The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-15


| ". 7. Cravens, Elder w. L. Williams
Albemarle-Rev. w. c. Brown, Rev.
4. Ferguson, Elder Henry Farley
Elder d. D. ST. Clair
\ communication from the Union
Theological Seminary at Richmond
was read. stating among other things
that. while the number of students is
apparently less by four than last year,
| IL is in reality the same, since last
year four pastors took special courses.
| The general health of the student
| body is good. The number Of books
| in the library has been materially in
creased by eleven hundred volumes,
the gift of w. S. Spencer and others.
4 slight fire which occurred in the
basement proved that the building was
really fire proof. The endowment has
been strengthened by disposing of sew
eral Improbable buildings and the
sale of the old buildings at Hampden
Sidney for $4,000. The new chapel
built by Mr.. Watts was used at the
last commencement, and will be dedi-
Gated at the meeting of the board next
MAY. DR.. w. W. Moore has been APP
pointed by the board to canvass for
Cndowments.
Rev. j. +. Thacker, of Norfolk, was
recognized and invited 10 sit as a cor
responding member of the Synod.
On motion of DR.. Stagg. the regular
order of the day was suspended for
the election of a stated Clerk and
Treasurer, to fill the unexpired term
Of. DR.. Ramsey, deceased
Dir. Stagg nominated the temporary
clerk. Rev. ID. l. Craig, and earnestly
recommended his election. DR.. j. Il.
Morton read n communication from
the Presbytery of Albemarle, placing
in nominations Rev. Il. II. johnson. ID.
ID. DR.. Morton spoke at some length
on the natural fitness of DR.. johnson
for the place, and the reasons why he
should be elected. DR.. II. G. Hill also
spoke in his behalf.
The vote was had by roll call. Mr..
Craig was elected by vote of 1870,
and made a short speech expressing
his appreciation of the honor confer
red upon MIN.
Corrections of the roll We're made
by inscribing the names of Rev. Il. W.
Hines, of Fayetteville; Rev. Thornwell
Jacobs, of M6rganton; Elder A. +.
Rankin, of Fayetteville; Elder Il. Il.
Hayes, of Pittsbero; Elder Allen
Jones, .Jr. of jefferson; Rev. DR.. w. y.
Tate. of Mebane; Elder J. L. Farley,
of Finly: Rev. Dr.. John w. Davis. FL
der NJ. NJ. j.. Mckeithen, Judge j. ID.
! McIver. Elder J. NJ McIver. Elder j.
r. McQueene, Rev. w. II. Davis.
The Synod then took recess until
/ o'clock. when Holy Communion was
celebrated.
The communion service was conduct
ed by Rev. DR.. Jethro Rumple. of Sails
bury, and Rev. DR.. Il. 4. Johnson, of
Lincolnton. All the members of the
Synod were present, and number of
visitors
| After this service Rev. j. II. Lumkin
made an address on the subject of Ed
ucation. He spoke principally on the
question Of the educating of young
men for the ministry. He said that
there had been 1875 beneficiaries dur
ing the last year. and that $S,367 had
been expended in assisting young men
to get their education. He thought
there would be about 900 this year.
In speaking of the decrease year by
year in the number OF candidates for
the ministry, he said that in the
Presbyterian church, from 1892 to 1894
there had been a steady increase, but
since 1894 the number had decreased
for this state of affairs were assigned.
The materialism of the age may be
having its effect upon the church
There is serious reason for the belief
that there is widespread Indifference
in spiritual matters. 1t has made con-
gregations luke-warm in their gifts.
Moreover, much has been said and
written in depreciation of the calling
of the ministry, and this may have an
important bearing on the future sup
ply. A great deal has been said about
the dead line the age at which a
| minister becomes superannuated and
undesirable. 1t may be that this ten
| dency among the churches to set aside
a man as soon as he passes the age Of
80 or go is keeping many young men
out of the ministry. Another reason
given is the unworthiness of some of
the beneficiaries, and it must be admit
/ ted that there are some unworthy
! ones in the fold. The speaker wished
/ he could be like the Scotchman who
| refused to- admit anything. Another
cause perhaps was the meagerness of
! the financial support accorded stu
/ dent 1t cannot be denied that a max
imum appropriation of $75 is too small.
| 1t ought to be at least 500 or 1928,
and great care should be exercised in
| allowing it only to those unable to pay
| any part of their own support. Mr..
| LuTnlxin closed by asking that three
things be done: First, that the names
/ of all benefciaries be enrolled; End,
! that the matter be brought before the
| congregations in November and April
of each year for special contributions
to this fund; 3rd, that all special con-
! tributions be sent through the treas
| ury of the Synod.
This address was heard with close
attention and marked interest, and at
its conclusion several members re-
quested that the time be extended, in
order that Mr. Lumkin might continue
his remarks, but he said that he had
/ concluded.
An invitation was extended to the
! Synod by Principal John f. Ray to
visit the Institution for the Deaf,
Dumb, and Blind, which was accented
and the hour set at ) to 6 o'clock in
the afternoon. DR.. Eugene Daniel, ON
behalf Of the ladies of the First Pres
byterian church, invited the members
of the Synod to attend reception to
no o-iyan lnv them at a time DESIGNS at d