Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-10-16
SYNOD or BALTIMORE.

| meeting OF tho synod OF baltimore in
Rodney Street Presbyterian Church
Monday afternoon. Following the
sermon the Synod constituted
with prayer by the moderator, after
which Rev. Samuel w. Reigart Of
Salisbury, Nd, was selected az modera-
tor by exclamation. On taking the
chair the new moderator expressed his
appreciation of the honor conferred
upon him as follows:
II am we'll aware that my election
is largely due to my seniority of
service. There has been no wire pull
ing that l know OF. am aware of the
fact that it is q high honor TO preside
at synod, and this especially true of
I the Synod of Baltimore, including as
it does, the National Capital. am
highly encouraged at the fact that you
are not turbulent body but are peace
fully inclined. /"
Rev. j.. L. Estlin, chairman of the
| committee of church erections, made
an interesting report on the work Of
the committee since its Inauguration by
the Board of Domestic Missions, In
| 1874, under tho direction of the General
Assembly. Its mission has been to aid
feeble congregations. The report con-
taines the following:
Since the Inauguration of this right
arm of help in 1874, and for what God
hath wrought wo thank Him and take
courage. We gather the following re-
suits: The total number of appropria-
tioDs to the close OF the fiscal year was
1876, and of churches aided 6, 300
The total amount appropriated 90. S1A,-
135, and the value Of property secured
| Sl4, lis, 1888. This statement represents
the work Of "a years--a work which has
extended and reached every State and
territory of our country. It has re-
sponded to the appeal OF the freedmen
| upon the Atlantic coast, and OF she
Indian upon the great central plains
1t has helped in holding together many
iesble onufoh. II is NOT 100 muoh to
soy that Of the thousands of congrega-
tions that, within so years, God has
permitted our church to organize, ono
half would have failed fer want Of tho
comfort and tho convenience of permti !,
mont church homes. This beard is now
more dependent than ever upon tho
wise, loyal and increasing oo-operation
OF the pastor, and especially at this
time when tho demands upon the
hoard are greater than mt any other
time in its history. Last year, in re-
sponso TO an ever growing demand. il
made larger number of appropriations
from tho general fund, aggregating
greater sum than over bslore. To do
This il drew upon all its resources and
appropriated sl02, Ol9 to 1856 churches.
But ths total OF the church contribu-
lions outwards this necessary outlay
therefore, that confronts the hoard Is
sIs..,, Il
twics as much rs the contribution
supply from the churches. A crisis is
upon the board, having exhausted it's
resources last tear by endeavoring TO
meet the demands justly made upon 1t
commences this year with an empty
treasury. This is the condition plainly
statal and this synod along with all
the others IS asked TO share in the
noble service of helping the board to
replenish tine empty treasury.
Our corresponding secretary, DR..
Il. W. White, sent me statement Of
the appropriations to the Synod of
Baltimore from October LIST, 1901, to
October LIST, 1902. To tho Presbytery
OF Baltimore the following grants were
made: Bethel Church grant, 500;
Hamilton. lean without interest, 81, 900.
To Washington Presbytery: Kenil-
worth, loan, 1000; total appropris-
tions to synod for tie year ending
April LIST, 1902, SO. 400. Toiai contrihu-
tions from churches, 81, 678 10; number
of churches in synod, 155; number
contributing, l09; number not con-
tributing, 81
Rev. Donald G.. Macleod, chairman
of the committee on freedmen, made {.
report which in part was as follows:
= believe the work Of a committee
Of this synod means more than the
nasty collection OF few statistics, the
presentation OF the same before this
body accompanied by recommendations
that arc the result OF insufficient In
vestigation and immature considera-
tion.
Eve arc very glad to note that from
the viewpoint of the church at large
during the last year has been very sue
cessiui. The year was closed free from
debt and With balance to commend
tho work of the present year. Tho
money received by the board was the
largest in eight years and the same Ia
true in regard 10 money expended and
what is more gratifying there was
corresponding increase in the oonstitu-
tions Of the churches on tho fold
toward solf-support. The reports from
schools and churches are also en-
oouraging along educational, industrial
and spiritual lines. The assistance OF
thu various rresby teries of this synod
toward the york of the Ereelmen's |
boards is as follows:
''Pras5ytery of New Castls Total |
number OF churches, 81; number con
tributing to the board, Al: number not
contributing, 10; total amount con-
triauted, sa27: an average OF 81 por
church and an average of 9 cents per /
member.
tpresbytery OF Baltimore Total num-
her Of churches. 66 hnrnter of churches |
~: nGmhsr not con.
tributing, Is; total amount contributed,
5j78; average lor church, SLOT averago
per member, cents. /
tPreshytery Of Washington City
Total humber of churches, 92 number |
OF churches contributing, n6; number
of churches not contributing, 6; total |
am5tnt contributed, sfl7: average per
church, S23; average per member, .
cents.
Total amount contributed by the
Synod of Baltimore TO this board, 1862.
We submit that il this amount. does
not meet our rotations it is not due
so much to the failure Of some churches
to make contribution.
Tho church seems to give moro
literally TO almost every other cause.
Our culored man burden only amounts
10 $ cents per member. Truly our yoke
Is easy ana our burdsa is light. Tho
committee submits the following recon-
That the chairman of this com
nittee shall receive due notice OF his
and that he shnll DO ex-
oscted to study the freedman d problem,
md as far az possible communicate the
lame 10 the churches of the synod.