Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-23
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.
FOURTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS OF
THE BODY.
A Complaint Against Winchester
Presbytery Heard-Argument on
both sides-Question of n Separate
CoIored Church-Other Matters.

FREDERICKSBURG. VA, october r.
Especial. 1.-The Synod OF Virginia met at
$50 A. NJ. and was opened with devo-
tional exercises. conducted by Rev. Al
fred Jones. d. ID.
The first matter occupying the attention
OF the synod was the complaint Of Revs.
L. w. Leyburn and ]. w. Lafferty against
Winchester Presbytery. The ground OF
complaint is that Rev. V. G. Smith was
ordained without being required to stand
the usual examinations called for by the
Book of Church order, and without
having the qualifications which would put
him in the class of extraordinary cases.
very strong clear. and argumentative
speech in support of the complaint was
made by Rev. f. r. LeyDurn, and he was
followed in another strong speech by
Rev. ]. w. Lafferty. the other complain
ant.
Pending the discussion OF this matter
the report OF the Committee on Colored
Evangelization was presented. showing
the great Importance and needs OF this
work. In this connection DIR. NJ. ID. Hoge
made an earnest speech in introducing
Rev. E. w. Williams, a colored Presby-
terrain preacher, of Abbeville S. c., who
made very interesting address on the
subject Of an independent colored Pres
byterian Church. advocating the entire
separation in organization of the white
and colored Church.
DR.. r.. Z. Kerr offered the following
paper, and made a strong speech in sup
port of it, and DR.. M. ID. Hoge seconded
the motion in a few telling remarks:
THE synod, approaching the great work
which is being done by the Assembly's
Home and School-the home of the or
phans of our ministers deceased, and Of
the children of our foreign missionaries
and recognizing the grave crisis through
which this institution, deservedly dear to
the heart of the Church, is passing aris-
ing from such a dire lack of funds, as
to threaten the existence of the whole
enterprise, we do hereby earnestly and
affectionately urge every one of our ses-
sions and pastors to bring the interests
of the Home and School before our con-
gregations endeavoring to secure at the
time-December g. 1891, appointed by the
General Assembly-as large offerings as
possible for the relief Of this, our one and
only orphanage for the children of min
listers.
I'VE further urge that individuals
throughout the synod make gifts, large
or small. for the present necessity, and
also for an endowment for the Home
and School"
The consideration of the complaint was
then resumed, and in defence of the action
of the presbytery, Rev. Il. ID. Washburn
made a carefully-prepared speech, pre-
senting the grounds which led the pres
bytery to take the action complained Of.
He was followed by Rev. Dr. ID. ID.
Stephenson and Rev. DIR. ii. NJ. White on
the same side. Responses were made by
the complainants. Each side was allow
ed an hour and half for presenting
its side. and the whole time was taken
I'D. The discussion was very ably con-
Quoted on both sides
When the vote was taken on the COM
plaint. It resulted as follows: To sustain
%. to sustain in part, rs; not to sustain, %.
At the opening OF the evening session
Rev. w. H. Woods, ID. D., of Baltimore
preached from Revelations XXI, l: Be
hold / make all things new"
Tazewell and Staunton were put IN
nomination as the place for the next
meeting of the synod. TaZeweu was Sc
lected.