Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-18
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
FOURTH DAY OF THE ANNUAL SES-
SION OF THE VIRGINIA SYNOD.
Rsyort on Bills and Ovcrtures Postponed.
Missionaries In China In Great Peril.
Agnosticism and Buddhism.
,sn.c,., telegram to the Disps.ch.l

ROANOKE, Va. October 1.-THE Com
mittee on Bills aud Overtures, DR.. NJ. >.
Lacy. chairman. presented the following
report: Your committee recommends
that the synod decline TO send to the Gen.
eral Assembly the overture OF Chesapeake
presbytery, asking for an addition to the
form of government, authorizing the ordi-
nation of men without tho present edu-
ca,,onal requirements. This action is
taken on the ground that ample provision
il already made for the discretion OK tue
prcsbytery in such cases.
THE AMENDMENT.
Tho proposed amendment referred to IN
this report is this: That presbyteries snail
have liberty. ut their discretion, to set
arart to the work of the Gospel ministry
I'LL and experienced men. well-versed in
The English Bible. and in the standards OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church in the United
states. ant to teach, and evidently called
10 the ministry by the Lord, through his
spirit and providence. ,---..-
DEFER TILL NEXT YEAR.
DIR. Pitzer moved that action on the re-
mort of the Committee on Bills and Over
tures be deferred till next year, and be the
first order for the second days session.
Dr. J. Il. Graham thought there was no
nrasbytery IN the world that would not
ardaIn man "evidently called to the
ministry by tho Lord through His spirit
and providence" The proposed amend
ment was therefore not called tor and he
boped the report declining TO SEND up tho
overture would be now adopted.
POSTPONED.
DIR. r. McIlwaine objected TO postponing
action till next year as giving quasi en-
dorsement Of the proposal, or at least Dig
nifying its Importance. After some further
discussion DR.. Pitzer's motion to postpone
was adopted by vote of 50 to 90.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The subject of Foreign Missions was
taken up az unfinished business. DIR. }.
II. Bryson read telegram from Shanghai
70 the effect that the missionaries IN CHINA
are in great peril. The synod was led IN
praver by DR.. Hoge. who offered most
tender, earnest. and appropriate prayer IN
behalf OF these missionaries. Rev: ). Z.
Painter said that letters received from
these missionaries. when recently threat
ened. show that their faith has already
trlumphed, whatever may be the issue OF
this peril Rev. II. Woods, q missionary
from China now on q visit to this country,
addressed the synod. Among many inter-
esting statements by this well-intOrmed
missionary, two arc especially worthy OF
attention in certain quarters.
IMPORTANT STATEMENTS
Agnosticism. he said. 10 not modern, but
;s found in the COniuclan system. ana
buddhism, so far from being the elevated
religion its apOlogists in Christian lands r.
present il 10 be- Is but a debasln9 ldola-
try. alike IN China and IN India. Rev. A.
Sydenstryker, also missionary from
.Iits l. ~. assp..I "a fHa
work in that country. lie presented
Chinese letter, part Of which he trans
lated. IL conta ned a request 10 the synod,
signed by nearly fifty Chinese, that three
more ministers be sent u the district III
which the speaker labors. This most in-
teresting consideration of Foreign Mis-
sions was closed by adopting the report
formed and presented.
Mkt MEETING.
Tho last TUESDAY of October. 1892. was
fixed as the time for the next meeting OF
the synod. which will be in Petersburg.
On motion Of Dr. II. NJ. White the fol-
lowing was added to the report on sys-
tematIc beneicence:
Resoirel That tho presbvteries be en-
ioined to require from ali churches delln-
quent in contributing to the objects OF
systematic bencfcencc Of the general as
sembly the reason for thor delinquency,
and 10 report 10 the synod their complI-
ance with this rule.
DECEASED MINISTERS.
A solemn and interesting service occu-
pied the synod III the afternoon, the hear.
| ing or memorials of ministers deceased
| during the year and remarks on the same.
| Three had died-Ceorge II. Gilmer, Charles
| ID. Price, and NJ. Il. Dunlap. Rev. Alfred
Jones read the memorial IT Mr.. Gilner
and Rev. DR.. Fair that of MIR. Price. Owing
| to the absence of the committee appointed
| TO prepare It, that of Alr. Dunlap was de-
ferred TIL next year. Or. Armstrong led
| the synod IL prayer.
SESSION CLOSED.
After very busy and most harmonious
and delightful meeting, IN which close at
iention was given to business and much
transacted, TIE synod closed its sessions.
The members have given expression To the
great pleasure they have found il their
sOiourn IN Roanoke.