Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-10-29

Tba nupber of communicates were 1880. The
committee made various Recommendations
which werestrongly advocated by Dr.Lacy.wno,
In conc, usion, stated that Rev. Edward Lane. In
charge of the mission field in Brazil. and Rev.
D. P. Junkfn, of that service in Japan. were
present and would address the Synod.
Mr., Lane was first introduced He said nine
wears had passed since he had been present al
session of the Synod, and he now appeared as
the Moderator of the Synod of Brazil. He
sketched the mission work In that part OF
south America as 1t commenced something
like fifty years ago. under the direction OF the
British and American Bible Societies, and was
followed up by the Methodist. Presbyterian.
and Baptist denominations. and gave the situa-
ton there as the Presbyterian faith was plant
ed with the introduction of the doctrines as
Calvin propagated them on our continent.
From the effort commenced when one man
was emit out in 1859, he traced the growth OF
the church there to the present time. where
there is now the Synod OF Brazil. over which
he was called two years ago to preside. several
Presbyteries. so ministers. 50 churches, ana
OGO communicates. and large NUMBER OF
schools. Over wide expanse OF country and
all along a portion of the Valley OF the
Amazon, beneath the Palm trees, the Gospel
was proclaimed. though they had been driven
from towns, and, if need be, to perish in their
efforts.
Referring to the recent political state of the
country, he related the opposition to christi
anity which had been fostered through the eff
forts of the Princess of the Empire and the
sway of Jesuitical supremacy under her
patronage and the results through which the
Royal family had been banished. The Senate
of the legislative department of the govern
ment passed the bill guaranteeing religious
liberty, but her influence defeated it in the
lower branch of that body. Two revolutions
had been peaceful;in the first to avoid conflict.
slavery was abolished, and inthe last Republi
can government wasestablished. The Emperor
declared the schools of the Professionals were
the best and the teachings of the Priests were
as nothing Their Bible was prined in a
dead language and the adherents of their
faith left in absolute ignorance. The
professionals had been appealed to to assist by
writing for the press ana by teaching to aid in
establishing civil liberty and the Republic.
The situation of the Synod Of Brazil was
before the world engaged in great work and
appeals to this Synod for more aid in minis
ters.
The longitudinal routes and the transit
across the Isthmus as the new routes of COM
MERGE and travel we're opening had bearing
on the cause of christianity IN that country
From their own resources they had the past
year contributed s14, 900 to the support OF their
work, and now he would leave our shores on
the 9Th of November to return to Brazil and
would go with refreshed en- err giles and be able
to inspire with renewed encouragement his
co laborers in that distant field.
Mr.. Junkin followed, giving the state Of the
work in Japan. The obstacles there in the
Pagan beliefs and practices were almost in
surmountable. The levy upon the people in
one district alone to resist the efforts OF the
missionary work had been as high as $3.50 Goo.
but the conversions to the christian faith and
practice had reached 81 100.
Rev. Mr.. Brooke offered resolution. which
was adopted, that committee be appointed to
prepare q suitable response to the address
which had been delivered expressing the
desire of the Synod to aid-these missionary
fields to the best of its ability.
communication from Rev. B. NJ. Smith.
D. D., was read, expressing the deep sorrow he
felt because the state of his health prevented
his attendant 1t contained the tenderest
references to the st aunton church Of which he
was many years.ag the pastor.
Roanoke was chosen as the place for the
next meeting OF the Syn cd.
Rev. R. R. Howison, fir ON the comr,ittee on
the state of religion in tn Synod. FJ3mitted a
report. There was niue b to comm end. but the
almost total neglect of family devotion was
deplored. TIL Synod urged ministers to en-
deavour to refo nm this omission of duty on the
part of heads families.
Memorials were adopted in oommemoration
of deceased ministers who had died during the
present year. They were: Revs. ]. M. Hum
phries and L. G. Brown and Rev. Thos. Brown,
D. D., of the Abingdon Presbytery; Re v. A. B.
Pollock, of the Chesapeake; Rev. T. B. Pryor,
D. D., of East Hanover; Rev. James Hender-
son Smith. of Lexington; Rev W. II. Ochil-
tree. of Montgomery; and Rev. 7. D. Bell. D.
D., of the Winchester Presbytery.
A recess was taken at the first part of the
night session to enable the members of the
synod to accept the invitati on of the Augusta
Female Seminary to atte nd soiree at that
Institution. and then assembled Afterwards
s5,0a0 was appropriated to add to the same
amount subscribed by individuals, making
$4,000 in all. for evangelistic work in Its
bounds After which. the usual proceeding s
taking place. the Synod adjourned.