Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-25
VIRGINIA SYNOD.
TIE THIRD DAYS SESSION OF THE
BODY AT WINCHESTER.
An Interesting Constitutional Question
~hc Union Theological Seminary
Dr. Prvor--specisl Prayer.
rsnac,.l ielerrnm o Boo pispa.ch.l

Especial telegram 70 tne bspaNh.l
WINCHESTER. VA. October 2A-Tho open
fne devotional exercises OF the synod were
conducted by the Rev. i. r. Ramsey: A
number Of members who had arrived
since yesterday were enrolled.
After some time spentinr routine business
the complaint Of Judge w. 7. Houston, OF
Lexington. against the action OF the Lexing-
tan presbytcry was taken up. The ques-
tion involved in this case Is purely consti-
tutional, pertaining 10 the sphere OF au-
thority Of church session. The papers
in the case were read. The complaint
originated in the action OF the session OF
the Lexington church. declining 10 call
meeting Of the congregation TO take
action for changes IN tho seating
of the people. and 20 consider the question
of making the pCws free. The session there
by, il is alleged, claims that congreca-
tional meeting can be called only Tor the
purposes specified IN the constitution
the election Of officers or acting on their
resignations-and that all other matters OF
government. including tins SPECIFIC one oil
CHANGING the church building, are under
the Jurisdiction of the session. Against
this action q complaint wa7 sent up 10 inc
Ircsbvtcrv Of Lexington, which susthlh'u
the session From the presbvtery tho com
plaini - now brought up 20 the synod rs
a higher court of appeals. The complainant
takes the ground that business matter ne
longs 20 the body Of the people As a night
not Transferred TO their representatives,,
the elders. but reserved to themselves;
that the church session can deal Only WIN
spiritual interests. 1 ne constitution pro-
vidos that tine management Of the tempo
raj affairs Of the Church may be committed
10 the deacons and thereby implies that IT
rests With the people and IS usually not
given to the session.
POSTPONED.
After the reading Of the record the case
was pO~tpoucd tll tomorrow. Inc rev.
Drs. Preston and Vaughan viii defend the
action a the prcsbytery when the case
comes mp.
Union Theological Seminary. made
clear and able address in behalf of the en-
dowmont of fifth professorship I'M that
Institution. TO the objection that had
boon uI-cl that there was yagucrc-s IN the
purpose az the board IN establishing TINS
chair. Dee replied that 70 had been called
from thc beginning Biblical ihcoloSy ana
pastoral work. IL was not the aim OF the
board o. lower the standard % prepora-
ton for tbe ministry. ihat Is wholly IN
the hands of tie pre-byteuts The ann -
tnaid 90 the present excellent technical
course some practical fcltETes. some OF
Our youur men are Attending PRINCETON
Seminar and some OF the best OF them
H. IN I'm ...i,,..',, D.. e.o,.,5 l,,i,, b, a
S''i'"' pa. '''' -" & .'.,,';,.ort,e
't'. pr p"iu'l' % "'i ~ ',..,',;,,'
h'a''''' WE .i'." '', III '..i.,I.,
H'."7 "t.l, ." n''''''lb7 "I''
s". .. ',.,. 1,r.o7 from fine
t,..,',.,l L,. tl,n
t,l...-,-, nm, br br,or
4'- i'.'e. I' '9.- r.l.-r'I - Ma
ri'"7 ".', ,.;,i'.t.c|J
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AFTERNOON SESSION
s4t1corf .~.,o,u session DIR r. ". Rich
60, ~ .5r~otinr ,,T'.eYtrd
tb4t o.,i-a IN a, o8rur-' address. Dr. If.
q Ale,-r,lDrarl ;cy. tlr. Duckwall spoke
an ti.a. ..,-.a .-,ti..e,t Dr. !. II. RAWLINGS
,.r..a-,fo4 ID linton winch was adopred.
rouue..iiur mi. cause % thochmche-.
Ir n 81 Houston. -ecrctnrv of Foreign
Missions presented tho cause he repre-
sonta5 Inn 81 -u.o.h uil of interesting and
eurovrlriuo Statements. He was followed
l,,. Dr NJ D. Howe iu ii cflrriur and elO-
ouort a- lr..- The report from the COM
7ni.t,o On l0r.tru Missions. prepared bv
Dr. ID. "a. Mcfarland. who Is not present.
y.as road iv the stated Clcrk Or. s. G..
Hopkins offered resolution. which was
adoptci. commeudiu. this cause.
.........
'''NA
SPECIAL PRAYER was oi'i' i9r lhe ms
s'nn-rit- ABOUT To 20 ABROAD. among tneih
son 90 are pastor Of ini- chWch' ana 1oI
the families from winch thcv 20. Also,
for John n. brIi venerable elder OF the
church. nearing the end OF NE, and Tor
fnF. james 4. Nmitu, long fuftItl- IN
this PRAYER thr synod was led bv the mode
rator, Dr. Duwidilc, who offered tender
and tcrNcut petitions.