Annual Convention of the Synod of the N. S. Presbyterian Church.
--The annual session of the
Presbyterian (N. S.) Church convened in the Third Presbyterian Church, in this city, on Wednesday night last.
The exercises of the meeting were opened with prayer and singing a hymn, after which the introductory sermon was delivered by
the Rev. Mr. Hooper, of the
Hanover Presbytery — a sermon which evinced much ability, learning, research, and theological acumen on the part of the reverend gentleman.
At the conclusion of the sermon, and singing a psalm and prayer, the congregation was dismissed with a benediction by
the Rev. Philip B. Price, and the business proceedings formally opened.
On the roll being called, the following Presbyteries were represented in the
Synod, viz:
Winchester,
Piedmont, and
Hanover.
After the roll was called some unimportant business was transacted, and the
Synod adjourned till Thursday morning at 9½ A. M.
[During the session of the
Synod prayer meetings will be hold regularly every morning at half- past 9 o'clock, and preaching every night by some minister of the
Synod.]
On Thursday the
Synod convened at 9½ A. M., and, as a preliminary to the proceedings, spent an hour in devotional exercises.
The roll was called, and a quorum not being present, on motion, the following resolution was offered and adopted:
Resolved, That in view of the limited attendance, at this time, of members from two of our Presbyteries, and in the expectation of the early arrival of others, the
Synod will now proceed to a temporary organization, with a view to the initiation of such business as may hereafter be ratified and finished.
Rev. Robert Gray, of the Presbytery of
Piedmont, was elected Moderator,
pro.
tem., and
Rev. F. Bartlett Converse, of
Richmond, was elected temporary Clerk.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the reading of the minutes of the last meeting of the
Synod be dispensed with for the present.
The Moderator appointed the following committees:
On Narration.--
Rev. F. D. Bell and
J. L. Bartlett.
On Minutes of the
Synod--
Rev. A. J. Leavenworth and
Rev. Geo. W. Leyburn.
On Finance.--
Elders Wm. F. Gaines,
Samuel M. Price.
On Records of Presbyteries — In
Hanover,
Rev. G. W. Leyburn and
Rev. T. D. Bell;
Piedmont,
Rev. J. D. Thomas and
Dr. W. F. Gaines;
Winchester,
Rev. Chas. H. Read, D. D., and
Rev. P. B. Price.
On motion,
Rev. Messrs. Price,
Read, and
Fletcher were appointed on Devotional Exercises.
A resolution was introduced, which in its original phrase caused an animated and decidedly interesting debate, participated in by
Rev. Drs.
Read and
Converse, Elders
Lacy,
Bell,
Thomas, and
Price; and the only thing which prevents us from giving a synopsis of the discussion is want of space.
We give the resolution only, as it passed, which reads as follows:
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare a paper on the position, relation, and prospects of our Church in reference to the moral issues involved in the present war.
The Moderator was authorized to appoint the said committee.
On motion, the
Free Conversation on the
State of Religion was made the order of the day for to- day, (Friday) at 11 o'clock A. M.
This will prove the most interesting feature in the proceedings of the
Synod, as the most eloquent ministers in the Presbyterian Church will take part in it.
On motion, the
Synod adjourned till Friday morning (to-day,) at 9½ o'clock.
