Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-21
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.
THE BODY IN SESSION AT FREDE-
RICKsBURG.
orgnnfxation-The Commitfees-The
REPORT on EvnngeIistic Work
encouraging statements-PubIica
tion-Ofhcr Proceedings of interest.

|
night at O'clock. and was opened will
a very able sermon by the retiring
moderator. Rev. w. c. Campbell, ID. ID.
from Collossians w., 17-"And say t
Arehippus take heed to the ministry
which thou has received in the Lord
that thou fulfil it." The subject of tn,
sermon was ministerial Fidelity"
DR. Campbell was assisted I'm the ser.
vices by Rev. Drs. J. p. Smith. DAME
Blain G. w. Finley, II. NJ. White, and
b. w. Mebane.
After these services the synod was con
stituted with prayer by the moderator
When the roll was called IT was found
that 100 ministers and sixty-ive ruling
elders were present.
Rev f. NJ. Woods. d. D., Rev. p. p.
Flournoy. ID. d.. Rev. G. l.. Petrie, ID.
d., and Rev. A. II. Hamilton were nomi-
mated for moderator. On the first bal
lot the vote stood: Woods, 66; Petrie, 40;
Hamilton. Al; Flournoy. 16.
The two receiving the smallest number
| Of votes were dropped, and the vote was
between Drs. Woods and Petrie, and re-
|
vote of IS to % for DR.. Petrie.
Rev. ]. NJ. Holiday, Rev. j. NJ. Wells,
and Ruli.g-Elder p. w. McGruder were
elected temporary clerks.
TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
This morning the synod was opened
! with devotional exercises. conducted by
Rev. f. w. MacCorkle, D. d.
The moderator announced the standing
committees, of which the following are
the chairmen: Committee on Bills and
Overtures, Rev. w. c. Campbell. ID. D.;
Judicial, Rev. G.. l.. Petrie, ID. D.; Union
Theological Seminary, Rev. Alfred Jones,
ID. D.; Minutes of General Assembly,
Rev. j. X. Graham, ID. D.; Narrative.
Rev. w. II. Woods. ID. d.; Finance, Rev.
w. c. White; Records of Synod, Rev. G.
w. Finley, ID. D.; Leave of Absence,
Rev. j. n. Van Devanter.
The report of the synod's Committee on
Evangelistic Work was presented by the
chairman, Rev. j. T.. Booker. From II
the following summary is taken: There
were five evangelists employed for great
or less time during the year, the whole
time aggregating thirty-nine and a half
months of work. The number of sermons
preached was 669; prayer-meetings, 81,
Bible readings, 50; family prayers, Lib;
pastoral visits, 2,93l; conversations with
unconverted on personal religion. S91 !;
communion services, IA; professions OF
faith, 1888; received into Presbyterian
Church, 1874; baptised. So adults and q in
fants organized churches and l sun
day school; money raised by the evange-
lists, $2,Ji3: church buildings erected, j.;
miles travelled, 1920.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The receipts for the year from all
sources were s5,s26.06; disbursements,
s5,54407, leaving a balance on hand OF
s2S1.99.
The report contained the following
recommendations, which were adopted:
l. That the synod render thanks to the
Great Head of the Church for the bless
ing which has rested upon the labors OF
our evangelists.
2. That the synod continue this work,
and direct the Committee on Evangelical
ton to apportion 5000 among the church
es, one-half to be raised in November
1897, and one-half in June, 1898.
8. That the synod again most earnestly
entreats its pastors, stated supplies, ana
sessions of vacant churches, to lay this
cause before their people, and TO do all in
its power TO raise their apportionmenIs.
4. That the synod directs the chairman
of this committee TO send to each presby-
terry at its regular spring and fall meet
ings a statement of the status of this
work, and that each presbytery be asked
to take such action in the matter as the
cause demands.
s. That an attempt be made to raise
81 600 for this cause by - subscriptions
from 200 individuals in our synod.
g. That synod returns thanks to those
persons who have given to this cause;
also. TO the editors of the Central Pres
byterian and Christian Observer for the
free use of their columns.
RESOLUTIONS.
Dr. Hoge offered the following resolu- |
ton, which was adopted |
The Synod of Virginia desires to express |
its high appreciation of the work of the |
synodical Committee Of Evangelization, |
and its hearty approval of their methods |
and management.
The synod again endorses the scheme |
Of evangelistic effort which has been so |
efficiently prosecuted under the direction
Of its committees for several years past
by which already such valuable results
have been secured and such plans of fu-
lure extension have been projected, and |
commend the claims OF this
movement TO the prayers
md benefactions of all our churches.
Rev. William S. Lacy, ID. D., gave an
account of the needs of evangelistic work
n Norfolk Presbytery, and Rev. f. j.
Brooke told of his work in the noun
aims of West Virginia, and Rev. NJ. d.
aoge. d. D., made a stirring speech on
he Importance of home mission work.
Rev. p. ID. Stephenson offered a resolu-
ion, which was adopted, asking for The
ppointment of a committee, with Rev.
R. Il. Kerr, ID. D., as chairman, TO pre-
are and present 10 the next meeting Of
he synod a Scriptural statement Of the
osition Of woman in the Church.
The Committee on Publication and Col
ortage presented its report. and Rev
3. X. Hazen made a clear and forcible
tatement of the condition and needs of
his department of the Churchs work. |
lie showed that the publication branch |
( the work is in most healthy condi-
ION; but that the work of colportage has
cen very much hindered by the fall
~ off of the contributions from the
hurches for this cause.
He was followed by Rev. r. p. Kerr,
}. D., who spoke earnestly and in most ;
lteresting manner on the important work
colportage. ,
The night session of the synod was de- |
oted 10 preaching and the celebration ,
the Lords Supper. Rev. A. NJ. Fraser.
/. d., of Stanton, preached from / :
". 10: "Who died for us?"
he sermon was one of rare strength
nd made a deep impression upon the
and synod The commu- |
on service was conducted by Rev. T.
7. Hooper, d. D., and Rev. H. NJ
rhite. ID. ID. The elements were dis
ibuted by twelve visiting ruling elders.