Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-24
TIE pRESBYTERIANS.
fNIRp DAYS PROCEEDINGS OF THE
VIRGINIA SYNOD At sTAuNToN.
ayncdicai Evaneelistic work--Rcpcrt OF
DR. Roscbro and Addresses Of Drs
Hogc and Mcclure.
sDcc,s, telegram 10 the Dispatch,


SrAuNroS, Va, October 23.--The
first order OF business OF tho Presby-
terian Synod after the opening services
this morning was 10 hear an address from
the Rev. DR.. J.K. Hazen, of Richmond,
secretary Of publication. The efficient
secretary made clear, concise. aud
forcible statement Of the business OF
the Committee OF Publication and its
needa He emphasized the distinction
between the business Of the committee
and its benevolent work. The publish
ishing business was on a good financial
basis, costing the Church nothing, and
besides paying salaries yielding some
thing to be added 10 the gifts OF the
churches for the benevolent work. This
latter department, which is chiefly that
OF colportage, is now promising, but is
limited by the meagre contributions OF
The churches. Ali the churches give to
the cause OF publications is used TO
turnish religious literature TO the needy.
sYSoDIcAL HvASGELIzATIoN.
At IL A. M. the subject OF synodical
svangelization was taken up and occu-
pied the attention Of the synod till the
hour OF recess at =. NJ. 1t was evil
dent that the synod realized that the
business in hand was the most impor-
tant that would engage its attention at
this meeting Hitherto the synod has had
no agency for evangelistic work, it being
left TO the several presbyteries, some of
whom we're not able 10 carry 1T on eff
ciently. The able chairman of the COM
mittee appointed last year to take this
matter in hand, Rev. j. w. Rosebro, ID.
d.. of Petersburg, read ON interesting
report
DIR. Rosebro, following the line OF
thought OF the report, made an able.
touching, and impressive speech that
thrilled the synod. Now is the time to
act The present is full of hope. Even
in the apparently declining communi-
ties there is encouragement, and most
urgent call for evangelistic work from
the many new towns now springlng
MP into life among us. OF the 81, DOC
mentioned in the report he had secured
in his own congregation from two men
$500.
OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
DR.. Moses ID. Hoge said this subject
was of vital importance. He referred
10 an address by Colonel b. II. Young,
Of Louisville, a copy OF which he had IN
hand, giving IN account OF the work IN
the Synod OF Kentucky. He made
happy use of the facts there given TO en-
courage and stimulate the Synod OF Vir-
einia Referring to the want OF money,
the speaker said he heard much OF
this in Richmond, where some OF
his friends we're appealed to every
day to help some deserving be-
nevolent scheme, but there was
money enough wasted by Christian
people in extravagart living to supply
the Churchs treasury with oil that Is
needed for the work proposed and all its
other enterprises This is the Church 8
opportunity. There is marked com
mercial activity, factories are being
placed and operated, and treasures long
buried in the earth are brought forth to
enrich our people. These new enter
prises are bringing in vast population.
This lays great responsibility on the
Church TO give them the Gospel and
opens most encouraging fields for evan
gelistic work.
NO CONFLICT IN THE WORK.
Rev. A. d. Mcclure, who was men,
Der Of the Synod OF Kentucky at the
time. gave O graphic account of the en-
thusiasm with which the work was there
undertaken. He made statements show
sng that in the working of the plan there
was not the conflict some apprehended
between presbyterial and synodical au-
thority.
Rev. F. J. Brooke supported the pro-
posed scheme in an eloquent speech aud
showed the ability OF the people to bear
the expense. 1t was important for the
weak presbyteries that the work should
be conducted by the synod.
DR.. w. 7. Richardson said that OF the
four hundred churches OF the synod only
about sixty were able each to have the
whole time OF @ pastor. We have not
ministers enough to be given one to
each church, and if we had the churches
could not support them. The only 30
luton OF the question is to be found In
grouping churches and having eyange-
hstic preaching.
FILLED WITH INTEREST.
Rev. 2. ID. Stephenson said it was i'm
possible for one to live in the Presbytery
OF Abingdon and not have his ear filed
with interest in evangelistic work. The
southwestern part Of the State is filling
up with new population. He also
mentioned that the evangelistic is an i'm
portant New Testament officer and must
not be left out in the working Of our
system.
DIR. J. J. Bullock, who was led TO
speak on the subject by the mention OF
bis native State, Kentucky, advocated
evahgelistic work.
STRONG CLAIM.
Captain Robert ID. Moorman, q mem
Der with DIR. Rosebro OF the committee
that had this matter in hand, was the
next speaker. He made an able and i'm
pressive speech in advocacy of the re'
port No work had stronger claim
upon the synod's attention at this time.
The committee had given hours and
days Of prayeriul consideration to this
great subject. Upon the evangelization Of
those who had come to us, and would
come in greater numbers, depends oui
future social and religious state. The
Africans had derived great benefit 10y
being brought into contact with Chris
tian people. Much more may we hope
10 benefit the Hungsrians, Australians,
and others who are pouring into our ter.
xitory.
IMPRESSED WITH ITS IMPORTANCE.
Our churches have not contributed tc
the eyangelistic work as TO other cause:
Of benefcence. The annual contribu'
tons are about eighteen cents per mem.
Der. In Kentucky, before the awaken
ing interest there, the contribution.
averaged only about twelve cents mem
Der, now the average is over one dollar
and sixteen cents. Tho more he looked
into their work the more deeply was hs
impressed with its Importance. Al
the hour OF recess this subject lay ovel
- unfinished business.
COLLEGIATE AND THEOLOGICAL RDUcA
TION.
The afternoon session was devoted x