The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-20
WORK OF THE SOCIETIES.
THE spEcIzI oRDER IN THE SYNOD
YESTERDAY.
gepors Of shs Committee on This Dr"nch Oh
Christian Labor--Thc Body "s'oo'
byHon.J. Ran. Tucker-othsr Points,


conducted by Rev. J. il. Moore OF VIM
chester prcsbytery. AT 10 O'Clock Moo
orator Kerr took the chair and opened the
business session. with a light attendance
in the house. There are now over two
hundred members In attendance.
Under the head Of unfinished business,
the adoption Of the report OF the
Home Mission Committee, as laid over
from Yesterdays afternoon session, came
up and consumed the morning hour'
There was a wide and very general cis-
cussjon OF another OF this committee
recommendations. in which the commit
tee thought IL wise for the SYNOD 10
instruct its evangeiists not to multiply
churches in sections where the held Is
now already occupied by other denomi-
nations. In other words, where the
aeld Is now covered by one or more
denominations. the synod Is 10 discour-
age the establishment OF a Presbyterian
church and thus avoid creating de-
uepdent post that the Home MISSION
Board would have 20 care Tor such sup
piy. and bear the expense Of 1t. Inc idea
~ the committee was that where other
churches occupied n field the Presoyte-
rian eyangelists were to be lnsructeu
not to 20 10 such points, but seek the
6eld where there was no other chufcb.
This question was discussed by some OF
the brightest men in the synod. Several
forms OF amendments to change and en-
tirely do away with this feature OF
the committees report, were voted upon.
The question was settled by the synod
refusing TO change that part OF the com
Inittee's report.
The Spec al Order
The hour of II having arrived, the spe-
cial order OF the day was taken up,
the Home Mission being passed as I'M
finished business. The special order was
the report Of the special Committee on
Young Peoples Societies" in the church.
Rev. James l. Vance, chairman, read the
report and recommendations. He was
followed by learned and eloquent min
listers and laymen. who discussed ms
burning Church question pro and con.
The synod recognizes the power and i'm
portance Of such Christian organizations
as the Y. NJ c. A., the Christian En-
deavor and like kindred organizations
but seeks by its official action In some
way 10 establish a strictly Presbyterian
society for the young, under It's Jurls-
tliction. the same 10 be under the care
and guidance Of the session OF each
church where there is such a society
established, not 10 be compulsory In
the committees report, In reference 70
the many young peoples societies now
operating, IS this: with compact yet
flexible organization, they have created
diatlnct literature, sent out missionaries
and organized societies in heather lands.
The Christian activities of the young are
developing and the chief problem is wise
lv 10 direct this rapidly rising stream
Of youthful zeal and conservation we
would not quench It, We would nan II
as a refreshment and revival 10 the
church. but TO make IL serve the highcst
interests OF Christ's kingdom, II must
ne kent within scripturai channels"
THAT mistake should be made In such
movements might have been expected
but perhaps these have more often been
due TO the tremendous energy character
istic OF youth than 10 any particular
form OF organization. The young people
OF our churches are active, and becoming
Increasingly so every day, and that
which confronts the pastor is how to
give this force in his charge the most
judicious direction.
The situation.
The committee then state the situation
thus: "The growth Of these societies is
~
Of the church is TO wisely direct this
movement and not neglect nor repress It,
An organized work must be WITHIN
Church lines and subject to its authority,
the methods must be in full harmony
with the established Presbyterian prlnci-
pies or not opposed thereto, and errors In
faith and mistakes in practice reduced
TO the minimum. The prime object Tor
which such societies should be organ
oil fg nQWolOninR
directing the Christian activities Of the
young people.
The hour for dinner arriving and pend
ing the final consideration OF this ques-
tion. synod adjourned 10 $3.50 During the
morning hour Rev. John Scott, d. ID"
synod OF Florida; Rev W. IA. Miley'
synod Of Kentucky; Rev. f. J. Prettyman;
pastor of the Lexington Methodist. and
Rev. b. H. Demit Of the Baptist church.
were introduced to the synod.
The afternoon session opened with
Young peoples societies under discus
sion. Or. Il. w. Hooper presiding as mod
orator There were fifteen or mere
speeches for and against the measure,
when DIR. Hall. of Lynchburg, moved
that Dr. Hoge be heard on the SUBJECT
THE Doctor spoke I'm general terms on
the subject, but IT was easy TO see mat
he did not favor such societies. Ills posi-
tton In the opinion OF many VIII NC wv
defeat Of the measure.
Mr.. fuckers Address,
At5P. NJ. the subject was passed over
until tomorrow as unfinished business
and the synod in body marched 10
Washington and Lee University where
they were received by President u. w.
G. Lee. the faculty and the board OF
trustees. and the 225 students In line III
the chanel. There were assembled some
500 people. TO hear the address OF wei
corae hv Honorable J. r. Tucker dean
81 the faculty. His address was one OF
welcome and historic OF the University.
Moderator Kerr responded IN neat
speech. and by invitation DIR. hose' VINO
Is the lion OF the synod on all occasions,
made a nice little address that pieaseu
everybody ..,.,.o,
the sarcophacus, in the mausoleunl, where
IS the Valentine figure of Robert H. Lee,
They also visited General Lees room anu
tomb. In the building. and points aoou'
the grounds. -.
tary OF the Board OF Foreign MISSIONS,
delivered an address on that subject, ana
was followed by Missionary TO AiilSS
sheppard. the colored preacher who will
be In Richmond next Sunday AiteI lhese
addresses Rev. ]. /. Vance read the re-
port OF the Committee on Forelgn MIS-
sions. and Il win be very late before the
synod closes It's night session tonight
s----------
an or THE NOMINEES THERE.
- .,--,.- 80 ~. Fntiro Democratic