies
and members. He has for his elders
Lloyd Smith, Geo. NJ. Richey, T.. K.
Richey Robert Bell, and for his Deacans
Richard Romans, George Barr, Norman
Richey, Ben Valentine and William
Pope. In connection with his church
there is a flourishing school taught by
his wife who was q student at Harvard
University Washington D. c.. and who
taught in the public schools at Wash
ington, the next synod will take place
1t Columbia s. G.. on the second We'd
nesday of November next.
The members present at this Synod
express themselves as pleased beyod
measure, at the results achieved by the
church and school at his place, and are
greatful to their white friends for the
aid and sympathy shown them. The
Synod adjourned at IL m. yesterday.
Edgefield Exercised.
HRNN