MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF VIRGINIA, AT THEIR SESSION IN LEXINGTON, OCTOBER, 1864. % WITH AN APPENDIX. MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF VIRGINIA, AT THEIR SESSION IN LEXINQTON, OCTOBER, 1864. WITH AN APPENDIX. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE 8TNOD. MINUTES Lexington, October 12//*, 1864. The Synod of Virginia met pursuant to adjournment, in the Presbyterian church in Lexington, at 11 o'clock, A. M. A sermon was preached by the Moderator, Rev. A. Hart, on James ch. i. 9, 10 vs: '"Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is ex- alted : But the rich, in that he is made low." After which the body was constituted with prayer. The following members were present during the sessions: Greenbrier Presbytery. Ministers— J. C. Barr, R. P. Kennedy, S. R. Houston, M. H. Bit- inger, James H. Leps, (2) H. B. Rose. Elders — Thomas Matthews, James Withrow. Lexington Presbytery. Ministers— F. McFarland, D. D., W. S. White, D. D., N. W. Calhoun, H. Brown, S. Brown, W W. Trimble, W. Pinkerton, W. H. Ruflfncr, A. L. Hogshead, W. T. Price, J. K. Harris, T. L. Pres- ton, E. Thomas, (2) E. D. JurAin, (2) F. H. Bowman, (2) W. G. Campbell, C S. M. See, (2) W. E. Baker, R. S. Reese, (2) Luther Emerson, (2.} Elders— J. T. L. Preston, S. W. Lyle, Jonathan Brooks, Jas. W. Calhoun, W. A. Bell, H, Guthrie. Winchester Presbytery. Ministers — W. H. Foote, D. D. Elders — None, Montgomery Presbytery. Ministers — James M. Rice, W. F. Junkin, John S. Grasty, An- drew, Hart, L. H. Blanton, (2) Alexander B. Carrington, (2) S. D. Stuart, (2.) Elders— W. J. Wilson, F. Johnston (2) R. J. McClure (2.) *T&e 6gu,-o following a name indicates U»e day of -Jje Session whicb U»e member toe* tu» wet- 348 . SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. West Hanover Presbytery. Ministers— John H. Bocock, D. D., (2) D. B. Ewing, (2) R. Mcll- waine, (2) R. L. Dabney, D. D., (2.) Elders— F. N, Watkins, (2) W. M. Harris, (2) East Hanover Presbytery. | Ministers— John Miller, B. T. Lacy, G. W. White, G. D. Arm- strong, D. D., (2) J. Murray, (2) Win. Brown, D. D., (2.) Elders — Robert A. Payne, (2.) Roanoke Presbytery. Ministers— J. B. Ramsey, D. D., H. C. Alexander, Alex. Martin, (2) B. W. Mosely, (2.) Elders— W. R, Rice, (2) James R. Holt, (2.) Owing to the disturbed state of the country, and the consequent interruption of travel, only a small proportion of the ministers were present at the opening of Synod ; it was, therefore, resolved, not to proceed with the regular business until to-morrow, but to unite this afternoon at 4 o'clock, with the congregation in their regular weekly prayer meeting, in behalf of our country. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Closed with prayer. • . . Thursday Morning, October \Zth, 9 oclock. Synod met and was opened with prayer. The formation of the roll was completed. On motion it was now resolved, to receive the roll of the Presbyteries of the United Synod, which rolls were presented by the Moderator of said Synod, Rev. T. W. Hooper, and on being called, the following members answered to their names, and took their seats as members of thi§ Synod. Presbytery of Piedmont. Jacob D. Mitchell, D. D., Thomas W. Hooper. Presbytery of Hanover. A.Converse, D. D., Joseph C. Stiles, D. D., A. J. Leavenworth, C. H. Read, D. D., P. Fletcher, J. D. Thomas, Philip B. Price, F. B. Converse, and Ruling Elder, J. N. Gordon. New River Presbytery. J. McOhain STNoD OP virgin™. - 349 The following resolutions were offered by Rev. William Brown, D. D. Resolved, 1. That the Synod of Virginia having consummated in due form, the ec- clesiastical union, provided for in the plan adopted by the General As- embly, and by the United Synod of the Presbyterian Church, does hereby contemplate with great satisfaction an event so full of interest to our Zion ; and so important in its bearing upon her welfare. 2. That we deem the occasion to be one calling for devout gratitude to the Father of Mercies, for the manifest guidance of His Holy Spirit, and the watchful care of His Holy providence, in the christian spirit and successful measures by which our di- visions have been healed. 3. That we solemnly pledge ourselves to God, and to each other, that no effort shall be wanting to make this union a blessed reality to our church, by upholding her time-honored faith and order, as presented in her standards, and as currently ex- pounded in times past by our fathers. And we do now earnestly exhort and enjoin upon our people everywhere, that they shall henceforth strive to carry into full effect the scheme embraced by this movement, in the same spirit in which, as we believe, it has been begun and ended. After a full and free expression of mutual gratification on the part of the members of both bodies, that this union had now been so happily consummated, the resolutions were unanimously adopted. The Svnod was then led in prayer and thanksgiving to the great Head of the Church by Rev. 0. H. Read, D. D., and Rev. F. McFar- land, D. D. Synod proceeded to the election of a Moderator, when Rev. C. H. Read, D. D., was unanimously chosen as Moderator, and Rev. P. Fletcher and F. Johnston were chosen as clerks. Synod then took a reces6 until three and a half o'clock, P. M. Synod met after recess, when Rev. R. S. Reese, Rev. Luther Em- erson and Rev. C. S. M. See appealed, and having rendered satis- factory reason for tardiness, took their seats. Rev. H.- Thompson, D. D., of the Associate Reformed Church be- ing present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. A letter was read from Rev. J. L. Wilson. Secretary of the Com- mittee of Domestic Missions, on the subject of supplying Chaplains for the army, which, on motion, was referred to a Committee consist- ing of Rev. Dr. Dabney, B. T. Lacy, P. B. Price, J. T. L. Preston and J. N. Gordon, to report thereon at three o'clock, P. M. to-mor- row. On motion, a Committee consisting of Rev. Dr. Brown, J. Miller and R. Mcllwaine, were appointed to prepare a suitable memorial respecting the death of Rev. Wm. J. Hoge, D. D.; and 'Rev. J. S. Grasty, A. Hart and F. Johnston, were appointed a Committee to prepare a memorial of Rev. Wm. V. Hickmau. On motion, it was resolved that the Committee on Union Theolog- ical Seminary, be instructed to inquire into the expediency and practicability of increasing the salaries of the Professors, and to re- port any instructions which the Synod should give to the Directors, relating to this subject. The Moderator announced the following Standing Committees: 350 SYNOD OP VIRGINIA. On Leave of Absence — Messrs. Hogshead, Hooper and J. W. Cal- houn. . On Bills and Overtures — Messrs. Hart, McClain, Bocock, and F. N. Walker. Judicial Committee — Messrs. Mitchell, McFarland, Stiles, Dah- ney, and J. T. L. Preston. On Union Theological Seminary — Messrs. Armstrong, Miller, Foote, Stuart and P. B. Price. On Minutes of General Assembly — Messrs. Ewing, E. D. Junkin and J. N. Gordon. On the Narrative — Messrs. Thomas L. Preston, Hooper and Barr. On Devotional Exercises — Messrs. W. S. White, Blanton and S. Brown. On motion, it was resolved, that a Committee, consisting of a mem- ber from each of the Presbyteries in this Synod and the United Synod, be appointed to report apian forarrangingPresbyterial lines through- out this Synod, in accordance with the plan of Union; and the fol- lowing were appointed on that Committee, Messrs. Ramsey, J. D. Mitchell, R. Mcllwaine, William Brown, Barr, Hart, McChain, P. B. Price and Foote. The following preamble and resolution were offered, and unani- mously adopted. Whereas, In the existing state of the country, it is feared that among other pre- vailing sins, the violation of the Sabbath is becoming very common, therefore, Resolved, That the attention of the Ministers, Church Sessions and people under the charge of this Synod, is earnestly called to the observance of the Sabbath, and that pastors be instructed to preach on this subject, as soon after the adjournment of Synod as practicable. On motion, a Committee consisting of Messrs. Foote, Styles, and" Baker, was appointed to prepare a Pastoral Letter to the churche.-i under the care of this Synod. On motion it was JResolved, That the first half hour of each morning's session of Synod, be occu- pied with devotional exercises. Synod adjourned until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Closed with prayer, Friday, October 14th, 9 oclock, A. M. Synod met and after being opened with prayer, half an hour was spent in devotional exercises. . The minutes of the proceedings of yes- terday, and the previous clay were read and approved. Rev. W. E. McElwee, of the Associate Reformed Church, Rev. J. McC. Campbell and George Eagleton of the Synod of Mississippi, and the Rev. Isaac N. Caldwell of the Synod of Tennessee, being present, were invited to sit as corresponding members. SYNOD OP VIRGINIA. 351 A letter was read from the stated clerk of the Synod of North Carolina, which was referred to the Committee on Union Theologi- cal Seminary. The Treasurer of Synod presented a report, showing that there was a ; eficiency of ahout $2 TO, in paying the expense of printing the min- u: "S of last year, and providing for the printing those of the present meeting, and on motion, a Committee was appointed, consisting of the Rev. J. Miller, J. T. L. Preston and Robert A. Payne, to report upon some means of supplying this deficiency, and to arrange such assignments for the future as may be deemed expedient. The Committee appointed to audit and examine the accounts of contributions made for benevolent purposes, through the Central Presbyterian, made a report, which was read, and on motion, adopt- ed. This report shows that the sura of $18,607.60, appears to have Ix m received, and as the Committee believe the several sums "given, appropriated faithfully to their respective objects." On motion, the Presbyteries were called for statistical reports, and for reports on Evangelistic Labor, and Systematic Benevolence, and reports were received from the Presbyteries of Greenbrier, Lexing- ton, Montgomery, West Hanover. Hanover, Piedmont, and New R ; ver. The following Statistical Reports were received. The Presbytery of Greenbrier report to Synod that they have under their care 23 churches, and 1 Licentiate. On the 16th of Apr OF VIRGINIA. our brother that a dispensation was committed to his hands, and most bravely and heroically did he fulfil it. He met his death in the front of battle, and the last words which fell from his lips on that bloody field were, "Do your duty boys, my work is ended V The deceased was a profound biblical scholar, a devout christian and an able min- ister of the New Testament. On motion, Mr. Robert A. Payne was associated with Rev. P. B. Price, to receive contributions for benevolent purpose, from members of this body. The order of the day, (the subject of Army Chaplaincy) was taken up, and further discussed by several members of Synod, when a re- cess was taken until three and a half o'clock, P. M. After recess Synod met. The following resolution was unanimously adopted. Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to take into consideration the religious instruction of the negroes, with the view of suggesting some plan, if any be found practicable, by which their spiritual necessities may be reached; said Committee to report at the next meeting of Synod. The following were appointed to constitute said Committee, Rev. W. S. White, Rev. J. C. Stiles and Rev. Alexander Martin. The Committee on the minutes of the General Assembly made a report, that they found nothing calling for Synodical action. The report was received and the Committee discharged. Synod then proceeded with the order of the day, (the subject of Army Chaplains,) and after further discussion, the report of the Committee, and resolutions after amendment was adopted. I. Touching the wants of the army, the statement is not exact but yet substan- tially correct, that if all in commission were present with their charges, about one half of the Regiments in the armies in Virginia, would have Chaplains of some de- nomination of the Protestant church. Many of the Regiments being now small, and closely associated in Brigades, it is beleived that if each of the latter had, on an aver- age two efficient Chaplains or Missionaries, it would be a bare supply. This estimate calls for sixty (60) new labourers for the field. There are in Virginia 34 general or local permanent hospitals, with about 34 Chap- lains or Missionaries; these should have an addition of as many more men. The "reatest destitution is in the temporary field hospitals, of which the number is lar"e, but constantly changing and unknown. In these our brave men when sick or wou.ided, usually suffer and die without spiritual assistance. Their wants must be supplied chiefly by Missionaries, except as Chaplains from the field may be tempo- rarily detailed for visiting them. II. Touching the present supply. Our Synod out of about 185 ministers and Li- centiates, has now in commission for permanent service as Chaplains or Missionaries, twenty-five men. In addition to these a large number of our brethern are doing a lar^e and valuable work, by visits to the hospitals and camps, which cannot be es- timated by figures. It is for our Ministers and Licentiates solemnly to consider be- fore God, whether this is a sufficient part of our body to consecrate to this service, wheo so much larger portion of our lay brethren are toiling and bleeding for the de- fence of us and our country. Since the active campaign, the whole number of our denomination employed as permanent Gospel labourers in the army has sunk from J$0 to &\ bet of this dimioutioo out Syood oootributeH very little. SYKOD OF VIRGINIA. 355 III. For additional supply, the Committee would recommend the adoption by the Synod of the following resolutions. 1. That the Rev. J. C. Stiles, D. D.. and the Rev. B. T. Lacy are affectionatly urged to undertake during the sessions, as the work most appropriate to them, the enlisting of new labourer? for the field and hospitals. 2. That ministers banished from their homes and charges, whether in Virginia or other Confederate States, are invited and urged to take service with these brethren, as the work to which Providence especially points them in their affliction. 3. That it is the deliberate judgment of the Synod, founded on the word of God, that all those Ministers and Licentiates, in whom the following conditions concur, viz: First, qualification for the field, second, bodily strength for the hardships of it, and third, opportunity to procure, if not adequate yet a tolerable supply for iheir present charges, are under solemn obligation from their vows to their Master, and from their duty to the souls of men and their country, to consider prayerfully the question of labouring permanently in the army; and if the three considerations above are not counterpoised by others peculiar to their cases, to decide this question affirm- atively. In doing which it is their duty to make their account ol preaching the word, patiently and diligently, amidst discouragement and opposition, if need be, and whether the immediate visible fruits be large or small. And finally, on this head, the Synod does testify that it is unworthy of a Christian Minister, and of citizenship in a commonwealth where our fellow citizens ;ire properly required by the law.*, a^ they are prompted by their own zeal, to bear evils of a military service for the pablie good, that any preacher of the gospel should give weight in deciding his duty', to mere personal hardships or domestic inconveniences. IV. Touching the money requisite to sustain the work, the Committee do recom- mend that Synod adopt the following resolutions: 1. That the call of the Executive Committee of Domestic Missions, through Dr. J. » L. Wilson, be commended to cur churches and people, and they be urged to contrib- ute promptly what may be necessary. 2. That the Board of Domestic Missions of the United Synod, in Richmond be re- spectfully requested, until such time as the General Assembly shall unite its opera- tions with its own, to aid in the support of this work, either by appropriations to Rev. J. L. Wilson, D. D., or by supporting such persons commisioned by him es they may approve. On motion an opportunity was given to persons present to con- tribute such sums to this cause as they may desire, and Rev. George W. White and Rev. D. Ewing were appointed to receive the same. The Committee afterwards reported the sum of $331,25 as contrib- uted. The Committee to examine the records of the Presbytery of Lex- ington and of West Hanover, made their reports, recommending their approval, which were respectively received and adopted. The Committee appointed to devise means to supply a deficiency in paying for printing' the minutes, made their report which was received and adopted. The Committee appointed to audit the Treasurer's accounts beg leave to report that they have found these accounts correct and sustained by proper vouchers, also that the increased expense of printing the minutes, &c, leaves a deficit of $270, and will certainly cause a further deficit in the next year. To meet this they have had advanced to them by members of their respective Presbyteries, the following sums: Greenbrier Presbytery, $20; Lexington, $50; West Hanover, $50; Roanoke, $50; Montgomery, $40; East Hanover, $60; New River. $20. They recommend that the salary of the Stated Clerk be increased to $200, till otherwise directed, and that the following assessments be made in the Presbyteries for the following year : Greenbrier, $60; Lexington, $100; West Hanover, $100; Ro- npke, $100; Abingdon, $140: Winchester. $40; East Hanover, $120. JOHF MILLER, Cfcairoiaa. 356 SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. The Committee to arrange Presbyterial lines made a report, which was received and adopted. The Committee to whom was left the defining of Presbyterial boundaries, as ren- dered necessary by the union of the Synod of Virginia and the New River Presby- tery with this body, and in compliance with Article III, of the Act of Union, beg leave to report the following, viz : 1. That it is inexpedient and unnecessary to change the boundaries of any of the Presbyteries heretofore composing this .Synod, except the Presbytery of Montgomery, whose western boundary hereafter shall be New River, and the churches arid mem- bers of which, west of New River, hhall belong to the Presbytery of New River, which shall also retain its previous boundary. 2. The Synod therefore declare the churches and members of the Presbyteries of Hanover, Piedmont and Winchester, of the United Synod, shall hereafter belong to such of the former Presbyteries a-; naturally include them within their limits, and that the churches and Ministers of Winchester Presbytery of the United Synod, east of the Blue Ridge, and north of the Presbyteries of West and East Hanove-. be recog- nized as the Presbytery of Potomac, and also that any other churches and Ministers connected with said Winchester Presbyter;,', outside of the bounds of the Presbytery of Potomac, remain for the present under its care. The Committee on Bills and Overtures made a repor;, stating that no papers or business had been put into their hands. The re- port was received and the Committee discharged. The Committee to whom was referred the letter of R. F. Lester, ' on the subject of the Evangelical Tract Society, made a report, and an amendment thereto offered, which being discussed in part, Synod took a recess until seven and a half o'clock, P. M. Synod met after recess. The unfinished business was taken up, and after beiug further discussed, it was, on motion laid on the table. On motion, the vote by which the report of the Committee to ar- range Presbyterial lines has been adopted, was re-considered, and the said report was, on motion, amended so as to unite the two Presbyteries of Montgomery and New River in one, and under the name of Abingdon Presbytery, said Presbytery to hold its first stated meeting in Christiansburg at the time to which the Presbytery of Montgomery adjourned (the third Wednesday in April, 1365, at 7$ o'clock P. M.,) and continuing the succession of Montgomery Pres- bytery, as having a larger number of Ministers. On motion, the following resolution was adopted. Resolved, That the Synod feels called on to express its regret that so few of our churches are represented in the present meeting, by Ruling Elders, and it is deemed a proper occasion to urge upon the Church Sessions the important duty on the part of Ruling Elders, to attend our Church Courts, regularly and promptly — a duty tha"t should not be neglected except under circumstances of over-ruling necessity. And, Ministers are directed to call the special attention of Sessions to this resolution. The Standing Committee on Ministerial Support presented a re- port, which was received and adopted. Mr. Moderator. The appointment and duties of our Central Committee on Minis- terial Support, are sat forth in the following resolutions, adopted by the Synod at its last meeting, \]z: mn of Virginia, 357 1. Resolved, That the Committee on Ministerial Support be reduced to Qve, and that five be selected with a view to their central, or nearly central locality. 2. Resolved, That this Committee shall have in charge the general operations of the scheme, and that the Committees on Ministerial Support in the respective Presbyte- ries be and are hereby enjoined to attend diligently to their duties, and after their fall meetings to report to the Committee of Synod, the general results of their opera- tions, so that the latter Committee may report regularly to the Synod e.t each meet- ing. . Your Committee have received no reports from any of the Presbyteries, and, there- fore, have ho direct information to communicate, as to the attention generally given to this subject. We are happy to know, however, that many individual congrega- tions are relieving their Ministers from a burden of care, by contributing in lieu of money, such articles of produce and clothing as are necessary for the comfort of their families. • Your Committee composed entirely of Ruling Elders, consider the adequate support of the Ministry, a matter of the highest importance to the general welfare of the church at all times, and demanding the serious and constant attention of the Presbyteries and Church Sessions. This we regard as peculiarly the case in the present disturbed state of the country, and under the depreciated condition of the currency. In view of the premises we offer fcr your adoption the following resolutions : 1. That the Presbyteries composing this Synod, are again enjoined to give this subject their special and immediate attention, and to instruct Church Sessions, under their care to rep >rt regularly on the manner in which the duty of supporting the Gospel, is discharged by their several congregations. 2. That the Church Sessions under the care of this body be. and are hereby in- structed to take this matter in hand without waiting for the action of Presbyteries, and that they be urged to releive their Ministers, as far as possible, from the carei and anxieties incident to providing for their familes, by paying their salaries, as far as practicable, in articles o\ family consumption, and at such rates as to secure an ad- equate support. 3. That the Editors of the "Christian Observer" and "Central Presbyterian" be re- quested t» publish this action of the Synod as soon as convenient. " CAMPBELL, Chairman. COMMITTKK, ( J. L. CAMPBEL \ V. JOHNSTON, ( WM. LEWIS. On motion, Rev. Wm. Brown, D. D., and Rev. John I,eyburn, D. D., were appointed a Committee to superintend the printing aud distribution of the minutes of Synod. The following resolution was adopted. Resolved, That the Standing Committee on the state of the Church, be directed to take into consideration, and report to the Synod, some plan that may be deemed practicable, to secure the payment of the traveling expenses of members of Synod in attending its meetings. Resolved, That the Presbytery of Potomac as established by this Synod, be direct ■ ed to meet at Culpeper Court-House on the third Thursday in April, 1865, at 11 o'clock, A. M, and organize as directed by the book, and in cae 39th year of his age. lie was of an honored ancestry in (he history of the Presbyterian church, and was ir rediately blessed with godly parents. Though early an orphan, yet the mercies c je covenant were richly and effectually upon him. He was licensed to preach *n<; gospel by the Presbytery of Hocking, in 1850, and gpOQ aftt r removed to Rich- n. id, Va., where his labors in the pulpit, and a large Female Seminary were highly «• "eciated. In 1852 he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, by the Pres- (.'■ try of Baltimore, and installed pastor of the Westminster Church in that city. — It i '.850 he was elected Professor of Biblical Introduction in Union Theological Sem- ii rv. In 1859 he became co-pastor of the Brick Church in the city of New York. 4 a soon after the breaking out of the present war as arrangements could be made, lit ■ turned to Virginia, with whose struggle his heart fully sympathised. Soon after his arrival he took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, where he rf.m \ined in a faithful and useful service till the fall of 1803, when he accepted a call to fhe Tabb Street Church, in the city of Petersburg. The limits proper for a notice upon our records, lorbid us to dwell upon a life and character which so admirably filled a large place in the public eye, wherever his mil stry was enjoyed, or upon the intense sorrow pervading our church, and indeed ex :nding far beyond its pale, when bereaved by his deatu. We shall long remem- b " him as a man holding in rare combination aud fullness those endowments both of na tire and of gr.ice, which made him a noble christian gentleman, our loved compan- ioti nnd fellow laborer, a greatly gifted aud successful preacher of the gospel, who tu.oed many to righteousness. His vigorous health and the prime of his manhood, gave promise of many years to be devoted to a work he so ardently loved, and into which the extraordinary en- thu uasm of his nature was so thoroughly thrown. But a wisdom and power to w'lose behests it becomes us to bow as submissively as did our beloved brother, has tr Deferred him to a higher service, a "far more exceeding aud eternal weight of glory." 360 SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. His end was wonderfully peaceful and triumphant, arid the touching narrative published concerning it, ha3 a very wide spread interest, as an illustration of the sus- taining power and grace of God. "It is dark," he said, "dark, but never mind that, itis only natural darkness. I am dead, physically dead, but spiritually alive in Christ Jesus, forkvermokk." These were nearly his last words. Blessed be God for what he was in life, and in death, and for what he shall be, world without end, in the kingdom of glory. The Commitee appoij^tod to prepare a Pastoral Letter, presented a Teport which was accepted, and after certain amendments adopted, and the editors of the Central Presbyterian and Christian Observer, requested to publish it in their columns. Resolved, unanimously, That we tender our cordial thanks to the members of this church, and other citizens of Lexington, for their hospitality and courtesy to the members of this Synod duiing their sessions, and to the authorities of the Protestant Episcopal and Methodist churches, for the use of their houses of worship, and also to the Presidents and Directors of the Danville, Soutb:*ide and Central Railroads, for Jhe facilities uf travel extended to members of this Judicatory. Resolved, That the sum of money collected for Army Chaplaincy, amounting in all to $427,25, be placed in the hands of the Committee, appointed for its reception, and 3ent to the Assistant Committee of Domestic Missions. Synod adjourned to meet in the Second Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, on the first Wednesday in October, 1885, at 7£ o'clock, P. M. Concluded with singing, prayer aad the Apostolic benediction. CHAS. H. READ, Moderator. F. Johnston, ) Ql , P. Fletcher, \ Uier **' Francis McFarland, Stated Clerk. SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. 361 APPENDIX. N'ARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION IN THE SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. For years past the prominent idea in the narratve of religion from this Synod has been, that the afflictive judgments of God were press- ing heavily upon the church. As a necessary consequence of this condition, there have been many hindrances to the regular and effi- cient use of the means upon which the church depends for success. The same sad fact is again to be mentioned. The Presbyteries from which reports have come, mention as a cause of thankfulness the fact, that they are enabled, even to a limited degree, to use effec- tively the means for the promotion of Christ's Kingdom, and that these efforts are measurably blessed with success. We have become familiar with- the complaint that ministers have been driven from their homes or imprisoned, that sanctuaries have been desecrated or closed, and that congregations have been scattered and peeled, so that we seem to have accepted it as a cause of grateful acknowledg- ment to God that under judgments so severe, we are enabled at all To live and to labor. But whilst we report that we are still painfully learning the les- sons of adversity under the chastisements of God, it is our pleasure, and a cause of unbounded gratitude to God, to add, that these les- sons so oft repeated, and now so deeply imprinted upon the heart, have not been without legitimate results. We now see the goodness and severity of God. Not in vain have we smarted under the rod and been humbled to the dust; not in vain have we deplored the desola- tions of Zion, and mourned, and fasted and wept. For blessed be God, to-day we rejoice with exceeding great joy ; to-day we witness the power of God made perfect in our weakness ; to-day we receive with unspeakable gratitude a rich manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit which we accept as an earnest of even better things to come. Christian ministers and people long severed are re-united; differences of opinion and diversities of sentiment are forgotten ; everything that hinders cordial and fraternal reconciliation banished; and to-day we think the visible body of Christ more like what the sacramental host of God's elect should be than ever before: for now we see a large and living exemplification of that charity, which is the bond of perfect n ess. We are stronger than before by the union of our powers ; purer than before, because we hear him say, "peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." Without hesitation 3G2 SYNOD OF VrROINTA. . • we claim to have received a precious manifestation of the power of God's Spirit in thus healing divisions, uniting brethren, and re- storing peace within our bounds; and for his rich mercy and grace let all the people praise Him. The Synod would also make mention of the solemn truth — that amid all our blessings anil mercies — God has most sorely afflicted us. Two of our ordained ministers, Rev. Wm. J. Hoge, D. D., and Rev. W. P. Hickman, have been taken to their rest during the Sy nodical year, and two of our candidates, Mr. J. W. Poague and Mr. Lynch, have fallen in defence of our country. Appropriate committees have brought in becoming; memorials concerning the virtues and graces of the two former, and we would take this opportunity of expressing our high appreciation of the noble qualities of mind and heart which prompted the patriotism of our younger and not less ardent brethren, it is sad to think of their untimely death, blasting so many fond hopes oi ministerial usefulness, but. "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away — blessed be the name of the Lord!" The attention of this Synod has been constantly directed to the wants of the army, and vigorous efforts are now making to supply the destitution there existing. For our failures in duty and want of faith during the past year, we ask the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ; for the rich and unmerited favors of our Heavenly Father, we will forever bless His Holy name. C. H. READ, Modtralor. Lexington, Va., October, 1864. SYNOD OF VIRGINIA. 363 DOCKET OF BUSINESS FOR 1865. Moderator and two Clerks to be elected. Printed Minutes to be distributed. Standing Committees to be appointed by tbe Moderator, viz : On Leave of Absence. On Bills and Overtures. A Judicial Committee. On TJnion/Theological Seminary. They nominate Directors. The term of service of Wm S. White, D. D., S. D. Stuart and A. G. Mc- Ilwaine now expires* It does not appear that Directors were elect- ed in 1863. On Minutes of the General Assembly. On the Narrative of the State of Religion. On Devotional Services. Committees to review the Records of the several Presbyteries. Report of the Directors of Union Theoligical Semi nary- to be read and committed. Presbyterial Narrative on the State of Religion to be read and re- ferred. Statistical Reports from Presbyteries to be presented and read. The permanent Committee on Ministerial Support to report. The Committee on the State of the Church to report: Dr. Ramsey Chairman. The Committee consisting of the Board" of Directers and Faculty of the Union Theological .Seminary to report on the expediency of transferring the direct control of the Seminary to the General As- sembly, to report. Reports from Presbyteries on Evangelistic Labor to be made. Presbyteries to report their diligence in Systematic Benevolence. Appoint a time and place for the next meetiug of Synod. Committee to report a plan of reaching the Spiritual necessities of the negroes: Dr. White, Chairman. The Committee on the State of the Church to report some plan of paying the traveling expenses of members attending Synod. •^ V To the object of the Committee of a w E o > H 1—1 O a; o ss eg l-H © 55 V. (-1 O S5 o PS s © a o © 5? 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