Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-01
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.
THE CLOSING DAY OF THE SESSION
At TAzEwELL.
The REPORT ON HOME MISSIONS.
some Interesting Facts-The Bible
Canse-A Statement of the Work
Done-UnioR Theological Seminary.
CcIored EvangeIixatfon.

! TAZEwELL VA. September so.--(Spe-
cial)-The Presbyterian Synod OF Vir-
| ginia was opened this morning with de-
votional exercises. conducted by Rev. W.
| $. Campbell The Home Mission Com
mttee made its report, which was adept
| ed. and from which are gathered the fol-
lowing facts: The number OF churches
in the synod. with 42.453 members, gave
last year 10 the assembly's home mis-
sions s6,2s7; to local home missions, s20,-
49, 20 invalid fund. s3,Ti Total. $50, ISL
an average of 70 cents per member In
| eighteen years the number of churches in
the synod has increased from 3Ol to AS,
| or nearly 40 per cent, and membership
| from 266 CSC TO ~. 453. or more than % per
cent. For several years there has been
| before the synod the question Of trans
| ferring the counties Of Giles In Virginia,
and Mercer. in West Virginia, from
Montgomery Presbytery to Abingdon
Presbytery. After more than two hours
| discussion the synod declined to make
the transfer.
AT II o'clock the synod had so much
| business on hand that the preaching SER
vice was held in the Methodist church,
and Rev. Thornton Whaling. ID. d.. Of
| Lexington. preached a very able sermon
| from Matthew 9. 96: "When he saw the
multitudes he was moved with compass
sion"
AFTERNOON SESSION.
AT the afternoon session the report OF
the Committee on the Bible Cause was
presented and adopted. In connection
with this. Rev. w. S. Campbell, the sec
rotary of he Bible Society Of Virginia,
smoke on the work OF that society. Last
year 172 churches out of AS gave to this
cause $1.351-an increase OF S9S over the
preceding year or this amount the Pres
byterians of the State of Virginia gave
s.. 2S3. The Bible Society Of, Virginia re-
ceived from all denominations 2y902, and
put into circulation 1929 copies of Gods
Word Much, Mr.. Campbell said, has
been done in supplying destitute families
and individuals and the inmates of the
prisons of the State. Nearly 5000 pocket
Testaments were given to the soldiers re-
Gently encamped in the State.
The report on Union Theological Semi
nary. which has been removed to Rich
mond. speaks Of the encoura ging condi-
ton Of affairs In this institution, and
says: 1.-THE faculty is composed of men
of eminent gifts and fitness: the removal
OF the seminary to Richmond makes an
era in the history Of the synod. By the
liberality Of friends of the institution
buildings have been erected on the new
site at cost of s131, $685." Rev. S. T.
Martin. Rev. S. b. Johnston, and Mr.. II.
Bradley Davidson were elected trustees
of this institution.
The report of the Committee on Colored
Evangelization speaks of this as still
the neglected cause" All ministers of
the synod are solemnly enjoined to preach
boldly the claims Of this work. In con-
nection with the annual collection contri-
buttons for this cause were $3065.
The report of the Committee on Publ
cation shows how much is being done in
aiding Sunday schools and the work of
colportage, but calls attention to the need
of enlarged contributions for the increase
and extension of this work. Contribu-
tiQns were $500
The report on Sabbath schools recon-
mends that these schools take up collec-
tons for all benevolent causes when prac-
ticsble, and that pastors and supernten-
dents use great care in the selection Of
teachers, both as to their character and
qualifications for the work. The number
OF schools reported is S75: teachers $3.50;
scholars, q, 493; contributions, $l4,6H.
STATE OF RELIGION.
The narrative of the state of religion
calls attention to the fact that almost all
the churches report a good attendance
and that the people generally are liberal
in worshipping the Lord with their sub
stance but states that there is a grow
ing tendency to desecrate the Sabbath.
on the whole the report is encouraging.
During the afternoon, Governor Tyler
had to leave to return to Richmond, and
asked DR.. Fleming, of Dynchburg, to take
his place as moderator of the synod. The
synod has been very much pleased with
the efficient way in which the Governor
OF Virginia presided over its sessions.
At the evening session. by special in
vitation, Judge b. f. Hutton, of Abing
don. delivered an address on "The In
huence of the Doctrines of the Westmin-
ster Assembly on Civil and Religious Lib
erty." This was an address of re-
markable ability and historical interest
No report can give an idea of it. The
Judge showed from official publications
that the first Declaration of Independence
was written by Rev. Charles Cum
mngs-the Fincastle Declaraton-and
adopted by the freeholders of the COM
munity, who were all Presbyterians on
January %, 1775, four months before the
Mecklenburg Declaration, which was also
made by PreSbyter1anS. On FEBRUARY
22d, in the same year. the freeholders of
the then Presbyterian county of
Augusta adopted resolutions declaring
against the King. This paper was writ
ten by Rev. Alexander Baldmain. a Pres
byterian preacher. Similar resolutions
were adopted by the Presbyterians of
Botetourt and other counties on or about
March Goth of the same year. OF the six
colonies in the battle of Kings Mountain
every one was Presbyterian elder.
CREDIT TO OTHERS.
While giving full credit to other church
es for all they have done in this cause,
the speaker showed from impartial wit
nesses that no people have done as much
to bring about and maintain civil and re-
igious liberty in this country as the Pres
byterians For more than an hour and
Judge Hutton held the rapt
attention of the large audience that
filed every seat in the house.
Memorials OF the following deceased
ministers were read by committees ap-
pointed for that purpose; Rev. J. d.
Thomas. Rev. j. c. Dinwiddie, Rev. r.
and Rev. T. S. Ewing, d. d.
That of Rev. j. r. Crews not being ready,
was postpo ned until next meeting.
Rev. w. 4. Campbell introduced paper
the Fredericksburg Home
and School TO the churches and the synod, !
and urging the churches TO contribute for
It's support both money and provisions.
Adjourned to fourth Tuesday of Octo- |
Der, 1899.
on NEWSPAPER ATTACKS