Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-22
Montgomery Presbytery.

Montgomery Presbytcry.
lEeporte1 for tho Dispatch
Montgomery Presbytery held its regu-
lar scmi-annual meeting at Roanoke,
Va, April 18th to the Dist. The open
ing sermon was preached by Rev. j. Il.
Crews, of Lynchburg There were pres
emit during the sessions of the presbytery
twenty-one ministers and twenty-five
ruling elders
The presbytcrv was organized by the
election Of the following officers: Mode
rator, Thomas }. kirkpatrick, a ruling
elder OF First church, Lynchburg /;
Clerks. Dr. 5. Il. Price, ruling elder of
Bufordsvillo church, and Rev. L. &.
CLARK, Of Rocky Mount.
Since the last stated meeting the pres
bytery has had one church and five min
iste,s added to its roll.
The report on home missions was Of
unusual interest. Within the last few
months the money has been raised with
in the bounds Of the presbytery for the
employment OF an evangelist for two con-
secutiye year, The Rev. J. d. Thomas
has been elected to this position, and IS
now in the field.
Two oyerturcs on subjects OF great in
torcst were adopted and ordered to be
forwarded to the General Assembly to
meet IN Baltimore next month.
TIE first overture was on the subject
Of organic union with the Northern
Presbyterian Church, and is as follows {:
"The presbytery of Montgomery re-
spectfuly mskes the following overture ::
We are Of opinion that it is impossible to
overcome the obstacles to closer relations
with the Presbyterian Church in tho
United States OF America, and that the
agitation Of this question binders the
progress ana endangers the unity OF orr
Church. We pray your honorable body
not 10 take any further stops IN that
direction and to refrain from any mea-
sures calculated TO continue the agitation
OF the question"
The second overture was on the sub
Jet OF the organization Of the Church in
foreign lands. 1t proposes to add to
chapter H., Book Of Church Order, an
additional section-yiz., Section Vi, as
follows
"Section VI. Of the Organization Of
the church in Foreign Lands.
al. Power to organize the Clutch in
8 foreign land when no organized Church
exists may 10 granted by presbytery to
IN evangelist.
al. In organizing such Church the
first step shall be TO ascertain the names
of those who, having confessed their
faith in tho Lord Jesus Christ and been
baptized, desire to be constituted as a
Church"
The next step shall be 10 require these
persons to enter into covenant by an
swering the following question snirma-
lively: Do you IN reliance on God for
strength solcmnly promise and covenant
that YOU will walk together as an or
gained Church, on the principles of the
faith and order Of the Presbyterian
Church of tho United States, and that
You will study tho purity and harmony
Of the whole body Ruling Elders shall
then bs elected by the people and
ordained and installed by the evangelist.
The session shall then he constituted
with prayer and a moderator and clerk
shall he elected. The evangelist shall
then say: 81 now pronounce and de-
clare thst. you are constituted church
according to the Word of God, and the
faith aud order OF tho Presbyterian
Church, in the name of the Father, and
OF thc Son, and Of the Holy Ghost.
Amen
III. The Church thus constituted shall
- l. .,,lmonIarf e ba
Presbyterian Church in the United
States, and until the formation of a
presbytery shall have ell the powers of
presbytery vested in its session"
Commissioners to the General Assem-
bly, from this prcsbytery: Principle
Ministers-Rev. +. W. McCorkle and
Rev. T.. d. Washburn. Alternates-
Rev. ". r. Hall. d. j. and Rev. L.
u. Gaines.
Ruling Elders Principals-F. John
ston and A. A. McAlster. Aiternates-
L. II. Cumpston and j. I. Dunlop.
Perhaps more can be learned OF the
condition and work of the presbytery
from It's report to the General Assembly
than from any other source. Here Is
summary Of the most important items OF
that report: Twenty-six ministers. forty
two churches added on examination.
go added on certificate from other
churches, 1913. Total communicates,
3,2i6. Scholars in Sabbath school,
2,Gll; teachers, 32l. Contributions
Sustentatien, Sl.246 ;evangelistic, 1851;
invalid fund, $3.50; foreign missions,
$1,329; education, S3SS; publication,
$24l Tuscaloosa Institute, SlSl pas
tors salaries, 1881 congregational,
81, G3S miscellaneous, 1902.
The cause OF Montgomery Male Acade-
my was presented by its principal. Pro
lessor 4. p. Campbell. 1t appeared
that this was the only high school in the
State owned and operated by Presbyte-
rians. it is admirably located at Chris
tisnsburg and well equipped. Presby-
terry manifested deep interest in this
school, aad heartily commend 1t to the
patronage OF ths people.
Bufordsyllls was chosen as the place
and September 18th as the time for hold
ing tue next stated meeting !"