The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-18
FOLLOWERS OF CALVIN.
PREsBYTERIANIsM's GROWTH IN
GEORGIA.

The Savannah Presbytery Once More
Attached 70 the Georgia synod-Dr.
Vass Honored by Both Bodies-Ihe
Increase OF the Church in the South.
Rev DIR. L. c. Vass; pastor Of the First
Presbyterian church, returned yesterday
morning from the meeting OF she Savannah
| presbytery at Mount Vernon and the Geor-
gia synod at Decatur. He was honored by
being elected moderator OF both the presby-
terry and the synod.
Dr. Nass gave some facts with regard to
the meeting OF the synod and the progress
on Presbyterianism in Georgia. The meet
ing OF the Georgia synod was the first in a
number OF years in which the Savannah
presoytery participated Ten or twelve
years ago the presoytery. at Its own request.
was cut of from the Georgia synod
10 become part Of the South Georgia and
Florida synods, the church not being
strong enough in Florida to organize
separate synod.
PREsBYTERIAys INCREASING.
The church has increased so rapidly
IN Florida Of late years, however,
that 1t has been able to organize an indie
pendent synod in that state, and the Sa-
vannah presbytery was enabled to return
TO the Georgia synod. On account Of its
being the first meeting OF the synod in
which the Savannah presbytery had parti-
cipated since It's return its moderator.
Dr. Nass. was complimented with the
election as moderator of the synod.
The meeting of the synod was the largest
ever held in the state. Over 100 delegates
were present The reports were
very encouraging, showing that the
fresbyterians have increased very largely
IN Georgia during the past year. The ga
Vannah fro
than during any year in the past ten. Sew
eral new churches were organized and sew
eral old churches have been revived.
WORK has begun also at number Of pros
peotive centers for churches.
The growth of the Savannah presbytery
Is largely due TO the work of the Rev. T. ].
allison. the efficient evangelist of the
presbytery. Rev. Allison was only elected
at the spring meeting Of the presbytery at
Savannah and has done splendid work
during the last six months
A BOOM IN THE CHURCH.
The spirit of the synod showed a general
awakening among Presbyterians in this
state and determination to push the work
OF the denomination In all sections of the
state. The eVangelistic spirit was
very strong. Arrangements were
made to put four additional evan
geilsts in the field In addition to the
three already at work. At the last session
OF the synod the services Of the three evan
gelists were secured, and the work accom-
plished during the year shows their value
to the church. The reports showed over
!O0 sermons preached by the evangelists
during the past year, and about $50 mem
Ders received into the church by them.
They also organized or revived about
twenty-five churches.
Rev. Mr.. Lowrey of Augusta was ap-
pointed agent, at salary Of 81 300, to can
vass the whole state in the interests of for
eign missions
NO LACK OF FUNDS.
There is no lack Of funds to push the
eVangelistio work. Eight churches in the
synod gave over $1,000 for this work last
year. and fourteen churches gave over
IS 900 for church erection.
tDr, Vass said the reports before the synod
showed that there is great need for such
work by the Presbyterian church 10 Geor-
GA There are many counties In the state
In which there is no Presbyterian church,
and many localities, especially Southwest
Georgia, where once strong churches have
fallen into decay OF have disorganized alto
gether. The reports of the evangelists
showed that they are heartily received
everywhere, and that the people generally
welcome the establishment of PRESBYTERIAN
churches in their midst
BELONG TO NO CHURCH,
DR.. Vass said that statistics show that
oo1 ,OOO OF the white population of Georgia
Is outside OF any Protestant church, there
being only 3l6, 600 Protestant church mem
bers out OF total white population of
yfo, 4oS. This leaves big field for work
for another Protestant denomination.
DR.. Vass referred to the fact that while
the Methodists and the Baptists are the
largest Protestant denominations in this
country, with the Presbyterians third. the
Presbyterians are the largest Protestant
denomination in tho world, having a total
membership in 1888 of 1884,, $40 commune
cants, with about 81, 900 900 adherents.
THE AGNES SCOTT INSTITUTE.
One of the events of the session of the
| synod was the dedication OF the new build
ing OF the Agnes Scott Institute for the
higher education Of girls, the only institute
OF the kind under Presbyterian control in
| the state
The building is the gift of George w.
Scott OF Atlanta, the founder of the institu-
ton. Mr. Scott is well known as large
fertilizer manufacturer and one of tue
Wealthlest men in the state. He was FORM
erly a resident of Savannah, and was an
elder In the First Presbyterian church.
The building was erected at a cost of
S1OS,O0O. DR.. Vass says ii is the most COM
ever seen. It is magnificently
equipped throughout, and is fitted with
electric lights, steam heated, with water
supply. splendidly ventilated and supplied
with all other modern conveniences.
| A MEMORIAL SCHOOL.
Hon. John Scott of Pennsylvania, brother
OF George w. Scott. delivered memorial
address in memory of their mother, Mrs.
Agnes Scott, after whom the institution is
named Mrs. Scott was of Scotch>Irish
birth, and came to this country when Is
| years Of age.
There are 246 pupils in attend
ance upon the institute, which Is
now in its third session. The attendance
Is expected to be great deal larger
next year. By Mr.. SCOTS di-
rections the best educators to be had were
secured and the standards of the college are
second to none in the country
| The institution is practically under the
control OF the Presbyterian church of De-
| catur.