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MINUTES OF THE SYNOD of the
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SI*
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF NORTH AMERICA
SESSION LXXVIII
36 )7
llegheny, Pa., May 22 to 28, 1907
PRICE, THIRTY-FIVE CENTS, POSTPAID Address, Mr. J. S. TIBBY, 411 Penn Building, Pittsburgh, Pa.
CONTENTS
Boards, Rc/^orts of— Pa^e
Central '\q
Church Erection .. go
College ' '''..!..''"!! ^ "o
Control '
^^•■^'P ■.■"■■■■.'.■.■.■.■■.■.■■.■.■.■.■:::;::::::::;:: 30
Jewish
Seminary go
Sustentation g^
Synod and Board of Trustees . . .^ ^ ^ ^^ ! " . ' ! ^ ^ ! ' . ! ! 85
Committees, Reports of —
Devotional Exercises jq
Disciphne _ / ' " ' --
Evangelistic Work 22
Finance 8^
Foreign Correspondence ca
Mission, Foreign '_' ^p
Mission, Home ^g
National Reform c8
Order of Business 7
Presbyterial Reports 16
Psalmody --
Records of Presbyteries ^4
Revision of Psalms 0
Sabbath ' eg
Sabbath Schools -q
Secret Societies c^
Signs of the Times 26
State of Religion '.'.'.'.'.'........ 124
Statistics jr
Supplies -g
Sustentation and Church Erection 80
Systematic Beneficence 73
Temperance 62
Testimony Bearing 24
Theological Seminary and Education 68
Traveling Fund g..
Unfinished Business 8
\^oung People's Societies 48
Matters and Reports —
Collections ge
Committees 10
Minutes of 1906 117
Mission Conference " ^6
Moderator's Alternate 100
Necrology .!...... ^ ." ug
Next Meeting j22
Report of Financial Agent of National Reform 116
Report of Treasurer of Foreign Missions [ 106
Report of Treasurer of Jewish Mission nS
Report of Treasurer of Literary Fund 116
Report of Treasurer of Synod [ ] ] | go
Report of Treasurer of Woman's Association 118
Western Section of Alliance of Reformed Churches 28
Appendix —
Report of Committee on State of Religion 123
Report of Woman's Association 125
Statistics J27
Summary 136
REV. THOMAS McFALL, SOMERSET, NOVA SCOTIA. Moderator of Synod 1907, Allegheny, Pa.
MINUTES
OF THE
Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
SESSION LXXVIIL
Allegheny Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Allegheny, Pa., May 22d, 1907.
The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church met pursuant to adjournment in the Allegheny Reformed Presbyterian Church, .Wednesday, May 22d, 1907, at 10.30 A. M., and after devotional exercises its sessions were opened with a sermon by the Moderator, J. Renwick Wyhe, from Acts 3:19, last clause — "When the times of refreshing shall come from the 'presence of the Lord."
After the sermon the Moderator constituted the Court with prayer.
The roll was called and, being completed, is as follows :
ROLL.
COLORADO.
Congregations. Ministers. Elders.
Canon City H. B. McMillan
Denver D. C. McElhinney.
Evans *S. R. Faris.
La Junta Samuel Edgar
Los Angeles P. J. McDonald J. W. Wylie.
Santa Ana *G. N. Greer A. G. Walkinshaw.
Seattle T. M. Slater ....J. W. Dodds.
J. M. Wylie
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OK THE
* ILLINOIS.
Congregations. Ministers. Elders.
Bethel tS. J. Johnston J. E. Wilson.
Bloomington G. R. Steele S. S. Smith.
Church Hill JW. S. Fulton
Oakdale J. C. Thompson.
Old Bethel W. S. Wilson.
Princeton D. C. Mathews. ...... .J. E. Carithers.
Selma *S. F. Kingston *J. H. Pickens.
Staunton W. Francy.
St. Louis M. M. Pearce J. Torrens.
*E. A. Crooks
D. S. Faris
M. A. Gault
*J. G. Reed
IOWA.
Chicago Robert Clarke
Hopkinton *D. H. C. Johnston.
Lake Reno k J. R. W. Stevenson....
Morning Sun C. D. Trumbull T. McClement.
Rehoboth J. A. Black J. B. Dodds.
Sharon J. S. McGaw A. F. Reid.
Vernon fW. H. George
Washington I. R. McKenry.
KANSAS.
Beulah A. Walkinshaw.
Billings W. C. Paden I. B. Caskey.
Cache Creek W. W. Carithers Robert Popoweetie.
Clarinda D. B. McCalla.
Denison D. H. Elliott J. A. Torrence.
Eskridge J. McCune W. F. Young.
Hebron J. G. Stevenson.
Holmwood R. A. Paden
Kansas City D. G. McKee.
Long Branch *J. M. Johnston R. J- C. Dodds.
Olathe G. A. Edgar G. R. Miller.
Quinter J. J. McElroy.
Sterling J. Humphreys.
Superior W. T. K. Thompson . . . .R. W. Gilchrist.
Tabor *S. E. Greer T. K. Tiffin.
ToPEKA F. L. McClelland.
Winchester D. H. Coulter E. J. Cathcart.
Isaiah Faris
G. R. McBurney
NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA.
Cornwallis T, McFall
St. John J. T. Mitchell
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
NEW YORK.
Congregations. Ministers. Elders.
Barnet D. C. Faris A. W. McLam.
Boston First S. McNaugher J. M. Edgar.
Boston Second J. M. Foster
Bovina W. G. Robb
Brooklyn J. C. Slater J. W. Pritchard.
Cambridge G. W. Benn *T. McClosky.
Coldenham T. Fatten
Newburgh First *J. W. F. Carlisle *S. Dunlap.
New York Second R. M. Sommerville. . . . A. Adams.
New York Third F. M. Foster W. Browne.
New York Fourth R. McAfee.
Walton R. C. Reed B. M. Thompson.
West Hebron *T. A. McElwain *A. McQueen.
White Lake J. H. Pritchard
S. R. Wallace
OHIO.
Belle Center J. G. McConnell.
Bellefontain tj. M. Faris J. E. Foster.
Cedar Lake C. M. Smith H. G. Judson.
Cedarville W. J. Sanderson W. R. Sterritt.
Cincinnati .*D. O. Jack
Hetherton E. G. Elsey *A. Morrow.
Jonathan's Creek J. C. George.
Londonderry J. E. Morrison.
Muskingum & Tomica. . . . W. J. McBurney
New Concord A. A. Samson J. C. Wallace.
South Field H. G. Patterson A. M. Cannon.
United Miami R. Hargrave ., J. F. Mitchell
Utica R. A. Blair *W. A. Hervey.
PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia First T. P. Stevenson *W. G. Carson.
Philadelphia Second J. C. McFeeters J. Peoples.
Philadelphia Third R. C. Montgomery J. Service
G. M. Robb
PITTSBURGH.
Adamsville & Middletown.J. G. McElhinney R. J. McCracken.
Allegheny W. J. Coleman W. R. Porter
Bear Run & Mahoning *E. M. Elsey *J. C. Fry.
Rehoboth *E. M. Elsey
Beaver Falls First J. S. Thompson S. George.
Brookland & Manchester. P. P. Boyd J. A. McElroy.
North Union P. P. Boyd D. N. Crowe.
Central Allegheny J. W. Sproull G. Gunn.
Clarksburg *M. Oliver.
College Hill R. H. Martin J. Scott.
East End D. C. Martin W. Blair.
Geneva H. G. Foster G. W. Walker.
Little Beaver J. Renwick Wylie R. Hagerty.
McKeesport & Mon'la B. M. Sharp W. Finney.
Mercer W. J. McKnight J.S.English.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
PITTSBURGH— Continued.
Congregations. Ministers. El,ders.
Miller's Run S. G. Conner J. H. McBurney.
New Alexandria R. J. Gault W. D. Shaw.
Newcastle J. S. Martin O. C. Orr.
Oil Creek S. J. Crowe
Pine Creek A. Kilpatrick
Union A. Kilpatrick .....R. M. Dean.
Parnassus F. M. Wilson J. M. Clark.
Pittsburgh D. McAllister D. Chestnut.
Slippery Rock J. J. Kennedy.
WiLKiNSBURG R. C. Wylic W. Esler.
YouNGSTOWN J. Ewing.
*R. C. Allen
*T. J. Allen
I. A. Blackwood
*J. F. Crozier
*R. J. Dodds
J. C. K. Paris
H. H. George
R. J. Dodds
*W. P. Johnston
J. R. Latimer
A. J. McFarland
R. J. Mclsaac
E. L. McKnight
R. J. G. McKnight
*T. C. SprouU
D. B. WiUson
ROCHESTER.
Almonte T. J. Bowes.
Syracuse John Yates J. Park.
York J. B. Gilmore W. A. Carson.
♦Not present at first roll call. fOrdained since last meeting of Synod. Jlnslalled since last meeting of Synod.
Ministers absent: T. H. Acheson, W. C. Allen, J. M. Armour, J. I, Frazier, J. C. French, J. K. Robb. J. M. Littlejohn, J. W. Dill, J. Boggs Dodds, W. W. Wilson, A. J. McFarland, Jr., J. Ralston Wylie, J. R. Thompson, W. M. George, Julius Kempf, W. McCarroU. A. I. Robb, T. A. Rusk, S. G. Shaw, Louis Meyer, M. Greenberg, E. F. Sherman, C. A. Dodds, George Kennedy, J. L. Pinkerton, J. S. Stewart, W. McFarland, J. L. McCartney— 28.
Congregations not represented : Greely, Hickory Grove, Wahoo, Bams- ville, Craftsbury, Kortright, Newburg Second, Fair Grove, North Salem, Lisbon, Lochiel, Sterling — 12.
Election of officers. Thomas McFall was elected Moderator, R. C. Montgomery Clerk, and S. McNaugher Assistant Clerk.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The following deaths were reported: D. J. Shaw, Feb. nth, 1907; J. R. Baird, March 9th, 1907; H. Easson, March 22d, 1907; J. J. McClurkin, Feb, 28th, 1907.
Committee on Order of Business reported. Report adopted and is as follows :
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
Wednesday, 10.30 A. M. — Sermon by retiring Moderator; Constitution of the Court; Election of Officers; Report of Committee on Order of Business.
2.30 P. M. — Reports of Committees on Devotional Exercises and Un- finished Business. Reports of Boards, Foreign Missions, Central, Jewish, Sustentation and Church Erection.
7.30 P. M. — Conference on Evangelistic Work.
Thursday, 9.00 A. M. — Reports of Boards, Superintendents of Theological Seminary, Synod's Board of Trustees, Board of Control ; of Stated Clerk.
2.00 P. M. — Reports of Presbyteries ; of Committees on Testimony Bear- ing, Temperance, Evangelistic Work.
y.30 P. M. — Conference on Practical Temperance Methods.
Friday, g.oo A. M. — Report of Executive Committee of the National Reform Association, of Synod's Financial Agent for National Reform, of the Mission Conference, of Committee on the State of Religion.
2.00 P. M. — Reports of Committees on Sabbath Schools, Young People's Societies, Systematic Beneficence, the Sabbath.
7.30 P. M. — Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of our Foreign Mission.
Saturday, g.oo A. M. — Reports of Committees on Signs of the Times, Psalmody, Secret Societies ; Board of Corporators of Geneva College, Board of Trustees of Geneva College.
Monday, g.oo A. M. — Reports of Committees on Records of Presby- teries, Theological Seminary and Education, Traveling Fund, Discipline.
2.00 P. M. — Reports of Committees on Foreign Missions, Home Mis- sions, National Reform.
y.30 P. M. — Conference on National Reform.
Tuesday, 9.00 A. M. — Reports of Committees on Finance, on Sustenta- tion and Church Erection.
2.00 P. M. — Reports of Committees on Supplies, Foreign Correspondence.
R. C. Wylie, H. G. Foster, D. C. Mathews,
Committee.
Synod ordered 300 copies of the above report to be printed. Recess was taken until 2.30 P. M. Prayer by R. Hargrave.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Same place 2.30 P. M., Synod met and was led in prayer by the Moderator. Minutes read and approved.
A. A. Samson and W. H. George were appointed to report Synod's proceedings.
Committee on Unfinished Business reported. Report received and taken up item by item for adoption.
Item I. Board of Foreign Missions to arrange for Fiftieth Anniversary of our Foreign Missions. A program was submitted and accepted.
Item 2. Committee to classify congregations receiving aid from Synod. Committee reported. Report recommitted and the committee continued to report next Synod as to minimum salaries of all congregations.
Item 3. Committees to write to W. M. George and T. M. Slater. Page 51. Attended to.
Item 4. Items i, 2, 17 and 19 of last year's report of Finance Committee. Pages 52 and 53. Attended to.
Item 5. Committee on Supplying Vacant Congregations. Committee re- ported. Report not adopted. ,
Item 6. Treasurer J. S. Tibby, to publish additional copies of our new version of Psalms. Page 107. Attended to.
Item 7. Committee to examine Uniform Version of Psalms. Page 108 Committee reported. Report received, adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE UNIFORM VERSION OF THE PSALMS.
The Special Committee to Examine the Uniform Version of the Psalms respectfully report : The situation is much as it was last year, as far as any action to be recommended by your Committee is concerned.
We had reached a unanimous judgment as a Committee on the Version, as submitted in proof last year, that we could not recommend its adoption in its present form, but the matter was laid over owing to the final form of the version not having been reached by the Joint Committee.
There has been no meeting of that Committee within the year, and we have no action therefore to recommend.
With the prospect, however, of a meeting, and at the request of the Chairman of Synod's Committee engaged in the work of revision, we have placed the notes prepared in criticism of the proof in his hands, for such use as the Committee may be able to make of them.
The revision in proof has not been approved by any one of the churches concerned in the preparation of a Uniform Version. It now rests with the Joint Committee to move in the preparation of an amended form. As far as the work originally committed to us is concerned, we believe that our duties are at an end.
From what we can gather, it seems that the question of the new version will present itself to the Synod in a future form with changed con- ditions, not contemplated in our appointment.
We close our report, therefore, with the recommendation that we be discharged.
D. B. Wilson, Chairman, J. A. Black, C. D. Trumbull, F M. Foster, T. M. Slater.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Item 8. Committee on Psalmody Revision. Committee reported. Re- port received, adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PSALMODY REVISION.
Your Committee would respectfully report that the Joint Committee on the Revision of the Psalms has not held a meeting durins: the past year. We had expected that the Revision in its present form would come before you for acceptance or rejection at this meeting of Synod, but it appears now that denominational efforts at further revision have been going on during the year and that the results of these efforts are to be considered and reviewed at a meeting of the Joint Committee in the late summer or early fall.
As the Synod has steadily favored every attempt to improve the revised version, we feel that we should not stop at this point, much as we regret the delay, and therefore we recommend :
That the resolutions on this subject adopted at last Synod be reaffirmed.
W. J. Coleman, David McAllister, T. P. Ste\tenson.
Item p. Delegate to Christian Reformed Synod. T. H. Acheson. Page 121. No report.
Item 10. Committee on R. R. Rates. Committee reported the matter attended to.
Item II. Motion to amend Rule 30 in our Rules of Order. Page 51. The motion was amended to read as follows : Motion to amend Rule 30 in our Rules of Order by inserting, after first sentence, the following : "Motions to postpone indefinitely and lay on the table, since they cut off debate, require a two-thirds vote to prevail." Motion carried.
Item 12. Correction of minutes. Page 49, under Report of Mission Con- ference, for "Vernon Presbytery" read "Vermont Presbytery."
R. C. Montgomery, J. C. French.
Report on Unfinished Business was adopted as a whole, and is as above.
Hours for Synod's meetings fixed as follows : 9 to 12 A. M., and 2 to 5 P. M.
Invitation from the Board of Managers of the Aged People's Home to luncheon, Thursday evening, was received and accepted.
Synod adjourned with prayer by M. A. Gault.
MORNING SESSION.
Same place, Thursday, May 23d, 9 A. M., Synod met, and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator. Roll called. Alinutes read and approved.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Committee on Devotional Exercises reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.
Your Committee would respectfully recommend that the last half hour of the morning session of each day be spent in devotional exercises. We submit the following program :
Thursday — 'rtie Holy Spirit in His relation to the courts of Christ's House. Leader R. M. Sommerville.
Friday — Prayer for the continued success of Missions — Home and Foreign. Leader F. M. Foster.
Saturday — Prayer for the coming of Christ's Kingdom and the success of all reforms. Leader J. C. McFeeters.
Monday — Prayer for more thorough, systematic and individual study of the Word of God. Leader Thos. McClement.
Tuesday — Prayer for the presence, the guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to attend all the labors of the coming year. Leader A. A. Samson.
George N. Greer,
R. J. George,
E. L. McKnight,
Committee
Committees announced by the Moderator :
COMMITTEES.
Supplies— ]as. McCune, W. S. Fulton, J. M. Wylie, W. S. Wilson, D. G. McKee.
Foreign Correspondence — J. M. Foster, R. A. Paden, J. E. Wilson.
Theological Seminary and Education — G. M. Robb, P. J. McDonald, H. B. McMillan, Wm. Blair, J. E. Carithers.
Traveling Fund — ^J. H. Pritchard, and Financial Agents of Presbyteries.
Nominations — W. T. K. Thompson, F. M. Foster, P. P. Boyd, Jas. Tor- rens, R. J. C. Dodds.
'Disciplines. J. Johnston, J. A. Black, J. R. Latimer, A. F. Reid, J. M. Edgar.
Finance — J. C. Slater, W. J. Coleman, C. D. Trumbull, Wm. Browne, A. Walkinshaw.
Foreign Missions — J. Renwick Wylie, G. R. McBurney, R. C. Reed, D. C. McElhinney, W. A. Carson.
Home Missions — J. S. Thompson, W. G. Robb, J. S. McGaw, S. R. P'aris, J. H. McBurney.
Church Erection and Sustentation — R. C. Wylie, S. R. Wallace, J. G. Reed, Alexander Adams, W. R. Porter.
National Reform— R. J. Gault, D. C. Mathews, G. W. Benn, R. McAfee, W. G. Carson.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. II
COMMITTEES ON RECORDS OF PRESBYTERIES.
Colorado — F. M. Wilson, C. R. Steele, John Peoples.
Illinois — Robert Clarke, D. H. Elliott, Jas. Service.
loiva — R. Hargrave, W. S. Fulton, W. A. Hervey.
Kansas — J. M. Faris, J. C. McFeeters, H. G. Judson.
N. B. and N. S.—T>. C. Faris, A. Kilpatrick, A. C. Walkinshaw.
New York—D. H. Elliott, B. M. Sharpe, Thos. McClement.
Ohio—W. W. Carithers, S, E. Greer, G. R. Miller.
Philadelphia — W. J. Sanderson, H. G. Patterson, J. C. Stevenson.
Pittsburgh— G. A. Edgar, J. T. Mitchell, T. K. Tiffin.
Rochester— T. C. Sproull, M. M. Pearce, J. M. Edgar.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Evangelistic Work — S. J. Johnston, J. W. Sanderson, E. L. McKnight, D. G. McKee, Jas. Humphries.
Secret Societies — J. S. Thompson, E. G. Elsey, H. G. Foster, J. L. Mitchell, John Peoples.
Psalmody — T. M. Slater, W. J. McBurney, J. C. McFeeters, J. C. George, G. R. Miller.
Signs of the Times— C. D. Trumbull, D. O. Jack, M. M. Pearce, W. R. Sterret, J. B. Dodds.
State of Religion— W. C. Paden, Robert Clarke, D. H. Elliott, T. J. Bowes.
Young People's Societies — Jas. McCune, E. M. Elsey, E. A. Crooks, G. G. McKee, Jas. M. Clark.
Sabbath — J. R. W. Stevenson, S. C. Conner, I. A. Blackwood, Jas. Park, O. C. Orr.
Sabbath-schools — J. S. Martin, S. E. Greer, G. R. Steele, F. L. McClelland, Robert Kyle.
Systematic Beneiicence — M. A. Gault, J. Renwick Wylie, J. A. Torrence, Thos. McClosky.
Devotional Exercises — J. M. Faris, C. M. Smith, P. P. Boyd, Alexander Adams, W. F. Young.
Order of Business — T. P. Stevenson, J. C. McFeeters, Jas. Service. Unfinished Business — Clerks of Synod.
Committee on Nominations reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS.
To prepare a minute on the death of Rev. D. J. Shaw — J. C. K. Faris, D. B. Wilson, R. M. Dean.
On the death of Rev. J. J. McClurkin— D. S. Faris, R. J. Gault, John Ewing.
On the death of Rev. Henry Easson — R. J. Dodds, R. M. Sommerville, R. J. George, C. W. Walker.
On the death of Rev. J. R. Baird — J. Crozier, A. Kilpatrick, J. C. Frye.
To deHver memorial address — T. P. Stevenson. To offer prayer — C. D. Trumbull.
Committee to draft new blanks and rules for congregations — ^J. W, Sproull, G. A. Edgar, R. Hargrave.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
To be a member of the Central Board of Missions, instead of D. B. Wilson, resigned, J.. S. Thompson.
To take the place of A. J. McFarland, Jr., on Committee to Classify Con- gregations, A. A. Samson.
Committee to report next year on the question of students preaching before licensure— D. C. Mathews, T. M. Slater, T. McFall, R. W. Gilchrist, J. H. McBurney.
Committee to report on a new and enlarged edition of Psalm Selections —
G. M. Robb, W. J. Sanderson, T. C. Sproull, S. A. S. Methen, J. C. Thompson.
Committee to report next year on the basis of cooperation with the
National Church Temperance Conference — W. W. Carithers, W. C. Paden,
J. F. Crozier, William Browne, George McKee.
W. T. K. Thompson^ F. M. Foster, P. P. Boyd, Jas. Torrens, r. j. c. dodds.
On motion T. P. Stevenson was added to the Committee to Re- port on the Basis of Cooperation with the National Church Temper- ance Conference.
Report of Committee of Sabbath was made the order of the day for 2 P. M.
I. A, Blackwood and D. McAllister were granted optional 'at- tendance.
Drs. Frederick J. Stanley and D. G. Wylie, of New York, were granted the courtesies of the floor.
Board of Foreign Missions reported. Report received, and re- ferred to Committees on Foreign Missions and Finance.
Central Board of Missions reported. Report received, and re- ferred to Committees on Home Missions and Finance.
Devotional exercises engaged in, R. M. Sommerville leading.
Recess was taken until 2 P. M. Prayer by F. M. Foster.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Same place, 2 P. M., Synod met, and was led in prayer by the Moderator. Roll called. Minutes read and approved.
Committee on Sabbath reported. Dr. Stanley, Secretary of the American Sabbath Union, was introduced and spoke of his work.
Report was recommitted, and a resolution offered by S. J. Crowe was referred to the same committee to be embodied in their report.
Papers rfeceived :
Paper No. i. — Report of R. P. Woman's Association. Re- ferred to Committee on Finance.
■reformed PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 13
Paper No. 2. — Report of Treasurer Walter T. Miller. Referred to Committee on Finance.
Paper No. j. — Communication from Anti- Saloon League. Laid on the table.
Paper No. 4. — Printing and Sale of Minutes. Referred to Com- mittee on Finance.
Paper No. 5. — Report of Treasurer of Literary Fund. Referred to Committee on Finance.
Paper No. 6. — Reports of Secretary and Treasurer of Synod's Board of Trustees. Referred to Committee on Finance.
Paper No. 7. — Minutes of Syrian Commission. Paper read.
Paper No. 8. — Report of Treasurer of Jewish Mission. Re- ferred to Committee of Finance.
Paper No. p. — Report of Treasurer of R. P. Woman's Associa- tion. Referred to Committee on Finance.
Paper A^o. 10. — Question referred by Illinois Presbytery. Re- ferred to Committee on Discipline.
Paper No. ii.- — Forwarded by Ohio Presbytery. Referred to Committee on Home Missions.
Paper No. 12. — Communication from Western Section of Alli- ance of Reformed Churches. Laid on the table- for the present, ex- cept item of finance, which was referred to Committee on Finance.
Paper No. jj. — Letter from the Irish Synod. Referred to Com- mittee on Foreign Correspondence.
Paper No. 14. — Communication from W. C. T. U. Referred to Committee on Temperance.
Synod adjourned with prayer by H. B. McMillan.
MORNING SESSION.
Same place, Friday, May 24th, 9 A. M,, Synod met, and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
Minutes read and approved.
On motion a gavel, formerly presented to Synod by Miss Mattie R. Wylie, of our Syrian Mission, was placed in the custody of our Theological Seminary.
14 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
A telegram conveying the Christian greetings of the Presby- terian General Assembly was received, and is as follows :
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, in session in Columbus, Ohio, sends Christian greetings to the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in session in Allegheny, Pa. Recognizing with gratitude our common heritage of blood and faith and being more and more deeply impressed with the unfolding of Divine Providence in apparent fulfillment of the prayer of our blessed Lord, "That they all may be one," we beg to assure you of our deep family affection and desire for co- operation with you in the purpose of the kingdom.
William Henry Roberts, Moderator.
On motion the following reply was returned :
The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in session in Allegheny, Pa., returns fraternal greetings to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian- Church, in session at Columbus, Ohio. We greet you in the name of the Lord in recognition of our common obligation to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Thomas McFall, Moderator.
On motion the following order of business, was fixed for Mon- day: 10 A. M., report of Committee on Foreign Missions; 2.30 P. M., report of Committee on Home Missions; 4 P. M., report of Committee on National Reform.
Jewish Mission Board reported. Report received and referred to Committees on Home Missions and Finance.
Church Erection Board reported. Report received and referred to Committees on Sustentation and Church Erection, and Finance.
Board of Superintendents of Theological Seminary reported. Report received and referred to Committees on Theological Sem- inary and Education, and Finance.
Board of Control reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF SYNOD'S BOARD OF CONTROL.
The Board of Control report that they held their annual meeting in- November last, and made distribution of the funds intrusted to t'heir manage- ment.
The applicants were twenty-nine in number: aged ministers, four; widows- and children of deceased ministers, thirteen; students of theology, twelve.
The Aged Ministers' Fund was the only one that enabled us to make appropriations in some degree proportioned to the need. The other funds were very inadequate to relieve the wants of applicants, especially in the case of the Students' Aid Fund. Last year our Board was able to do less for our students than during any year of its history. This was due in part to the increased number of those applying for assistance, but it was more largely owing to the smallness of the collections for the fund. The appropriations made were very meagre indeed, and must have left the students expecting help to struggle with many embarrassments in order to complete the Seminary- year.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. . 15
Usually our young men studying for the ministry come from families who are in very moderate circumstances. They often have had a hard struggle to obtain means to secure literary training, and at the end of their college course they are frequently largely in debt. Their parents have economized to help them, but there are other children in the family whose claims cannot be overlooked ; so that the parents are no longer able to do much more for the son who is anxious to fit himself for the ministry. Had he prospect of large earnings when he passes out of the Seminary to enter on his chosen profession, he might contract debt to support him in the meantime, but the average pastorate to which he may be called furnishes only a bare living, with no sur- plus to meet past obligations, or to lay by for future needs. If, therefore, the Church is to have a ministry, she must deal more generously with the worthy young men who are earnestly striving to fit themselves for 'the work. While other applicants for help have strong claims, which, we trust, will not be over- looked, we urge increased liberality in congregational contributions to the Students' Aid Fund.
The term of Elders W. Dougherty and A. F. Reid as members of our Board expires this year, and their successors are to be chosen.
The Rev. W. C. Allen ceasing to be a member of the Board by his re- moval to Oakland, California, to take charge of our mission in that city, we would recommend that the Rev. J. S. McGaw, pastor of the Sharon Congre- gation, be appointed to fill his unexpired term.
For the ensuing yeSiT, we ask the following appropriations : Aged Min- isters, $1,500; Widows and Orphans. $2,500; Students' Fund, $1,500.
Respectfully submitted,
J. A. Black, Secretary.
Reports of Presbyteries. All reports received and adopted, and referred to appropriate committees.
Report of Stated Clerk. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF STATED CLERK. Statistics May ist, 1906, to May ist, 1907.
Summary. — There are reported this year 116 congregations; 4 mission stations in America ; 4 in the Syrian Mission and i in China ; 131 ministers, r of whom is a Greek, located at Cyprus ; 12 licentiates, of whom i is a Greek and i a Syrian ; 14 theological students, 5 of whom have been licensed ; 9,780 communicants, an increase of 689 and a decrease of 700 ; 8,594 in attend- ance at the Sabbath-schools and 1,656 in attendance at the Young People's Societies and $211,992 of total contributions.
Congregations. — Eighty have pastors, 2 are supplied by unsettled ministers, I bv a pastor, 2 are under the care of the Syrian Commission, i, Greeley, was organized by Colorado Presbytery on the 26th of March, 1907. There is an increase of i.
Mission Stations. — Oakland is under the care of Colorado Presbytery. The Jewish Mission is under the care of the Jewish Mission Board. The 4 in the bounds of the Syrian Commission and the i in China are under the care of the Foreign Mission Board. Baltimore, Conococheague, Mansfield and Middle Wheeling are not reported this year.
Ministers. — There were i ordination and installation, 4 installations, 7 dissolutions of the pastoral relation and 4 deaths. William Henry George was ordained and installed pastor of Vernon Congregation by a Commission of Iowa Presbytery, on Sept. 5th, 1906. Rev. J. C. French was installed pastor of Denver Congregation by a Commission of Colorado Presbytery, Aug. 3d, 1906. Rev. J. M. Paris, pastor of Bellefontaine Congregation, by a Commission
l6 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
of Ohio Presbytery, June 22d, 1906. Rev. W. S. Fulton, pastor of Coulterville Congregation, by Illinois Presbytery, July 6th, 1906, and Rev. S. J. Johnston, pastor of Bethel Congregation, by Illinois Presbytery, Nov. 9th, 1906.
The pastoral relation between Rev. J. C. French and Oakdale Congre- gation was dissolved by a Commission of Illinois Presbytery, on July ist, 1906; between Rev. E. A. Crooks and Old Bethel Congregation, by Illinois Presbytery, Sept. nth, 1906; between Rev. A. J. McFarland and Kansas City Congregation, by Kansas Presbytery, on Sept. 17th, 1906; between Rev. M. A. Gault and Wahoo Congregation, by a Commission of Kansas Presbytery, on the 23d of October, 1906 ; between Rev. W. C. Allen and Washington Congregation, by a Commission of Iowa Presbytery, on Nov. 8th, 1906 ; between Rev. I. A. Blackwood and Fourth New York Congregation, New York Presbytery, on Jan. 2d, 1907 ; between Rev. J. M. Wylie and Evans Congregation, by Colorado Presbytery, on March 25th, 1907.
Three pastors have double charges.
Rev. David Jamison Shaw died at New Alexandria, on the nth of Feb., 1907 ; Rev. John Johnston McClurkin, at New Alexandria, Pa., on Feb. 28th, ■ 1907 ; Rev. James Robertson Baird, at Indiana, Pa., on March 9th, 1907 ; Rev. Henry Easson. at Beaver Falls, on March 22d, 1907, and Licentiate William McKinney, at Davenport, Iowa, on March 13th, 1907.
Of the ministers without charge, 2 are stated supplies, 8 are foreign mis- sionaries, 4 are laboring under the direction of the Central Board, 2 are professors in the Theological Seminary, 3 in Geneva College, 2 are engaged in Reform work, i in Testimony Hearing, 4 are unable to engage in the active duties of the ministry and 8 are engaged all or part of their time in secular callings. All or part of the time of the others is at the disposal of Synod.
Licentiates. — Robert Walter Piper was licensed by Illinois Presbytery at Coulterville, 111., on May 3d, 1907; Robert Euwing Wilson, at Sharon, Iowa, by Iowa Presbytery, May 14th, 1907; Samuel Melville Morrow, by Kansas Presbytery, May 15th, 1907; Archibald Anderson Johnston and Samuel Guy Finney, by Pittsburgh Presbytery, at McKeesport, on May 14th, 1907.
Communicants. — Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Presbyteries, the Syrian Commission and the Mission in China and 45 con- gregations report a net increase, and Iowa, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, New York, Ohio and Rochester Presbyteries and 50 congregations report a net decrease. The others do not report any change. There is a net decrease of 11 ; in the American Church of 25.
Contributions. — An increase in contributions is reported in the Jewish Mission of $245; National Reform, of $1,086; Testimony Bearing, of $139; Miscellaneous, of $ro,6i8; and a decrease in the Syrian Commission, of $644; the Mission in China, of $7,562; in Home Mission, of $2,458; in Southern Mission, of $702; in Indian, of $341 ; in the Theological Seminary, of $799; in Sustentation, of $194; in Church Erection, of $5,460; in the Aged Ministers' Fund, of $50; in the Widows and Orphans' Fund, of $114; in Salaries, of $815, and in totals, of $7,041.
Manses. — The number of manses is the same as last year.
J. W. Sproull, Stated Clerk.
REPORT OF COLORADO PRESBYTERY.
Colorado Presbytery held its regular meeting in Denver, September 4th, 1906. We have eight congregations, twelve ministers and one student of theology.
Two of our congregations, Evans and Greeley, are without pastoral oversight. Greeley congregation was organized March 26th, 1907. The Oakland Mission was at last Synod transferred from the Central Board to our Presbytery. W. C. Allen has been appointed to that field and entered
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 17
on his duties there January of this year. It is the purpose of Presbytery and of the Missionary to endeavor to have a congregation in that locality. We ask $2,000 for this mission for the coming year. A mission station has been established at Content, Canada. It is under the care of the Central Board.
The salary of Dr. Kate McBurney, Presbytery Missionary to China, has been paid in full.
Frank Dean Frazier has been taken under care of Presbytery as a student of theology. He has finished one year at the theological seminary.
W. C. Allen has been received from the Iowa Presbytery. E. M. Coleman was on June i6th, 1906, certified from the Kansas Presbytery to the Colorado Presbytery. Before his certificate was received he entered the communion of the United Presbyterian Church.
The pastoral relation between J. M. Wylie and the Evans congregation was dissolved March 25th, 1907.
F. H. Acheson and J. M. Wylie are engaged in National Reform work. J. K. Robb is missionary in Tok King Chan, China.
J. M. Armour is recommended to the Board of Control to share in the Aged Ministers' Fund.
Our statistical report was forwarded to Synod's Stated Clerk. Our traveling fund is full.
We ask for full time of one laborer for the coming year. Half time of H. B. McMillan is at disposal of Synod.
J. C. French is chairman of Committee of Supplies.
Respectfully submitted,
J. M. Wylie, Clerk.
REPORT OF ILLINOIS PRESBYTERY.
The Illinois Presbytery would respectfully report : We have held two regular meetings during the year. We have nine congregations under our care. Six of these have settled pastors.
The Congregation of Old Bethel became vacant on September 30th, 1906, by the resignation of Rev. E. A. Crooks. The Rev. S. J. Johnston was in- stalled pastor of the Bethel Congregation on November 9th, 1906. The Rev. M. A. Gault was received by certificate from Kansas Presbytery on May 23d, 1907, and has accepted a call from the Oakdale Congregation. Mr. R. W. Piper was licensed to preach by the Presbytery on May 3d, 1907, and is open to appointments by the Committee on Supplies during the dates not occupied by the studies of closing year of the Seminary. Rev. E. A. Crooks desires ap- pointments for the full time. Rev. D. S. Faris and Miss Anna George are rec- ommended to the Board of Control for a share in the funds at their disposal. We ask for the full time of one laborer. Rev. D. C. Mathews is chairman of the Committee on Supplies. The traveling fund is paid in full.
M. M. Pearce, Clerk.
REPORT OF IOWA PRESBYTERY.
The Presbytery of Iowa would respectfully report :
We held two meetings during the year.
We have nine congregations ; three — Hopkinton, Washington and Hickory Grove — are without pastors.
W. Henry George, licentiate, having accepted a call from Vernon Congre- gation, was received on certificate from Pittsburgh Presbytery and was or-
l8 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
dained and installed pastor of said congregation September 5th, 1906, by a Com- mission of Presbytery.
The pastoral relation between W. C. Allen and Washington Congrega- tion was dissolved by a Commission of Presbytery, November 8th, 1906, at the request of Mr. Allen, that he might accept an appointment to the mission in Oakland, California. Mr. Allen has been certified to Ohio Presbytery.
Louis Meyer has been certified to Ohio Presbytery.
Robert E. Willson, a student of theology, having completed two years of the course in the Theological Seminary, was licensed to preach May 14th, 1907.
Howard McConaughy, a graduate of Geneva College, has been taken under our care as a student of theology.
W. J. McCullough, licentiate, having accepted a call from Lisbon Congre- gation, has been certified to Rochester Presbytery.
J. M. Littlejohn is engaged in secular pursuits in Chicago.
The application of the Misses Emily and Juliet Cannon for aid from the fund for the widows and orphans of deceased ministers was approved.
Robert E. Willson and Howard McConaughy were recommended to the Board of Control for a share of the Students' Fund.
The whole time of W. O. Ferguson and the vacation months of Robert E. Willson, licentiates, are at the disposal of Synod.
Presbytery asks the time of two laborers during the coming six months, and half the time of a third, and the time of one laborer and half time of a second the remainder of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. Trumbull, Clerk.
REPORT OF KANSAS PRESBYTERY.
Kansas Presbytery would respectfully report : We have held one regu- lar meeting and six meetings by Interim Commission since the last meeting of Synod. We have eighteen congregations under our care. Eleven are in charge of pastors, though one of these is now absent on account of sickness, and one is serving temporarily in the foreign field. Two ministers are serving as stated supplies, one of whom is the Superintendent of the Indian Mission. Rev. Andrew J. McFarland was released from the pastoral charge of Kansas City Congregation and is now missionary to Syria. Rev. M. A. Gault resigned the charge of Wahoo Congregation and was released from duty October 22d, 1906. He was certified to Illinois Presbytery May 15th, 1907. E. M. Coleman was certified to Colorado Presbytery June i6th, 1906. S. J. Johnston was certified to Illinois Presbytery October 4th, 1906. We have three students of theology under care of Presbytery — Wm. A. Aikin and J. D. Edgar, stu- dents of the first year, and S. M. Morrow, a second-year student, who was' licensed by the Interim Commission, May i.Sth, 1907.
The days of fasting and thanksgiving appointed by Synod were observed in all our congregations. The chairman of our Committee on Supplies is James ATcCune. We ask for the full time of two laborers for the coming year.
The time of J. R. Wylie, for the months of July and August; of S. M. Morrow, till opening of Seminary ; of G. R. McBurney, Isaiah Paris, for the year, is at the disposal of Synod.
We refer the following names as possible applicants for aid from the Board of Control, viz. : Mrs. Belle I. Dodds, Mrs. Jane Orr McClurkin and Mrs. M. A. McMillan, widows ; Wm. A. Aikin and J. D. Edgar, students, and Rev. W. W. Wilson, incapacitated by illness.
Respectfully submitted,
George A. Edgar, Clerk.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. IQ
REPORT OF N. B. AND N. S. PRESBYTERY.
The Presbytery of N. B. and N. S. would respectfully report :
We have held one meeting during the year.
Mrs. Margaret Lawson was recommended to the Board of Control for a share in the fund for widows and orphans.
Licentiate John Coleman supplied Barnesville eighteen Sabbaths last summer. We ask one laborer for the summer this year.
Our traveling fund is paid in full.
James T. Mitchell, Clerk.
REPORT OF NEW YORK PRESBYTERY.
The Presbytery of New York would respectfully report ; One regular meeting and one pro re nata meeting were held during the year.
By direction of Synod (see Minutes of Synod, 1906, page 105), the New York and Vermont Presbyteries were united into one Presbytery at Bovina Centre, N. Y., September i8th, 1906, and are known as the Presbytery of New York. We enroll eighteen congregations, four of which are without settled pastors.
The pastoral relationship between I. A. Blackwood and Fourth New York was dissolved January 2d, 1907, and Mr. Blackwood was certified to the Pitts- burgh Presbytery.
Twenty ordained ministers are enrolled on our Presbytery, of whom three are in the foreign field, one is engaged in secular work, one is unable for regular ministerial work by reason of continued illness, and one, S. R. Wallace, is without a pastoral charge. His whole time is at the disposal of Synod. Rev. J. F. Crozier has been laboring for some time at East Craftsbury, Vt., by appointment of the Central Board.
We have under our care one student of theology of the first year, Elmer Russell, who is recommended to the Board of Control for share in Students' Aid Fund.
Miss Elizabeth R. Williams is recommended to the Board of Control for share in fund for widows and children of deceased ministers.
Rev. J. C. Slater was chosen as a member of the Board of Corporators of Geneva College to fill the place of Andrew Alexander, deceased.
Our statistical report was forwarded in due time to Synod's Stated Clerk.
Our traveling fund is paid in full.
R. C. Reed is chairman of Committee of Supplies.
We require one-half time of one laborer.
Respectfully submitted,
W. G. RoBB, Clerk.
REPORT OF OHIO PRESBYTERY.
Ohio Presbytery would respectfully report: In accordance with the di- rection of Synod last year the Presbyteries Ohio and Lakes were united under the name Ohio.
Fifteen congregations are under our care, ten of which have settled pastors. Rev. J. M. Faris was installed pastor of the Bellefontaine Congrega- tion, June 22d, 1906.
Rev. T. C. Sproull has been certified to Pittsburgh Presbytery. The full time of Rev. Louis Meyer is taken up in religious work among the Jews. 2
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Laboring on salary in his work, he requests no regular appointments, depend- iwg upon such opportunities for preaching as may be afforded in our con- gregations.
One licentiate, Ernest C. Mitchell, an appointee to the mission in China, and Bruce Elsey. a student of theology of the second year, are under our care. Alva A. Wylie has accepted the call from Youngstown Congregation and has been certified to Pittsburgh Presbytery.
Mrs. K. E. Smith and Mrs. Susan Love have been recommended for aid to the Widows and Orphans' Fund.
The full time of Rev. W. J. McBurney is at the disposal of Synod. By the joint request of Londonderry and Tvluskingum and Tomica Congregations. Rev. T. C. Sproull has been appointed stated supply to these places for six months, beginning the last of June or first of July.
The full time of one laborer is asked for.
J. M. Paris is chairman of the Committee of Supplies.
W. J. Sanderson, Clerk.
REPORT OF PHILADELPHIA PRESBYTERY.
The Philadelphia Presbytery would respectfully report: We. 'have held two regular and two special meetings during the year. We have three congregations, all in Philadelphia, and all have settled pastors.
We make no report for Baltimore and Conococheague. J. C. McFeeters was appointed to look after the property interests of Conococheague Congre- gation. In addition to our three pastors we also have, upon the roll of Pres- bytery M. Greenberg, G. M. Robb, E. F. Sherman. The full time of G. M. Robb is at the disposal of Synod. We have one licentiate, E. J. Feuersohn, who was licensed by our Presbytery, October nth, 1906, and is laboring in connection with the Jewish Mission in Philadelphia. Mr. Feuersohn has asked for ordination. Presbytery decided to refer his request to Synod. Work in the different congregations has been carried on with an encouraging degree of success throughout the year. Days of thanksgiving and fasting were ob- served. All of our congregations were visited Presbyterially during the year. Our traveling fund we report in full. Our statistical report was forwarded to Synod's Stated Clerk. .
^Respectfully submitted,
R. C. Montgomery, Clerk.
REPORT OF PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY.
The Pittsburgh Presbytery would respectfully report : During the year two regular meetings of the Presbytery were held. No changes have taken place in pastoral relations during the year. The number of congregations remains the same as it was a year ago — twenty-six.
Four of our aged ministers were removed by death during the year : The Rev. D. J. Shaw, February nth, 1907; the Rev. J. J. McClurkin, February 28th, 1907; the Rev. J. R. Baird, March 9th, 1907; and the Rev. Henry Easson, March 22d, 1907. Licentiate William McKinney was also removed by death, March 13th, 1907. The Rev. T. C. Sproull was received, on May 14th, by certificate from the Lakes Presbytery. There are forty ministers on the roll of our Presbytery, a net decrease of three during the year. Of these, twenty are pastors, three having double charges ; two are professors in the Seminary, and three in Geneva College; three are foreign missionaries; one has been
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
engaged in Testimony Bearing work; one in National Reform work; one is stated supply at Craftsbury, Vt. ; one is engaged in study; one is superan- nuated; one is disabled, and five desire appointments for all or a part of the time. Of our licentiates, two are employed in Geneva College and four de- sire appointments for all or part of the time. Licentiate Augustus T. Smith withdrew from our communion, uniting with the United Presbyterian Church.
At a meeting of the Presbytery, held May 14th, 1907, Messrs. Archibald A. Johnston and Samuel G. Finney were licensed to preach the Gospel. We have three other students of theology, now of the second year, under our care. They are Paul Coleman, Walter C. McClurkin and Owen F. Thompson.
Mr. A. A. Wylie has signified his intention to accept the call made upon him by the Youngstown Congregation, and a call is now pending from the Slippery Rock Congregation upon Mr. W. O. Ferguson, which, it is hoped, he will accept. R. C. Allen, T. J. Allen, J. R. Latimer, E. L. McKnight and D. R. Taggart desire appointments for the entire year. John Coleman, A. A. Johnston and S. G. Finney for the summer vacation, the latter in Pittsburgh Presbytery for the entire time. Rev. J. L. McCartney desires appointments for three months during the summer. Presbytery asks for the half time of one laborer.
Rev. J. C. K. Paris, Mrs. Nancy Reid, Mrs. Sarah Clyde and Mrs. J. C. Taylor were recommended to the Board of Control for aid from the appro- priate funds. The matter of the funeral expenses of the Rev. J. R. Baird, who during his life, drew from the Aged Ministers' Fund, but none of whose family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, was referred to the Board of Control.
The Rev. W. J. Coleman is the chairman of the Committee of Supplies.
Our quota to Synod's traveling fund is full. Our statistical report was forwarded to Synod's Stated Clerk in due time.
Respectfully submitted,
J. S. Thompson, Clerk.
REPORT OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Rochester Presbytery would report as follows : During the past year two regular meetings have been held. Three of our congregations are still with- out settled pastors, but commendable efforts have been made by each of these to secure a pastor, and one of them, we are grateful to report, has the prospect of a settlement within a few weeks, Licentiate W. J. McCullough, who has been called to Lisbon, having accepted the call.
We have at present in our Presbytery five congregations and one mission station, two settled pastors, and one minister without charge, Rev. Wm. Mc- Farland, whose whole time is at the disposal of Synod. We have under our care one student of theology, Mr. Robert Park, of Syracuse Congregation, who intends to enter the Seminary the coming fall, and who has been recom- mended to the Board of Control for share in the Students' Aid Fund.
J. B. Gilmore has been elected a member of the Board of Corporators of Geneva College, to succeed Wm. McFarland, whose term has expired.
We ask the time of one laborer for fourteen months.
The chairman of our Committee on Supplies is John Yates.
We report our traveling fund in full.
Our statistical report has been forwarded to the Stated Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
J. B. GiLMORE, Clerk.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
On motion the Central Board of Missions was instructed to prepare new statistical blanks to the number of 1,500 and distribute them among the Presbyteries.
Committee on Evangelistic Work reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EVANGELISTIC WORK.
"The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." "As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." The saving of the world belongs to God; the evangehzing of it to man. The Lord, who says, "All power is given unto Me," has put into the mouth of every servant of His the words He read and expounded in the syna- gogue of Nazareth, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor," etc. (Luke 4: 18, 19.) Nor does the obligation to herald the glad tidings rest upon ministers and mis- sionaries alone. Every Christian is called to cooperate with God in this world campaign. There are three essential requisites to our successful prosecution of evangelistic work — faith, facts and fire.
I. We need faith — faith in God, and in God's Son, and in God's Word, and in God's Spirit, and in God's children.
"Have faith in God." Unless we believe in God's purpose to save men and to save them "now" in God's "day of salvation," we will not go out to con- strain men to turn into the Gospel feast. "Behold, now is the acceptable time" ' — not some age in the future. "Go, work to-day in my vineyard." Then, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" "Go ye also into my vineyard; and whatso- ever is right, that shall ye receive." Do we want souls for our wages? Then let us take God at His word and go to work.
Next, we must have faith in God's Son as the Saviour of sinners. God hath appointed him to be a Prince and a Saviour, and unless we believe in His power to save the worst sinners on earth, we will meet with but scant suc- cess. Rich and poor ; hi?h and low ; moral and immoral ; good and bad — to all he is "Mighty to save." "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me."
We require also faith in God's Word. The Gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Can we imagine a soul so encrusted and hardened in sin that God's two-edged sword cannot pierce it? Yet our faith in God's Word must be intelligent, not blind. His Book is a treasure-house for saint and sinner; for man in every condition and relation; for every organization and institution of man. Therefore an intelligent faith in God's Word as able to make wise unto salvation does not imply that every verse would make a suitable text for an evangelistic sermon. "Study to show thyself approved unto God ; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." The Apostle's reference is to cutting the bread from the loaf with a keen blade, not turning the edge aside to spare the sin or prejudice of any wicked heart. But first choose a suitable loaf of bread. If you start to "do the work of an evangelist," choose a loaf designed, not for a civil government, but for a lost sinner: not a loaf for a ripened saint, but for a soul who knows not God ; a loaf not for one who, having sur- rendered body, soul and spirit to Christ, desires the last and highest demand of loyalty, but one prepared by God for him who must be born again before he can even see the kingdom of God. Then, having chosen wisely the bread, "Cut to the line of truth," says the Apostle. Turn not the keen edge for the prejudice, the hatred or sin of any heart.
And in this, the dispensation of the Spirit, zve must have faith in Him; for to Him it pertains to make the Word quick and powerful ; to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us ; to point sinners to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world ; and to dwell in the people of God to
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 23
make them faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, so that when we go on the er- rands of the King we may have assurance of success. Thus he who has faith in God's Word and God's Spirit need not question his ability to succeed in the work to which his Lord has sent him. The humility (?) which refuses to go when the resources of God's Son and God's Word and God's Spirit are promised is but unbelief and disloyalty.
2. We name, as the second essential, facti. And among these, the fol- lowing: Sinners without God are lost; sinners from among every class are ready to hear the Gospel; and eflforts to reach them are attended with success.
Sinners are dead in trespasses and sins ; without the Gospel they are with- out God and without hope. Yet now, as in the days of our Lord, "The publi- cans and the harlots" hear the Gospel and "go into the kingdom of God." " And where devoted servants of God have sought to evangelize, the "Friend of publicans and sinners" has revealed His salvation. If we want encourage- ment, let us get it from the facts. God is crowning our tardy, faltering efforts with success. To more than a score of congregations in our own little church can we point where God has abundantly blessed such efforts in evangelism. The agitation on this subject is beginning to bear fruit. Repeatedly during the last year hearts have been gladdened by the news that special evangelistic efforts were owned of God in saving souls. Let these facts cheer us. We ought to read the Acts of the Apostles, those triumphs of faith, until we get more faith of the apostolic kind ; until the dry bones begin tO' stir within us under the touch of life, and the breath of God begins to sweep our souls. If we want quickening in evangelistic work, let us open our eyes to evangelistic facts. For God's promise to the New Testament Church is faithful all down the centuries, and to-day, and forever.
3. The third essential is fire — the fire of the Spirit of God. We need the fire of purity, the fire of enthusiasm, the fire of power. "He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and wih fire." Never forget that for this difficult work of God we need the fire of purity. Let not unclean lips speak this mes- sage ; let not unholy hands handle the Bread of Life. Only when unclean lips have been touched and purged with the live coal from' off God's altar; and when wicked hands have been washed in the blood of God's dear Son; and impure hearts have been cleansed by the Spirit's indwelling, may we each say: "I-lere am I, send me." The Holy Spirit does not dwell in the unholy heart, nor kiss the unclean lip. To the same Spirit must we look for the tire of en- thusiasm— the fire, i. e.. of God's indwelling. We must be set on fire of a love of God and a love of souls. God's Word must be as a fire within our bones, so that we can not forbear. May God fire our hearts so we must go, and when we go make us that we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard ! Then we must have the fire of power. "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you." "Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." We possibly have been concerning ourselves too much about influence instead of power. "Influence" occurs but once in the Bible, and then with reference to the stars. But power — power is what men need. "And when He had called unto Him his tweleve disciples. He gave them power."
We recommend that earnest, constant and believing prayer be offered unto God until He give the Covenanter Church evangelistic faith, facts, and fire.
F. M. Wilson, Robert Clarke, E. A. Crooks, J. Addison Dodds, R. A. Adams.
Devotional exercises were engaged in, led by F. M. Foster. Recess was taken until 2 P. M. Prayer by W. G. Carson.
24 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Same place, 2 P. M., Synod met and was led in prayer by the Moderator.
Roll called. Minutes read and approved.
Committee on State of Religion reported. Report received and ordered to be printed as an appendix to the minutes, and laid over for consideration until next meeeting of Synod. The committee was continued and instructed to prosecute its work still further, and re- port next year at Synod.
Executive Committee of National Reform Association reported. Report received and referred to Committee on National Reform.
Synod's Financial Agent for National Reform reported. Re- port received and referred to Committee on Finance.
Committee on Testimony Bearing reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TESTIMONY BEARING.
While the progress of events seems often to change the issues on the surface of our national life, the one issue which underlies them all remains unchanged, and that is the controversy between the Government of the United States and the Lord Jesus Christ, the nation's Divine King. If our nation and its government would accept His authority and law all these surface questions would be in the way to a right settlement, for His law covers them all, but while the nation remains in rebellion against Him, questions and issues unending arise, with little hope of a satisfactory settlement.
Your committee aims to keep this one underlying question, the subjec- tion of the State and of every citizen to the Lord Jesus, and the subjection of the Church as well, constantly to the front, and to further this end have been employing three lines of effort — the work of Dr. A. J. McFarland, that of the Rev. W. J. McKnight and the distribution of literature.
Dr. McFarland, Synod's lecturer, summarizes his work for the past year as follows : "The States visited were Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas and Nebraska. The number of addresses given was ninety-six. Of these thirty-eight were delivered in Pennsylvania, twenty-three in Ohio, ten in Michigan, nine in Indiana and four in Nebraska. Fifty-four were in Covenanter, twelve in Methodist, sixteen in Presbyterian, ten in United Pres- byterian, two in Baptist and two in Christian Churches. The average at- tendance was nearly ninety."
"The work the past year," he reports, "has been in advance of that of -previous years in the number and character of the conferences that have been held. Of these there were five, and at the following points : Geneva College Chapel, Southfield, Ray, Hebron and Tabor. At each there were three ses- sions, beginning with the discussion of the Kingship of Christ and ending with the argument for separation from an unchristian constitution. In two of these conferences ministers outside the Covenanter Church, as fearless wit- nesses, gave utterance to surprising testimonies, even declaring that our gov- ernment is in flagrant rebellion agaijist Jesus Christ. The propriety of hold- ing conferences where there is no Covenanter organization has been considered favorably."
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 25
Dr. McFarland closes his report by saying : "As I have been brought to the close of the thirteenth year of this work, and ask to be allowed to retire from it, I wish to say that the feeling I had at the outset as to its prime im- portance and imperative necessity has been strengthened by these years of observation and experience, and I beg to urge that it be prosecuted with in- creasing earnestness and devotion. Herein is our chief ground and justifi- cation for maintaining a separate church organization. Only as we do this, our special work, faithfully can we expect to be blessed in that work that is being done by all other Christian organizations."
Your committee, in concurring in the resignation of Dr. McFarland, de- sires to express its appreciation of the work which he has done for the cause in the face of many difficulties. Since this work is to bear testimony for un- popular truth, a high degree of courage is required to be faithful and a great deal of tact is needed to open the way for the presentation of the message, and to keep it open. Dr. McFarland has faced the issue as a good soldier of Christ and has never been known to give unnecessary offense. He has opened up the field and has sowed it far and wide with good seed ; we trust that he will bring back his sheaves with rejoicing.
The Rev. W. J. IMcKnight was appointed to labor two months, and in this time spoke fifty-two times in the interests of Testimony Bearing. There were ten sermons, thirty-seven lectures, two chapel addresses and three meet- ings with young people on our distinctive principles. A course of lectures was given at Clarinda, Blanchard, College Springs, Eskridge, Superior, Beulah and Sterling. All the lectures were well received. Mr. McKnight gives a series of lectures in one place, beginning with the sufficiency and authority of the Word of God, and taking up in order the topics of psalmody, instru- mental music in worship, secret societies and political loyalty to Jesus Christ. In the fall Mr. McKnight gave eighteen sermons and lectures on these subjects in St. Louis and Southern Illinois by the arrangement of friends without any remuneration from your committee.
The work of distributing literature is carried on steadily throughout the year. We now have more leaflets than ever before, our list extending to four- teen. We have five on the various aspects of our political position, one on psalmody, three on instrumental music in worship, three on secrecy and one on the Sabbath. The Covenant of 1871 has been published in a new and at- tractive form. The Rev. W. W. Carithers published a very excellent address on the "Right Relation of Church and State," by the Rev. Geo. A. Edgar, which deserves a wide circulation.
An advertisement of a "Free Library," designed and inserted in several papers by Mr. J. W. Pritchard, chairman of the Testimony Bearing Commit- tee of the Brooklyn Congregation, has given a great impulse to the circulation of these tracts. Because of this advertisement we have sent out more literature in the last eight months than in half as many years before. The tracts have gone so fast in answer to requests from all over the country that our print- ing bills are running up and it is difficult to keep all of them in stock at once. This is a new and very effective way of bringing our principles before the public.
We offer the following recommendations :
1. That the resignation of Dr. A. J. McFarland be accepted, and that the Synod expresses its high appreciation of the service which he has rendered to the cause of Testimony Bearing.
2. That the Rev. W. J. McKnight be chosen lecturer on Testimony Bearing.
3. That all funds available be used to publish, advertise and distribute the literature setting forth the distinctive principles of the Covenanter Church.
26 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
4. That the committee be instructed to arrange for an evening meeting at next Synod.
5. That the same appropriation be made to carry on the work as here- tofore.
W. J. Coleman, R. J. Gault, B. M. Sharp, J. S. Thompson,
J. S. TiBBY,
J. H. McBurney, Oliver Wylie.
Board of Sustentation reported. Report received and referred to Committee on Sustentation and Church Erection.
Report of Mission Conference. Report received and referred to Ct>mmittees on Finance and Nominations.
Committee on the Signs of the Times reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
The Committee on the '"Signs of the Times" would respectfully report: _ A study of God's providence, during the past year, in the light of His Word, indicates that the Mediator is pressing to a final decision the question of His right to reign in this world. By His goodness and severity He com- mandeth all men every^vhere to repent. As usual. His goodness has far sur- passed His severity. "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."
Causes for Thanksgiving.
While famme has been stalking abroad in China, Japan and Russia, it has not come nigh our dwellings. To us the year has been crowned with goodness. It is pleasant to note the response of Christendom to the cry of the starving millions in these far-off lands. The spirit of brotherhood, as exempli- fied by Christ, is finding expression in the midst of the reign of selfishness in the world.
The evangelistic spirit which has characterized Church work of late is unabated in fervor and is proving the words of Paul to the Corinthians, "Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.''
We rejoice in the evidence of a quickened public conscience in this and other lands. In our own country the public is generally ready to listen to the appeals of men, pressing the claims of reformation principles, affecting every part of civic life. It is encouraging to note the advanced position taken by the assembly framing the constitution of the new state of Oklahoma. While all was not gained that could have been desired, there was a decided victory on the side of temperance and civic righteousness.
The recent effort of the School Board of San Francisco to exclude Japanese children from white schools has brought to the surface a strong undercurrent of public sentiment chafing under the iniquitous Chinese ex- clusion law. .While the sentiment is not strong enough to redress the wrongs of Oriental strangers seeking our shores, it is likely to place an arrest upon further aggressions upon their rights, and has in it the promise of a better day.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 27
• The conscience of our own nation, as well as of nearly all the nations of Europe, has at last been awakened to the horrors inflicted upon the natives of the Congo State by the King of Belgium.
Fierce political partisanship, the safeguard of political demagogues, has had its teeth extracted. Citizens, as never before, feel free to decline to follow the_ leadership of any party, without fear of the stigma of being a so-called traitor. This is a hopeful sign, and tends to make room for reformation principles.
Vaticanism, which has imposed itself for many generations upon the southern countries of Europe, is losing its grasp. In France the conflict be- tween the Republic and the Pope has been bitter. In Spain there has also been an awakening to the desirability of casting off the papal yoke. In France the handwriting upon the wall sealing the doom of the papal hierarchy can be read. Would that the United States might take warning !
While the nations are continuinar their warlike preparations, there is an ever-increasing public sentiment which demands that disputes between govern- ments shall be adjusted by arbitration.
The Lord is opening wide and effectual doors in our own and other lands for pressing forward reform, evangelistic and mission work. China is awaken- ing from her long sleep, and bidding farewell to her effete past. The time is ripe for the Church to enter and take possession for the Lord.
Her eft'orts to suppress the opium traffic, the order to use the New Testa- ment in two provinces comprising fifty-eight millions of inhabitants, and her copying of western civilization, show that she is reaching out for a new life. It is the Church's opportunity. It is the sky reddening toward the day of re- demption, when the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.
We recommend that the annual day of Thanksgiving, the last Thursday of November, be appointed to be observed as a day of thanksgiving.
Cause.s of Fasting.
The goodness of God has not led to repentance. His chastisements in- flicted upon us as a nation have not caused us to "Kiss the Son.'' There has been a general failure to recognize, as coming from the hand of God, the earthquake, fires, floods, and railway disasters. Even from the pulpit there are not many voices pointing the moral of t'lese calamities, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
We lament the backward step taken by the U. S. Senate in deciding that Reed Smoot, a representative and apostle of Mormonism, is entitled to a seat in the U. S. Congress.
The spirit of Godless commercialism which prevails over the whole coun- try, the public graft unearthed in so many quarters, the unspeakable moral condition of the so-called higher social life as revealed from time to time are appalling and should cause us to humble ourselves as a nation, lest God's long- suffering might cease, and we should be brought into judgment.
The Church has failed to appreciate the day of her visitation and to enter into the open doors set before her.
Our support of the Master's work has been inadequate to its needs and not according as the Lord hath prospered us.
We recommend that Thursday of the week of prayer be observed by all our people as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Hargrave,
John W. F. Carlisle,
S. Edgar.
28 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Committee on Psalmody reported. Report was received, and taken up item by item for adoption. While the first item was being discussed the hour for adjournment arrived.
Synod adjourned with prayer by J. M. Foster, to meet at 7.45 P. M., according" to action of last Synod.
EVENING SESSION.
Same place, 7.45 P. M., Synod met and was constituted with prayer by D. B. Willson, after which the programme, previously submitted to Synod for the Semi-Centennial of our Foreign Mis- sionary Work, was carried out principally as follows :
R. M. Sommerville presiding, T. P. Stevenson giving "A Brief History of the Foreign Missions," R. J. George an address on "What the Church at Home Owes to Its Foreign Missions," and C. D. Trumbull on "Our Opportunity and Our Responsibility."
Missionary R. J. Dodds, just home from Mersina, was present, and being introduced, gave some interesting reminiscences of his life and work.
Prayer by D. H. Coulter.
Synod adjourned with prayer by R. M. Sommerville.
MORNING SESSION.
Same place, Saturday, May 25th, 9 A. M., Synod met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
Minutes read and approved.
Report on Psalmody taken up. Item i was amended and adopted. Report again laid on the table.
Paper No. 13 — communication from Western Section of Alli- ance of Reformed Churches — was taken up. The paper was read.
Rev. Dr. George D. Matthews, General Secretary of the Alli- ance, was extended the courtesies of the floor, and being introduced, spoke to some length acceptably and encouragingly of the work of the Alliance.
Devotional exercises were engaged in, led by J. C. McFeeters.
Synod adjourned with prayer by D. C. Martin.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 29
MORNING SESSION.
Same place, Monday, May 27th, 9 A. M., Synod met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
Minutes read and approved.
Committee on Foreign Missions reported. Report received, and taken up item by item for adoption. Items all adopted. After an address by R. M. Sommerville and a few words by R. J. Dodds, re- turned missionary, and R. A. Blair, John Peoples, W. M. Robb and E. C. Mitchell, newly appointed missionaries, the report was adopted as a whole, and is as follows :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The Committee on Foreign Missions respectfully reports : The report of the Board of Foreign Missions has been placed in our hands. A review of this report indicates that we have the manifest favor of God on our work.
1st. Our prayer, continued for a number of years, that God would send forth laborers into J^Iis vineyard, is being answered in the eight missionaries that have during the year volunteered for service.
2d. In the continued liberality of the Church in increasing her contribu- tions for the general work of the missions, and especially in the very liberal response to the appeal made for the means to erect a church building in the city of Tarsus, the Board of Missions having asked for two thousand dollars, and the Church promptly responding with a contribution of more than three thousand five hundred dollars, the Gospel will be preached in the native city of the great Apostle of the Gentiles and a population of three thousand five hundred souls will have the opportunity of hearing the precious offer of salvation. The Church still is devoted to the cause of missions in Syria and in Asia Minor.
3d. In the continued activity of our missionaries the report shows that all have labored diligently by the preaching of the Word, by the publication and circulation of literature, by work in the schools, by pastoral oversight, and by devoted labors on the part of medical missionaries, to build up the kingdom and to save immortal souls.
4th. In the souls that are brought into the kingdom. The people are waiting upon the ordinances of Divine grace. Seven in Suadia, and prospects of more, have made application for Church membership. Twelve in the field of Latakia and surrounding district. Seventeen in Mersina, and notwithstand- ing the opposition in Cyprus four there have been received into the Church and in distant China men are turning from idols to the service of the liv- ing God. Eighteen have been received into the Church and twenty-five more are receiving instructions, hoping ere long to confess Christ. In our day the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.
5th. In the good news that, owing to the proclamation of the highest of- ficial in Turkev, our schools in .Syria and in Asia Minor will be carried on under more favorable auspices than formerly, and in that we have good reason to hope that we will have permission to open our schools in the mountain dis- trict again.
6th. In that the Church by Divine grace has been enabled to go forward unweariedly in sunshine and in gloom in the great work of Evangelism, and in the fact that to-day she is courageous in obeying the commission, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel."
30 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Your committee makes mention of the goodness of our covenant God in permitting our honored missionary, the Rev. R. J. Dodds, accompanied by his wife and family, to arrive in our midst in safety that he may enjoy a season of rest from labor.
We recommend the following resolutions for consideration by the Synod :
Resolved.
1st. That we urge the members of the Church to read carefully the report of the Board of Foreign Missions, that they may be acquainted with the un- wearied labors of our missionaries and that they may know that God has set seals to our efforts in saving souls.
2d. That we emphasize the need mentioned by the Board for one min- isterial missionary and two lady missionaries for Asia Minor and Northern Syria, also one lady missionary for China, and we appeal for volunteers to meet the demands.
3d. That we heartily endorse the proposal of the Board to raise a special memorial fund of $25,000 for foreign mission work in this the fiftieth anni- versary of our missionary work in Syria.
4th. That Rev. J. C. Slater be elected a member of the Board of Foreign Missions.
Sth. That the matter of the ordination of Messrs. Earnest C. Mitchell and Wm. M. Robb be referred to their respective Presbyteries.
6th. That Rev. R. A. Blair and Licentiate Earnest C. Mitchell and William M. Robb, missionaries-elect, be heard by Synod. We also recommend that the Rev. R. M. Summerville, D.D., be heard as the representative of the Board.
7th. We recommend that the Board continue the oversight of missioti study on the part of the young people of the Church.
Sth. That the addresses given at the .Semi-Centennial of our Foreign Mission work be referred to the Foreign Mission Board for publication and gratuitous distribution.
9th. That the Board of Foreign Mfssions be instructed to prepare a pro- gram for a conference on Foreign Missions for Friday evening of the next meeting of Synod.
Respectfully submitted,
J. R. Wylie,
George R. McBurney,
R. C. Reed.
D. C. McElheny.
REPORT OF FOREIGN MISSION BOARD.
No enterprise can be successful without the impetus of enthusiasm. A certain Lord Lansdowne once asked Dr. Price what he could do for the moral uplifting of a community in which he took a special interest, and this was the quick reply of the Arian minister: "Send them an enthusiast." This is what is needed, if great things are to be accomplished in the cause of Foreign Mis- sions. Enthusiasm in the ministry and membership of the churches at home and in their chosen representatives abroad would impel to such impetuous assaults on the strongholds of the enemy that alike the visible powers that oppose the truth and the hidden forces that retard the development of the Gospel kingdom would speedily be overthrown, and all the nations of the world would fall in Christian loyalty at the feet of the enthroned Redeemer.
This is the central theme of prophecy, and no one, who is confidently look- ing for the day when the Lord shall take to Himself His great power and reign.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 31
-can fail to observe, as our Reformed Presbyterian Church enters upon a second half century of foreign missionary work, three facts that stand out in bold re- lief and challenge admiring attention :
There is, first of all, the fact that since the last meeting of Synod eight mis- sionaries have been appointed and are either already on the field or are mak- ing arrangements for an early departure. As far as man can judge they have surrendered themselves and have been commissioned to a service to which the Lord has called them and for which He will supply the necessary equipment. Already their lives illustrate the reality and power of spiritual religion, and under the direction of the Holy Spirit their character will unite with their teaching to promote the glory of God in the salvation of souls and the refor- mation of the communities where they shall labor.
Alongside of this increase in the working force there stands the second fact of the growing liberality of the people for the support of their foreign representatives. While the receipts from congregations, Sabbath-schools and missionary societies for the Chinese Mission were a trifle less than last year, the receipts from the rame sources for the Levant Missions were over $300 more than last year. It is not necessary, however, to burden this report with figures, as receipts and expenditures can be seen in detail in the financial statements of the treasurer, who is able to record a credit balance of $3,889 in the Syrian Mission, and a credit balance of $10,045 in the Mission to China. But it is not the condition of the current account funds that measures the liberality of the people so much as their willing offerings for special purposes. When an appeal was sent out for money to purchase a house in Tarsus, Asia Minor, they insisted on giving nearly double the amount asked for. This is most encouraging, showing that individuals and churches are being educated to the idea of stewardship in the management of their property.
The third and last fact is that, according to a press dispatch from Con- stantinople, which is, on the authority of the Secretary of State, "substantially correct," the Turkish Government has, after many years of delay and equivo- cation, issued an order declaring that "American schools in Turkey, and other institutions, for which official recognition had been demanded, shall hereafter be treated on the same footing as those of France and other favored nations.'" This declaration means that our schools now in operation in Syria and Asia Minor are conducted with the approval of the Sublime Porte, and probably that the work in mountain schools, closed years ago, may be resumed. At any rate, the action is a step in the direction of greater freedom from inter- ference on the part of the local authorities. This is the doing of the Lord, and furnishes a fresh proof that He holds the right of mediatorial sovereignty over all lands, and will do His pleasure in those lands even when they refuse to recognize His supremacy.
Syi'ia. — The work in Northern Syria seems to be in a very promising con- dition. The arrival of Rev. Andrew J. McFarland with his family and Miss Zada Patton, November 9th, 1906, and the prospect of welcoming others in the near future, have carried fresh courage into the hearts of missionaries on the ground who had been so long praying and looking for help.
Volunteer Services for Suadia.
Rev. J. Boggs Dodds, pastor of the congregation at Sterling, Kans., yearn- ing over his old friends in Suadia, among whom he had once labored faithfully and who were left almost entirely destitute of Christian privileges by the death of the late Miss Meta Cunningham, offered his services to the Board for two years that he might look after their spiritual interests until the new mission- aries had acquired sufficient command of the Arabic to preach the Gospel to them in their own tongue. Having obtained leave of absence from his con- gregation for that length of time and for that purpose, he sailed for Syria last August. Parting with wife and children, an attached people, and a large circle of friends, he went out for the sake of the Name, and since October 5th has made his home in Suadia. Untiring in his efforts to reach the perishing,
32 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
besides teaching between four and five hours a day, conducting a meeting for women on Tuesday and the regular prayer meeting on Thursday, he has held, according to the field report, "four nightly prayer meetings, each in a different part of the Orontes Valley, so that a different set of people is reached each time," and "in houses where a Gospel service would not have been thought of five years ago." As might be expected, God has blessed his ministry. He in preaching twice on Sabbath to a full house, and "upon a general invitation, given as it is each Lord's Day, seven persons wholly outside the Protestant community heretofore have risen and made requests to be received into Church fellowship," and "there is good hope that others may make a profession soon."
Owing largely to the efforts of Mr. Dodds, "the Turkish government has formally recognized the existence of a Protestant sect, both in Latakia and Suadia.' "This," writes Mr. Stewart, "confers upon them various civil privi- leges, but we are sorry to say that these privileges are denied to any one known to the government as of Ansairia origin. Such persons are enrolled as Moslems, regardless of their profession of Christianity, and of their own wishes. This attitude makes it practically impossible to preach the Gospel to the Ansairia openly."
Latakia Center.
With similar diligence and fidelity has the work been carried on at Latakia, the center of operations in Syria. Rev. James S. Stewart reports the pulpit occupied twice every Sabbath unless it was necessary for him to be away visiting some of the five outposts, not infrequently every seat in the audience room filled at the morning service. In each of these five villages there are communicants, running from six in Inkzik to seventy-seven in Gunaimia, to whom the Gospel is preached with as much regularity as practicable either by the missionary in charge or a native evangelist. In each of them, except Jendairia and Bahamra — Ansairia strongholds — there are schools, that at Tartous, in charge of Licentiate Juraidiny, reporting one hundred and twenty names on the roll, with an average attendance of one hundred. Mr. Juraidiny also preaches every Sabbath, and, as Mr. Stewart writes, "The attendance of young men, former pupils of the school, is especially encouraging at this time, and evidently nothing but fear of persecution from the Greeks is hindering a number from becoming Protestants." The Lord's Supper was administered six times during the year, and there was an accession of twelve on profession of faith, but owing chiefly to emigration, fifteen names had to be removed from the roll, showing a net decrease of three, and a present membership of two hundred and fifty-seven.
School Work.
In this center there were four hundred and six children and young people under the instruction of ten male and five female teachers in five day and two boarding schools. In the annual statement of the Mission, Mr. Stewart calls attention to the value of these schools, and especially of the boarding schools, with forty-six boys, of whom two made confession of Christ, and fifty-five girls, of whom four were received into the fellowship of the Church on profes- sion of faith. "The missionaries," he says, referring to Miss Maggie B. Edgar and Miss Mattie R. Wylie, "who have charge of these schools, give special at- tention to the religious studies and exercises, both supplementing the work of the teachers and teaching classes themselves in the Bible, Catechism, etc. There is good ground for encouragement in that so many are being taught the way of life, and that so many are deemed worthy to be received into the Church, and that there are evident signs of growth in some who have been in the Church for a time. Although we do not see evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and power that we long for, yet we labor and pray in the confident expectation that the blessing will yet be given, and so our labors shall not be
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 3J
in vain in the Lord. These boys and girls represent some fourteen different villages and five different sects, and this is a factor of no small importance in estimating the influence of such schools. The word of life may be thus carried to many homes and to many villages where there is no hope, under present conditions, of the formal preaching of the Gospel." In view of this, there is pressing need of another missionary teacher in this field.
Medical Department.
The medical department has also been conducted with good results. Dr. Balph reports eighteen hundred visits to patients at their homes, not less than one thousand office patients, and an average of forty at the tri-weekly clinics, and then adds : "Since the religious services at these clinics were largely attended by those classes of persons who are practically inaccessible by any other means at our command, we have been able to present the truth to a large number who otherwise would not have heard it at all." Speaking of the hos- pital, where a hundred cases were treated during the year, the Doctor says : "Many of those who came under our care were entirely ignorant of the Bible,"^ and "in a number of instances the daily religious instruction given in the hos- pital has borne fruit in the changed lives of those who received it." The inter- ests of this department demand the immediate appointment of a matron for the hospital.
Asia Minor. — About ninety miles northwest of Latakia lies Mersina, the port of entrance to our field in Asia JMinor. The work, which includes the three cities of Mersina, Tarsus and Adana, with outlying villages, was not very satisfactory to the missionaries at the beginning of the year for a variety of reasons, which will be found in their annual statement, but it seems now to have taken on a more vigorous life.
Religious Services.
The Lord's Supper was administered three times, and as the tabulated statistics show, there were seventeen added to the membership of the Church, but owing to death, defection and the removal of ten from the bounds of the JMission, the eighty-six communicants enrolled must be reduced to sixty-five at present in good standing. There was preaching in ]\Iersina twice each Sab- bath, as well as a mid-week praj'er meeting, conducted by one of the ministers in charge, and in the language of the field report, "a number of cottage preach- ing services have been held in a quarter of the town distant a mile or so from the Mission, with a very encouraging attendance, both as regards numbers and interest manifested." Rev. C. A. Dodds will occupy the pulpit during the absence of his brother. Rev. R. J. Dodds, who, after a prolonged term of arduous service alone, has been granted a furlough which he will spend among his friends in this country, or until another minister is appointed to go to his assistance. And, in the judgment of the Board, it is imperative for his own comfort and for the successful development of the work that he should have an associate as soon as practicable.
School Work.
There were two hundred and ninety pupils under instruction in this field during the year, of whom two hundred and fifty were in the two schools at Mersina. "classified as follows : two Armenians, two Roman Catholics, six ]\Ioslems, seven Jews, nine Jacobites, eighteen Protestants, thirty Fellahin, and one hundred and seventy-six Greek Orthodox." Miss E. M. Sterrett has the responsible oversight of both these schools, and, although she labors on without expressing any dissatisfaction and is accomplishing good results, it is not right to ask her to carrj^ so heavy a burden alone. There should be another American teacher, and the position is a most desirable one for any young woman who wishes to devote her life to missionary work.
34 minutes of the synod of the
Cheering Items.
The Mission is cheered by the generous contribution of the Church at home for the purchase of a house in Tarsus, and also by the appointment of Dr. John Peoples, a graduate of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- phia, and an esteemed elder of the Second Church of the Covenanters in that city, as medical missionary. He expects to leave for Mersina in October.
Cyprus. — Less than ninety miles southwest of this field and about sixty miles west of our field in Northern Syria, is the island of Cyprus, where work is carried on by Rev. Walter McCarroll and his brother. Dr. Calvin McCarroU. Recent events, seemingly adverse, have led one of them to say, "The visible results are not encouraging," and the other, "The spiritual results are not so evident as we could wish, but results are with the Lord, and we shall labor on." The Gospel has been preached faithfully at three central points, and the Lord's Supper has been administered five times. There was an accession of four, but this increase was wiped out by the removal of four members from the island. The attendance at the school in Larnaca was not so large as for- merly, but, according to the field report, there were forty-eight pupils, includ- ing fourteen Turkish boys, enrolled, the income from tuition fees showed a fair profit, and "Bible teaching was more systematic and thorough than in former years."
Opposition in Nicosia.
The chapel at Nicosia, a gift of Mr. Peponiades, was dedicated on the second Sabbath of March, not without tokens of the Divine presence and favor. But since that time it has been the scene of confusion and disturbances that interrupted the service and resulted in some slight damage to the prop- erty. The ringleaders, who seem to have been chiefly boys, were arrested and tried before Judge Parker, an Englishman, who imposed fines and imprison- ments, told them that the British Government secured to every one the right to worship God according to his convictions, and warned them that he would act with greater severity if they were ever brought before him again on a similar charge. The promise which Mr. McCarroll quotes to encourage his own heart in a crisis hour is indeed a spring of comfort and courage, when the enemy threatens : "Fear thon not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God," etc. Temporary repulses are not only not defeats, but are not infrequently the forerunners of victory.
Medical Department.
The "Martha J. Shaw Memorial" building has also been completed, and thus the beneficence of the late Rev. D. J. Shaw has provided for our medical mis- sionary and his family a comfortable and convenient home. Although busily engaged since last July in superintending the erection of these buildings. Dr. McCarroll did not neglect his bi-weekly clinics, at which there was an average attendance of about thirty patients, and which are connected with devotional exercises in Greek and Turkish, and the distribution of tracts.
China. — In remarkable contrast with the disturbed condition of things m Cyprus and the persistent opposition of the Greek Church to Protestant Chris- tianity is the glad reception given to our missionaries and their teachings in China. The individual reports of the missionaries are full of interesting details that make up a most inspiring story of successful labors.
Church Membership.
There were eighteen added to the Church during the year, a net increase of thirteen making a present membership of fifty-three native communicants. There were more applicants than on any former occasion in the history of the Mission, partly, in the opinion of Rev. A. I. Robb, the result of evangelistic tours into the surrounding country, and "partly owing to the hospital and school work, but perhaps most of all owing to the earnest work of some of
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 35
our members." Twenty-five persons enrolled as catechumens, and five of these are literary -men, and one a first-class graduate. These represent five new communities where the Gospel has not had a foothold." Speaking of these applicants in a recent letter, Rev. Julius Kempf relates this touching incident : "Four are young men, and their coming out into the light is the result of Chi Tung's steadfastness under persecution. Chi Tung became a believer about a year ago, and when he announced the fact to his people they started in to scold and beat him, and used various other means to turn him from his new faith. Shortly afterward he was baptized, and when he returned home and it became known that he had identified himself with the Christians, his rela- tives and members of his own family seized him and bound him and gave him a severe beating. Among the persecutors were these four men. Chi Tung's persistency in holding on to the new faith aroused their interest, and although they were bitter against him, they could not help but think that there must be something in this new belief when for the sake of it a man would endure so much. One of them, who happens to be an older brother of Chi Tung, came to the hospital some months ago for treatment, and while here he showed bitter opposition to Christianity, and in conversation with the native Chris- tians, tried to argue against it. But the matter evidently did not rest peaceably on his mind. When he returned home he took a Testament and a goodly supply of tracts with him. The power of the word and Chi Tung's example soon brought him and the other three men under conviction, and at Com- munion time they came to declare their belief and ask for admission to the Church. When Mr. Robb questioned them the brother's face so lit up that one could easily recognize that he had indeed found the true light."
Training School.
Besides conducting the Communions and the special preparation for those services, such as the examination of candidates and a week of Bible study, our senior missionary opened a training class for native workers March 20th, 1906, and at the close of the first term of four months, which was largely de- voted to a study of the Life of Christ, the four students in attendance had, in the language of the report, "memorized the outline up to the close of the Perean ministry, each one giving it complete on examination day, and could enlarge on any item called for." They had also "memorized one question in the Shorter Catechism each day," and at the end of the second term of three months and a half, January 17th, 1907, had completed it as well as the Life of Christ, and had reached the eighteenth chapter of the Acts in their New Testament studies. This class, which also receives instruction in arithmetic, geography and universal history, in the Chinese Classics and the "reading and writing of Chinese in Roman characters," always began its work with devotional exercises; "and every evening worship was held not only for the students, but for the hospital assistants and such patients and others as could come."
Religious Services.
In the "Robert McNeil! Memorial Chapel" there was public worship twice every Sabbath. The morning services, which were generally conducted by Rev. J. K. Robb, "have been," he writes, "much the same in character as such services in our home churches, the purpose being to build up the con- verted in the faith and also to bring the knowledge of Jesus Christ to those yet in ignorance of Him." At the afternoon meeting, which is specially in- tended for the unconverted, and at which the students speak, the attendance has been much larger than usual, and the results most encouraging. In order to reach with the Gospel those who do not attend the regular services, a building has been erected in the city "with three good-sized rooms." On the first floor there are two rooms, which will be used, one for preaching services and the other for a preparatory training school for boys, whie the room on the second floor will be fitted up
3
36 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
as a reading room and "stocked with Chinese literature, most of which will have a direct bearing on the Christian religion." It is worthy of honorable mention that "a fair proportion of the cost of this property," about $750 in gold, "is being borne by the Christian converts." During the absence of Rev. A. I. Robb for a few months this summer, the school for boys, which was opened in this building in March, will be in charge of Rev. Julius Kempf, whose "time," as he reports, "has been almost wholly taken up in the study of the language," with an occasional address at the Chinese prayer meeting and teaching a Bible class Sabbath mornings.
School Work.
Six of the baptized members of the Church at Tak Hing Chau are the fruit of the school which Mrs. Wright has carried on so efficiently without any remuneration except the satisfaction of doing good. In April, 1906, she was left without any native help till the summer vacation, but the Drs. Mc- Burney came loyally to her assistance. When the school was resumed in October, Lo Lau Yung, who some years ago was rescued from slavery by Rev. and Mrs. A. I. Robb, was appointed teacher. Mrs. Wright describes her as "a good strong girl, with a deternu'nation to make things go, and a love for children." And she adds : "We are pleased and encouraged with her work in the school."
The primary object of this school is to bring children to the Saviour, and in view of the results that are sure to flow from this form of service, it seems strange that there is no response to repeated calls for a missionary teacher to go to this field. The work, however, is the Lord's, and we must look to Him to qualify and, when the set time has come, to send forth young women whose labors He will own for the accomplishing of His purpose.
Medical Department.
The "Gregg Memorial Hospital," a monument to the liberality of Mrs. M. M. Gregg, of Central Allegheny Congregation, is completed and presents a fine appearance. It consists of a main building, with two wings, and is di- vided into two departments, with a capacity for forty beds. There is also a private ward, and one of the women's wards is named the "Wiggins Ward" in memory of Mrs. S. R. Wiggins, of First Philadelphia.
The Chinese name of this institution is, when translated into English, "The Hospital of Benevolence," and the standing rule of the institution is that "no one shall be turned away without medical treatment or without hearing the Gospel." The male department is in charge of Dr. J. M. Wright, and the female department is under the direction and control of Drs. Kate and Jean McBurney, who speak of their work as at once "interesting and hopeful." Without quoting their reports in full, it would not be possible to give the Church any clear conception of what the Redeemer is effecting through the in- strumentality of medicine and surgery at Tak Hing Chau. The contact of these three Christian physicians with patients in the hospital, their professional visits in the homes of the people, and their calls to treat patients in distant villages indicate opportuities for making known the Saviour that are not al- lowed to pass unimproved, and whose possibilities no human mind can measure.
Extending the Work.
The missionaries are unable to report any progress in Do Sing, where a building was rented in the spring of 1906. But they can speak of an encourag- ing outlook at Lin Tatt, a town about twenty miles southwest of Tak Hing Chau and "located in the midst of a fertile and populous section of country," where they secured a building in September, and which they visited several times last winter. There is also a cheering prospect of being able to extend the work into other fields, "both north and south," so that the new mission- aries, Rev. R. A. Blair, of Utica, O., and Licentiates W. M. Robb and E. C
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 37
Mitchell, who expect to leave for China in the autumn, will be a welcome re- inforcement. Their Presbyteries should take action in regard to the ordina- tion of Messrs. Robb and Mitchell.
General Items.
The Board will close its report with four general items :
As a call has been issued for another minister and two school teachers for the Sj'rian Mission, involving additional expense, and as there is a press- ing demand for more laborers to cultivate the fields in the Levant, we believe that the present annual appropriation of $15,000 should be advanced to $17,500.
Acting on the instruction of Synod, the Board recommended "Christus Redemptor" as a suitable text-book for mission study classes. Although no formal report has been received from Rev. I. A. Blackwood, who was elected Educational Secretary, there is good reason to believe that through his efforts the book has been studied very generally by societies and churches.
Arrangements have also been made to commemorate the fiftieth annivers- ary of our Foreign Missions on Friday evening. May 24th. The pro- gramme herewith presented, provides for three addresses; singing three selections from the Psalter; valunteer remarks by members of the court which should not exceed two minutes; and prayer.
In this connection we take the liberty of suggesting an appeal to the churches to raise a semi-centennial fund of at least $25,000 to be employed in extending the work of foreign missions. The importance of such a movement was called to our attention by Rev. T. M. Slater, of Seattle, Wash., who said that he had $100 for that purpose and was sure that others were waiting for an opportunity to contribute. We are convinced that, if the young ministers are ready to take up this matter and push it, the fund may already be regarded as an accomplished fact.
R. M. SOMMERVILLE,
Corresponding Secretary.
Devotional exercises were engaged in, led by Thomas Mc- Clement.
Recess was taken until 2 P. M. Prayer bv D. G. McKee,
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Same place, 2 P. M., Synod met and was led in prayer by E. G. Elsey.
Roll called. Minutes read and approved.
The following were granted optional attendance : J. S. McGaw, W. G. Robb, J. R. Latimer.
The courtesies of the floor were extended to the following: Rev. D. A. McClennahan, D.D. ; Rev. J. F. Carson, D.D.; Rev. J. J. Huston, D.D. ; Rev. Thomas Park, Rev. J. A. Cosby, Rev. T. Edgar.
The sermon preached by the retiring Moderator at the opening of Synod was requested for publication. Collection for janitor, $20.38.
Bills for printing, etc., referred to Committee on Finance.
^8 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Order of the clay postponed to allow Board of Corporators and Board of Trustees of Geneva College to report. Reports received and referred to Committees on Theological Seminary and Educa- tion, and Finance.
Committee on Home Missions reported. Report received and taken up item by item for adoption. With Item 6 amended, the items were all adopted. After representatives of the different missions had been heard, the report was adopted as a whole, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON HOME MISSIONS.
Your Committee on Home Missions would respectfully report :
Three papers have been referred to us :
First. The report of the Central Board of Missions.
Second. The report of the Jewish Mission Board.
Third. A paper from the Ohio Presbytery relative to mission work among the mountaineers of the Southland.
The reports of the Boards are full of encouragement, showing that the work committed to them has been carefully supervised, and that it is in very satisfactory and flourishing condition. The Boards are to be highly com- mended for the fidelity with which they have discharged their duties.
The Central Board has under its care the Domestic Mission work of the Church, together with the Southern Mission and the Indian Mission. In addition to supervising the distribution of funds to those congregations that receive aid from the Domestic Mission Fund, the Board has carried forward work at Content, Alberta, and at Craftsbury, Vt. The increasing number of Covenanters seeking homes in Alberta gives good reason to believe that the time may not be very far distant when we will have a self-supporting congre- gation at Content. At Craftsbury, Vt., property interests of the Church seem to make it imperative that work shall be continued for a time, at least, though the prospects of ultimately reorganizing the congregation do not seem to be very encouraging. The large overdraft on this fund of two years ago has been entirely wiped out, and the Board is able to report a balance of $262.65. There should be no diminution, however, in the support given to this work, but rather enlarged gifts.
The work of the Southern Mission presents many encouraging features, and calls for grateful recognition of God's favor. The health of the laborers has been good, increasing numbers have attended the Mission and spiritual in- fluences have -been markedly present. The increased attention to the in- dustrial features of the work has greatly added to its value, and should be encouraged. The large balance in the treasury of this Mission testifies to the deep interest the Church takes in this department of her work, and justifies the enlarging of the work as opportunity is afforded. The encouraging con- dition of the work in East Selma, and the large balance in the treasury of this Mission would seem to be an indication of Providence that there should be an enlargement of the work at this point.
The zeal that has ever characterized the work of the Indian ]\Iission has been in no way abated during this year. The missionaries have been instant in season and out of season, eagerly seeking to enter every open door that has been set before them, and to present the Gospel to all who would receive it. In its religious features this work has always been strong, while its educa- tional and industrial features have been given due prominence. The increase of godless influences in the vicinity of the Mission, and the revival of the ancient heathen worship, are evidences of Satan's activity, and may be taken as a testimony to the efiiciency of the work that is being done. But the way
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 39
to the throne is still open, and praj'er should be made continually on behalf of this work. The balance in the treasury of this Mission is less than it was one year since by more than $2,000, and the Church should see to it that larger gifts are given to this Mission, else instead of a balance we will have an overdraft one year hence.
The work of the Jewish Mission, under the supervision of the Jewish Mission Board, has gone forward steadily, and not without marked evidences of the Divine favor. Those who have offered their services so willingly to this Mission will not fail of their reward. The retirement of the Rev. G. M. Robb from this work leaves a vacancy that it is desirable shall be filled as soon as a suitable person can be obtained. Mr. and Mrs. Feuersohn have been untiring in their labors, but there seems to be necessity for an ordained min- ister, able to speak the language of the people, in order that the Mission may attain its highest efficiency. The claims of these people upon us are strong and our obligations to them are imperative.
The mountaineers of the Southland number about 4,000,000, at least 1,000,000 of whom are well nigh utterly destitute of the Gospel. They have many claims upon us that we undertake the work of giving them the Gospel. There are many reasons, as, for instance, the names that are found so fre- quently among them, for believing that they are of like origin with ourselves, and that in their veins runs the blood of a Covenanter ancestry. They are not only open to the Gospel, but are eager to hear it. Through the trying times of the rebellion they remained true to the Union and were ever unalterably opposed to human slavery. Patriotic as well as spiritual considerations should move us to undertake the work of giving them the Gospel, if the con- ditions are such as to at all warrant this. Two of our ministers have recently visited these mountaineers,- and while finding their material as well as their spiritual, destitution very great, they found them eager to hear the Gospel and wondrously quick to respond to it.
The long and faithful service of Dr. D. B. Wilson on the Central Board is deserving of recognition by the Synod, and it will be with feelings of regret that every one will learn of his desire to be relieved from further service upon this Board.
We recommend :
1. That the work of Home Missions be kept constantly before our people, and that they be urged to give the fullest and most hearty support to every department of this work.
2. That the work in Alberta be continued under the care of the Central Board for the present, and that Colorado Presbytery be directed to take steps for the organization of a congregation when, in the judgment of those familiar with the work, the time has arrived for this step.
3. That the Board be commended for its oversight of the work in Crafts- bury, Vt., and be directed to continue the work there so long as the conditions shall warrant or make necessary the work.
4. That the Board be authorized to take such steps as may be necessary to render more effective the work in East Selma by seeking more commodious and appropriate accommodations.
5. That prayer be made continually on behalf of our work among the Indians, now so seriously threatened by the adverse influences that surround it ; that God will destroy the counsel of the evil one ; that he will bring back those that have been led astray; and that he will shield all those who are his own.
6. That the Central Board be authorized to take immediate steps for the inauguration of mission work among the mountaineers of the Southland.
7. That the resignation of D. B. Wilson as a member of the Central Board be accepted, and the Committee on Nominations be directed to nominate his successor.
40 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
8. That the Central Board and the Jewish Board be heard through such representatives as they have designated, and that the Rev. A. A. Samson be heard an behalf of work among the mountaineers of the Southland.
Respectfully submitted,
J. S. Thompson, J. S. McGaw,
J. H. McBURNEY,
S. R. Faris.
REPORT OF THE CENTRAL BOARD OF MISSIONS.
Our work in the different departments has been carried on during the past year with encouraging success. There has been no serious sickness in any of the missions. Our financial exhibit is good.
Domestic Mission.
Content, Alberta. — Rev. T. M. Slater, by appointment of the Board, vis- ited this field in August, 1906. His report was so encouraging that the Board appointed Rev. Wm. McFarland to labor there. He arrived at Content on the 8th of December, 1906, and has remained until the present time. Sabbath services have been held regularly, either in the school house or in the homes of the members A Sabbath-school has been organized^ We have a membership now of seventeen. A number from other parts of the Church have signified their intention of locating here at an early day. The prospect of organizing a self-supporting congregation is reasonably good. There is no church building nearer Content than twenty miles, and no other Sabbath service is held nearer than eight miles.
Craftsbury, Vt. — Dr. FI. H. George was appointed to visit this congre- gation. After hearing his report, the Board appointed Rev. J. F. Crozier to labor there. He reached East Craftsbury on the ist of September, 1906, an^^has remained there the greater part of the time since. His wife accom- panied him. but on account of the severity of the climate and other reasons was obliged to return home after a short stay. We have now a membership there of fifteen. Of those who formerly were connected with us, sixteen have not as yet united with any other Church. By order of the court, the church building is at our disposal on Sabbath mornings, and at the disposal of the United Presbyterians on Sabbath afternoons. The family of the X.''nited Presbyterian minister occupies the parsonage. The question as to whom this and the church building belong is in litigation. We deem it advisable to have regular preaching there.
We lay on the table of Synod the report of A. J. McFarland, Jr., Secre- tary of the Bureau of Information.
Dividends $3,389 S6
Bequests i,990 83
Receipts from other sources 7.128 30
Total $12,508 69
May I, 1906, balance overdrawn $918 85
Expenditures 11,327 I9 12,246 04
May I, 1907, balance overdrawn $262 65
We ask for this mission $10,000.00.
Southern Mission.
Some changes have been made in the Mission force during the year. At the present time it is as follows :
Superintendent. Rev. J. G. Reed; grade i, Mrs. G. M. Sims; grade i, assistant, Miss Anna Sims: grades i and 2. annex. Miss Augusta Buck; grade
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 4I
3, Miss Carlena Smith: grade 4, Miss Sophia Kingston; grade S, Miss Dora Robb; grade 6. Miss Margaret Martin; grades 7 and 8, Miss Lizzie Brown; high school, Miss Anabel Stewart; high school and cooking. Miss Margaret Greer; sewing, Miss Mary Fowler; carpentry, Wilbur M. Bottoms; music, Mrs. J. G. Reed; Pleasant Grove, Mrs. Louise Kynett; East Selma, Mrs. S. F. Kingston; Valley Creek Sabbath-school, Mrs. Anna Sims.
Tuition in Knox Academy, $1,173.79, the largest amount in the history of the Mission. Date of closing, May 21st, 1907.
The Selma school opened on the first of October and closed on the thirty-first of May. The total enrollment during the year was 524; 58 more than last year; average attendance 368; 27 of an increase. This is the largest since Mr. Reed has had charge. "The course of study has been practically the same as last year, and the teachers have reported that in almost every instance, the work assigned has been completed."
Mrs. Reed, who has charge of the musical department, was not able to do the usual work in the school. During the two closing months she spent a great deal of time in a vocal drill for the difi^erent grades preparatory to the closing exercises. She had a large number of private pupils to whom she gave lessons on the piano. "This department," Mr. Reed states, "deals with the pupils along a line in which they are naturally gifted. It is a source of great pleasure to them and has an educational value and refining influence." Mrs. Reed's services for the work done in the school in this department are given gratuitously.
Five of the scholars graduated this year; three in the regular school and two in the industrial department. The latter course substitutes extra industrial work for the Latin and Geometry in the Academic course. All of these graduates are church members; three being members of our own.
"The plan of the Bible and Catechetical work has been practically the same as last year. Every child in the school committed on an average 331 portions of Bible and Catechisms ; in grades i and 2, the Children's Cate- chism ; in grade 3, Brown's Short, and in grades 4 and 6, the Westminster has been committed throughout. Grades 7-1 1 committed the entire Sabbath- school lesson each week."
"The regular morning Sabbath-school under the 'care of the congrega- tion, and of which Prof. Bottoms is superintendent, and the afternoon Bible class at which the Blakeslie Life of Christ and Apostolic series of lessons were taken up, have been the agencies of special effort on Sabbath among the pupils. The afternoon class is especially for pupils of other denomina- tions who wish to attend their denominational school in the morning." The attendance at the morning Sabbath-school averaged 143, and the afternoon Bible class 147. Pupils of the day school not attending their class on Sab- bath are detained Monday evening and the Sabbath lesson is gone over.
Special evangelical services were held previous to the spring com- munion, at which Rev. C. M. Smith assisted. "The result of it all," Mr. Reed writes, "was a spiritual awakening that reached in all directions. Believers saw the need of a closer walk of fellowship with Christ; careless and faith- less church members were brought back; eight were added to our Church and several others to other Churches."
Industrial Department.
Miss Fowler was able to give her entire time to the sewing department except that required for the teaching of one class in history. There is an enrollment of 299. The total number of garments made is 360. The senior girls made their own commencement dresses. This will, hereafter, be a requirement for those receiving certificates. The total expenses were $77-51 ; receipts $79.81; leaving a ijet income of $2.37, a slight gain over last year.
Miss Greer, in addition to teaching four classes, had charge of the
42 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
cooking department. Work in it begins with the fifth grade and continues through the High School. This year a new departure was made, viz.: the selHng of lunches to the pupils at noon. This was done for the purpose of keeping pupils off the street at noon; of helping to meet expenses and to enable more practical work to be done by providing for the sale of the product. These expectations were fully met. The expenses of the depart- ment were $242.06. Receipts, $259.32 ; leaving a net gain of $7.26.
In the carpentry department under Prof. Bottoms there was an enroll- ment of 202. Mr. Reed remarks that "there has been a higher order of work done by all clas.ses as compared with the same classes last year. The con- tractors of the city have recognized the merit of our work by giving higher wages to our boys than to other apprentices." The expenses were $135.74. Receipts, $25.90; a net cost of $ioo.'S4. The high price of lumber and a new rip-cross-cut saw machine explain the increased expenditure. Besides, this year there were not as many high-priced orders to fill. The repairs and im- provements made by this department saved to the mission a considerable item of expense.
Improvements have been made on the mission property. The grounds have been put in good order, cement walks laid, a new fence built, the buildings and fence painted, &c., &c. These were all needed and add much to the general appearance.
Pleasant Grove. — The school opened November Sth and closed April 26th. The enrollment was 119; average attendance, 76. There was a summer term during July and August. The Sabbath-school attendance was 65; average attendance, 35. Mr. Reed preached here the third Sabbath of each month to an audience of about 60. A one room addition was made to the house, the cost of which was considerably less than it otherwise would have been on account of the work done by Prof. Bottoms, Mr. Kynett and Mr. Reed. Mr. Kynett has greatly improved the place. What he has done is not without an effort on the neighborhood, as an object lesson; $31.42 were collected for tuition.
Valley Creek. — Mr. Reed preached here the first Sabbath of each month. There is a Sabbath-school of which Miss Anna Simms has charge. The enrollment was 25: average attendance, 17; collection. $2.25.
East Sehna- — School began October ist and ended May 17th. There was an enrollment of 60: average attendance, 40. The attendance is limited only by the capacity of the building. The Sabbath attendance was often above 60. Mrs. S. F. Kingston was in charge. The income from tuition was $58.68, and from two contributions $60.50. In order to provide suitable accommodations for this promising opening there will be an increased outlay of not much less than $1,500.00.
Mr. Reed regards this as the best year since his connection with the mission. In closing his report he adds, "the school has been as full as we could accommodate. The total enrollment for the entire mission was 705, I more than last year, with i school less ; average attendance, 457 ; an in- crease of 7. The average number oj. verses in the Catechisms committed by each of the 457 pupils for the year was 288."
There were helpful visits from Dr. R. C. Wylie, Rev. and Mrs. Easson, Elder Leslie, his wife and two sisters. Miss Johnson, of Wilkinsburgh, Miss Anderson, of Alexis, Alabama, and Mrs. McCoy, a classmate of Mrs. Reed.
May I, 1906. Balance $2,816 01
Bequest 2,078 08
Dividends 84210
Other sources 4.207 00
Total $9,943 19
Expenditures 5.788 03
Balance May i, 1907 $4,i55 i^
We ask for this mission, $5,000.00.
reformed presbyterian church. 43
Intitan Mission.
There have been a few changes in the mission force this year. Miss Elma French, of Winchester., took the place of Miss Mary Adams, who resigned to take up school work. Mr. W. S. McAnlis and daughter were compelled, on account of their health, to ask for a release for a year from the work, and the care of the girls was taken by Miss Mary Carithers. Tn March, Mr. Lloyd Ewing was employed on the farm. Dr. Ida M. Scott was obliged to remain at home during the year.
The school opened on the loth of September, 1906, and closed on the 6th of May, 1907 ; 59 pupils were enrolled. School was in session 235 days. The regular school branches were taught as usual, and the children show a decided increase in interest and ability to understand what they are taught.
One period each day was given to singing under the direction of Miss Coleman, and the children were made familiar with the Psalms and music so that they can easily use a copy of the selection of the Psalms in their homes during the summer.
The Sabbath-school lesson was taught each week in the school room The total number of Bible verses committed during the year was 22,757; the largest number committed by any one child was 1,290. Among the por- tions of scripture conmiitted were John's gospel entire; Proverbs 4th and 8th chapters; Psalms 23 (in prosed 19, 24. 51, 107 and 121; Isaiah 55; Joshua 1st; 1st Kings 3d; ist Cor. 15th. The Old Testament characters studied were Joseph. Job and Joshua. The children made advance in ability to locate Bible texts by chapter and verse, and in making apt quotations when called on during the discussion of a subject. The Catechism was also regularly studied. One division completed the Shorter Catechism and another grade memorizing through to the Fifth Commandment. The primary grade com- pleted the study of Brown's Short Catechism. Twenty-six children wrote on Monday what they remembered of the sermon preached the day before.
The Lord's Supper was dispensed once during the year. Rev. A. Kil- patrick, D.D., assisted. One elder and two deacons were ordained and in- stalled this spring. There was a total accession of nine. There was no net increase.
The opposition this year has been more determined than ever before. The hurtful influence of the godless element of the whites has been more felt than in any year since they occupied the land, mainly in the saloon. Some of the boys trained in the school have been led into intemperate habits.
There appears to have been a revival of the old heathen worship. Some who were members have attended and taken part. Many who appeared favorable to our work have turned their attention to the old way.
The mission school in the mountains among the whites has been kept up through the vear, and as often as possible a sermon preached in the school house where the services were held. A number of services were held in another direction, about nineteen miles from the mission where two families of our people live.
Miss Emma McFarland has made excellent progress in acquiring the Apache language. On the Sabbath when the Apaches camped in our vicinity (within ten miles), she and some other workers would visit them and hold one or more services with them on the Sabbath. This usually consisted of a study of the Sabbath-school lesson for the day. The attendance at all of these services as also at the mission, was good.
The products of the farm were fairly abundant. The equipment both in stock and machinery was improved during the year. There is every pros- pect that the broom factory will become quite a feature of the work and more than fulfill expectations.
44 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Grateful acknowledgment is made by Mr. Carithers of the help extended to the mission by various missionary societies and individuals who sent sup- plies of various kinds for the use of the mission.
May I, 1906. Balance $3,096 88
Dividends $105 00
Bequests 700 00
From all other sources 5-4i8 30 6,223 30
9,320 18 Expenditures 8,419 27
Balance April 30, 1907 900 91
We ask for this mission, $4,000.00.
Prof. Willson resigns as a member of the Board in order that he may give his entire attention to his seminary work. The professor has attended regularly our meetings and ever manifested an interest in our work. We regret that he finds it necessary to sever his connection with the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
J. W. Sproull, Chairman. W. J. Coleman, Secretary. A. C. Coulter, Corresponding Secretary.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF JEWISH MISSION.
The Jewish Mission, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is happy to be able to report progress.
In the days of the apostles we read that the missionaries declared to the Church, "all things that God had done with them."
The mission is the Lord's; the missionaries are His servants; the work of the Gospel is His work; therefore it has been our endeavor to make this report a simple narrative of the Lord's doings in this field of service.
This work among the children of Israel has been carried forward by our missionaries during the year with diligence and zeal. The number of people directly and indirectly reached by the Gospel cannot be known, nor can the work of grace in their hearts and lives be estimated. Statistics in such matters are without value.
For the Church's encouragement we quote the following from reports given by our missionaries:
Mr. E. J. Feuersohn : "The Sabbath evening services are well attended by the scholars of the night school and other Jews, who come regularly to the meetings and join with us in singing Psalms and praising God. We have on our Sabbath-school roll 55 names, and an average attendance of 35. The night school has been the means of bringing many into the Gospel meetings, and brings us often in contact with people newly arrived in our city. The dispensary is well patronized, twice a week, mostly by Jewish women and children. Dr. Caldwell is ever faithful in this part of the work. Many are grateful for his services, and go from the room saying in their own tongue, 'God bless our fine Christian doctors.' The aggregate of Jewish men and women who have been at the mission during the last three months is about 1,100. We visit in the homes of our people. It is very cheering to see their interest in learning the truth of Jesus. Some- times visitors drop in while we are calling at a house, and from eight to fifteen persons are in one room eager to catch every wor^i. The Jewish women are always pleased to have Mrs. Feuersohn visit them in their homes."
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 45
Miss . Mary F. Bell : ''The room occupied by the sewing class is suffi- cient to accommodate 50 girls, but we are limiting the class at present to 35, for lack of helpers. Our sewing girls are seldom absent from class. It has been thought best to allow only the girls of the Sabbath-school to have the advantage of the sewing school, and even with this regulation we have been receiving a steadily increasing number of applicants. We began work with an attendance of 18 girls, ranging from eight to fourteen years; this number was doubled during the first month, and no doubt would have been quadrupled had we had helpers in the work. For the reason mentioned we turn away from four to ten girls a week. I find it a great pleasure to visit the homes of these girls. I have- very little difficulty talking with the mothers, although at times I need an interpreter. The majority of these homes are very destitute. It grieves us that we can do so little for them. It is hard to see the sad faces fill about us reflecting the still sadder souls that are actually starving for lack of the Bread of Life."
This work of the Mission of the Covenant to Israel goes forward with system and tact, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, in each of its various departments, through the diligence of our missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Feuersohn, Miss Mary F. Bell, Miss Mattie J. Henry and Dr. A. Caldwell ; IMrs. Feuersohn, Miss Henry and Dr. Caldwell kindly giving their services without compensation.
Rev. G. M. Robb, after a faithful service of two years and three months, resigned the superintendency. His resignation being accepted with much reluctance by the Board, took effect January ist, 1907, at which time he withdrew from this field and entered upon other work for the Church.
Mr. William G. Carson, an elder of the First Church of the Cove- nanters of Philadelphia, highly esteemed among the churches, and much experienced in city mission work, was elected superintendent as Mr. Robb's successor, and since his acceptance has filled the place with much wisdom and diligence.
The Board desires to put on record its gratitude to the Lord for all His goodness to the house of Israel through this mission, qnd to the Covenanters Church for the deep and prayerful interest manifest in "the cheerful and abundant financial support given. The Jewish Mission like our other missions, truly is carried in the hearts of the people, the officers and the ministers of the Covenanter Church.
During the coming year we trust the Lord will extend the work and increase the force of workers. Our prayer is that He in His wisdom and love may soon call into this field of service a young minister, or licentiate, whom He will qualify by His Holy Spirit for ministering unto the Hebrew people the Gospel with wisdom and ability. The work is difficult, as it is important. It is practically a foreign mission work and must be con- ducted along foreign mission lines. Here we have a community of about 100,000 Israelites, most of whom speak a foreign language. Many of them have come recently from Russia, where they had been suffering persecu- tion, indescribable in its cruelty. In this large population of foreigners we can expect the work to be carried forward with success only by mis- sionaries familiar with the language and the nature of the people. There- fore, we desire to emphasize the necessity of procuring a young mis- sionary, who will surrender himself to the Lord, to serve in this mission, and who will devote himself without delay to the work by studying the language, habits and lives of the people and ministering unto them as the Lord increases his ability, and who shall eventually take charge of the superintendency of the mission.
46 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
We ask for the Jewish Mission during the coming year $3,500. J. C. McFeeters was appointed to represent the Mission on the floor, of Synod.
J. C. McFeeters, President. T. P. Stevenson, Secretary.
REPORT OF MISSION CONFERENCE.
The Mission Conference, consisting of the members of the Central Board
and twenty representatives from the Presbyteries, met according to appoint- ment of Synod, in the Central Allegheny Reformed Presbyterian Church, May 22d and 23d. Four sessions were held. Forty-six congregations were recom- mended for help to the amount of $15,027, as follows :
N. B. AND N. S. PRESBYTERY.
Barnesville, seven dollars per Sabbath for summer months $182 00
Cornwallis : 400 00
St. John 300 00
Cdr.ORADO PRESBYTERY.
Denver "$450 00
Greeley 200 00
La Junta 200 00
Los Angeles 650 00
Santa Anna 500 00
ILLINOIS PRESBYTERY.
Coulterville $350 00
Selma 400 00
St. Louis 350 00
Staunton, five dollars per .Sabbath when they have preaching, not to
exceed 150 00
NEW YORK PRESBYTERY.
Ryegate Congregation was commended for their use of a legacy of $300 for support of pastor.
Cambridge $400 00
Coldenham, an amount not to exceed 300 00
Barnet 230 00
West Hebron 400 00
White Lake 150 00
ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.
Lisbon $400 00
Lochiel, ill case of settlement 300 00
Syracuse • 500 00
IOWA PRESBYTERY.
Chicago $400 oa
Vernon, in case of settlement 300 00
Vernon, in case of supplies ■ • ■ 75 00
Hickory Grove, six dollars for every Sabbath they have preaching
up to 150 00
Rehoboth 360 00
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 47
KANSAS PRESBYTERY.
Billings, an amount not to exceed $280 00
Hebron, in case of settlement 275 00
Hebron, in case of supplies 100 00
Homewood 300 00
Kansas City, in case of settlement 500 00
Kansas City, five dollars per Sabbath for three-fourths time for
supplies 195 00
Quinter, in case of settlement 300 00
Quinter, in case of supplies 200 00
Superior 300 00
Tabor 300 00
Topeka, for supplies 400 00
Wahoo, as much as they raise, not to exceed 300 op
OHIO PRESBYTERY.
Belle Center $300 do
Bellefountaine • • . ■ 450 00
Presbytery's delegate was instructed to visit this congregation and urge increased liberalitv.
Cedarville 200 00
Fairgrove 200 00
To be used by the Presbytery in reviving the work in this field.
Hetherton ". 400 00
Johnathan's Creek, in case of settlement 300 DO
Muskingum, Tomica and Londonderry 100 00
To be at the discretion of Presbytery.
PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY.
Adamsville and Middletown : $300 00
Bear Run and Mahoning 100 00
McKeesport = 500 00
Mercer 200 00
Slippery Rock, in case of settlement, an amount not to exceed 300 00
In case' of supplies, five dollars per Sabbath for one-half time 130 00
Youngstown, in case of settlement 500 OP
In case of supplies, five dollars per Sabbath for one-half the time
they have supplies 130 00
The Mission Conference took the following actions:
1. We recommend that Synod reaffirm its rule that congregations be visited by delegates from the Presbyteries.
2. We reaffirm the rule that- congregations endeavor to reduce the amounts requested from year to year.
3. That Synod be requested to appoint a committee to draft new blanks for the use of congregations asking for aid.
4. That while we recognize the duty of every member and congregation of the Covenanter Church to heartily support all the schemes of the Church, yet we would urge that congregations asking aid from Conference, give pre- cedence to the pastor's support, and pay in full if possible.
5. We recommend that Presbyteries be instructed to investigate those congregations whch give disproportionate amounts to Church schemes, to the neglect of the pastor's support. This to be done at the fall meetings of the Presbyteries.
6. We reaffirm the rule as to sliding scale and recommend that a special committee, consisting of R. C. Reed, F. M. Wilson and George Edgar, be ap- pointed by Synod to prepare such a scale.
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
7. We reaffirm the rule requiring congregations expecting aid from the Board of Domestic Missions to take congregational action and present specific requests, over the signatures of the congregational officers, to their respective Presbyteries.
Respectfully submitted,
J. W. Sproull, Chairman. C. McLeod Smith, Secretary.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE BUREAU OF INFORMATION.
The Secretary of the Bureau of Information would respectfully report : We have received no names except a few of those whom the Central Board was already providing for in Alberta, Canada.
A. J. McFarland, Jr., Secretary.
Committee on Young People's Societies reported. Report re- ceived and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. '
In accordance with the direction of our last Synod that the Foreign Mis- sion Board suggest to our Young People's and Missionary Societies the best text-books and best methods for pursuing the systematic study of foreign missions, the Board, through its Educational Secretary, sent a copy of the following recommendations to every pastor in our Church and to every for- eign missionary station :
1. That the text-book for the year be Christus Redemptor.
2. That the pastors lead the classes in mission study or find some other person thoroughly competent.
3. That the pastor preach two or three sermons a year with this text-book as a basis.
4. That those who cannot attend the classes be urged to procure and read the text-book in their homes.
5. Three books were suggested as collateral reading.
Your committee has made an effort to ascertain how largely these recom- mendations have been carried out. Answers to inquiries sent out by your committee show that twenty-two classes were formed with a total attendance of 320. Nine pastors led, in one the pastor's wife, in others the different mem- bers. Total number of meetings held, 154. Five classes secured the eight- volume library, 6 pastors preached sermons in line with the text-books, others will do so soon, fifteen preached on missions in general.
Beneficial results were reported, as "Results more than satisfactory," "Additional interest in the study of missions in general," "Greater liberality in giving to missions," "Deeper interest in our own missions," "Strengthened our faith in the coming of God's kingdom," "More ability to present the subject to missions to others." "Wider sympathy with conditions in foreign fields," "Increased knowledge," "Devotion of one collection a month to foreign missions."
Seventy-five per cent, of the answers indicate that the attachment of the young people to our Church is growing.
Whereas twenty-five per cent, reported it as weakening, the various reme- dies suggested to strengthen this attachment are :
"A live minister." "Get to work."
"A real spiritual awakening by the Holy Spirit."
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 49
"Better pastoral work."
"Take up the study of the principles of the Church with the young people. '
"Engage in systematic study of missions."
The last two suggestions are especially to the point.
In view of the fact that the past year was the first in which systematic mission study has been placed under the direction of the Foreign Board, there is reason for encouragement. Inquiries addressed to the Foreign Board's Educational Secretary show a zeal both for the systematic study of missions and for the adoption of the best methods of study.
A new course of study is planned for every year with the text-book on some one mission field, together with the library of eight or nine volumes at the greatly reduced price of $S.oo, together with specially prepared maps and manuals on methods of study. This is only the beginning of better things to come.
The two dominant notes in our Church at the present time are reforma- tion and evangelization. The hope of our Church rests in both. In order to do the work of reformation our youth must be indoctrinated in the distinctive principles of our Church, and how these principles are to be applied to the great problems of social and national life. Indoctrination of the youth, through the study of formulated standards of truth, is the outgrowth of the great reformation inaugurated by Martin Luther, John Calvin, Philip Melanc- thon and others. We cannot cease from the custom and maintain our separate existence as a Church. The policy, therefore, directing the minds of our young people to the study of these principles by embodying suitable topics as substitutes in the regular C. E. topics of study is commendable. Seven hun- dred of spcially prepared topic cards of this kind were used the past year. Some pastors led classes in study of our testimony.
In order to do our share in the work of evangelization of the world, a larger intelligence concerning this work is necessary. Systematic mission study, therefore, should be encouraged, a wider knowledge is necessary, not only of our own particular fields but of all foreign mission fields embodied in the kingdom of God spreading abroad over the earth.
We should know the needs, the opportunities, the difficulties and the suc- cesses attending foreign mission work. Our interests should be as wide as the kingdom of God.
Systematic mission study is necessary in order to have definite and pre- vailing prayer for the mission cause. How can we pray aright without proper knowledge? Systematic mission study is necessary in order for large and more systematic giving to the cause of missions.
Asa Otis's legacy of over one million dollars to one mission is directly traceable to his reading of the Missionary Herald, and that of R. Arthington of two and one-half million dollars to two societies was due to the study of the needs of foreign missions as formulated in a table of statistics in the little book, "British Foreign Missions."
The words of Daniel Webster, on returning from a western trip, in which he summed up the peril of America, might* well be applied to the Church in general. He used four words, "Abundance," "Luxury," "Decline," "Desola- tion." A better acquaintance with the needs of the foreign work will lead to larger giving and safety from such a peril.
Systematic mission study is necessary in order to raise up and train future missionaries.
Bishop Taylor Smith once summarized the needs of the Church in this way : "To know, to grow, to glow, to go." We do not begin to develop mis- sionary consecration among young people early enough. Waiting until they have passed the most impressionable years of their lives and till other influ- ences and ideals dominate them, we lose a great advantage. The claims of this noblest and most Christlike of all callings should be presented in the days of youth.
so MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
"To know" must precede "to go." Our Church has been crying loud and long for foreign mission helpers. Let us begin training future workers in our mission study classes.
We recommend :
1. That the terms of our ecclesiastical communion be taken up in order, in place of the regular topics of study on the second Sabbaths of September, October, November, January, February and March. That each term of com- munion be printed in full along with the comments which appear in our Church papers.
2. That we commend the work of the Foreign Board in outlining a sys- tematic mission study course, and that we request the Board to outline a course of study for the coming year.
3. That in view of the semi-centennial of our foreign mission work we adopt the following substitutes for the regular C. E. topics on foreign mis- sions :
June 30th. Our Fiftieth Anniversary — a Glance Backward. Dr. T. P. Stevenson to write the comments for our Church papers.
August 25th. Our Mission in Syria. Comments by Rev. James S. Stewart. October 27th. Our Work in Asia Minor. Comments by Rev. R. J. Dodds. December 29th. Our Work in China. Comments by Rev. A. I. Robb. February 23d. Cyprus. Comments by Rev. Walter McCarroll. April 26th. Suadia. Comments l)y Rev. J. Boggs Dodds.
4. That pastors take an active part in the organization and direction of classes in systematic mission study. That they be encouraged to preach more missionary sermons, both on the general subject of missions and on particular mission fields — our own and others.
5. That our Young People's Societies be urged to take up the systematic study of missions in the order recommended by our Foreign Board.
6. That. 1,500 copies of the revised topic cards, dating from June ist to June 1st, be published by our Treasurer, Mr. J. S. Tibby, on same condi- tions as last j-ear.
I. A. Blackwood, E. G. Elsev, W. J. McBurnev, John Mitchell, J. E. Hugheey.
Committee on Sabbath-Schools reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
There are many important phases of Sabbath-school work. Among these we note The Teacher and His Work as of special significance. The suc- cess or the failure of Sabbath-school work depends chiefly upon the teacher. The history of the work and the testimony of experienced workers are in support of this statement. Hence in our report we direct attention to this particular matter.
Special care should be given to the choice of teachers. There are many admirable Christian people who are not qualihed to fill the position. It is unwise in most instances to leave the choice of a teacher to a class. The wishes of a class may be learned, but the decision should rest with the ses- sion of the congregation or the officers of the school. That brings up for consideration the teacher's equipment. The first item in this is a working knowledge of the Bible. It is one thing to have a vague or general knowl- edge of the Bible, and quite another thing to be so acquainted with the Book that its teachings can be well imparted to others. This requires the
REFORMEB PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 51
teacher to have a grasp or comprehension of the scope of the Word, of the parts in their bearing one upon another, and a mastery of the particular portions studied. Another item in the teacher's equipment is knowledge of the pupils, not only of the general needs of the class, but a particular knowl- edge of the life and tendencies of each individual member. That means interest in and contact with them. It is at the expense of time and effort, but when one realizes that it has a special place in the moulding of a life for lime and for eternity, they should be given willingly. Without a knowl- edge of the pupil, even a teacher who is well versed in Scripture truth is unable to make an accurate application of it to the life.
Here we find another item of importance in the equipment of teachers, and that is knowledge of the art of teaching. It is one thing to have the proper tools to work with and the necessary material to work upon, but quite another thing to be able to do first-class work with these. Here, in the judgment of many, is the great defect in teachers and their work. They may have other furnishing, but are unable to use it effectively without this. We ought to take lessons here from c>ur public schools, where they are most successfully conducted. Their teachers are required to pass examina- tion upon text-books of theory and practice, and are specially drilled in teachers' training classes and model school-rooms. The advantage of it is clearly seen in the character of the work done by teachers thus trained. Our schools, for the most part, are far behind in this matter of training teachers. In some places this is realized and the need is met by normal classes or teachers' training classes. Where does the responsibility lie in this matter? It rests upon pastors and sessions or such boards as Have control of the work. There are good text-books and systems of study in the art of teaching in the Sabbath-school. Every school should have its teachers' training class, under the leadership of the pastor or some com- petent person. This is manifestly important, because our Sabbath-schools are filled with pupils who come from the public schools, where they are under well-equipped teachers: because of the brief time a Sabbath-school teacher has in class for the teaching of the lesson, and the lack of authority over pupils to enforce study or attention. Horace Mann once said: "The only way to have better teachers is to make them." His statement applies to Sabbath-schools as well as to others.
The Sabbath-school of our day has a great work to do. It is great on <iccount of the multitudes of children and youth who come to its classes for instruction; because youth is the favorable time for making lasting im- pressions upon the life. It gives the qualified teacher a precious oppor- tunity for the guidance and building of character; of Christian character, so ■essential to the welfare of society.
A great responsibility rests with the teachers in our Sabbath-schools, and they should see to it that their lives are such that they may be worthy ■examples to the members of their classes and to others. The power of a pure and noble life is immeasurable. An inconsistent life will nullify all instruction and disgust the pupils. Children are apt observers and imita- tors of conduct. The work of the teacher should be performed faithfully, in view of the responsibility for souls, which may not be shifted to another. The responsibility is great, so is the reward. "They that are teachers shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to right- eousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12: 3; Margin of Am. Re- vision).
We present but one recommendation: That special effort be made to provide thoroughly qualified teachers in our Sabbath-schools.
Respectfully submitted,
A. A. Samson W. J. Sanderson, G. R. Steele, John W. Pritchard. 4
52 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Synod was invited to hold its next meeting in the Third Re- formed Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa. The invitation was accepted.
W. S. Fulton and J. B. Gilmore were granted leave of absence.
Synod adjourned with prayer by T. C. Sproull.
MORNING SESSION.
Same place, Tuesday, May 28th, 9 A. M., Synod met and was constituted with prayer by D. H. Coulter.
Minutes read and approved.
On motion $300 were appropriated from the Sustentation Fund in aid of W. W. Wilson.
Committee on Secret Societies reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SECRET SOCIETIES.
Curiosity has, from the beginning, been a ruling motive in the minds of men. False priests and false patriots, by assuming an air of mystery and calling upon men to conceal something, have brought much evil to pass. Another prominent trait of mortal minds is fear; by putting on a show of authority and ordering men about, the strong character often gains the allegiance of the weak. Still another master passion of ours is selfishness; by holding out advantages and honors leading spirits have often secured followers. These things being so, it is not hard to see why secret society reform is the most unpopular and difficult of all the reforms that we have undertaken.
As a Church our chief objection to oath-bound secret orders bears upon their religious claims; and we would still maintain our stand, had we noth- ing to complain of but the oath. In the case of many of the orders, how- ever, we have a great deal more, for their members often speak of them as religions good enough for any man.
We might notice a few points at v,'hich the lodge system comes into conflict with the Church: The Church stands for the brotherhood of men. Its Founder knew no difference between the lost sheep of the house of Israel and the spiritually destitute among the hills of Samaria. Its mem- bers ought to be equally helpful and even-handed in their dealings with men, making no difference on account of race distinctions or social stand- ing. The lodge offers its first and best to its own, and fosters the caste- spirit everywhere. We need not look for peace on earth until supreme in the hearts of humanity sits the spirit of good will to men.
The Church teaches the doctrine of individual responsibility. It would write as with a diamond point on the conscience of every man the truth that each one of us must give account of himself to God. Men have often turned a deaf ear to this admonition. In Plato's Republic the state was everything, the citizen an atom, almost too small for consideration. The lodge spirit encourages the same idea of individuality losing itself in the aggregation. We see this principle actuating the_ disorderly boys, who together commit depredations such as none of them would dare to commit if he were alone. We see it swaying the mob, for the thought prevails that if there are enough implicated in the crime all will escape punishment. Things have
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 53
been done by the order pledged to mutual support that we cannot but believe this member or that would have been too manly to do in his own name.
The Church holds forth Christ as the ideal man. Before the Saviour came into the world men had the law, but this had not been sufficient. There was a call for something more definite, more easily understood, more practical. This was given when the Son of God became man and dwelt among us. In Him we have an example, an inspiration, a hope of attain- ment. It is always easier to walk in another's footprints than to follow in- structions, no matter how full they may be. Secretism ignores the life of Christ. We might allow its claim to exalt the good and the beautiful, to teach morality and the adoration of the Supreme Being, and still find fault; for, at its own estimation, the lodge-room is no better than some of the heathen temples. We declare that the pursuit of mere qualities, however excellent, has never brought man to his best estate, and never will. He needs to have before him an object possessing these excellencies, a being to love, and worship, and serve. This the lodge denies us, but this the Church lifts up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness.
The Church maintains that service is the way to honor. The Master both lived a lowly life and taught humility. Words were never truer than these: "Whosoever will be great among you. let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be j^our servant." Secretism, with its degrees, its decorations, its public displays, appeals to one of the most unworthy sentiments of the human heart; and it is a deceiver, for it confers but the thinnest shadow of honor. Gold lace, nodding plume, and silver-plated sword make no man great. He who outranks others in the lodge, and bears a higher-sounding title, may think himself to be somebody; but let him take a book of history and read, and he will not have gone over a dozen pages till he will have learned that the men wdiose names have outlived the age that gave them birth are the men who served their genera- tion by the will of God. Let him consider the living, and he will see that the man whom the people deli.ght to honor is the man of earnestness and of action, who thinks not of fame but of duty.
The Church offers salvation upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. If upon the lintel we inscribe "Eternal Life," on one of the door-posts we must write, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," and on the other. "\e Must be Born Again." Do the orders against which we protest offer men salvation? Some of them certainly seem to. Members are at death represented as entering a better world, called by one "the grand lodge above," and by another "the parade- ground of heaven." We describe as false the Church that condi- tions eternal life upon good works; but the secret orders offer it for less — good standing in the lodge. May we not hope that few, even of secret order men, are deceived by a doctrine so pernicious! Lodge religion is a lie. We turn from it to the Gospel with its revelation of atonement by Jesus Christ, a forgiving God, a loving Redeemer, a life-giving, enlightening, enabling Spirit. Here is a salvation that can be offered to the world, a free salvation, a salvation that saves. There is no other.
\^'e recommend:
That we renew our covenant to stand by our colors at this as well as other points of attack; that we send a word of cheer to those churches that are in line with us in this conflict, and pray the Spirit of the Lord to lift up a standard against this enemy which has come in like a flood. Respectfully submitted,
Samuel G. Shaw, ]3avid H. Coulter, ToHN W. Dill, Matthew Williamson, Matthew Chestnut.
54 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Committee on Foreign Corresj)ondence reported. Report re- ceived and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE OX FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Your committee would respectfully report that a letter from the Irish Synod was placed in our hands, to which we have written a reply.
J. M. Foster, R. A. Paden, J. E. Wilson.
The reply was read and ordered to be signed by the Moderator and Clerk and forwarded ; also tiiat it be published in our church papers.
LETTER FROM IRISH SYNOD.
Bre.xdy, Strabane, May 14th. 1907.
Dear Brethren: — Once again, in the good providence of God, the time of your annual meeting of Synod has arrived, and we therefore renew our fraternal greetings and pray that m all your deliberations you may be guided by that wisdom which is from above, and that you may enjoy, in a very special manner, the presence and blessing of Zion's exalted King. "We, in the name of God the Lord, do wish you to be blest." We feel that we are bound to you by the closest possible ties.
Many of the members of our different congregations with whom we often took sweet counsel, and went to the house of God in company, are now in fellowship with you. and while we deplore the depletion of our numbers, owing to their removal, we rejoice that in many instances they are now actively engaged in Christian service in the different congregations in connection with your Synod in which their lot has been cast, and that they are united with you in the maintenance of the same cause and testi- mony. We feel, therefore, that while we are separated from you by a considerable distance, the bond of union between us is of the closest pos- sible nature, and it is therefore in no formal spirit, but with feelings of the deepest sincerity, that we again send forward our annual letter, wishing you all joy and comfort in the Lord.
We regret to learn that you have lost by death two faithful and devoted workers — the Rev. J. C. Taylor and Miss Jennie B. Torrence — the former in the home held, and the latter dying at her post in China, and our prayer is that God, who holds the hearts of all in His hands, may raise up others to take their places, and that many may be found responding to the Master's call for workers in His vineyard, saying: "Here am I, send me." We are reminded in this connection that the Rev. R. A. Blair, of Utica, who was formerly connected with one of our own congregations — the congrega- tion of Ballylaggan — has been appointed by your Mission Board as mis- sionary to China, and we have no doubt that he will be followed by the prayers and good wishes of all who knew him on this side of the Atlantic.
It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we have to report the death of the Rev. R. A. McFarlane, ]N[.A., B.D.. of Stranorlar, since our last meeting of Synod. He was called to his rest and reward on the 13th of December, 1906, after a week's intense suffering. As the late Mr. McFarlane had visited America, and will doubtless be favorably remembered by some of the brethren there, it is not necessary to enter into a lengthened account of his life and character: suftice it to say that he was a man of deep and unobtrusive piety and of the most extensive erudition. He v^as a most distinguished classical scholar, but his presentation of Gospel truth was of the simplest possible nature, and he made all his talents subservient to the one grand end — that of preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 55
By his sudden removal from the ranks of the ministry, at a compara- tively early age, we who remain are reminded of the solemn fact that we know not the moment when the Master may say to us, "Give an account of thy stewardship, for chou mayest be no longer steward," and that it be- hooves us to prosecute the great duties entrusted to us with all the earnest- ness and fidelity of which we are capable.
It is to us a matter for supreme thankfulness that the past year has been remarkable for the number of ordinations that have taken place over the vacant congregations of our Church. In the latter part of the past year the Rev. J. T. Potts,. B.A., was released from the charge of the con- gregation of Rathfuland and was installed over the congregation of Nichol- son Street, Glasgow, as successor to the late Rev. Dr. Kerr. Over the congregation left vacant by his removal a pastor has been ordained. Al- most all the other vacant congregations (some of which had been vacant for years) have been supplied with pastors, and one of our most promis- ing licentiates, the Rev. T. B. McFarlane, B.A. (nephew of the late Rev. R. A. McFarlane, B.D."). has been ordained over the Second congrega- tion in Glasgow. We regret, however, that during the past session, no students have been in attendance at our Theological Hall, and we there- fore feel it to be both our duty and privilege to pray the Lord of the Har- vest that He Avould send forth laborers into His harvest.
In your last letter you expressed a desire to know more about the work we are doing in connection with the Irish Foreign Mission, and in reply we may state that while we are trying to do something in both these de- partments, we feel at the same time that our efforts fall very far short of what they should be, and that "there remaineth yet much- land to be possessed."
In connection with the Irish Mission we have two colporteurs engaged — the one in Dublin, and the other in Newry — both of whom are earnest and devoted men, and who by tract distribution, holding meetings, and by en- gaging in religious conversation with Roman Catholics, with whom they are constantly coming in contact, seek to bring them under the power of the truth, which alone makes free. And we are pleased to be able to state that in many instances their efforts have been most successful and that the experience of our colporteurs is that the Gospel is still "the power of God unto salvation" — that it is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds of ignorance, and error, and superstition. We are, however, very far from be- ing satisfied with the amount of work which we have attempted in this de- partment. We feel that we ought to be a great deal more aggressive and that as we contemplate the awful spiritual condition of our Roman Catholic countrymen, held fast as they are by the chains of ignorance' and error, the dupes of a debasing and enslaving system, we ought to be actuated by such feelings as those which burned in the bosom of the great apostle of the Gentiles when he said: "For T could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." With the work we are doing both in Antioch and in Alexandretta you will, we have no doubt, be more familiar.
Dr. Martin has been very busily engaged, not only in attending to his ordinary duties, but in superintending the erection of a more suitable mission building, which we hope will soon be completed, so that he may be enabled to prosecute his work with greater efficiency and success. Reports of the most favorable nature are also received from Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, of Alexandretta, from time to time. The work in which they, too, are engaged is of the most arduous and trying nature, but they both bear testimony to the invaluable aid rendered them by Miss Metheny, and we hope and pray that by the Divine blessing all their efforts miav be crowned with success.
56 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
During the past year we have commemorated the 200th anniversary of the accession to the ministry of the Covenanting Church of the Rev. John McMilHn.
The Rev. William Dick, M'.A.,, lectured by appointment of Synod on this subject throughout the bounds of the Church. The lectures were well attended, and were most interesting and instructive; and it is hoped that they may have the effect of drawing the attention of those outside the fellowship of our Church to our grand distinguishing principles, as wel' as leading our own people to prize more highlj^ and to contend more earnestly for the great principles of the Second Reformation — principles which we believe shall one day meet with universal acceptance.
In conclusion, we woidd say to 30U in the words of Paul to the Ephesians, "Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth."
Signed, on behalf of Synod,
JOSEPJI McEWEN,
Convener of Committee on Foreign Correspondence.
Committee on Sabbath again reported. Report amended and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OE COMMITTEE ON S.^BBATH. The SAf;B.\TH.
The Creator made this world with a Sabbath, coeval with man. On man's first earthly day he rested with God and worshipped. Man was created with Sabbath needs. The Sabbath is fundamental, being Edenic, Sinaitic, and Christian.
If sinless man in Paradise needed the Sabbath, much more our fallen race. Being divinely instituted, its observance was made obligatory upon all peoples for all limes. The change of time for its observance from the seventh to the first day of the week removed no Sabbath obligations. Its coming every seven days is a memorial of creation. Its observance on the first daj^ of the week is a reminder of Redemption.
When the Sabbath's Lord said: "The Sabbath was made for man." He pointed backward to its original institution, and forward to its unchanging obligations. The name, "Sabbath," given by God, indicates both its character and manner of observance, and, therefore, is to be used by Christians. The Sabbath is the emerald of days — a type of the "Rest prepared," or "Keep- ing of a Sabbath, to the people of God," in heaven.
But sinful men soon perverted this Divine institution, and at times have made it a world almost without a Sabbath.
Great calamities, sent by God, may have been, in some measure, in- flictions of Divine punishment for robbing God of His sacred time^n visitations such as the Deluge, Sodom, the Amorites, Israel's Dispersion, Judah's Captivity, and the Dark Ages.
Wilful trangression of sacred lime and law is a certain precursor of Divine retributions. The Lord's red-hot judgments, at times,, stagger nations. Surely God has lately been voicing His protest to men against the oblitera- tion of His holy day, by His signal judgments upon the world.
How marked is God's hand in the destruction of San Francisco, a Sab- bathless city, in a State without any Sabbath law. What terrible calamities have recently fallen upon this Sabbath-desecrating land and world ! Note how many of those God-sent disasters have been falling lately upon great Sabbath-profaning organizations, such as railroads, steamboats, trolley lines, iron mills and manufactories. Our world is suffering now from devastating
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 57
fires, floods, famines, pestilence, and other judgments. Has not God a con- troversy now with the nations for Sabbath desecration? Nothing so surely entails upon a nation the malediction of Heaven as contempt shown for God's authority and holy day. Many are the discouraging signs now as shown in a wide spread and growing disregard for the Sabbath and its proper observance. This has manifestation to-day even in Christian churches. Divine worship is; now being secularized by the displacing of the preached Word on the Lord's Day, by Children's Day entertainments, by services with stereopticon scenes and moving pictures, song services and semi-reHgious lectures.
Also by hiring of singers and musicians, even with no religion, to do the praising of God in worship on His holy day. Hasn't entertainment now largely taken the place of devotion and of spiritual worship? Indifference is shown in irregular attendance upon the sanctuary, or in attending one service only. In buying or reading papers issued on the Sabbath ; in visiting, feasting, going to races, ball grounds, amusement parks, watering places, or on excur- sions, and by unnecessary work and travel on God's Day.
By setting of funerals needlessly on the Sabbath, often to the interference with church services. By increasing observance on the Sabbath by Protestant churches of Romish days; by attendance at public libraries, museums, art gal- leries, instead of God's House ; by sessions of Congress and Legislatures held on the Sabbath ; by efforts to have Sabbath laws repealed and to get loose laws licensing evils. Hordes of godless foreigners are invading our land, who disregard Sabbath laws, and by turning liberty into license would make our Sabbath like the desecrated Sabbaths on the Continent.
Seventh Day Adventists, Jews, infidel societies. Anarchists, saloon keep- ers, liquor and liberal leagues, and a subsidized press, are combined for the Sabbath's overthrow.
Sabbath-desecrating newspapers are in the very ranks of the enemies of the Sabbath. Railroad traffic, opening of post offices, theatres, and work in great mills, is inci-easing on the Lord's Day. Probably two million men in our land to-day are being held under the bondage of seven-day toil under the lash of godless' greed. The Lord's Day is now imperiled. It must be released from the grasp of avarice, commerce, competition and pleasure, and be con- secrated anew to rest and devotion.
Sabbath desecration is now done under the false plea of necessity._ The Sabbath's sanctity is its own safeguard. Destroy it as a day for worship and it ceases to be a day for rest. "'A land without a Sabbath," then what? A Sabbath obliterated,"then morals destroyed. Toiling masses enslaved and left without hope in God. The foundations of civilization, order, liberty, society, church and State shattered.
No Sabbath, no worship ; no worship, no morals ; no morals, then an- archy! pandemonium!! A dark picture. But God be praised, there is another, a brighter side. ]\Iodern tendencies now, are not all away from the Sabbath of Holy Writ.
There are many things to-day to encourage all lovers of the Holy Sab- bath. During the year past greater advancement was made in world Sabbath observing than in many previous years.
Here in Allegheny county large mills like the INIcClintock-Marshall Con- struction Co., Firth Sterling Steel Co.. and the McKeesport Tin Plate Co., excepting repair work, have stopped all labor on God's Day. Many States are improving their Sabbath laws, while judicial decisions are, in general, favor- able.
The Colorado Supreme Court by decision closed Denver's barber shops on the Sabbath. Excursion trains are abolished and traffic on the Sabbath largely reduced by three great railway systems, viz : Burlington, Chicago and North- western, and Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul. A profitable street car line near Winona Park, Indiana, runs no cars on the Sabbath. Both the gates and the grounds of Jamestown Exposition are closed by Congress on the Lord's
58 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Day. Georgia, by Supreme Court decision, prohibits all running of freight trains on the Sabbath.
Idaho has just enacted a Sabbath law. In New Jersey and Kentucky saloons are now closed by law on the Sabbath. In Missouri, Governor Folk closed on the Sabbath the saloons of St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joe, and other cities, resulting in a reduction of crime one-third.
Governor Hoch, of Kansas, and Governor Hanly, of Indiana, have both been acting similarly and with good results. The mayors of twelve large cities have been lately closing saloons on the Lord's Day. The "International Federation of Sabbath Rest Associations of America" now enrolls five Can- adian organizations and most of our State associations.
The Dominion of Canada has lately enacted the strictest and most sweeping Sabbath law of any modern nation. It barred out twenty thousand Sabbath-desecrating newspapers from the States ; it stops all excursions and all unnecessary handling of freieht and labor on the Lord's Day, under heavy penalties. It releases about one hundred thousand men from seven day toil. Australia, by law, closes all places of work from Saturday noon until Mon- day morning. Argentina has recently enacted a Sabbath law. France has now a seventh-day rest law, strictly enforced, based on purely humanitarian grounds. Nine European nations have made advancement, by enacting laws favorable to cessation of toil on the Sabbath. In China has occurred a miracle of this twentieth century. The Emperor issued an edict requiring the ob- servance of the Sabbath on the first day of the week as a rest day throughout that vast Empire, basing it, not upon religious principles, but on social economics. However, it stamps government approval upon Christianity as the religion of the leadiris: nations, and gives Gospel missionaries a vantage ground they never had before.
We should "thank God and take courage," as we now behold such a grand awakening towards Lord's Day observance all over the world. How glad we should be to see the European nations and unchristianized peoples setting apart the Lord's Day for rest, as God's precious gift to mankind !
A land with an observed Sabbath, how blessed! how grand! The jubilee of men ! A Sabbath-keeping world is coming, speedily ; then there will be the ]Millennial-Golden-Age.
The Synod, having heard with great pleasure and profit the Rev. Frederick J. Stanley, D.D.. of New York, General Secretary of the Amer- ican Sabbath Union, on Thursday, May 23d, endorses the very important work of this Association, and recommends the cooperation of our people.
B. M. Sharp, Thomas Patton, M. M. Pearce.
Committee on National Reform reported. Report received, amended and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF THE COM^IITTEE ON NATIONAL REFORM.
The Committee on National Reform would respectfully report :
There is still need for the great work of National Reform. The Govern- ment of the United States is still defiant in its opposition to Jesus Christ, the King of nations.
"We will not have this man to reign over us" is the voice of this Govern- ment to the people of the United States and to a listening world.
This voice sounds out from our national Constitution, that contains no acknowledgment of Jesus Christ or his law, and exalts the will of the people as the supreme source of power.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 59
The Government of the United States sends out 15,000 mail trains every Sabbath day, and employs 150,000 people every Sabbath in the service of the mails.
Two hundred thousand saloons are licensed by the United States to spread woe and sorrow and bring to drunkards' graves 100,000 every year.
In the twenty-five causes of divorce, God's law regulating the marriage relation is dishonored. The Word of God is taken out of the schools in many places, and every vestige of religion is taken from the early training of the youth.
The history of our Government is largely one of oppression and wrong done to the Negroes, the Indians, and other races. Against all this corrup- tion The National Reform Association has been nobly contending for many years. She has a great work given to her and a great deal still remains to be done.
The reformation of the nation is an honoring service done to God. It links the reformers with a noble line of heroes of the past. Moses, Samuel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as well as the Apostles of our Lord, are among those who have engaged in national reform in the past.
The pra3^er of John Knox, "God give me Scotland or I die," is a prayer for the reformation of the nation.
The educating power of law makes the influence of a Christian govern- ment "mighty" upon the world for good. If this nation should cast her crown before the feet of Jesus Christ and honor his law, making it the fountain head of all legislation, she would do more in one day to bring her people to Christ than all the evangelists of earth could do in weeks.
We have reason to feel encouraged at what has been done. While it is true that the Constitution of the United States has not yet been amended to make the proper recognition of Almighty God as the source of all authority in civil government, and of the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of nations, and the Word of God as the supreme standard of law and morality, yet during the past forty years a very great change for the better .has taken place. The agitation of great moral questions has had a good effect upon the people at large. Public immorality has been driven before an awakened public con- science to seek hiding.
Prejudices that were very strong at one time against the aims of the movement are awakening.
Many of the State constitutions, while the name of Christ does not appear, do make a recognition of the name of God through efforts directed upon the conventions drafting them. It is being more generally recognized that public marals must have a constitutional basis or they cannot long exist against the claims of adversaries.
The report of the Executive Committee indicates that the past year has been one of orogress.
The prayers and sympathy of the Church will go out for Rev. T. H. Acheson that he may be speedily recovered.
We recommend the following :
1. That the ministers and people endeavor to encourage the representa- tives in Congress to pass the anti-polygamy amendment that is likely to come up at the coming session of Congress.
2. That we recommend this cause to the prayers and financial support of the people.
3. That in view of the enlarging opportunities and urgent needs of this work we urge all our congregations to contribute the full amount of Synod's appropriation.
R. J. G.\ULT,
D. C. Mathews.
6o MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.
To the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church :
The Executive Committee of the National Reform Association has held its regular quarterly meetings during the past year, the sub-committee has met every month and reported to this committee, and the secretaries have reported their work regularly and fully. The items of chief interest are here presented.
I. Our Secretaries.
Dr. H. H. George, the Field Secretary, has been able to give only a small part of his time to the work. He visited Washington in the interest of the Anti-Polygamy Amendment.
The General Secretary, Dr. T. P. Stevenson, has edited the Christian Statesman and other literature, spent one week at Winona Lake, Indiana, during the Institute and Conference held there last August, delivering ad- dresses daily, has conducted an extensive correspondence, and has attended most of the conventions and manj- public meetings held in the interest of the cause.
Secretary T. H. Acheson, having been restored from the effects of the railroad disaster which laid him aside for a year, resumed work Maj' 1st, 3906, and continued for ten months. During this period, in addition to his work in addressing public meetings, he aided in editing the Christian States- man, wrote articles for other publications and carried on an extensive cor- respondence and collected about $1,800. Not having fully regained his health, he was unable to continue such strenuous labors, and on the advice of his physician has retired from active service till the first of Sep- tember.
Secretary J. ]\I. Wylie was appointed to labor in the territory west of the Mississipoi river, and accepted the appointment temporarily.' He did most valuable work in connection with the convention which met to frame a constitution of the new State of Oklahoma. He obtained the cooperation of leading ministers and churches, enlisted the support of members of the convention, secured the introduction of a form of preamble containing an express ackowledgment of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Ruler of nations, gained an effective hearing before the committee to which the preamble was referred, the report of the committee leading to an earnest discussion on the floor of the convention. The form of preamble advocated by our secretary was not adopted, yet successful resistance was offered to those who wished to exclude all mention of God from the constitution, and to those who favored such an indefinite acknowledgment as "the Supreme Ruler of the Universe." The work of Secretary J. R. Dill has been confined to Eastern Pennsyl- vania, Delaware and New Jersey. His work has gained in strength and effec- tiveness by its concentration within a definite field. He has succeeded in securing the co-operation of most of the ministers in the places visited, has collected more than $1,000 and has secured numerous subscribers to the Christian Statesman.
The local secretaries who have been active during the past year are J. M. Foster, of Boston, Mass. ; J. S. Martin, of New Castle, Pa., and E. S. Littell, of Zelienople, Pa., all of whom have rendered valuable service.
II. Meetings and Conventions.
The exact number of public meetings held and addresses and sermons delivered in behalf of this cause cannot be given, but an approximate estimate is four hundred. Conventions and conferences were held in Lancaster, Frankford, West Chester. Harrisburg, York, Butler, New Castle and Beaver Falls, Pa., Boston, Mass.. and Winona Lake, Indiana.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 6l
The annual meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, Beaver Falls, Pa., December 4th and 5th, in connection with the two days' conference arranged by the friends in that locality. All the addresses of this conference were of a high order and the reports of the officers and committees of the Association showed that efficient work had been done and that the amount of such work is limited only by the means at hand for its support. The first evening of this conference was occupied with a public debate on the question : Resolved, that the Constitution of the United States should be so amended as to embody the Christian Principles of Civil Government. The Rev. Dr. A. H. Lewis, of Plainfield, New Jersey, editor of the Sabbath Recorder, the organ of the Seventh Day Baptists, who supported the negative ^ide of the question, declared at the outset his acceptance of all the Christian principles of civil government as held by this Association. Doul^tless his attitude is that of many others, and shows the need of instruction as to the place of a written constitution and what it should contain.
III. Our Literature
In addition to the regular monthly publication of the Christian States- man a number of new documents have been issued. The titles of these are "To an Unknown God," "The Christian Amendment and the Liquor Traffic." "A Plea for Religion in the Nation," and tive numbers of the series entitled, "Studies in Christian Citizenship." This series will consist of about thirty numbers and is designed to cover the fundamental principles which underlie the National Reform movement, the practical questions in which these prin- ciples are involved, the methods of work for the right settlement of these questions. After the document entitled, "A Plea for Religion in the Nation" has received approval and the signatures of a number of influential people, a large edition will be printed for wide circulation. During the year the Associa- tion has issued 1.944,000 pages. It is the earnest desire and confident expec- tation of the committee that the friends of the cause of Christian civil govern- ment will come forward with liberal contributions to aid in the publication of these documents and will cooperate in the effort for their wide distribu- tion.
IV. Finances.
The report of the financial agent shows an increase of receipts from all souj^es over those of last year of more than a thousand dollars. By the multiplying of our labors, thus securing the wide dissemination of the truth, it is to be expected that new friends will constantly be enrolled and the liberality of former friends increased. Special inention should be made of the fact that some of our life-long fviends and supporters, when the time came to make a final disposition of their property, generously remembered this cause by making liberal bequests. It is suggested that Synod express approval of this example and recommend it as worthy of imitation.
V. Work for the Coming Year.
The agitation throughout the country concerning the use of the Bible in the public schools, the maintenance of the Sabbath, the reformation of laws relating to the family, the liquor traffic and other moral issues in the civil sphere, keeps before us constantly the vastness of the field in which we labor, the call for constant and strenuous effort, the necessity of keeping the Christian principles of civil government to the front as the onl}^ proper basis on which these issues can be settled, and the need of divine guidance in all that is undertaken. Great assistance could be rendered this committee if one or more persons in each State would keep us advised as to new legisla- tion relating to moral questions, the decisions of courts in important cases, or other events touching the application of the principles involved in this move- ment.
62 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
During the coming year plans for the proposed World's Conference must be perfected. The favor with which the proposition has been received justifies the committee in proceeding with arrangements to hold the conference in Philadelphia in October, 1909. The efficiency with which the work of prep- aration can be done will depend largely on the moral and financial help given by the friends of the cause. The plan is worthy of the most liberal support.
When Congress assembles next December an opportunity will be afforded for pressing an Anti-Polygamy amendment to the National Constitution based on the law of Christ. Every minister and member in the Church should seize the opportunity thus afforded for laboring in behalf of Christian civil government.
We ask that the same amount as last year be appropriated to this cause and that the people throughout the Church be urged to raise the full amount of the appropriation.
Dr. T. P. Stevenson has been appointed to speak for this cause before the Synod.
R. C. Wylie, T. P. Stevenson, H. H. George, J. S. Martin, R. M. DowNiE, J. S. Thompson, R. H. Martin, D. McAllister, • D. C. Martin, John A. Dodds,
' J. S. TiBBY,
W. A. C. Brown.
Committee on Temperance reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON TEMPERANCE.
The Permanent Committee on Temperance would respectfully report that, early in the year, circulars were sent out asking each session to ap- point some one as a correspondent to represent the congregation in tem- perance work; in some cases it was necessary to repeat this notice but we have secured correspondence in a large majority of the congregations.
It is our desire to keep in touch with all the temperance work being done in the Church and also to lend a hand where there is an opportunity for work.
We have also sent out to those correspondents, for distribution in the congregations, stickers containing temperance sentiments.
Twelve styles have been printed, as follows : —
JVItcH yon issue a liquor license you dicker with the pozvers of hell.
No Le(iislature can bargain azvay the public health or public morals.
The saloon cannot be licensed zvithout sin.
Money paid for revenue ta.res is the bukvark of the liquor traffic.
The saloon cannot run zvithout boys. Have you one to spare f
Do you respect the religion of those zvho favor the saloon F
The saloon backer is a traitor to his country.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 63
Intemperance drives out purity, prosperity, patriotism
The same flag cannot protect both the home and the saloon.
Licensing the saloon puts the morals of the people on the bargain counter.
Saloons create drinking Iiabifs oftener than drinking habits demand saloons.
The liquor traffic is the pirate of commercial life.
We have printed 149,000 of these, and a large part have been sent nut.
This work also puts it within the power of every member of the Church to identify with this movement and bear a part in the battle. We also sent cards to all ministers, asking for outline of a sermon. A large number responded, and were printed in Church papers.
Reports were asked for from congregations showing temperance work being done in the various localities.
In the vicinity of a number of our congregations vigorous campaigns have been waged in which our people took part.
Expenses of printing and postage $164.40
Receipts 57-00
Balance due $107.40
These sentiments have also been printed on posters for use in Okla- homa, and the brethren there are giving some time in posting them in public places.
The adoption of the new constitution in that Territory makes this work both timely and necessary.
We believe that the work of disseminating temperance facts should be pushed by our Church and that we could by organizing a press bureau fur- nish our Church papers each week with items of interest and also put into a great number of local papers in our bounds items that they would insert in their columns, and in this way offset the columns of advertising that are now inserted by the contracts of the liquor interests.
We could also in this way keep the Church apprised of the progress of the conflict in the bounds of our congregations.
We look forward to the time when we as a Church will be able to put a man in the field to agitate this matter of temperance in our Church.
A communication was received in January from the Permanent Com- mittee on Temperance of the Presbyterian and United Presbyterian Churches, calling a meeting of the Church Committee on Temperance on January 30th and 31st, 1907, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The answer was returned that the distance to be traveled prevented our attendance. A further communication from the Committee proposed that we appoint some one to represent us at this meeting. This communica- tion reached us on February 1st.
Later a copy of their action was forwarded to us and is as follows:
BASIS OF AGREEMENT.
Adopted by the National Inter-Church Temperance Conference Held at Pittsburgh, Penna., January 30TH and 31ST. 1907.
This Conference met at the joint call of the Committees on Temperance of the United Presbyterian Church of North America and the Presbyterian Church. U. S. A. The inception of this movement was the action of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, twenty-six years ago when, in constituting its Permanent Committee on Temperance, it enjoined among other duties that of "initiating measures for promoting similar action by other branches of the Evangelical Church." To various subsequent Assemblies report was made of the progress of such correspondents, until, in 1903, when
64 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
the following specific command was given : '"Resolved. That we direct the Permanent Committee on Temperance to open correspondence with the offi- cers or judicatories of sister Churches, asking that Temperance Committees be by them appointed with a view to mutual conference and combined effort against our common foe, the liquor traffic." The Permanent Committee's re- ports of IQ04 and 1905 each tells of additional Churches establishing Per- manent Committees on Temperance ; whereupon the General Assembly of 1906 approved the following plan of federation in Temperance work: "That the proper official of one denomination shall issue an invitation to other de- nominations to appoint delegates to a National Inter-Church Conference to consider the feasibility of a Church Temperance Federation. When these del- egates have formulated and agreed upon a basis of federation and this basis shall have been ratified bv the participating Churches it shall then become operative." Pursuant to this action the Conference herein referred to was called.
Including corresponding members, almost one hundred persons, from widely separated portions of the United States, participated in this Conference, sixteen denominations being represented.
Long experience and a large correspondence had convinced us that the Church, in her organized capacity and in her own name and authority, ought to combat the evil of intemperance and the liquor traffic. How to do this was the problem. The offi.cial Temperance Committee seems to be the answer of the Church to this question.
But there was much imcertainty and some diversity of opinion concern- ing the character and scope of work proper for such Commitees to under- take. If they were to be active, there must be something definite before them to do. They would not duplicate the work of other organizations, therefore their own sphere must be defined. As workers in other lines find mutual con- ference through a common organization helpful, so the twelve Church Tem- perance Committees already established need a central agency through which they may confer and act when desirable.
Therefore, in the interest of harmony and efficiency, and to avoid con- fused and embarrassing relations, a basis of agreement setting forth the object, character, extent and limitations of Church temperance w"ork was desirable and necessary.
After mature and prayerful deliberation the Conference agreed upon the following basis to be presented to the supreme judicatories of the various de- nominations for consideration and to the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America with a view to becoming connected with said Council :
BASIS OF AGREEMENT. Preaimule.
Believing the liquor habit and liquor traffic to be the greatest menace to our beloved country and the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ; the source of political corruption, of waste and pauperism, of immorality and vice, of lawlessness and crime, of disease and death, of rtiined hom.es and lost souls;
And believing that the legalization of the liquor traffic is contrary to the Word of God and the best interests of humanity and country ;
And belie\'in,g that the time has come, in the providence of God, when the whole Christian Church in our land ought to join voice, heart and hand in a persistent and thoroughly organized campaign for temperance, and throw the whole weight of her moral influence in favor of the legal suppression of the beverage liquor traffic.
Therefore, the members of the National Inter-Church Temperance Con- ference, assembled in the city of Pittsburgh, representing sixteen denomina- tional bodies, do hereby recommend the following plan for the permanent National Inter-Church Temperance Council, to be submitted to the various ecclesiastical bodies for their approval :
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Name.
The name of this organization shall be the National Inter-Church Tem- perance Council.
Objects.
The objects of this National Inter-Church Temperance Council shall be :
1. To express the unity of the Church in temperance principles and in her aggressive temperance work.
2. To promote Gospel temperance in the name of the Church, with the authority of the Church, supported by the Church, and responsible to the Church.
3. To secure the mutual counsel and the larger combined influence for the Churches of Christ in the temperance cause.
4. Unification of Church temperance effort by agreement upon plans and methods of work, and the practical measures most worthy of promotion by the whole Church, so that denominational temperance work shall not be di- visive, but combined in moral sweep and impact.
5. To so inculcate temperance principles as to preserve the rising gener- ation from the ravages of intemperance and to produce a stalwart army in opposition to the liquor traffic.
6. To create a sentiment which will compel the civil authorities to per- form their whole duty concerning the traffic, prevent any seeming necessity for any Christian directly or indirectly supporting, encouraging, condoning or acquiescing in this heinous wickedness, and impress upon the individual Chris- tian his duty to refrain from giving any encouragement to the traffic.
7. To enlist pulpit, platform and printing-press in behalf of better tem- perance laws, and to protest against non-enforcement or violation of existing laws.
8. To preserve the Church from entangling political alliances, and yet make clear the duty of Christian people to use the ballot against a traffic which is the enemy alike of Church and State.
9. To make clear the duty and ability of the Church to prohibit and overthrow the legalized liquor traff.c whenever she so wills.
Limitations.
1. The National Inter-Church Temperance Council shall not attempt to commit the Christian Church to any political party nor enter into any election campaign for party candidates.
2. The National Inter-Church Temperance Council shall be limited in its sphere of operation to the lines indicated in these articles of agree- ment. It shall not attempt to legislate for the constituent bodies on the temperance question, but only give expression of its counsel or recommend a course of action in matters of common interest to churches and in- dividuals. It shall have no authority to limit in any way the full autonomy of the Christian bodies adhering to it in their temperance work. On the other hand, no denomination shall speak for the Council on any matter upon which it has not specifically declared itself.
Basis of Membership.
I. The following named ecclesiastical bodies shall be eligible to mem- bership in the National Inter-Church Temperance Council or any of its branches, and such other ecclesiastical bodies as may hereafter adopt these rules of agreement and be admitted by the National Council: Baptist, Christian, Church of God, Congregational. Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Evangelical Association, Evangelical Synod of North America, Friends,
t^ MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Lutheran, Methodist. Mennonites, Moravian. Presbyterian, Reformed Churches, United Brethren. United Evangelical.
2. Any denominational bodv entitled to membership herein may be- come such when it shall have oflicially ratified the articles of agreement and appointed its representatives to act oflicially in the Council, which repre- sentatives shall be elected in such manner and at such time as each affiliated body shall determine.
3. Each ecclesiastical body shall be entitled to four members (two ministers and two laymen"), and two additional members (one minister and one layman) for each 200,000 m.ember^hip or major fraction thereof.
Officers.
1. The ofificers of the National Inter-Church Temperance Council shall be a president, one vice-president from each of the constituent bodies, a corresponding secretary, and a treasurer, each of whom shall perform the duties usually assigned to such ofificers.
2. The corresponding secretary shall be the official representative of the National Inter-Church Temperance Council, under the direction of the executive committee. He shall he charged with the correspondence relative to the work of the Council, enlisting the cooperation of other ecclesiastical bodies, devising the best plans and methods of temperance work, and maintaining an efficient temperance bureau.
.3. There shall be an executive committee which shall consist of seven ministers and seven laymen (not more than two of whom shall be of the same denomination), together with the president, the. corresponding sec- retary, the recording secretary, and the treasurer. The executive commit- tee shall have authority to attend to all business of the National Council in the interval between its meetings, submitting report of its transactions to the annual meeting of the National Council for approval.
Elections.
1. All officers shall be chosen at the regular meeting of the Council, and shall hold office until their successors take office.
2. The president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary and treasurer shall be elected by the National Council on nomi- nation by the executive committee for the year just closing.
3. The executive committee shall be elected by ballot after nomina- tion by the nominating committee, consisting of one representative named by the delegates of each affiliated body present.
4. Vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled by the appoint- ment of the executive committee.
Finances.
The expenses of the National Inter-Church Temperance Council for its meetings and its work shall be provided for by the several constituent bodies, pro rata according to membership, through the denominational temperance agencies.
Auxiliary Councils.
The question of the formation and operation of auxiliary Councils .shall be referred to the constituent bodies of the next meeting of the National Inter-Church Temperance Council.
reformed presbyterian church. 67
Meetings.
The National Inter-Church Temperance Council shall hold its meeting each year (unless otherwise directed by two-thirds vote of the executive committee), at such time and place as may be determined upon by the executive committee.
Quorum.
Delegates from a majority of the constituent bodies having representa- tives present shall constitute a quorum.
Amendments.
These articles of agreement may be altered or amended by the majority vote of the members of the Council, followed by a majority vote of the bodies present, each body voting separately.
Relation to the Federation of Churches.
It is the purpose of this National Inter-Church Temperance Council to co-operate with the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, as far as the work is related to that of said Federation, in addition to reporting to the several denominational bodies forming this National Council.
Resolutions.
Resolved (i) : That the preamble and articles of agreement which we have considered be approved for reference to the denominational bodies herein named for official action, and appointment of representatives to the proposed National Inter-Church Temperance Council for completion of that organization in accordance with instruction from the various de- nominational bodies.
Resolved (2) : That it be the sense of this conference that the con- stituent bodies in adopting these articles of agreement and appointing their representatives should style their committee, "The committee on temperance and moral reform."
Resolved (3): We request the committees which called this conference to conduct the correspondence with other denominations herein named rela- tive to becoming constituents members of the National Inter-Church Tem- perance Council, imtil at least seven denominations shall have acted favor- ably upon these -articles of agreement, when they shall call a meeting of the official delegates of the denominations for completing the organization, — which meeting we suggest should if possible be held prior to the next meeting of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America.
Resolved (4) : That we recognize the importance and the value of non-ecclesiastical temperance agencies in the prosecution of temperance work, and bid them Godspeed in their noble effort.
A true copy. Attest : John F. Hill, Secretary.
We recommend, ist. That our people be urged to make use of the Temperance stickers and that the Committee be directed to continue to furnish them.
2d. In view of the importance of the Temperance conflict in Okla- homa we recommend that the use of Temperance posters and other means of creating right public sentiment be prosecuted in Oklahoma and to aid in
this work, the Synod appropriate $ for this Oklahoma
Avork.
5
68 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
3d. That the Committee be directed to secure some competent person who will secure and collect Temperance items and furnish these to the Church papers and all other papers so far as they may be reached.
4th. That the fourth Sabbath of November (24th) be set apart for Temperance sermons and discourses, and that a collection be taken on this Sabbath for the meeting of all bills unpaid, as noted in the above re- port and the expenses that will be incurred in the above recommendations.
5th. We recommend that the Committee be directed to have printed and distributed posters so far as they are called. for in our congregations or elsewhere.
6th. We report that there was held under your direction a Temperance Conference in the Allegheny Church on the evenning of May 23d, and a collection amounting to $237.03, was taken up for the purpose of carrying on the suits against the saloon now pending in the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana. In forwarding this money this letter was sent with it: — The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, assembled in Allegheny, Pa., sends this contribution to aid in carrying to a favorable decision in the Supreme Court of the United States, the contention that the saloon is unconstitutional and a nuisance; and that we may have a stainless flag and a saloonless state.
W. W. Carithers, Chairman, A. M. Mitchell, T. G. Graham.
On motion the matter of cooperating with the National Inter- Church Temperance Conference was referred' to a special committee, to report at next Synod.
Recess was taken until 2 P. M. Prayer by D. McAllister.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Same place, 2 P. M., Synod met and was led in prayer by J. W. Sproull.
Roll called. Minutes read and approved.
Committee on Theological Seminary and Education reported. Report received, and taken up item by item for adoption. Item re- lating to Geneva College stricken out.
The matter brought up by memorial of the students of the Theo- logical Seminary was laid on the table and referred to a special com- mittee, to report at the next meeting of Synod. The report as amended was adopted and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND
EDUCATION.
Your Committee would respectfully report:
Four papers have been placed in our hands, viz., the report of the Superintendents of the Theological Seminary. The report of the Board of Trustees of Geneva College. The report of the Board of Corporators of
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 69
Geneva College, and a memorial from the students of the Seminary with reference to students preaching before licensure.
From the report of the Superintendents of the Seminary it is evident, that the condition of that institution is highly satisfactory and we commend it to the fullest confidence and support, both financial and moral, of the whole Church.
We recommend that Walter T. Miller and Dr. David McAllister be chosen their own successors on the Board of Superintendents. Also, in view of the feeble condition of Dr. McAllister's health and his consequent inability to attend regularly the meetings, that Rev. W. J. Coleman also be chosen a member of the Board of Superintendents.
The reports of the Board of Trustees of Geneva College and of the Board of Incorporators, which have been read in this court, have set forth fully the condition of that institution.
We therefore recommend :
1. That the whole Church be urged, in response to the appeal of the Board of Incorporators, to rally to the support of the College with her means and her prayers.
2. That Walter T. Miller be chosen his own successor on the Board of Corporators.
G. M. RoBB, H. B. McMillan, P. J. McDonald, William Blair, J. E. Carithers.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
The Board of Superintendents of the Theological. Seminary would re- spectfully report:
The Board met in the Seminary Hall, Allegheny, April 30th, 1907, and adjourned on Wednesday evening, May ist, 1907.
Nineteen students were in attendance, viz. :
Third Year— John Coleman, W.'O. Ferguson, E. C. Mitchell, W. M. Robb, D. R. Taggart and A. A. Wylie.
Second Year — S. G. Finney, A. A. Johnston, S. M. Morrow, R. W. Piper and R. E. Willson.
First Year- — ^William Arthur Aikin, Paul Coleman, Josiah Dodds Edgar, David Bruce Elsey, Frank Dean Eraser, Walter Clyde McClurkin, Elmer Russell and Owen Foster Thompson.
The attendance of the students this year was good, nine out of the nineteen not having missed a recitation.
The discourses and examinations were unanimously sustained.
Professor Sleeth gave instruction in elocution.
Certificates to their respective Presbyteries were given to the students of the second year, and diplomas to the students of the third year.
We transfer to Synod a memorial of the students with reference to the action of the Synod of 1889, permitting students to occupy our pulpits under the direction of the pastor.
The terms of Dr. McAllister and Mr. Walter T. Miller expire. Their successors should be elected,
We ask for the Seminary Fund, $2,000.
T. P. Stevenson, Chairman. J. W. Sproull, Secretary.
yo MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS OF GENEVA
COLLEGE.
To the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church :
The Board of Corporators of Geneva College presents its annual report:
The past year has brought important changes in the institution under our care. The report of our Board of Trustees, herewith transmitted, will inform the Synod of the nature of these changes.
The Board of Trustees through its Secretary and other members brought before us the conditions which in its judgment made necessary the action taken. It is not necessary to eml)ody these facts in our report to Synod.
it is sufficient to say that cerain unsatisfactory conditions made it evident that sooner or later radical changes must take place, and the financial situation of the college precipitated the crisis. The rtile of Synod that the running expenses of the College must be kept within its income is imperative; and the annually accumulating debt showed that this could not be done without a readjustment..
Without entering into further details we state the conclusions reached by the Board of Corporators after careful investigation.
First. We fully concur in the judgment of our Board of Trustees that the state of afifairs demanded that there should be a reconstruction of the Facult\' as a whole.
Second. It is due to all to state in the clearest and most emphatic terms that the action of our Board of Trustees in asking for the resigna- tions of all the members of the College Faculty, and in declaring vacant all the Professors' chairs, neither expresses nor does' it imply any degree of censure whatever upon any member of the Faculty, individually.
Third. That we modify the action of the Board of Trustees to the extent of retaining Dr. Johnston as President, with W. H. George as assistant during the coming year.
Our whole Board of Trustees is elected annually, and, in accordance with the request of the present Board, we have appointed a committee to take into consideration the composition of the Board for the coming year, with a view to securing the most careful supervision of the interests of the College.
While it was natural and inevitable that the radical course adopted for securing relief from conditions which all admit demanded correction should be the subject of criticism on the part of those unacquainted with the facts, yet it is our confident belief that when the circumstances are more fully understood this unfavorable judgment will be revised and modified, and whatever view may be held as to the mode of procedure, the results will be cordially accepted by all the friends of College.
We appeal, therefore, to the whole Church to rally to the support of this institution, to lift it out of its financial embarrassment, which is largely due to the failure of the Church in the recent years to contribute the amount appropriated by Synod for its aid ; and to give to Geneva College a larger place in their prayers and intercessions before God.
The Board of Corporators endorses the request of the Board of Trustees as to the appropriation for the coming year.
T. P. Stevenson has been appointed to represent the Board of Cor- porators on the floor of Synod.
The term for which Walter T. Miller was elected as Synodical mem- ber of the Board of Trustees has expired and his successor should be chosen.
Respectfuly submitted,
T. P. Stevenson, President. R. J. George, Secretary.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 71
REPORT OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF GENEVA COLLEGE. To the Board of Corporators of Geneva College:
Sirs : — Your Board of Trustees respectfully report : We have held ten meetings since our appointment. In general the work has proceeded in a quiet way during the year Dr. Johnston has labored faithfully in his efforts to increase the Endowment fund and has so far succeeded that he thinks that he will be able to report the amount necessary to secure the gift of Mr. Carnegie by the time of the annual Commencement. This will, to some extent, depend on the liberality of those who have contributed nothing as yet to the fund. The President of the College at the close of the second term felt that he had so far succeeded in securing the required amount that he could complete the work by correspondence, and he asked and obtained leave from the Board to return to his work in the College.
We should give great credit to him for his laborious task of soliciting . funds for the institution, and it is the hope of the Board that both he and the generous friends that have come to the aid of the College, at his solicita- tion, will be rewarded in the development of the Christian character of the youth that may frequent the College in the years that are to come.
The Alumni have taken new interest in their Alma Mater. Three rep- resentatives appointed by the Alumni .A.ssociation appeared before your Board and expressed a desire to be in closer touch with the institution, and expressed their deep and abiding interest in her welfare. They ex- pressed themselves on behalf of the association that they represented as willing to do anything in their power to assist in making the College in- fluential in the Beaver Valley and surrounding country. These representa- tives are the honorable John B. Steel, Mr. Edwin F. Wendt, and Mr. Robert M. Pearce. These gentlemen were received by the Board and were invited to sit as consultative members. This privilege will also pertain to their successors. These representatives accepted the invitation of the Board, and have taken a great interest in all its proceedings. They have given much study to the needs of the College, and have also looked into the methods that are in use in other institutions of learning. They have counseled freely with the Board in the matters that pertain to the welfare of the College. Among the things suggested by them is the thorough enlisting the people of the valley in the interest of the College. There are sufficient young people within reach of Geneva and in the surrounding towns to make Geneva a well-sustained institution, provided that we can get them enlisted. Arrangements are being made for a systematic canvass of the community The Board also is very desirous to enlist the pastors of the congregations of the Church in an endeavor to send students here. The Faculty of the College feel very hopeful that we will have a large attendance next year. The attendance was not as large this year as in former years. We might mention a number of reasons for the falling off. There were large graduat- ing classes for two years that made it necessary, in order to keep up our number, that we should have larger new classes than we obtained. There is keen competition, and agents of other colleges have been very busy canvassing. During the past year the game of American Rugby foot-ball was not permitted, and the majority of the young people delight in the game and do not like to attend school where the game is not played. In parts of the Church there is opposition to the game being played in our College, but those who had opposed the game did not, as we had hoped, manifest any renewed interest in the College after the game was abolished. The faculty have thought wise to permit the game next year, but in a modified form, with special moral regulations and under the supervision of a Board composed of members of the faculty, one student and one member of the Alumni Association. While a largely increased attendance of students may not be secured by the reinstatement of the game, yet we hope that it
72 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
will serve to create and to foster the college spirit, and, if so, it will be very helpful in securing- students.
The graduating class numbered eight. Two received the degree of A.B., two that of B.S., and four that of B.M.
The health of students and professors has been good.
The finances of the College need the most careful attention. We have on previous occasions reported to you the overdraft on the current funds and mentioned some of the causes. This overdraft has increased. During the month of November last a statement was sent us by Synod's Board of Trustees. This Board notified us "that Synod's Board of Trustees would pay the salaries of the Professors of Geneva College for November, 1906 and that no further payments are to be made on account of Geneva College current account until Synod's Board of Trusteees is se- cured by collateral satisfactory to said Board of Trustees of Synod for the present overdraft of $6,566.21 and also for the prospective overdraft."
The College Board of Trustees in order to meet the conditions of the Financial Board offered a note "signed by the officers of the College Board lo cover all overdrafts. The Financial Board accepted this proffer, but with the understanding that special efforts will be made by the College Board to increase the receipts and reduce the expenses of the College for the next year. Your Board was face to face with a most weighty problem. A committee was appointed to visit the College and learn the conditions. This committee after a careful examination of affairs reported. Much censure was placed on the College Board for not giving more attention to the College affairs. The members of the Board had other duties, and while the Board had willingly assembled whenever there seemed to be need and were called to do so, had tried to assist the President of the College in formulating plans for the betterment of all concerned, yet owing to other responsibilities the Board had not been as attentive to the state of affairs, she had not watched the condition of the finances and taken that prompt action, had not counseled with the President and Faculty and shown that sympathy to the professors in cases of discipline or trouble that the great importance of the institution to the Church and society demanded. Dr. McAllister, owing to infirmity, had not been able to at- tend our meetings. Dr. Wilson, owing to his other duties, felt that he could not do the College justice by longer continuing on the Board and gave notice to that effect. Your Board resolved to ask j^ou, the Board of Corporators, to take into careful consideration the composition of the Board of Trustees, so that not only will men of ability be chosen, but we ask you to select men who can give some time to its important interests. The Board now at the roll call of each meeting makes inquiry of each member if he has visited the College since the last meeting of the Board. Your Board did not believe that we have too great teaching force at the present time, nor does it think it wise policy to curtail, but until the overdraft is paid off felt that we must reduce expenses. It also realized that if we are to make a successful canvass for students, we must keep the teaching force to the highest possible point of efficiency. At this point Prof. Otto F. Bert, who had always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the school, resigned the chair of .mathematics. Prof. J. M. Coleman had already obtained leave of absence to prosecute study in one of the universities. We did not think that the present teaching force couLd carry the work of both these profes- sors. That matter of faculty was referred to a committee. This committee recommended a reorganization. Geneva College has attained a high degree of success during the administration of the Rev. W. P. Johnston, D.D., LL.D., its worthy President. His gentle manners won the hearts of the students. Many young people have been inspired to a high and noble life by his words, counsel and example. Through his efforts Science Hall was erected. All the new endowment that has been secured was through his labors. The field now used for athletics, owned by the college, is due to
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 73
his faith and energy. He has borne the responsibilities of Geneva through times of trouble. The students that have gone from the college love Dr. Johnston. When he canvassed for money he made friends by his gentle- ness and courtesy. His character commands the admiration of the Church and the people of the vicinity of the college, and he is honored wherever he is known. That God will grant him long days of happiness and useful- ness is the wish and prayer of the members of the Board, and that in the end he shall receive the crown is the confident hope of all. He was made President Emeritus.
Rev. W. Henry George was chosen his successor. Mr. W. Henry George is the son of the Rev. H. H. George, D.D., who for years was the efficient President of Geneva. He is the pastor of the Vernon congregation, Wis- consin. He graduated, at Geneva, Harvard, the Allegheny Theological Seminary, and took a post-graduate course in the Princeton Theological Seminary, and from the latter place received the degree of Master of Arts. In all these places of learning he was respected by students and pro- fessors. He is a scholar, and we believe that he possesses those qualities of heart and judgment, and also has that Christian character, that will make him a great power for good in the college and in the Church. He is young in years but mature in judgment, and we believe that he lives near to Christ, and we know that, with the Divine blessing, he will succeed. We ask that he may have the loyal support of the Church.
We are now engaged in the work of reorganizing the faculty. The present overdraft is now $5,826.66. We ask that Synod name $2,500 as the amount to be raised in the annual collection. We also ask for a collection in the' interest of the Library. We appeal to the Synod for the active support of the pastors and elders in our efforts to secure a larger attendance of students for ihe future years. May we have the continued prayers of all those who are interested in the youth, in the future ministry of the Church and of all those who wish the triumph of the kingdom of our Lord.
Respectfully submitted,
A. KiLPATRiCK, President. J. R. Wylte, Secretary.
Committee on Systematic Beneficence reported. Report re- ceived and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE.
Commencing with 1882, annual reports have been presented on this im- portant subject. The position taken in the first report was that "the tithe, in its own nature and in the ends to be served by it, was not ceremonial or typical, but moral, and is therefore, like the Sabbath, of universal obligation." Every one of the twenty-five reports takes, substantially, the same ground.
Notwithstanding the fact that Synod has been urging this duty on the members of the Church so many j'ears, it is for a lamentation that, so far as known, a large proportion are not tithe payers. Some make the excuse that they do not know how to compute the tithe. In view of this you have in- structed your committee "to set forth, if possible, the true explanation of the principle of tithing." In our endeavor to do this we state some Bible principles which, we believe, have direct bearing on this subject.
I. God calls all men, first of all, to consecrate themselves to Him, as the Corinthian Christians did, who, as Paul says, first gave themselves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God, 2 Cor. 8: 5. He who has fully consecrated himself to God will not withhold his tithes.
74 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
II. All we have belongs to God. We are simply the Lord's stewards, in duty bound to use all He puts into our hands as He requires.
III. The Lord requires us to pay tithes. This appears :
1. From approved examples. We cite the ca.ses of Abraham and Jacob, Gen. 14 : 20 ; 28 : 22 ; Heb. 7 : 4-6. The fact that no command to pay tithes is found in the book of Genesis does not militate against this position any more than the fact that there is no express command in Genesis to offer sacrifices or to pray proves that God did not in that day require such services. The fact that men did in that day offer sacrifices and pray with acceptance is proof conclusive that such services were required. The same argument proves that tithe paying was a duty from the beginning of human history.
2. This lav/ was renewed in explicit terms to Israel. We read, "The tithe * * * is the Lord's," Lev. 27: 30. God always held the Jews as bound by this law. He charged those who withheld the titlies with robbery, Mai. 3 : 8.
3. The law has never been repealed. On the contrary, Jesus confirmed it when He said, concerning tithing mint, r.nise and cummin: "These ought ye to have done," Mat 23 : 23.
The question rnay be asked, '"Are there not those who may be excused from paying tithes r" We answer, the law is binding on all, but there may be those who, on the ground which justifies using a part or even the whole of the Sabl^ath in works which are secular, may also be justified in using a part or even the whole of the tithe for personal or family support. Such, however, are exceptional cases. The rule is that, regarding the law we shall not lack temporal or spiritual blessings.
IV. The question is asked, "How is the tithe to be computed?'' As the law was given to Israel, God claimed a tithe of the entire increase of the flock and of the field, Lev. 27: 30-32. But methods of business in ancient Israel were simple and expenses light. In our day the case is very different. In our day, in some cases, to tithe the entire receipts would leave little for family support and might even involve in debt ; hence we conclude that the law for our day is, TJie gross income less the casli outlay in prodticing it is to be tithed. The farmer may deduct from the market value of the products of his farm the ordinary cash outlay for machinery, for laborers, for cattle to con- sume his grain and for grain to feed his cattle. The renter of farm land may deduct his payment for rent. The business man who rents his place for busi- ness may deduct rent money, the cost of goods and clerk hire and other neces- sary expenses. The professional man maj' deduct from his income the cash outlay necessary in his professional calling. Nothing but the actual cost of production should be deducted from the gross income before tithing. All liv- ing expenses, such as house rent, taxes, food, fuel, clothing, etc., should be met from that which remains after the tithe is paid. In cases in which the cash outlay in securing the income is small it would be well to tithe the gross in- come. Better in every case to exceed the tithe than use any of the Lord's money for ourselves.
V. The tithe .should be paid systematically. The injunction, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as the Lord hath prospered him," i Cor. 16 : 2, teaches that there should be system both as to time and proportion. Every cause should be thoughtfully and prayerfully considered and each should receive its due proportion at the proper time. Church officers should be an example to all others. Parents should teach their children to tithe their dimes and half-dollars and thus raise up a generation of tithe-payers. It would be well if all congregations would adopt the enve- lope system.
VI. While we maintain that the tithe is the Lord's and that he whowith- holds it is robbing God, we do not say that this is the limit of obligation in every case. The world-wide commission which Christ has given His servants in this Gospel age calls not only for tithes, but for free-will offerings._ He who has a large income has not done his full duty when he has paid his tithes.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 75
Having freely received he should freely give. He should be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate and so lay up a good foundation against the time to come, that he may lay hold on eternal lite, I. Tim. 6: 18-IQ.
We present the following recommendations for adoption :
1. Synod holds that the law of the tithe is in full force in New Testa- ment times ; that God requires every one to devote at least one-tenth of his increase to His cause and that all who refuse to do so are guilty of robbery.
2. Synod holds that the gross income less only the cash outlay in produc- ing it should be tithed.
3. Synod holds that every one who has an income is bound by this law.
4. Synod urges every member of the Church to consider carefully all calls made upon him for the Lord's work and to give its due proportion to every cause.
5. Synod urges all congregations to adopt the envelope system and all members of the Church to contribute to the Lord's work in this way.
6. S3'nod urges every one who is increasing in wealth to make liberal free-will offerings to the Lord.
7. Synod urges pastors to preach from time to time on systematic benefi- cence; Church officers to be examples to all others, and all Church members, who see the importance of these things, to pray earnestly that the day may soon come when every one who names the name of Christ may bring the tithes into the storehouse and claims the promised blessing.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. Trumbull, R. J. George, M. M. Pearce, L. M. Samson, Henry O'Neill.
Report on Psalmody again taken up. Item 2 under discus- sion. In place of this item a substitute was adopted. The report as amended was adopted as a whole and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PSALMODY.
True worshippers everywhere ought to sing the Psalms. They excel all other songs. They are inspired. It was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that they were collected into a manual of praise, and they have thus a Divine appointment for a specific end. Then, in addition to the Divine appointment, there is the' Divine command, both in the Old Testament and in the New, to sing the Psalms. If for no other reason, therefore, they ought to be sung simply in order to obey the command. When God Him- self takes the pains to get a Psalter ready and tells us to sing its songs, we ought to do it.
But there are good reasons for sucli a command. One of them is that the plan of salvation lies at the basis not only of each individual Psalm, but of the whole collection in its present arrangement as well. The Psalter is the plan of redemption unfolded in song. It moves out like a galley with oars proudly ploughing its way from the outset between the righteous and the wicked, and riding into port in the end on flood tides of glory amid great and splendid cloudbursts of praise and joy unutterable. The Psalter sets forth the plan of redemption from its beginning to its consummation. The plan is ever present as the background forth from which the Psalms
76 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Stand out in bold relief. It is the framework by their attachment to which they rise as magnificent structures. It is the latent system according to whose laws they crystallize and sparkle in the light of Heaven. Not that the Psalms are the plan of redemption stated in theological terms, or elaborated according to any formal outline. Not that, but this rather — they are the plan of redemption personalized, taking shape, -as it were, in the soul, pervading and passing through the soul, and finally emerging from the soul in language moulded by the skill and the artistry of the only wise mmd. The Psalms may be said to be the rest of the Bible in essence — the rest of the Bible refined and polished into song — the rest of the Bible pre- pared for the heart — in solution, so to say, ready to be distilled, through the medium of experience, in the life, there to accumulate, until, under the pressure of the hand of Almighty God. they can rise in fountains of praise, clear as crystal, before the face of Him that sitteth on the throne. In a word, the Psalms are the plan of salvation experimentalized, and couched in songs that can wing their way to the heart of God, and they ought, on that account, to be simg in His praise to the end of time.
Now the design of the plan of redemption, of course, is to reveal God, and to make it possible for men to be perfect as he is perfect. Let us then, for a moment, regard the soul, for which the plan was prepared, as a sort of inland lake which is meant to reflect from its depths the image of God. If the lake is "pure and undefiled," the reflected imag^ of God will naturally be clear and distinct, and the consequent conduct, in turn, will be such as the conscious presence of God would be likely to inspire. If, on the con- trary, this spiritual lake should not be ''pure," that is, if its surface should happen to be covered with filth, and if at the same time it should not be "undefiled," that is, if its mirroring capacity should happen to be marred by turbidness or rippling waves, then the image received and given back would of necessity be dim and deflected, and the morals accordingly, as one might expect, would be proportionately loose and deplorable. But the thing that chills the heart to-day is that the morals of men in many quarters of the Church of Christ are loose and deplorable. False ideas prevail and are bearing their legitimate fruits. And the cause of it all is that the image of God in the hearts of professing Christians is becoming fatally dimmed and deflected. Men are harboring a vitiated vision of God and it is result- ing in erroneous views with respect to doctrine and conduct. What the Churches are in need of, therefore, whether they know it or not; what our own Church must guard more tenderly than the apple of the eye, is the Psalms— those songs that unveil the image and character of God, that dis- close the truth about His being and all His attributes and ineffable excellen- cies— those songs which are potent enough, when properly used, to cleanse the surface and still the waves of the soul, so that all men everywhere, with open face and placid spirit, reflecting as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, may be transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And the Psalms of the Lord of Hosts will do this. "The Book of Psalms," says Hengstenberg, "is full of the noblest_ testi- monies to the being of God and His perfections. ****** jhig jg o^ie chief reason why the Psalter is so precious to the afflicted. It presents God so clearly and vividly before their eyes that they see Him, in a manner, with their bodily sight, and find thereby the sting taken from their pains. In this, too, lies one great element of the importance of the Psalter for the present times. What men now most of all need is that the blanched image of God should again be freshened up in them. This, not the denial of par- ticular tenets of revelation, which is only a consequence of the other, and which can never be thoroughly eradicated so long as the fundarnental evil remains, is the deepest grief of the Church, and one which believers will still have to bear with. Those who would strive to effect, in this respect, a reformation in themselves or others, will find in the Psalms a mighty help. The more closely we connect ourselves with them, the more will God
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. TJ
cease to be to us a shadowy form, which can neither hear, nor help, nor judge us, and to which we can present no supplications." Thus, as Heng- stenberg puts it, it is the freshening up of the blanched image of God in the soul that is needed among Christians, and he finds in the Psalms "a mighty help." They ought to be sung.
But what will keep the Psalms in use? Not versions simply, or metres, or tunes. These, of course, ought to be good and substantial, never lame or frivolous. It it not the inane reiteration of the anthem, of the tintinnab- ulation of the preposterous chorus, that will keep the Psalms in use. Indeed, where the Psalms are already used, these do as much as possible to render them useless. The one thing needful is to know the meaning of the Psalms. It is the explanation that recommends them, and by that we mean the explanation that explains. If we can only get our people to grasp the meaning of the Psalms, they will hold them dear forever.
Your Committee submit for adoption the following recommendations:
1. That our ministry be urged to take special pains, in the explaining of the Psalms, to set before the people their divine origin and arrangement, their beginning and groundwork in experience, their structure, their scope, their value in brightening up the image of God in the soul, their distinctive Messianic character, and their e.Kclusive adaptability for purposes of praise.
2. That the pastors and sessions of such congregations as may be using unauthorized versions of the Psalms in the worship, in any department of their church work, be earnestly urged to discontinue the practice and con- form to the law of the Church on the subject.
W. J. McKnight, J. M. Johnston, John R. Steele.
The following resolutions were adopted : That a committee be appointed to report on an enlarged edition of our Psalm Selections.
That the report on Systematic Beneficence - be printed in tract form.
That James McCune be appointed to draft letters to be sent to W. W. Wilson, T. H. Acheson and W. M. George.
Recess was taken until 7 P. M. Prayer by J. M. Johnston.
EVENING SESSION.
Same place, 7 P. M., Synod met and was led in prayer by J. M. Foster. Minutes read and approved.
Committee on Discipline reported. Report received and taken up item by item for adoption. Item 2, relating to the ordination of E. J. Feuersohn, was laid on the table until next meeting of Synod. The report was adopted and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINE.
Your Committee on Discipline would report three papers have been re- ferred to us :
78 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
1. A paper from Illinois Presbytery asking answers to the following questions :
(a) What use can Covenanters make of telephones on the Sabbath when the control is in the hands of Sabbath breakers?
(b) Can Covenanters hold stock or office or vote for officers in telephone companies that violate the Sabbath?
(c) What is the duty of Covenanters when the majority of stockholders having a rule against unnecessary business on the Sabbath Day habitually violate their own rule?
2. The ordination of Licentiate E. J. Feuersohn.
3. The question in reference to E. M. Coleman, from Colorado Presby- tery.
As to item i : We submit the following : The only use which Covenanters should make of the tefephone on the Sabbath is in cases of necessity and mercy. It is inconsistent with our principles for any member to "hold stock or office or vote for officers in telephone companies" that make no provision for the protection of the sanctity of the Sabbath. In companies where there is little or no attention paid by the stockholders to a provision protecting the Sabbath our duty is first to seek in every possible way to get the stockholders to respect their law. If in this matter we fail, then it is our duty to separate from such Sabbath-breaking companies.
As to item 2: Having- no knowledge of the circumstances of the case nor of the candidate's fitness for the Gospel ministry, we recommend that the pro- priety of his ordination be left to the members of the Philadelphia Presbytery; they have the rules of Synod in such cases to guide them.
As to item 3 : As E. M. Coleman, who was certified from Kansas Pres- bytery to Colorado Presbytery, has entered the United Presbyterian Church, we deem no action m his case necessary.
S. J. Johnston, J. A. Black, A. F. Reid, , J. M. Edgar.
Committee on Records of Presbyteries reported. Nothing found contrary to the law and order of the Church, except in the records of the Illinois and Pittsburgh Presbyteries. Reports all adopted.
Committee on Supplies reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SUPPLIES.
The Committee of Supplies would respectfully report: Twenty-three ministers and licentiates have asked for preaching for the whole or a part of the year, while the Presbyteries have asked the full time of less than ten men. Thus it has been necessary to assign more men to Presbyteries than are asked by them. We recommend that Presbyteries find work for as many men as possible by inaugurating Mission stations, placing stated supplies over weak congregations, carrying on Testimony Bearing and National Reform work, etc., etc. It would also aid in securing work if congregations would secure their supplies through the Presbytery's Committee of Supplies. We also recommend that pastors when absent from their congregations and expecting to supply their pulpits favor as far as practicable those who may not be get- ting much work in vacant congregations.
We offer the following schedule of appointments for the coming year :
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 79
Allen, R. C. — November, Rochester ; December. New York ; January and P'ebruary, Kansas; March, Iowa; April, Illinois.
Allen, T. J. — June, Ohio ; July and August, Rochester ; September, Pitts- burgh ; October and December, Kansas ; November, Colorado ; January, Iowa ; February, Illinois; April, Ohio; May, New York. Blackwood — July and August, Colorado.
Coleman — June, Ohio; July, Iowa; August and September, Kansas. Crooks — June and July, Colorado; September and October, Kansas: No- vember and December, Iowa; January, Illinois; February, Pittsburgh; March, Ohio ; April, Rochester ; Ma}', New York. Faris, Isaiah — The whole year, Kansas.
Ferguson — June and April. Iowa; July, Illinois: August, Colorado; Sep- tember and October, Kansas; November, Ohio; December, Pittsburgh; Janu- ary, Rochester ; February and March, New York ; April, Iowa.
Finney — June, July, August and September, Pittsburgh; May, Kansas. Johnston. A. A. — June, Colorado ; July, Kansas ; August and September, Iowa ; May, Ohio.
Latimer — June and March, Pittsburgh; July and August, Ohio; Septem- ber, Illinois; October and February, Iowa; November, Kansas; December and January, Colorado ; May, Rochester.
McBurney, G. R. — July, March and April, Kansas ; ; August and May, Iowa; September, Illinois; October, Ohio; November, Pittsburgh; December, Rochester ; January, New York ; February, Colorado.
McBurney, W. J. — June, July, August and May, Kansas ; September, Oc- tober, November and December, N. B. and N. S. ; January, Pittsburgh ; February, Ohio; March, Illinois; April, Iowa.
McCartney — July and August, Pittsburgh; September, Rochester. McFarland, W. — July and May, Rochester; August and April, Pittsburgh. ; September, New York: October. Illinois; November and December, Iowa; January and February, Kansas; March, Ohio.
McMillan — June and April, Kansas ; October and March, Colorado ; November, Iowa; December, Illinois.
Morrow — June and July, Kansas; August. Iowa ;. September and May, Illinois.
Piper — June, Illinois ; July and Mav, Iowa ; August, Kansas ; September, Ohio.
Robb, G. M. — August and February, Illinois ; September, October and March, Iowa; November and Januar}', Kansas; December, Colorado; April, Ohio ; May, Pittsburgh.
Sproull — July to December, inclusive, Ohio: February and March, Ro- chester.
Taggart — June, Rochester ; July and August, N. B. and N. S. ; Septem- ber and October, Colorado ; November and December, Kansas ; January and February, Iowa; March and April, Illinois; May, Ohio
Wallace — June, March and April, New York; July and August, Illinois; September and October, Iowa: November, Colorado; December, Kansas: January, Ohio: February, Pittsburgh.
Wilson, R. E. — June, Iowa ; July and August, New York ; September, Rochester; May, Pittsburgh.
McKnight, E. L — June and January, Pittsburgh ; July, Iowa ; August, Kansas ; September and May, Colorado ; October and November, Illinois ; December, Ohio; February and March, Rochester.
Respectfully submitted.
Jas. McCune, W. S. Fulton, J. M. Wylie, W. S. Wilson, D. G. McKee.
8o MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Committee on Sustentation and Church Erection reported. Re- port received and adopted, and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SUSTENTATION AND CHURCH
ERECTION.
The Committee on Sustentation and Church Erection respectfully report: No papers have been referred to us except the reports of the Boards.
1. Sustentation. The report of this Board shows that nine congregation.s applied for aid in the payment of their pastors' salaries, four less than last year. The Board was able to pay the full amount asked for with a balance of $1,950.89 in the treasury.
2. Church Erection. In the report of this Board the following items should receive special mention : The death of one of its members. Elder S, K. McGuire; progress in the construction of the church building at Los Angeles, California, with the prospect of its completion in the fall and dedication free of debt with the aid of another thousand dollars from the Board; permis- sion given the Rev. G. N. Greer, pastor of the Santa Ana, California, Con- gregation, to canvass the Church for aid in building a house of worship in that city; the sale of the Mansfield, Ohio, church property and the distribu- tion of the proceeds: the prospect of a number of applications for aid in the erection of chvirch buildings in the near future; the large balance in the treasury; the expiration of the terms of Walter T. Miller and Robert McAfee.
We offer the following recommendations :
I. That both these Boards be commended for the fidelity with which they have managed the funds entrusted to themi.
. 2. That distribution from the Sustentation Fund be made according to the schedule submitted by the Board.
3. That the people be encouraged to give liberally for the proposed church building in Santa Ana.
4. That the full amount of the appropriation for church erection should be raised in view of the numerous applications to be made for aid from this fund.
5. That Walter T. Miller and Robert McAfee be elected to fill the vacan- cies made by the expiration of their term-s of office.
Respectfully submitted,
R. C. Wylie. S. R. Wallace, J. G. Reed, Will R. Porter, Alexander Adams.
BOARD OF CHURCH ERECTION.
In presenting this, our annual report, your Board has to record the death of another of its members — Elder S. K. McGuire. Mr. McGuire was indenti- fied with the Board for fourteen years, receiving appointment as member in 1892. He was faithful in attending the meetings, and his counsel was helpful and wise. He was a genial companion, and is very much missed in your Board. We have parted with him for a little while in full confidence that he has entered into his reward through Chri.st our Lord.
Your Board has not, during the past year, been called upon to aid in erecting many churches. But one applied for help — Los Angeles Congrega- tion. This congregation, under the energetic efforts of their pastor. Rev. P.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 8l
J. McDonald, received the $i,ooo which your Board held in readiness to give as soon as work on their new church was under way. They began work in the early summer of [906, and by persistent effort the congregation is now occupying the Sabbath-school room, with prospect of completing the auditorium in the near future. The building is 49 x 68 over all. The audi- torium is 40 X 40, with a seating capacity of 225. The Sabbath-school room is 44 X 48, with seating capacity of 150, with class-rooms opened, 200. The basement and furnace rooms 12 x 16 x 10.
The building is expected to cost about $11,500. Of this $4,600 was con- tributed by the congregation ; one member. Miss Mary McConnell, making a large gift of $4,000, and $4,404 (up to May ist) had been collected through the denomination. The cost of the church — $11,500 — is exclusive of lots, which cost $1,550.
In the hope of dedicating the church free of debt the congregation ap- plied to your Board for an additional $1,000.
At meeting on May 9th, 1907, this second $1,000 was appropriated on the condition that the church be dedicated free of debt.
The church is well located in growing part of the city, and pastor and people are encouraged in the outlook for long years of active service in the Redeemer's Kingdom.
S.-\NTA Ana.
This congregation, situated in the growing town of Santa Ana, about thirty-two miles from Los Angeles, is under the efficient pastoral care of Rev. Geo. N. Greer. They have been, and are now, worshipping in a church hired for specified days. Pastor and people have taken steps looking for a perma- nent church home, and have secured lots in good location. The lots, costing $1,250, are paid for. They propose to take up, immediately, the work of build- ing their church. This they will not be able to do of themselves, however willing. They have received permission from the Board of Church Erection to canvass for funds, which canvass will be begun this summer, and they are recommended to the cordial liberality of the people of God. It is hoped that they will soon have their house of worship, for congregational ' work is hindered unless there be a permanent church hotne.
Mansfield.
As recorded in your Board's report last year, the Mansfield Congrega- tion contemplated the sale of their church property, and the giving up of the work in that city for the present. Since last meeting of Synod, said congrega- tion sold the property for $7,000. They returned to Church Erection Treasury the $500 appropriated in 1884; and, in addition, they put into Church Erec- tion Treasury $800 from proceeds of sale of property. Thus $1,300 are in the treasury, from this Church, to go out again in helping along the erection of churches elsewhere.
In addition to the above-mentioned amounts put in Church Erection Treasury, the balance from sale of the Mansfield Church was divided by the trustees as follows: Geneva College Endowment, $1,000; Los Angeles church building, $500; Syrian Mission, $500; Santa Ana church building, $400; Aged Peoples' Home, $500; Southern Mission, $250; Indian Mission, $250; Mission in China, $500; Domestic Mission, $800; National Reform, $200. The money from sale of Mansfield Church thus goes on in the Lord's work, but it is sad to see a congregation become extinct.
Several congregations contemplate the erection of church buildings soon, and it is probable your Board will be called upon for aid.
The report of the Treasurer, Mr. Walter T. Miller, is unusually en- couraging in the amount of money on hand.
Receipts.
Balance reported to Synod, 1906 $3,296 86
Received from all sources 3,536 55
Total receipts $6,833.41
82
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Expenditures. Los Angeles Congregation $i,ooo oo
Balance brought down $5>833 41
Your Board would ask for an appropriation of $4,000 for the coming year. The time for which Treasurer Walter T. Miller, and the President of the Board, Mr. Robert McAfee, were elected has expired, and their places should be filled.
Our Secretary was appointed to represent the Board on the floor of Synod.
Respectfully submitted,
RonERT McAfee, President. F. M. Foster, Secretary.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SUSTENTATION.
The Board of Sustentation would respectfully report that the follow- ing congregations have applied for aid from the Sustentation Fund: Barnet, Coldenham, Kansas City. Mercer, Rehol)oth, Syracuse, West Hebron and White Lake, and that the amount asked for is two thousand five hundred and eleven dollars. Four congregations applying last year make no appli- cation this year, three of them being without pastors.
We have in the treasury for distribution four thousand four hundred and eight dollars and eighty-nine cents, made up as follows:
Balance from last year ^77 -3
D. Gregg Endowment, interest , 576 66
Executrix Estate of Andrew Alexander 2,000 00
Congregations. Sabbath-schools and individuals 1,755 10
Total $4408 89
This enables us to pay the full amount asked for with a balance of nine- teen hundred and fifty dollars and eighty-nine cents ($1,950.89) in the treasury. This balance is accounted for not by larger contributions, but by fewer applications and in some cases less being asked for.
The following table shows the deficit in each congregation and the amount supplemented by the Board, &c.:
Congregations.
Barnet
Kansas City (6 mos.)
Mercer (ic mos.)
Rehoboth
Syracuse
West Hebron
White Lake
Coldenham
60
57 59 40
65 27 58 58
I450 350 530 500 700
325 500 500
f 7 50 12 28 10 78 12 50 10 77 12 04 8 62 8 62
I350 250 136 300 500
375 300 300
|2,5II
250 136 300 500
375 300 300
12,458
J. W. Sproull, Chairman.
A. C. Coulter, Recording Secretary.
W. J. Coleman, Corresponding Secretary.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 83
The following action was taken : That Kansas City Congrega- tion receive $150 extra from Sustentation Fund.
Committee on Traveling Fund reported. Report received and adopted, and is as follows :
THE COMMITTEE ON TRAVELING FUND.
The Committee on Traveling Fund would respectfully report : The traveling expenses of the delegates exceed the quotas of the congregations by $i.,390.8o. This necessitates an individual assessment of $7.60. To meet the demands made upon the fund this year would require a levy on the Church of 45 cents per member in place of the current 30 cents.
Recetfts.
Balance from 1906 - . . $0 38
From quotas 2,761 50
From deficit assessment 1.390 80
$4,152 68
Expenditures.
To II delegates Colorado Presbytery $927 3^
To 18 delegates Illinois Presbytery 488 50
To II delegates Iowa Presbytery 310 75
To 28 delegates Kansas Presbyterv 1,184 7°
To 2 delegates N. B. & N. S. Presbytery 95 87
To 24 delegates New York Presbytery 521 36
To 22 delegates Ohio Presbytery 276 13
To 55 delegates Pittsburgh Presbj'tery 135 01
To 7 delegates Philadelphia Presbytery 100 76
To 5 delegates Rochester Presbytery 74 61
To J. S. Tibby, Minutes 1906, p. 105 22 29.
$4,137 28
Balance $I5 40
John H. Pritchard, Chairman.
The following action was taken : That all expenses of the above committee be paid and the balance turned over to Synod's Treasurer, to be added to the Traveling Fund of next year.
Committee on Finance reported. Report received and taken up item by item for adoption, with Item 8 amended and with two addi- tional items added. The report was adopted as a whole and is as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
The Committee on Finance respectfully reports that the following papers have been placed in our hands :
I. The request of the Reformed Presbyterian Women's Association, and the request of the Alliance of Reformed Churches. 6
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
2. The reports of Walter T. Miller, Treasurer of the funds for Church Erection, Syrian Mission and Mission in China.
3. The reports of J. S. Tibby, Treasurer of Literary Funds and of the Board of Trustees, of Central Board of Theological Seminary, Geneva Col- lege, Testimony Bearing. Aged Ministers' Fund and Widows and Orphans, Fund.
4. Report of the Mission Conference.
5. Report of Synod's Financial Agent for National Reform.
6. Report of Treasurer of the Jewish Mission Board.
7. Reports of Synod's Board of Trustees and Board of Control.
8. Bills for printing of the Minutes of Synod of 1906 and for printing the order of business and report of the Board of Trustees for this meeting of Synod, and for sending of the telegram to the Presbyterian Assembly.
9. Items from various Boards and Presbyteries.
The reports of the various Treasurers come to us audited and approved by their respective Boards.
We recommend :
1. That the Treasurer of the Literary Fund be instructed to pay forty dollars to the Treasurer of the Western Section of the Alliance of Reformed Churches ; two dollars and twenty-five cents for the printing of the order of business; twelve dollars and fifty cents for the printing of the report of Synod's Board of Trustees ; one dollar and eighteen cents for telegram to the Presbyterian Assembly and the deficit of fifty-three dollars for the printing of the minutes of 1906.
2. That the synopses and summaries of Treasurer Walter T. Miller, and the reports of Treasurer J. S. Tibby, and of Synod's Financial Agent for National Reform, and of the Treasurer of the Reformed Presb3^terian Women's Association and the report of Synod's Board of Trustees be pub- lished in the Minutes.
3. That the appropriations of the Alission Conference be approved, and that $500 be appropriated to the Central Board for the cultivation of the field in Alberta, Canada.
4. That Elders W. Dougherty and A. F. Reid be elected their own suc- cessors on the Board of Control, and that Rev. J. S. McGaw be elected to suc- ceed Rev. W. C. Allen on the same Board.
5. That the Mrs. Rachel Moelling bequest of ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents be credited to current account of Indian Mission.
6. That the Rev. J. J. McClurkin bequest of six hundred and thirty dol- lars be equally divided among the current funds of the Domestic and the Syrian Missions, and the Mission in China.
7. That Synod approve the action of the Board of Trustees in applying the bequest of Rev. P. H. Wylie to current accounts of funds to which it was donated.
8. That the action of last Synod in regard to the adjustment of the interest debt of the Geneva Company, Ltd., be reaffirmed, and that the un- appropriated funds received from the sale of the Greensburg Church property, amounting to sixteen hundred and ninety-two dollars, and from the Salem property, amounting to one hundred and seventy-three dollars and seventy-five cents ; and the proceeds of the John Gibson estate, amounting to eleven hun- dred and sixty-two dollars and six cents, a total sum of three thousand and twenty seven dollars and eighty-one cents, be appropriated to apply on the principal debt of four thousand dollars, and that Synod's Board of Trustees be authorized to appropriate any available funds coming into their hands during the year to the cancelling of the balance of the principal debt.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 8S
9. That J. S. Tibby and J. A. McAteer be elected their own successors, and that while we recognize the great interest of Mr. S. McNaugher, Sr., in the work of this Board, and his faithful and self-denying efforts to advance the financial interests of the Church, and his value to the Board in his efforts to secure to the Church the full value of all her property, yet in view of his long service he should be relieved of further burdens and J. H. McBurney be elected his successor.
10. That owing to the demands of the work upon him, and his personal sacrifice in devoting his whole time to the duties of this work, and in view of the large increase of more than three thousand dollars in the dividends on invested funds this last year, the salary of J. S. Tibby, Treasurer, be increased to two thousand dollars.
11. That the Treasurer of the Library Fund be authorized to publish a new edition of 500 copies of the primer new version Psalm Books and an edi- tion of 1,000 copies of the Double Version Psalters with music.
12. That the Clerk of Synod be directed to publish 1,000 copies of the minutes of this year, drawing on the Literary Fund for the expense and that the custody and sale of the minutes be left to the Treasurer of this fund, and the price be thirty-five cents.
13. That the proceeds of the sale of the Manchester Church property, forty-three dollars, be appropriated to Brookland and Manchester Congrega- tion to purchase additional land at the Brookland Church.
14. That the congregations of Cornwallis, Denver, and Los Angeles be put upon the Sustentation Fund for the coming year.
15. We recommend the following appropriations with the dates for congregational collections:
Literary Fund, June, second Sabbath $1,000 00
Library Fund, Geneva College, June, fourth Sabbath 250 00
Aged People's Home, July, first Sabbath 1,000 00
Widows and Orphans, July, third Sabbath 2,500 00
Aged Ministers' Fund. August, first Sabbath 1,500 00
Students' Aid Fund, August, third Sabbath '. 1,500 00
Indian Mission, September, first Sabbath 4,000 00
Domestic Mission, October, first Sabbath 10,000 00
Jewish Mission, October, third Sabbath 3, 500 00
Southern Mission, November, first Sabbath 4,000 00
Temperance, November, fourth Sabbath 2,000 00
Syrian Mission. December, first Sabbath I7,S00 00
National Reform, January, first Sabbath 7,000 00
Theological Seminary, January, third Sabbath 2,000 00
Mission in China, February, first Sabbath 6,000 00
Testimony Bearing, February, third Sabbath 4,000 00
Geneva College, March, first Sabbath 2,500 00
Chinese Home Mission, March, third Sabbath i,oco 00
Church Erection, April, first Sabbath 4,000 00
John C. Slater, W. W. Carithers, C. D. Trumbull, Wm. Brown, A. Walkinshaw.
REPORT OF SYNOD'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA.
The Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America respectively beg leave to report, and in connection there-
86 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
with to submit the report of their Treasurer for the year ending May 1st, 1907.
First.— NEW MEMBERS OF BOARD AND REORGANIZATION. The persons elected at last meeting of Synod, Rev. D. C. Martin to succeed Wm. Blair, George A. McKee to succeed John A. Dodds, and Robert J. Ward as his own successor, all to serve three years ending June iSth, 1909, have accepted the positions to which they have been called. The annual reorganization of the Board was efi^ected by the election of the officers chosen for the preceding year.
Second.— AS TO MATTERS CONCERNING WHICH YOU GAVE US INSTRUCTIONS, AT YOUR LAST MEETING. We report that the directions given have been attended to except your second item, herein- after referred to under item 14th.
Third.— MANCHESTER CHURCH BUILDING. This building was sold for the net sum of forty-three dollars. The money is at the disposal of Synod.
Fourth.— THE GREENSBURG CHURCH PROPERTY. We gave Synod in our last report a statement, not published in Synod's Abstract Report, justifying the Board in what was done in this case. We did not sell, as some allege, the interest in this property of any other person. We simply disposed of any right or title to the property that we might or might not have for two thousand dollars, less expenses, leaving the net sum of sixteen hundred ninety-two dollars, which amount we ask Synod to make appropriation of.
Fifth.— THE SALEM CONGREGATION CHURCH PROPERTY. \N<t report as having sold the Bellevue Branch Church Building for one hun- dred dollars, less expenses. Net, ninety-eight dollars imd fifty cento. Subject Also the Bethel Branch Church Building for one hundred dollars, less expenses. Net, ninety-one dollars. Synod is asked to direct what use shall be made of this money.
Sixth.— THE MRS. RACHAEL MOELLING BEQUEST. We report a gift from the estate of Rachael Moelling, Clay County, Kansas, of one hun- dred dollars, less expenses. Net, ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents. Subject to Synod's decision as to whether this shall be used for endowment or cur- rent expenses of the Indian Mission. Action thereon is requested.
Seventh.— THE REV. J. J. McCLURKIN GIFT. The Rev. J. J. McClurkin, of New Alexanderia, Pa., during his lifetime gave to your Board certain money, conditioned upon paying him interest thereon so long as he would live, and at his death the Synod to have the residue thereof. We there- fore report at this time for distribution, of this fund, six hundred and thirty dollars. The direction of the donor was that it be divided by Sj^ond between the Home and Foreign Mission Accounts.
Eighth.— THE JOHN GIBSON ESTATE. Thirty years ago Mr. John Gibson, of New Concord, O., deceased, by his will gave certain real estate and personal property to the Synod, reserving a life interest therein to his wife, who, now being deceased, the residue of the estate, after paying such claims as your Board considered valid and also reserving two hundred dollars for future payment of legacies required by the will, leaving the net sum for distribution by Synod of eleven hundred and sixty-two dollars and six cents (1,162.06).
Ninth— MRS. REBECCA CAMERON REAL ESTATE DONATION. This gift, made of her home property in Rochester, N. Y., was deeded to your Board some years ago, she to retain a life interest by occupancy or by the income therefrom. Mrs. Cameron's name was not to be mentioned in connec- tion with the same during her lifetime. Now that she is deceased we are at liberty to report the terms upon which this gift was received. The property has been sold, leaving at present the net sum of sixteen hundred and thirty
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 87"
three dollars and eight cents, which, in accordance with her instructions, we have appropriated as follows, viz. :
Foreign Mission Current Account $ 8i6 54
Domestic Mission Current Account 408.27
Geneva College Current Account 102 07
Theological Seminary Current Account 102 07
Aged People's Home Current Account 204.13
$1,633 08
Tenth— THE FOLLOWING FOUR BEQUESTS ARE REPORTED AS RECEIVED AND DISPOSED OF AS DIRECTED BY THE DONORS, VIZ. :
MRS. MARTHA GREER formerly of Pittsburgh Con- gregation, for Geneva College Endowment Fund. .$475 oc
Eleventh.— W. J. DODDS, IVY MAN, IOWA:
Indian Mission Current Account $200 00
Southern Mission Current Account 500 00
$70000
Twelfth.— HANNAH MOORE BEQUEST, BLOOMING- TON. IND. :
Southern Mission Current Account $10000
Indian Mission Current Account 100 00
Geneva College Current Account SO 00
$25000
Thirteenth.— THE SARAH }. STEF.L FUND. We report that a donation was received of one thousand dollars from Judge John B. Steel and William, his father, of Greensburg, Pa., in memory of Mrs. Sarah J. Stee', to be called the "Sarah J. Steel Fund" for the benefit of Geneva College Endowment.
Fourteenth. THE SETTLEMENT OF GENEVA COLLEGE DORMI- TORY DEBT. This subject was referred to in our report to Synod of 1905, printed minutes, page 152, and also minutes of 1906, page 126, to which your attention in the consideration of this subject is called. Action on this item was taken at last Synod, which we do not believe can legally nor in justice be carried out. Some other equitable plan to meet the payment of this debt should, in our judgment, be adopted, which will not as you have directed, in effect, take from the other schemes and missions a large sum for the promotion of the College interests. You will recall the facts as we shall endeavor to state them. At the meeting of Synod in 1906 your Board re- ported per account of thfe treasurer that Geneva College current account had been charged four thousand and eleven dollars and thirty-seven cents for ac- crued interest to April 30th, 1906, on four thousand dollars loaned by the Board in the interest of Geneva CcJllege for the purpose of building a dormitory. Synod directed the Board to credit Geneva College current account with this amount ($4,011.37) and charge it to profit and loss.
In explanation of our reason for not having as yet complied with this direction, your Board would respectfully call your attention to the fact that it is the custodian of the endowment funds of the Church, every dollar of which has been given for a specific purpose, which said purpose has been
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
definitely stated by the donors. The $4,000.00 loaned for the benefit of Geneva College for its sole use and benefit was not taken from moneys that had been donated for College purposes, but it was taken from funds donated for the several schemes of the Church. By reference to pages 68 and 69 of 1906 minutes of Synod you will see there has been no discrimination made by the Board against Geneva College. You will there find a charge of $224.96 interest against Domestic Mission current account for average quarterly over- drafts for year ending April 30th, 1906. Central Board of Missions, when notified that this fund would be charged interest on its overdrafts, admitted at once that it was the duty of our Board to make such charge. That Geneva College current account is not so seriously affected by this charge as at first sight it seems to be is apparent when you recall that this endowment is 42.35 per cent, of the amount of the total endowment on which the April 30th, 1906, dividend was declared; 42.35 per cent, of the $4,011.37, or $1,698.82, thus goes back to Geneva College current account as its share of this dividend. Your Board, knowing that this charge would be a large one, gave the College an appropriation on current account of $824.91, the larger part of which would have been distributed among other schemes if it had not been that this interest charge, having been allowed to accumulate for so many years, had become so large. The dividend of $1,698.82 and the appropriation of $824.91 make a credit of $2,523.73, as against the $4,011.37, leaving the net charge only $1,487.64. With all due respect to Synod, your Board has not as yet been able to convince itself that it can do otherwise than it has done without violat- ing the law as well as the trust reposed in it, as custodians of the Church's funds. That it is not within the province of the Board to thus divert funds we think cannot be denied. Is it within Synod's province or power to do so? The following statement shows what each scheme will contribute to Geneva College current account if the $4,011.37 is closed into profit and loss account as you have directed :
Endowment. Per Cpnt. Dividend.
Geneva College $137,296 28 42-35 $1,698 82
Theological Seminary 61,20619 18.88 757 35
Students' Fund 15,927 93 4-9i 19696
Foreign Mission 44,53617 13-74 55i 16
Domestic Mission 31,10104 9.6 38509
Southern Mission 4,55628 1.41 5656
Chinese Home Mission too 00 .03 i 20
Indian Mission 1,50000 .46 1845
Aged Ministers' Fund 12,74056 3.93 15765
Widows' and J. R. McKee 7,69106 2.37 9507
Church Erection 3400 00 i .05 42 12
Brooklyn. N. Y., Congregation 2.86880 .88 35 30
Iowa Presbytery 70000 .22 882
Wilkinsburg, Pa., Congregation 50000 .15 602
Bible Society 5000 .02 80
$324,174 31 100. $4,011 37
We would respectfully request you to rescind your action directing the Board to credit Geneva College current account v/ith the above amount and charge same to profit and loss.
Fifteenth.— OMISSION OF 1906 COMMITTEE OF FINANCE. Under item thirteenth of our last report to you not published in the Synod's printed abstract thereof, a bequest was reported from the Rev. P. H. Wylie estate of two hundred dollars. The Synod was asked to approve of the Board's action in their application of this money to current expenditures of certain schemes named. As your committee failed to bring the matter before Synod, we ask that our action thereon be now approved.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 89
Sixteenth.— CHARTERED CONGREGATIONS. We note an addi- tional omission on the part of the Finance Committee of 1906, to bring before Synod for consideration what in the judgment of your Board is considered a matter of vital importance, referred to in item twentj'^-three of our report — item seven of Synod's abstract thereof — wherein the Board asked of Synod certain directions to congregations, in view of perfecting arrangements that Synod's claim upon church properties of disorganized congregations may be more fully guarded, and that the interests of loyal minorities in congregations where needed shall be made more secure to them and to the denomination. In view of past experience in this line, and of receiving about $3,000.00 from at least four church properties during the past year, we think it is not unreasonable to ask the cooperation of Synod, or at least to be worthy of Synod's consideration.
Seventeenth.— THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. This institution is one of the few schemes of Synod that is in debt, the Treasury being over- drawn to the extent of $525.58. The amount asked for from congregations last year by Synod was two thousand dollars, in "response to which there was received $1256.46. This amount is more in proportion than was received the previous year. We ask that pastors and officers during the coming year call attention of their members to the financial wants, as well as the work accomplished and now being done by the Seminary, having in view the mak- ing up of their full quota in this cause, for which your Board ask of Synod an appropriation of $2,000.00.
Eighteenth.— LIBRARY FUND. We ask that the usual collection of tive hundred dollars be ordered for the use of the Library Fund, and that this year the total sum received shall go to the credit of the Geneva College Library account.
Nineteenth.— THE DAVID GREGG ENDOWMENT FUND.
The net amount of this endowment is $I57,0IS 73
The interest-income for the year closed is QJOS 16
The interest-income reported you last year was 8,914 57
An increase of $100 59
The net revenue has been appropriated to the missions and other pur- poses, according to the conditions of the donor.
Tzventieth.—THE INVESTED FUNDS. The aggregate amount of bonds, mortgages, real estate, current accounts, cash, and other assets held by your Board is five hundred and fifty-one thousand five hundred and thirty- two dollars and twelve cents ($551,532.12). Out of the earnings for the year closed the Board declared a dividend on $341,691.05 endowments of 5}i per cent., amounting to seventeen thousand nine hundred thirty-eight dollars and seventy-eight cents ($17,938.78), which compared with fourteen thousand five hundred eighty-seven dollars and eighty-four cents ($14,587.84) for the year preceding shows an increase of three thousand three hundred and fifty dol- lars and ninetv-four cents ($3,350.94)-
Tiventv-iirst.-BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS AUDITED. We report that the books "and accounts of the Board were audited by a committee consisting of Messrs. A. C. CouUer, R. J. Ward and Samuel McNaugher, and found correct per their certificate attached to the report of the treasurer.
Twenty-second.— ELECTION OF TRUSTEES. The term for which Messrs. J. A. McAteer, Samuel McNaugher and J. S. Tibby were made mem- bers of the Board will expire this year. We therefore ask that their suc- cessors shall be chosen, hv ballot, as required by law, and that the term shall be for three years ending' June 15, ^9^0, or until their successors be regularly chosen.
go MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Tiventy-third.— DELEGATES TO SYNOD AND OTHER BUSINESS In agreement with your action as to representation at Synod, we report that J. S. Tibby has been chosen to represent the Board. For additional items omitted to shorten this report, that later on may be found to require your action, as well as any further information needed by Synod, we refer you to the representative of the Board.
Respectfully submitted by order of the Board,
D. Chesnut, Secretary. Pittsburgh, Pa., May isl, 1907.
REPORT OF JAMES S. TIBBY. TREASURER OF SYNOD'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
GENEVA COLLEGE ENDOWMENT.
1906.
May I. Balance $141,86963
Bequests during year in Cash 575 00
Notes and other sources in Cash 13. 112 80
13,687 80
$155,557 43 1907.
Less traveling expenses Dr. W. P.
Johnston in collecting same 203 10
May I. Balance $155,354 33
MRS. SARAH J. STEEL FUND ENDOWMENT.
1907. April 19. Gift of Judge John B. Steel and Wil- liam Steel, his father, Greens- burg, Pa 1,00000
Interest to be credited each year to Geneva College Current Fund.
May 1. Balance $1, coo 00
SOUTHERN MISSION ENDOWMENT.
1906.
May I. Balance $5,05628
May 4. Cash from sale of strip of ground for
alley 125 00
1907. May I. Balance $5,18128
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. gi
THE FOLLOWING ENDOWMENTS REMAIN UNCHANGED: 1907.
May I. Theological Seminary $64,22069
Students' Fund 16,236 88
Foreign Mission 48,633 43
Domestic Mission 31,611 30
Chinese Home Mission 100 00
Indian Mission 2,000 00
Aged Ministers' Fund 12,878 5?
James and Mary Jane Carlisle Memorial
Fund Aged Ministers' Fund 50000
Mission in China 237 50
Fund for Widows and Children of De- ceased Ministers 5.829 02
Church Erection 3,400 00
James R. McKee Memorial Widows
and Children Deceased Ministers.. - _ 2.000 00 James R. McKee Memorial Foreign
jMission 1,000 00
Mrs. Agnes Mclnroy special rate of
int. to donor — still living 3,00000
Brooklyn, N. Y., Congregation 4,867 80
Iowa Presbytery 700 oc
Wilkinsburg, Pa., Congregation 50000
Bible Society 50 00
David Gregg Bequest — not governed
by dividend 157,015 73
1906.
Total endowment on which dividend of
5/4% lias been declared 341,691 05
May I. Total endowment on which dividend will
be declared next year 356.300 75
DAVID GREGG ENDOWMENT BEQUEST MORTGAGE ACCOUNT 1906.
May I. Balance invested in mortgages 156.200 00
Interest in mortgages during year 5,300 00
$161,500 00
Mortgages paid off during year 4,75o 00
1907. May I. Balance invested $156,750 00
DAVID GREGG'S ENDOWMENT BEQUEST, INTEREST ACCOUNT. 1907.
April 30. Interest received during year $9,105 16
Int. Acct. charge 5 per. cent, for hand- ling fund $ 455 26
Foreign Mission, 5 shares 2,883 30
Domestic Mission, 3 shares 1,729 98
Sustentation Fund, i share 576 66
Church Erection 576 66
Theological Seminary 576 66
Southern Mission 576 66
Chinese Home Mission 576 66
Widows and Orphans' Fund 576 66
Central Allegheny Ref. Pres. Church . . 576 66
$9,105 16
■92 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
REGULAR MORTGAGE ACCOUNT. 1906.
May I. Balance invested in mortgages $292,892 26
Invested in mortgages during year 66,000 00
$358,892 26
Mortgages paid off 37,050 00
1907.
May I. Balance invested in mortgages $321,842 26
GREENSBURG, PA, CHURCH PROPERTY ACCOUNT.
1906.
May I. Balance $1,798 00
May 8. Rev. A. Kilpatrick's traveling expenses. $ 6 00
May 12. Attorney fees 100 00 106 00
1907. _
May I. Balance for distribution $1,692 00
BETHEL BRANCH, SALEM, PA., CHURCH PROPERTY.
1907. Jan. 2. Cash, Mrs. Ella Magill, Baxter, Pa., for
property $10000
Jan. 2. Legal expense of same 9 00
May I. Balance for distribution $91 00
BELLEVUE BRANCH, SALEM, PA., CHURCH PROPERTY.
1906. July 5. Cash, Rev. D. Baldwin, Brookville, Pa.,
Church property $ioo- 00
July 10. Legal expense of same I7 25
1907.
May I. Balance for distribution $82 75
MANCHESTER CHURCH BUILDING ACCOUNT. 1907. May I. Balance for distribution $43 00
OFFICE FURNITURE ACCOUNT. 1907. May I. Balance unchanged $441 78
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 93
CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
|
$2,584 80 |
|
418 82 |
|
$3,003 62 |
|
6 45 |
1906. May I. Balance
1907. April 30. Interest account balance transferred
1906. May 9. Returned to Brooklyn, N. Y., Congrega- tion for handling funds
1907. May I. Balance $2,997 I7
EXPENSE ACCOUNT. 1907.
April 30. Rent of office $318 00
Telephone 55 00
P. O. stamps 30 00
Bond of Treasurer 50 00
Car fare 20 59
Stationery 4 28
Printing 22 38
Salary, Assistant 195 00
Salary, D. Chesnut to Jan. i, 1907 333 33
Salary, J. S. Tibby 1.450 00
1907.
April 30. Southern Mission Account $185 89
Indian Mission Account 185 89
Geneva College Account 185 89
Theological Seminary 123 93
Domestic Mission 123 93
Testimony Bearing 61 97
Chinese Home Mission 74 36
Interest Account i,536 72
$2,478 58 $2,478 58
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Receipts. 1907. April 30. Receipts, from Mortgages and Notes.. $18,360 12
Receipts, net income from real estate... 1,071 87
Receipts, Geneva College overdraft 390 83
Receipts, Theological Seminary over-
. draft 163 54
Receipts, Domestic Mission overdraft... 79 21
Receipts, D. Gregg Account for handling
funds 455 26
Receipts, Pittsburg Presbyterian Funds
for handling funds 8 24
Receipts, Sundry Accounts for handling
funds 3 28
$20,532 35
94 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Expenditures. 1907. April 30. Brooklyn, N. Y., Cong, by order of Snyod $32 50
Rev. R. Shield's Int. Acc't to June 29,
1906 24 00
' J. A. McAteer, Int. due him from mort- gage sale
Cash Donation Acc't, Int. due parties...
W. P. M. S. Pittsburg Presbytery
Thos. Christison, Interest Account
Clyde Home Fund Interest
Mrs. Agnes Mclnroy Interest
Expense Account
Pittsburg Pres. Funds
Dividend 5 ^ per cent, on Endowment of $341,691.05, viz:
Geneva College Current Account
Theological Seminary
Students' Fund
Foreign Mission
Domestic Mission
Southern Mission
Chinese Home Mission
Indian Mission
Aged Ministers' Fund
Widows and Orphans'
Church Erection
J. R. McKee, Acc't Widows and Orphans
J. R. McKee, Acc't Foreign Missions...
Iowa Presbytery Interest
Wilkinsburg, Pa., Congregation Int. .. .
Bible Society
Brooklyn, N. Y.. Congregation
Jas. and Mary Jane Carlisle Interest....
Mission in China
Contingent Account Balance transferred
|
II |
16 |
|
120 |
68 |
|
9 |
00 |
|
5 |
00 |
|
50 95 |
|
|
120 |
00 |
|
1..S.36 |
72 |
|
164 |
74 |
|
7,448 |
14 |
|
3.371 |
57 |
|
852 |
42 |
|
2,553 |
25 |
|
1,659 58 |
|
|
265 |
44 |
|
5 25 |
|
|
105 |
00 |
|
676 |
21 |
|
306 |
01 |
|
178 |
SO |
|
105 |
00 |
|
52 |
50 |
|
2,^ 75 |
|
|
26 |
25 |
|
2 |
^2 |
|
255 |
56 |
|
26 |
25 |
|
12 |
47 |
|
418 82 |
$20,532 35 $20,532 35
CASH ACCOUNT. 1906.
May I. Balance $2,592 32
Receipts during year 137.993 02
1907.
$140,585 34 Expenditures 131,714 69
May I. Balance $8,870 65
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 95
WALTER T. MILLER, TREASURER, ACCOUNT. 1907. April 30. Miss Jemima Hagan Bequests, Foreign
Mission
D. Gregg Int. Acct., Foreign Mission. . . .
D. Gregg, Church Erection
A. Alexander Bequest, Foreign Mission,
3rd payment
Dividend 5^ per cent., Foreign Mission. Dividend. 5^ per cent., Church Erection. J. R. McKee, IDividend. Foreign Mission. J. R. McKee, Dividend. Chinese Mission.
Remitted for above
W. J. DODDS, WYMAN, IOWA, BEQUEST. 1907.
April 30. Cash for Indian Mission $200 00
Southern Mission 500 00
|
$180 |
S7 . |
|
2,883 |
30 |
|
576 66 |
|
|
2,500 |
00 |
|
2,55.3 |
25 |
|
178 |
50 |
|
52 |
SO |
|
' 12 |
47 |
|
$8,937 |
25 |
|
$8,937 25 |
Indian Mission Current Account $200 00
Southern Mission Current Account 50000
$700 00 $700 00
MRS. REBECCA CAMERON, ROCHESTER, N. Y., DONATION. 1906.
May I. Balance $2,474 73
1906.
Aug. 16. Domestic Mission Current Account $824 91
Theological Seminary Current Account. . '824 91
Geneva College 824 91
$2,474 73
MRS. REBECCA CAMERON, ROCHESTER, N. Y., REAL ESTATE
DONATION. 1906.
May I. Balance ....; $i,53ii3
Interest received lOi 95
Foreign Mission Current Account v$Si6 54
Domestic Mission Current Account 408 27
Aged People's Home Current Account. . 204 13
Geneva College 102 07
Theological Seminary Current Acct 102 07
$1,633 08
$1,633 08
ANDREW ALEXANDER BEQUESTS, THIRD PAYMENT. 1907.
April 20. Sustentation Fund $2,000 00
Foreign Mission 2,500 00
Southern Mission 1000 00
Indian Mission 500 00
$6,000 00
96 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
1907.
April 20. Walter T. Miller, Treas. Foreign Mission $2,500 00
Sustentation Fund Current Account.... 2,000 00
Southern Mission Current Account .... 1,000 00
Indian Mission Current Account 50000
— $6,000 GO
ESTATE, JOHN GIBSON, DECEASED, NEW CONCORD, OHIO. 1906. May I. Balance due us $169 85
Receipts.
Residue of Estate per J. R. Wilson, Exec, $715 52
Rents ■ 66 66
Insurance sold 8 75
Cash Mrs. Jamison sale of property 1,400 00
$2,190 93 1907. Expenditures.
April 30. Taxes $12 11
. Claims against the Estate 568 44
Commission on sale of property 29 40
Traveling expense of J. S. Tibby 8 05
Legal service 41 02
1907. May I. Balance for distribution (less $200.00 in
reserve for unknown heirs) .... 1,63206
— $2,190 93
JAMES CARLISLE BEQUEST, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1906.
May I. Balance $5804
Walter T. Miller Treas., China Mission $58 04
REV. D. T. SHAW DONATION. 1907. May I. Balance due us $65 71
MAGGIE McCREA McCAUGHAN BEQUEST, OLATHE, KAS. 1906.
May I. Balance $1,15416
1906.
Aug. 10. Domestic Mission Account $577 08
Southern Mission Account 577 08
$1,154 16
CHAS. McILROY BEQUEST, SPARTA, ILL.
1906. May I. Balance due us $1 35
1907. Jan. II. Legal service 25 00
1907.
May I. Balance due us $26 35
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 97
JEMIMA HAGAN BEQUEST, CINCINNATI, OHIO. 1906.
May I. Balance $361 14
1906.
Aug. 10. Domestic Mission Current $180 57
Aug." 10. Foreign Mission Current 180 57
$361 14
MRS. RACHEL MOELLING BEQUEST, CLAY COUNTY, KANSAS. 1906. Nov. 2. Cash per H. G. Copeland, for Indian
Mission $100 00
1906.
Oct. 29. Certified copy Will $150
1907.
May I. Balance for distribution • 9o 50
$100 00
REV. CHAS. CLYDE HOME FUND.
1906. May I. Balance $1,297 52
1907. April 30. Average Interest to May i, 1907 SO 95
$1,348 47
IQ06. July 1 1. Taxes for 1906 30 47
1907. '
May I. Balance $1,318 00
SOUTH CAROLINA CEMETERY LOT REPAIRS. 1907. May I. Balance $12 25
W. P. M. S. PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY. May I. Balance $20000
PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY ACCOUNT.
1907-
May I. Balance Current Account $330 23
Balance Education Fund 827 15
Balance Endowment Fund 2,350 00
• $3,513 38
98 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS, RECEIVING INTEREST DURING
■ LIFE OF DONOR. 1907.
May I. Thos. Christison, Guthrie, Wis $10000
Rev. Robt. Shields, Ahnonte, Canada . . . 1,400 00
Cash Donation 2,000 00
Mrs. Agnes Mcinroy 3,000 DO
$6,500 00
REV. J. J. McCLURKlN DONATION, N. ALEXANDRIA, PA. 1907. May I. Casli received to be divided between Home and Foreign Mission Current Accounts $630 00
DOMESTIC MISSION CURRENT ACCOUNT.
1907. Receipts.
April 30. From Congregation $7,128 30
Bequests 1,990 83
D. Gregg Int. Account 1,729 98
Endowment Int. Account 1,659 58
$12,508 69
1906. Expenditures.
May I. Balance overdrawn $918 85
Paid Appros. by Synod in full to Apr. i, 1007, viz :
Colorado Presbytery $2,152 50
Illinois 1,373 33
Iowa 963 42
Kansas 1,899 5°
New York 532 50
Nova Scotia 826 00
Pittsburgh 855 00
Ohio 1,55916
Rev. H. H. George preaching and ex- penses E. Craftsbury. Vt 69 50
Rev. J. F. Crozier, preaching and ex- penses E. Craftsbur}', Vt., to March
I, 1907 299 98
Rev. T. Slater, preaching and expenses.
Content. Canada 78 00
Rev. Wm. McFarland, preaching and ex- penses, Content, Canada, to May r,
1907 363 54
Legal service East Craftsbury, Vt 3 00
Telegram and Phone 112
Fairgrove, Mich., Appro 60 00
A. C. Coulter for services 5000
Interest account on overdraft to May
I, 1907 7921
Superior Neb. Cong. Complaint 37 50
Expense Account 123 93
12,246 04
1907.
May I. Bab.nce on hand $26265
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 99
INDIAN MISSION CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906.
May I. Balance on hand... .. $3,09688
1907- • Receipts.
April 30. From C&ngregations
W. P. M, S. Pittsburgh Presbty. Receipts by Rev. W. "W.. Carith-
ers
A. Alexander Bequest, 3d pay- ment
- .. Dividend $%% on Endowment
• ■ $2,00000
W. J. Dodds Bequest, Wayman, Iowa
|
$2,906 90 805 26 |
|
|
1,706 14 |
|
|
500 00 |
|
|
105 00 |
|
|
200 00 |
6,223 30 |
|
_ |
1907. Expenditures.
April 30. Paid Rev. W. W. Carithers, expense of
Mission, supplies and cattle. $4,701 97
Railroad expense of teachers. . . . 160 16
Securing title to Mission land.. 28 00 Rev. D. R. Taggart, for preach- ing at Mission 150 00
Rev. A. Kilpatrick, for preach- ing at Mission 25 00
Rev. W. J. McKnight, for
preaching at Mission 25 00
Rev. Jas. McCune, for preach- ing at Mission 105 00
Rev. W. J. McBurney, for' preaching at Mission
J. S. Tibby, Psalm Selection....
Expense account for handling funds :
Insurance
Salaries
|
85 00 3 47 |
|
i8s 89 94 00 2,855 78 |
),320 18
8,419 27
1907. ]
May I. Balance on hand $goo 91
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CURRENT ACCOUNT.
1907. Receipts.
April 30. Congregations - $1,25646
Mrs. R. Cameron, cash donation ... 1 ... . 824 91
Mrs. R. Cameron, real estate donation. , 102 07
D. Gregg, dividend to May i, 1907 576 66
Dividend 5J4% on endowment $64,220 69 3,371 57
1906. May I. Balance overdrawn $1,968 46
7
$6,131 67
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Expenditures.
1907.
April 30. Salaries to June i. 1907 $4,400 00
J. S. Tibby, Psalm books i 32
Interest on overdraft to May i, 1907. ,. . 163 54
Expense Account for handling funds. .. . 123 93
1907. May I. Balance overdrawn
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LIBRARY FUND. 1906. May I. Balance
Receipts. 1907. April 30. Congregations
Expenditures. 1907.
April 30. Books, magazines, etc $6096
Geneva College Library Account 199 99
1907.
May I. Balance
STUDENTS' FUND CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance
Receipts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations
Dividend 5/4% on endowment $16,236 88
Expenditures.
Paid per order Synod's Board of Control viz.:
Walter C. McClurkin
Elmer Russell
Ernest C. Mitchell
Robert E. Wilson
R. E. Piper
S. G. Finney
W. O. Ferguson
D. B. Elsev
J. D. Edgar
W. A. Aiken
O. F. Thompson
A. A. Wylie
Balance
1906. Nov. 15.
6,657 25
$525 58
$1,177 57
199 09 $1,376 66
'260 05 $1,116 6i
$172 97
$689 56 852 42
$1,714 95
1907.
May I.
|
$105 00 |
|
|
150 00 |
|
|
50 00 |
|
|
115 00 |
|
|
100 00 |
|
|
IIS 00 |
|
|
50 00 |
|
|
150 00 |
|
|
IIS 00 |
|
|
125 00 |
|
|
IIS 00 |
|
|
100 00 |
|
|
1,290 00 |
|
$424 95
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. lOI
MEMORIAL BUILDING RENT ACCOUNT.
1906. May I. Balance $4,477 23
1907. April 30. Rent received 800 00
$5,277 23
1907. April 30. Repairs, gas bills, taxes 39803
1907.
May I. Balance $4,879 20
AGED MINISTERS' FUND CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance $66262
Receit>ts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations $802 92
Dividend 5]4% on endowment $12,878 52 676 21
Dividend James and Mary Jane Carlisle
endowment 26 25
1,505 38
$2,168 00 Expenditures. 1907. April 30. Rev. Wm. M. George, per order Synod
1906 $250 00
Rev. J. R. Baird, per order Board
Control . 350 00
Rev. D. S. Faris, per order Board
Control 300 00
Rev. J. M. Armour, per order Board
Control 300 00
Rev J. C. K. Faris, per order Board
Control 300 00
1,500 00
1907.
May I. Balance $66800
FUND FOR WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF DECEASED MINIS- TERS CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance $85921
Receipts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations $958 95
D. Gregg dividend 576 66
Dividend 5^4% on endowment $5,829 02 306 01
Dividend J. R. McKee Memorial 105 00
1,946 62
$2,805 83
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Exfyenditures. 1907.
April 30. Mrs. R. Johnston
Mrs. Marg. Lawson
Miss J. H. Cameron
Miss E. M. Cameron
Mrs. S. I. Clyde
Miss E. R. Williams
Mrs. Susan Love ,
Mrs. M. A. McMillan
Mrs. Nancy Reid ,
Mrs. B. T. Dodds
Mrs. J. O. McClurkin
Miss Anna George
Mrs. K. E. Smith
|
$200 |
00 |
|
150 |
00 |
|
100 |
00 |
|
100 |
00 |
|
350 |
00 |
|
150 |
00 |
|
50 |
00 |
|
50 |
00 |
|
125 |
00 |
|
75 |
00 |
|
150 |
00 |
|
100 |
00 |
|
75 |
00 |
1,675 00
1907.
May I. Balance $1,130 83
SOUTHERN MISSION CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance $2,816 01
Receipts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations $3,5I5 86
For East Selma School 65 50
Mrs. M. A. McCaughan Bequest 577 08
D. Gregg Dividend 576 66
Dividend on endowment $5,056 28 265 4.4
A. Alexander Bequest, 3d payment 1,000 00
Rent Supt. Home 100 00
Rent Pleasant Grove 50 00
Knox Academy Tuition Account 475 64
W. J. Dodds Bequest 500 00
7,126 18 $9,942 19
Expenditures. 1907.
April 30. East Selma School
Piano
Advanced to Rev. J. G. Reed for general
expenses
Expense Account for handling funds...
Travelling expenses, Teachers
Salaries
Mrs. S. R. Willis, Treas., money re- turned
1907. May I. Balance $4,15716
|
$60 50 141 35 |
|
|
100 00 185 89 253 83 5,018 46 |
|
|
' 25 00 |
5,785 03 |
|
_ |
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. IO3
CHINESE HOME MISSION CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance $709 07
Receipts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations , $757 08
D. Gregg Dividend 576 66
Dividend on Endowment $100.00 5 25
1,338 99
$2,048 06 Expenditures. 1907.
April 30. Hall Rent $250 00
Traveling expenses. Rev. W. C. Allen.. 27 60
Salary, Rev. W. C. Allen to May i, 1907. 508 33
Dr. Wallace 50 00
Ej^enses Account 74 36
920 2g
1907. May I. Balance $1,12777
SUSTENTATION FUND CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance $4,478 23
Receipts. 1907.
April 30. Congregations $i,7SS 10
D. Gregg Dividend 576 66
A. Alexander Bequest, 3d payment 2,000 00
|
Expenditures. |
||
|
1906. |
||
|
June 8. |
Paid Appropriations by 1906 Synod, as follows, viz. : |
|
|
Barnet, Vt., Congregation |
$261 00 |
|
|
2d Boston Congregation |
800 00 |
|
|
Coldenham Congregation |
300 00 |
|
|
Kansas City Congregation |
Soo 00 |
|
|
Lochiel Congregation |
150.00 |
|
|
Mercer Congregation |
140 00 |
|
|
Muskingum and Tomica Congregation |
300 00 |
|
|
Rehoboth, Iowa, Congregation |
300 00 |
|
|
Slippery Rock Congregation |
300 00 |
|
|
' |
Syracuse Congregation |
600 00 |
|
West Hebron Congregation |
45000 |
|
|
White Lake Congregation |
300 00 |
|
|
1907. |
||
|
May I. |
Balance |
4,331 76
f8,8o9 99
4,401 00 $4,408 99
T04 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
TESTIMONY BEARING CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1906. May I. Balance
Receipts. 1907. April 30. Congregations
Expenditures. 1907.
April 30. Printing $145 45
Postage 20 47
Salary, Rev. W. J. McKnight ^ 200 00
Salary, Rev. A. J. McFarland 1,200 00
Expense Acc't for handling Funds 61 97
Traveling Expense, Rev. W. J. McKnight. 43 50
Expense Account for hadling fund 61 97
GENEVA COLLEGE CURRENT ACCOUNT. 1907. May I. Balance
Receipts
April 30. Congregations $1,11771
Mrs. R. Cameron, Cash Donation 824 91
Mrs. R. Cameron, Real Estate Donation. 102 07
Rent of Chapel 150 00
Tuition 775 00
Interest from Notes 230 32
Dividend 5^4% on endowment $141,869 63. 7,448 14
Expenditures. 1907.
April 30. Prize — Board of Trustees $25 00
Insurance 156 00
Taxes »... 3552
Traveling expenses 8 80
Interest to May ist, 1907, on overdraft. . 390 83
Printing 4 00
Expense Acc't for handling funds 185 89
Salaries 10,710 00
1906.
May I. Balance overdrawn
1907. May I. Balance overdrawn
GENEVA COLLEGE LIBRARY ACCOUNT. 1906.
May I. Balance
Receipts
$435 34
$1,608 95 $2,044 29
$1,793 99
$250 30
$10,648 IS
$11,516 04
|
$8,970 9,838 |
14 03 |
|
$233 66 199 09 |
$432 75
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
105
1907.
Expenditures.
April 30. Magazines, Binding books
1907. May I. Balance
98 50
$334 25
AUDITORS' CERTIFICATE.
We, the undersigned, appointed by the Trustees of the Synod to audit the accounts of James S. Tibby, Treasurer, would respectfully report that we have examined the accounts, Mortgages and other securities. Cash in bank and find same correct as per report to 1907 Synod.
A. C. Coulter, - R. J. Ward, S. McNaugher.
Auditors Pittsburgh, Pa., May, 1907.
BALANCE SHEET. Total amount of Endowments
SUNDRY accounts.
Greensburg Church Property Account
Manchester Church Property Account
Contingent Account
Salem Church Property Account. Bethel Branch.. Salem Church Property Account, Bellevue Branch
Thomas Christison Donation '
Rev. J. J. McClurkin Bequest
Cash Donation
Rev. R. Shields Bequest
Estate John Gibson, deceased
Mrs. Rachael Moelling Bequest
Rev. C. Clyde PTome Fund
South Carolina Cemetery Lot Repairs
W. P. M. Pittsburg Presbytery
Pitts. Presbytery Current Account
Educational Account
Interest Account
S. S. Convention Fund
» CURRF.NT accounts.
Indian Mission ^. .
Theological Seminary Library
Students' Fund
Memorial Building, Rent Account
Aged Ministers' Fund
Domestic Mission
Fund Widows and Children Dec. Ministers
Southern Mission
Chinese Home Mission
Sustentation Fund
Testimony Bearing
Geneva Library
|
$516,316 48 |
|
|
1,692 |
00 |
|
43 |
00 |
|
2,997 |
17 |
|
91 |
00 |
|
82 |
75 |
|
100 |
00 |
|
630 |
00 |
|
2,000 |
00 |
|
1,400 |
00 |
|
1,362 |
00 |
|
98 |
50 |
|
1,318 |
00 |
|
12 |
25 |
|
200 |
00 |
|
336 |
23 |
|
827 |
15 |
|
2,350 |
00 |
|
13 |
91 |
|
$900 |
91 |
|
1,116 61 |
|
|
424 95 |
|
|
4,879 |
20 |
|
668 |
00 |
|
262 |
65 |
|
1,130 |
83 |
|
4,157 |
lb |
|
1,127 |
77 |
|
4.408 |
99 |
|
250 30 |
|
|
334 |
25 |
I06 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
ASSETS.
D, Gregg Mortgage Account $156,750 00
Regular Mortgage Account 321,842 26
Real Estate. 52,157 47
Office Furniture .................:.. 441 78
Cash 8,870 65
Theological Seminary 525 58
Geneva College 9,83803
Geneva College Dormitory Account . , , . 967 00
Rev. D. J. Shaw ^ 65 71
Chas. Mcllroy 26 35
Sundries 22 29
Real Estate Donations 25 00
$551,532 12 $551,532 12
SYNOPSIS OF THE REPORT OF TREASURER. WALTER T. MILLER, FROM MARCH 28TH, 1906, TO APRIL isx, 1907.
SYRIAN MISSION FUND.
The Receipts have been:
From Congregations ' $8,256 96
From Sabbath-schools and Missionary Societies 3,051 03
From Individuals and Bequests i,53i 7S
From Dr. A. R. Dray, refund of part of money remitted him
for outfit, etc., July 12th, 1905 100 00
From Bequest of Jennie Hagen 180 57
From Trustees of Mansfield O., Congregation, from proceeds
of the sale of the-'r church property 500 00
From Estate of Andrew Alexander, second payment of
executrix, Mrs. Andrew Alexander Murtland, through
Trustees of Synod 2,500 00
From Mrs. Rebecca Brown Donation No. 2, by Trustees of
Synod 367 90
From Rev. P. H. Wylie Bequest, by Trustees of Synod 50 00
From Mrs. Jane Allsworth Bequest, by Trustees of Synod 522 03
From David Gregg Endowment Fund Dividend, by Trustees
of Synod 2,82295
From Dividend Invested Funds, by Trustees of Synod 1,959 12
From Dividend J. R. McKee Memorial, by Trustees of Synod. . 45 00
From Bequest of Hannah Moore, of Bloomington Cong.,
deceased * lOO 00
From Young People Second New York Congregation, salary
of their Missionary, Rev. Walter McCarroll 500 00
FromWornen of Second New York Congregation, for Moun- tain Schools 372 50
Through Olive Trees. From Young Women of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.. 114 10
From Pastors of the Reformed Presbyterian Church 70 00
From Elders of the Reformed Presbyterian Church 19 00
Transferred from Temporary Investment Fund, as directed by
Synod 15,09649
Transferred from Memorial Thank-ofifering Fund 118 52
Transferred from Memorial Thank-ofifering Fund (specially for
Tarsus) '.,.,. 14 SO
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 107
Transferred from Memorial Thank-offering Fund (specially for
Suedia) 33 30
Transferred from Memorial Thank-offering Fund (specially for
Latakia) , lOS 00
Transferred from Memorial Thank-offering Fund (specially for
Cyprus) ^^ oo
Total Receipts $38,507 72
The Expenditures have been:
For Salaries $ii,573 IQ
For Mission Expenses, acct. Latakia 3.626 35
For Mission Expenses, acct. Tarsus • 3,98S 44
For Mission Expenses, acct. Cyprus 1,602 46
For Mission Expenses, acct. Suedia 4 85
For Special Contributions, acct. Latakia 608 24
For Special Contributions, acct. Tarsus 70 00
For Special Contributions, acct. Cyprus 349 50
For Special Contributions, acct. Suedia 128 65
For Shipping Expenses 367 32
For Small Items (Stationery) 4 00
For Outfit, acct. Rev. J. Boggs Dodds. 100 00
For Outfit, acct. Miss Zada Patton 160 00
For Outfit, acct. Rev. A. J. McFarland 400 00
For Medical Supplies, acct. Cyprus 3 40
For Medical Supplies, acct. Latakia 171 69
For Medical Examination Rev. A. J. McFarland and wife 2 00
For Travelling Expenses Rev. R. C. Montgomery to Board
Meetings 7 50
For Travelling Expenses Rev. J. Boggs Dodds, from Sterling,
Kas., to Latakia and Suadia 227 59
For Travelling Expenses Davida and Lulu Dodds, daughters of
R. J. Dodds, from Tarsus to Beaver Falls, Pa 504 84
For Travelling Expenses Rev. A. J. McFarland and family and
Miss Zada Patton from Sterling, Kas., to Latakia. . . . 683 65 For Travelling Expenses Rev. R. J. Dodds and family from
Mersine to New York, remitted on account 500 00
Total Expenditures $25,080 (fj
The Excess Receipts over Expenditures being $13,427 05
Deducting Debit Balance of March 28th, 1906, of 9,537 07
Leaves a Credit Balance this date of $3,889 98
SYRIAN HOSPITAL FUND.
Cr.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $2,937 IS
1907. May 5. By Cash, Contributions received to date from Congregations. Individuals, Miss'y Societies and S. S. for gen- eral purposes of hospital 20025
By Cash, Contributions received to date from Individuals, S. S. and Miss'y
Societies for support of beds 330 00
By Cash, Interest earned to date 88 00
I08 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Dr. 1906.
June 6. To Cash, paid bill Montgomery Ward & Co
Sept. 7. To Cash, paid Brown Bros., for De- mand Bill £51.13.0, @ $4.84
Oct. 29 To Cash, paid bill Montgomery Ward
& Co
1907.
Jan. 25. To Cash, paid Brown Bros., for De- mand Bill for £50, @ $4.86
May 3. To Cash, paid Brown Bros., for part Sterling Demand Bill £51.7.9, @ $4.86/2
May 5. To Balance carried down
Cr. 1907.
May 5. By Balance brought down
$3 69
250 00
79 78
243 00
250 00
2,728 93
$3,555 40 $3,555 4->
$2,728 93
BUILDING FUND, LARNACA.
1906.
Cr.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod.
$54 00
|
Dr. |
|||
|
1906. Oct. I. Oct. 6. |
To Cash paid Montgomery Ward & Co. To Cash, paid Montgomer}- Ward & Co., Freight To Cash, paid Keith & Co., Architect Book |
$29 25 9 25 I 00 |
|
|
1907. May 5. |
To Balance carried down |
14 50 |
|
|
$54 00 |
$54 00 |
||
|
Cr. |
|||
|
1907. May 5. |
By Balance brought down |
$14 so |
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 109
TARSUS BUILDING FUND.
Cr. 1907. May 5. By Cash, Contributions received to date :
From Congregations- $545 02
From S. S. and Missionary Societies... 1,12488
From Individuals 1,076 50
From Wm. Steele of Third Phila. Cong., if whole sum raised with- out this, then same is to be credited to most needy Foreign
Field 200 00
From Mrs. H. M. Johnston, of Hopkin- ton, la., on fulfillment of a volun- tary offer to pay the last $500 of the $2,000, asked for, to provide ' for the payment for the ground and a building thereon in Tarsus, Turkey, for the use of the Tarsus Mission, of the Ref. Pres. Church 500 00
Dr. 1907. May 5. To Balance carried down $3,446 40
$3,446 40 $3,446 40
Cr.
1907. May 5. By Balance brought down $3,446 40
D J SHAW MEMORIAL FUND
Cr.
1907.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $1,272 70
Nov. 13. By Interest earned to date 12 91
Dr. 1906. May 25. To Cash, paid Brown Bros., for Sterling
Bill, iioo, @ $4.82^
Nov. 19. To Cash paid Montgomery Ward & Co.,
for Building Material
Nov. 19. To Cash paid Montgomery Ward & Co.,
for Freight, etc., on above goods . . Nov. 20. To Cash paid Brown Bros., for Sterling
Bill £65.16.3 @ $4.86K-
|
$482 |
25 |
|
316 |
17 |
|
167 |
02 |
|
320 |
17 |
$1,285 61 $1,285 61
MARTHA CUNNINGHAM MEMORIAL FUND.
Cr. 1906. Sept. I. Bj' Cash, from Ladies Miss'y Society, of Illinois Presbytery, Memorial to the
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Memory of the late Martha Cunning- ham, the devoted Miss'y at Suadia, Syria, by the vote of the above L. M. S., and to be expended in the furtherance of the vi^ork in that place and in remembrance of her noble words at the Synod of 1905. "If the Synod gives up this work, I will go back and carry it on at my own expense."
Dr.
$46 08
1907.
May 5. To Balance carried down.
$46 08
$46 08
Cr.
1907. May 5.
By Balance brought down.
$46 08 $46 08
TARSUS-MERSINE HOSPITAL FUND.
Cr.
1906.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $371 77
Dr. 1907. May 5. To Balance carried down $371 77
$371 77 $371 77 Cr. 1907. May 5. By Balance brought down $37177
MISSION IN CHINA.
The Receipts have been:
From Congregations $3i005 97
From Sabbath-schools and Missionary Societies 1,087 n
From Individuals and Bequests 995 ^7
From Colorado Presbytery, salary their Missionary, Dr. Kate
McBurney 600 00
From First Philadelphia Congregation, through their Mission- ary Society, salary their Missionary, Dr. Jean McBurney 250 00
From Third Philadelphia Congregation, salary their Mission- ary Dr. J. M. Wright .••:••• ^'°^° °°
Transferred from Harry Lanphear Memorial, salary its Mission- ary Rev. Julius A. Kempf ; 450 00
Transferred from Memorial Thank-offering Fund for China... 1,375 14 Mrs. Rebecca Brown Donation No. 2, by Synod's Board of
Trustees 183 95
Bequest of James Carlisle 58 04
Bequest of Jennie B. Torrence, late of Tak Hing Chau, China. . 231 28
Bequest of Hannah Moore, of Bloomington Congregation.... 50 00
Trustees of Mansfield, O., Congregation from the proceeds
of the sale of their church property 500 00
Total Receipts $10,23666
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ^ III
The Expenditures have been
For Salaries $5,183 95
For Shipping Expenses 10 94
For Mission Expenses 319 98
For Special Contributions 473 32
For Traveling Expenses, Rev. R. C. Montgomery to Board
Meetings 7 50
Total Expenditures $5,995 69
The Excess of Receipts over Expenditures being $4,240 97
Added to Credit Balance of March 28th, 1906, of 5,804 74
Leaves a Credit Balance this date of $10,045 7i
BUILDING FUND, MISSION IN CHINA.
Cr. 1906.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $2,644 38
Dec. 31. By Cash, Mrs. B. F. McKnight, of
Keister, Pa 5 00
1907. May 5. By Interest earned to date 79 35
Dr. 1907.
May 5. To Balance carried down $2,728 73
. $2,72873 $2,72873
Cr. 1907. May 5. By Balance brought down $2,728 7Z
1907.
May
1906,
May Dec.
1907. May
DISPENSARY FUND, HO&PITAL IN CHINA.
Cr.
5. By Cash, contributions received to date. . , Balance carried down
Dr.
5. To balance as reported to Synod.
3. To cash, paid Brown Bros., part letter of credit. No. 671, for $1,000 00
Dr
5. To Balance brought down
|
$56 00 294 95 |
|
|
95 |
|
|
$350 00 |
|
|
$350 95 |
$350 95 |
|
$294 95 |
112 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
DR. J MAUDE GEORGE HOSPITAL FUND.
Cr. 1906. May 5. By balance as reported to Synod $545 00
1907. May 5. By interest earned to date $1635
Dr. 1907. May 5. To balance carried down $561 35 00
$561 35 $561 35 Cr. 1907. May 5. By balance brought down $561 35
NEW STATION IN CHINA FUND, OF DRS. KATE AND JEAN m'bURNEY.
Cr.
1906. May 5. By balance as reported to Synod $528 55
1907. May 5. By interest earned to date $15 75
Dr.
1907. May 5. To balance carried down $544 30
$544 30 $544 30 Cr. 1907. May 5. By balance brought down $54430
HOSPITAL BUILDING FUND
Dr. 1906.
May 5. To Balance as reported to Synod $927 06
Nov. 28. To Cash, paid Montgomery Ward & Co., 20 49
• Cr.
1907. May 5. To Balance brought down $947 55
$947 55 $947 55 Dr.
1907. May 5. To Balance brought down $947 55
NEW STATION IN CHINA. — DO SHING.
Cr.
1906. May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $7,839 24
1907. May 5. By Interest earned to date 235 16
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 1 13
Dr.
1907.
May 5. To Balance carried down $8,07440
$8,074 40 $8,074 40 Cr.
^907. May 5. By Balance brought down $8,074 40
ISABELLA STEWART MARTIN MEMORIAL FUND.
Cr.
1906.
May 15. By Cash, from Mr. Henry Martin, Memorial of Mrs. Isabella Stewart Martin, for the work of the Mis- sion in China " $5>i5o 00
1907.
May 5. By Interest earned to date 154 50
Dr. 1907. May 5. To Balance carried down $5,304 50
$5,304 50 $5,304 50 Cr. 1907.
May 5. Bv Balance brought down $5, 304 5o
DAVID OLIVER BROWN MEMORIAL FUND.
Cr.
1906. May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod.... $1,428
1907. May 5. By Interest earned to date 42 65
Dr.
1907.
May 5. To Balance carried down $i,470 65
$1,470 65 $1,470 6s Cr.
1907- May 5. By Balance brought down $1,470 05
LANPHEAR MEMORIAL FUND.
Cr. 1906.
May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod _ $4,53000
Nov. 30. By Cash, Mrs. Harry Lanphear, ad- ditional contribution, terms, etc., same as covering contribution of June 8, '05 600 00
1907.
May 5. By Interest earned to date 141 00
114 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Dr. 1906. Oct. I. To Transfer to Mission in China Fund,
on account salary Rev. J. A. Kempf . . $150 00
^907. April I. To Transfer to Mission in China Fund, half year's salary Rev. J. A. Kempf.. May 5. To Balance carried down
Cr.
1907. May 5. By Balance brought down . . .
|
300 00 4,821 00 |
|
|
$5,271 GO |
$5,271 00 |
|
$4,821 00 |
MEMORIAL THANK-OFFERING FUND, FOR LATAKIA, TARSUS, SUEDIA, CYPRUS,
FOREIGN AND CHINA.
• Cr. 1906.
May s. By Balance as reported to Synod $1,65746
1907. April I. By Contributions received to date for
China
By Contributions received to date for Foreign
Dr. 1907. April I. To Transfer to Mission in China Fund To Transfer to Syrian Mission Fund To Transfer to Mission (for Suedia) To Transfer to Mission (for Latakia) To Transfer to Mission (for Tarsus) To Transfer to Mission (for Cyprus)
$1,723 46 $1,723 46
FUND RECEIVED TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT DISCRETION OF TREASURER.
Cr. 1906. May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $53 27
Dr. 1906. Dec. 10. To Cash, paid B. C. Linstrom & Co., for Surgical Instruments for new
China Hospital 3 20
1907. May 5. To Balance carried down 50 07
|
53 50 |
|
|
12 50 |
|
|
$1,375 14 |
|
|
118 52 |
|
|
33 30 |
|
|
105 00 |
|
|
14 50 |
|
|
77 00 |
$53 27 $53 27
Cr. 1907. May 5. By Balance brought down $50 07
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. IIS
TEMPORARY IN\^STMENT.
Cr. 1906. May 5. By Balance as reported to Synod $15,096 49
Dr. 1906. Aug. 20. To Transfer to Foreign (now called Syrian) Mission Fund, as directed by Synod $15,09649
$15,096 49 $15,096 49
CHURCH ERECTION FUND.
Cr. 1906. May 5. By Balancee as reported to Synod.... $3,29686
1907.
May 5. By Cash, from Congregations 1,267 64
From S. S. and Miss'y Societies .... 27 89
From Individuals and Bequests 185 86
From Trustees of Manstield, O., Con- gregation, return of loan appropria- tion 500 00
From Trustees of Mansfield Con- gregation 800 00
From Dividend D. Gregg Endowment
Fund 576 66
From Dividend Invested Funds by Synod's Board of Trustees 178 SO
Dr. 1906. Dec. II. To Cash, paid appropriation to Los
Angeles Congregation $1,000 .00
1907. May 5. To Balance carried down 5,833 41
$6,833 41 $6,833 41
Cr. 1907. May 5. By Balance brought down $5,833 4i
E. &. O. E. New York, May Sth, 1907.
Audited and found correct.
Walter T. Miller, Treasurer.
H. O'Neill, J. J. MacKeown, Committee. 8
Il6 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
REPORT OF R. C. WYUE, FINANCIAL AGENT FOR NATIONAL REFORM. 1906.
May I. Balance $867 76
Collected by H. H. George $ 33 62
Collected by T. P. Stevenson 315 00
Collected by T. H. Acheson 1,842 59
Collected by J. R. Dili 1,07459
Collected by J. M. Wylie 23775
Collected by J. ]\I. Foster 174 04
Collected by J. S. Martin 127 00
Sent direct to Treasurer by Individuals,
Societies and Congregations 4,658 88
8,463 47
$9,331 23
Expenses.
Rent of Office $190 00
Rent of Telephone 18 47
Salary of Bookkeeper 300 00
Postage, Expressage, Telegrams, etc 349 41
Bills of Printing 1,689 62
Salaries and expenses of Secretaries.... 5,639 29
Miscellaneous expenses 45 40
$8,232 19 Balance 1,099 04
$9,331 23
The above statement has been compared vi-ith the books, which have been audited and found correct.
D. C. Martin, James S. Tibby, Auditing Committee.
May 17th, 1907.
report of JAMES S. TIBBY, TREASURER LITERARY FUND.
Receipts.
On hand May i, 1906
Contributions from Congregations. . Sale of Testimonies and Disciplines.
Sale of Psalm Books
Sale of Psalm Selections
Sale of Old Minutes
Sale of 1906 Minutes
Sale of Miss. Books
Sale of C. U. Topic Cards ".
$2,483 93
|
$1,183 29 |
|
453 89 |
|
33 05 |
|
488 70 |
|
37 90 |
|
I 60 |
|
266 10 |
|
9 65 |
|
9 75 |
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. II7
Expenditures.
Rent Safe Deposit Box
Printing 1906 Minute_s
Postage, Expressage, Cartage on same
Postage on Books
Apportionment Presbyterian Alliance 1906
Advertising
Insurance on Plates
Expenses of Rev. T. H. Acheson to C. R. Synod. .
Printing 1906 Order of Business and Cut
Printing C. U. Topic Cards
Type Writing Report Finance Comm. 1906 Synod..
Printing 5000 Copies Psalm Selections
Printing 1500 copies each old and new version
Psalms
Balance on hand May i, 1907
|
$5 |
00 |
|
288 |
90 |
|
30 |
20 |
|
57 |
48 |
|
40 |
00 |
|
12 |
00 |
|
22 |
68 |
|
17 70 |
|
|
5 |
00 |
|
7 |
00 |
|
I |
00 |
|
93 |
00 |
|
610 |
00 |
|
. 1,293 |
97 |
$2,483 93
During the year 5,000 copies of Psalm Selections. 1,500 copies each of Minion old and new version Psalm books were printed.
The supply of Primer new version Psalm books and Double version Psalters is entirely exhausted. I await your instructions las to ordering a new edition.
Respectfully submitted,
James S. Tibby, Treasurer.
The above statement has been compared with the books, which have been audited and found correct.
D. Chesnut, Geo a. McKee
Auditors Pittsburg, Pa., May 21, 1907.
PRINTING AND SALE OF I906 MINUTES.
The Treasurer of Literary Fund would report that there were i,ooo copies of the Minutes of 1906 printed.
Expense for Printing $288 90
Freight and Postage 30 20
$319 10
Copies sold, 887 266 10
Copies free. 22
909
Deficit $5300
James S. Tibby, Treasurer.
ii8
MINUTES OF THE SYKOD OF THE
REPORT OF TREASURER OF JEWISH MISSION BOARD.
May 1st, 1906, to April 30th, 1907.
Dr.
Balance reported to last Synod $353 08
Congregations, Receipts from 1,294 68
Sabbath-schools and Societies 633 48
Individuals and Bequests , 669 47
Special Contributions 41 00
First (ist) Dividend (41%) from "City Trust".... 72 66
Interest on Deposit 12 35
James Tibby, Treasurer, Receipts through 288 49
|
$1,870 00 |
|
44 78 |
|
30 31 |
|
93 18 |
|
354 22, |
|
g72 61 |
$3,365 21
Cr.
Salaries :
Rev. G. M. Robb to 1-1-1907 $800 00
Mr. E. J. Feuersohn to 5-1-1907 790 00
Miss Mary F. Bell to 5-1-1907 280 00
Medical Department
Sewing School
Repairs to Mission Building
General Expenses
Balance on hand
$3,365 21 Respectfully submitted .
S. A. S. Methany, M.D., Treasurer.
The undersigned hereby certify that the foregoing account is a condensed statement taken from the. itemized account in the book of the Treasurer, which we have examined and found correct.
J. C. McFeeters, William G. Carson.
Auditors. Philadelphia, Pa., May 19, 1907.
REPORT OF TREASURER OF R. P. WOMAN S ASSOCIATION.
Receipts
Balance March i, 1906
Wardrobe Committee Room
Thank Offering Room
Elizabeth Wylie Room
Cash through Members
Congregational Collections
Managers' Contingent Fund
Interest
Membership Dues
Building Fund
Mrs. Grier Bequest
Mrs. Rebecca Brown Bequest
Donation Mansfield Congregation
Current Expense
Admission Fees ,
|
$31 |
00 |
|
27 |
00 |
|
250 |
00 |
|
1. 105 |
19 |
|
467 |
59 |
|
12 |
50 |
|
592 |
10 |
|
212 |
00 |
|
125 |
00 |
|
475 |
00 |
|
91 |
97 |
|
500 |
00 |
|
627 84 |
|
|
400 |
00 |
$1,429 29
4,917 19 16,346 48
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Iig
Expenditures.
Gregg Room $20 00
Interest to Members 1 19 26
Managers' Contingent Fund 13 50
■ Interest 600 00
House Supplies 1,117 92
Salary 627 00
Funeral Expenses 182 00
Current Expense 592 26 $3,271 94
Balance February 28, 1907 3,074 54
$6,346 48
Total Invested Fund secured by Bond & Mtge $5,400 00
Balance March i, 1907 $5,400 00
Annette G. Wallace, Treasurer.
We have examined the treasurer's accounts for the year ending March i, 1907 and find the same to be correct as per statement above.
Oliver Wylie, T. S. Trumbull.
Committee.
The Clerk cast the unanimous ballot of Synod for J. S. Tibby, J. A. McAteer and J. H. McBurney as members of Synod's Board of Trustees for the term ending June 15th, 1910.
D. Chesnut tendered his resignation as a member of Synod's Board of Trustees. By a unanimous vote he was requested to with- draw his resignation.
NECROLOGICAL REPORTS.
Reports received, and after a memorial address by T. P. Steven- son and prayer by C. D. Trumbull, they were adopted and are as follows :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DEATH OF REV. J. R. BAIRD.
Rev. James Robertson Baird, whose death occurred March 9th, 1907. was born at Lanark, Ontario, April 23d, 1828. When he came to rnanhood he joined the Free Masons, but upon his conversion he withdrew from them — to quote his own language — because he "could not be a Free Mason and a Christian."
He connected with the Wesleyan Methodist Church and studied for the ministry at Ottawa and Toronto ; was licensed to preach by the Conference of Rochester, N. Y., March 12th, i860 ; was ordained by the same Conference, May 4th, 1864; was pastor at Jasper, N. Y., 1864-66; at Westfield and Clymer, N. Y., 1866-67; at Green Center, Ohio, 1867-69; at Napoli, N. Y., 1869-70. From 1870-76, he was employed as lecturer by the National Christian Associa- tion in opposition to Secret Societies, in which position he rendered efficient service; was pastor at Sandy Lake, Pa., 1876-78; Shellhammer and Temple- ton, Pa., 1878-80.
120 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
He acceded to the United Presbyterian Church, June loth, 1881, and preached as a supply for about three years ; was pastor of Brockway and Fremont, Mich., 1884-88; afterwards suppHed in Canada and New York State.
He connected with the Covenanter Church, May, 1892, being received by the Pittsburg Presbytery, and preached for some time as a supply. For several years before his death he lived as "retired" at Indiana, Pa., where he died.
As a preacher Mr. Baird was earnest and forceful, being gifted with a peculiar unction in prayer. As a Christian he was humble and sincere. As a man he was manly and brave; patient and Christianlike under trial, especially the trials consequent to his seceding from Masonry. He was thoroughly imbued with Covenanter principles and as occasion offered was fearless and faithful in disseminating and defending them, which he did with ability. He was a peculiar man, almost to eccentricity, and was accustomed to utter grand truths in his own peculiar and quaint way; e. g., the following expression to a member of this committee: "I do not see how an honest and honorable man will be able to look the Lord Jesus Christ in the face in heaven if while on earth he was voluntarily identified with a constitution of government which ignores and rejects Him in His royal authority and law and thus places the nation in an attitude of rebellion against Him." Words potential in character and which we do well- to place upon the "records" of this court as a tribute to the memory of the man who uttered them and also as a lesson for the "generations following." We have every reason to believe that our brother was "faithful unto death" and has "re- ceived the crown of life."
J. F. Crozier,
A. KiLPATRICK,
J. C. Fry,
Committee.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. HENRY
EASSON.
Henry Easson was born at Dunblane, Scotland, but through the emigra- tion of his parents in his infancy came to be reared in America, Delaware county. New York.
He was educated in the public schools there, the Delaware Institute, and in Union College almost to graduation. Theology he studied in the Re- formed Presbyterian Seminary, Allegheny, Pa. Before completing his theo- logical course he was chosen to go to the Foreign Mission field, where the work was pressing and the call urgent. He was licensed and ordained by the Pittsburg Presbytery, October 12th, 1872. In November of that year he sailed for Syria with his wife, having married Miss Mary J. Beebe, apd to- gether they served the Church in the foreign field for a period of twenty years. Of five children born to them only one daughter survives. He was a loving and devoted husband and father.
As a preacher he was neither eloquent nor popular; but he was earnest and Scriptural. A glowing patriotism characterized him, which led him to serve his country on the field during the Civil War, and led him likewise to ever utter a faithful testimony against her sins, and against the irreligious character of her Constitution.
Though he doubtless had his faults, and we would not wish to give an opposite impression in regard to any mere man, yet his life might be briefly characterized as gentle, quiet, noble.
His lamented death, which occurred February 14th, 1907, was occasioned
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. I2I
by an apopletic stroke, after which he lingered only two days. He has entered upon his reward. His devotion to the mission and the preaching of the Gospel should stimulate others to greater earnestness and fidelity.
Respectfully submitted,
R. J. DODDS,
R. M. SOMMERVILI.E,
R. J. George, Geo. W. Walker.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE DEATH OF REV. J. J. McCLURKIN.
John Johnston McClurkin, son of Elder John and Elizabeth (Park) McClurkin, was born near Rocky Creek, Chester District, S. C., June 6th, 1813; educated in his native district, and advanced to the junior class in Columbia College, S. C. ; then entered the Indiana University and graduated in the class of 1836. Meanwhile the family moved to Illinois and settled in Elkhorn Prairie, where a congregation was organized, and under Rev. S. McKinney and Rev. Wm. Sloan he studied theology and was licensed to preach the Gospel by Illinois Presbytery, April 6th, 1841, and attended Allegheny Theological Seminary one session.
June 2d, 1843, he was ordained by Illinois Presbytery Pastor of Prince- ton and Walnut Ridge, Ind. He was released from the first. May 22d, 1849, and from Walnut Ridge, April loth, 1851. He then preached as Missionary in Southern Illinois two years. He became Pastor of Springfield and Green- ■ville. Pa., in the bounds of Pittsburg Presbytery, September 8th, 1854, and was released, October 14th, 1873.
For seven years he preached as a supply. From August, 1880, to March 13th, 1884, he was pastor of Garrison Creek, Ind. From 1885 he labored as stated supply in Clarksburg, Pa., seven years, when he retired from stated service and lived in New Alexandria, Pa., where he died, February 28th, 1907.
His latter end was peace. A few days before he died he said, "This is my last sickness. My work is done here. I will soon be away." Thus he departed full of joy.
Mr. McClurkin was a devoted and faithful minister of Christ, and a firm defender of the principles of the Covenanting Church. He was un- moved through all the defections of his day, and said even when those dear to him changed their views, "I stand where I have always stood." He proved his love to the Church by a considerable bequest of his moderate possessions to continue his work after his death.
His piety was unquestionable. He indulged much in religious conversation and continued to visit families and talk with them after his retirement. His life was exemplary. A diligent student of the Scriptures, he always prepared his discourses with great care.
He suffered from bodily infirmity and sorrow from bereavement, but persevered through all in his labors.
After a long life of above 93 years he has gone to his reward; we cannot doubt but that he has been welcomed into the joy of his Lord.
D. S. Paris, R. J. Gault, John Ewing.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE DEATH OF REV. D. J. SHAW.
David Jameson Shaw, son of James and Susannah Shaw, was born in Knockbracken, County Down, Ireland, May 14th, 1821. He received his early education in Belfast, Ireland. With his parents he came to America and
MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
settled near New Alexandria, Pa., in 1832. He pursued his studies in the Academy of Elder's Ridge, and later at Northwood, Ohio, where he graduated from Geneva College in 1853. Meanwhile he studied theology and was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the Lakes Presbytery, April 12, 1854. He was ordained and installed as pastor of Bloomington Congregation, Indiana, by the Illinois Presbytery, May 22, 1856. He continued in a very successful pastorate for over thirty-five years, till he resigned his charge in September, 1891, and returned to New Alexandria. During the remainder of his life he continued to preach as he had opportunity and ability, in the meantime having been stated supply for one year at Clarksburg, Pa.
He fell asleep in Jesus, February nth, 1907.
Mr. Shaw was a plain, practical and eloquent preacher. By his study of the Scriptures and his comprehension of their spiritual meaning he was able to preach the Word with power and discrimination. He practiced what he preached. He honored the Lord with his substance while he lived, and left his property to various schemes of the Church at his death. He died in good old age, in confident expectation of entering into the rest of Christ.
J. C. K. Paris,
D. B. WiLLSON,
R. M. Dean,
J. M. Wylie was appointed the Moderator's alternate to preach the sermon at the opening of next Synod.
The Committee on Railroad Rates was reappointed. The following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved. That when Synod adjourn it be to meet in the Third Reformed Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa., Wednesday, May 27th, 1908, at 2 P. M.
That the Mission Conference meet in the same place, the same day, at 9 A. M.
That Synod returns sincere thanks to pastors and people of congregations in Allegheny, Pittsburg, East End, Wilkinsburg and elsewhere, for kind and generous hospitality and cordial welcome during the sessions of Synod; to the managers of the Aged People's Home for the reception and visit to the Home so much enjoyed; and to such railroads as were able to grant reduced fare.
The minutes were read and approved.
Synod adjourned with prayer by W. J. Coleman, the singing of the 133d Psalm and the Benediction by the Moderator, to meet in the Third Reformed Presbyterian Churchy Philadelphia, Pa., Wednes- day, May 27th, 1908, at 2 P. M.
Thomas McFall, Moderator. R. C. Montgomery, Clerk.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 123
APPENDIX.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STATE OF RELIGION.
A resolution relating to the indoctrination of the children and youth of the Church was at the last Synod referred to the Committee on the State of Religion. The resolution states that "there is a neglect of this work in some congregations and a lack of uniformity in method generally.' The necessity for a system of catechetical instruction which shall give a thorough acquaint- ance with the cardinal truths of Christianity and with the distinctive principles of the churches is recognized by different denominations. This is especially necessary in the Covenanter Church. The imique place which we occupy in the family of churches renders it absolutely necessary to our existence and usefulness that we carefully instruct the children and youth in her distinctive principles.
It is also recognized that any system of instruction confined to distinctive principles, however vital to the world's evangelization, would not of them- selves develop the character which we may be most desirous to produce. There must also be given thorough instruction in the Word of God. Every- one must have noticed the difference between a statement of doctrine as it may be found in a canon or confession and the same doctrine as stated in the Scriptures. Bible truth as seen in the Scriptures appears as we see timber in a forest when the trees are graced with foliage, the confession presents it as material squared and fitted for the building. The student of nature may see the beauty of the woodland, but it requires a lumberman to tell us how many houses could be erected from the trees. Christ has committed to wise master-builders the erection of His Church, and instruction must be given that the succeeding generations may know how to use the material which God has provided.
We should not, however, imagine that the only use to be made of the great body of truth as stated in the Word of God is to analyze it and con- struct from it beautiful and harmonious systems of faith. It is to be contem- plated and admired for its beauty as it appears before us. The human soul needs the grace and beauty with which the Scriptures set forth some of the most severe truths. Listen to Paul as he states the doctrine of God's eternal decree : "What if God, willing to show His w'rath, and to make His power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to de- struction." God's very mercy and love shine forth in his reluctant manifesta- tion of judgment; yet we need also the clear-cut statement in order to in- struct us in the application of these truths. The framing of catechisms and confessions is one of the methods by which the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth: His using the investigations of others as a means of our in- struction. A proper combination of instruction in the Bible as a whole and in the cardinal truths of Christianity, and the distinctive principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church will almost if. not entirely remedy the evils of which we complain in the low state of religion. Some of these conditions have been pretty accurately described by Gipsy Smith, who gives it as his opinion that in America "church members are moral but not spiritual, re- fined but not godly." The evangelization of the world is not their business. The atmosphere of the Church, he says, "is educational and high-toned but not convincing or converting."
There is also to be recognized a condition of instability. The obligations of Church relationship are recognized as little if any more binding than the ties of acquaintanceship or of social fellowship. In fact many form and also change their ecclesiastical relationship for purely social reasons. This con- dition must be changed if the Church is to exist and if the world is to be re-
124 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
deemed. There is not r.ny one method that will suffice for this cure, but we believe that there is one course which if diligently and prayerfully followed will transform the entire Church. It consists in securing thorough acquaint- ance with the Word of God and a comprehensive knowledge of our distinctive principles. The former will fill us with love and zeal for the extension of the kingdom of God in the world, and the latter will give us rules by which to direct our efforts. Bible study will give us comprehensiveness; distinctive principles will enable us to apply this knowledge to our times. We have almost numberless systems of Bible study. Some are based on wrong con- ceptions of the Scriptures. Even under the title "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth" we find an analysis of Scripture that assigns one portion to the Jew, another to the Gentiles, and a third to the Church of God. Many precious promises which we have been accustomed to appropriate, we are told, do not belong to us. This is only one of many ways of perverting the truth. Some methods are too comprehensive, others too analytical. The Bible should be known as God has written it and it is believed that a course of study by books can be so arranged that we will have presented to us the Bible as a whole, and the place and purpose of each book in its relation to the whole, thus giving an attractive and instructive course of study. The need for such a course of study has been expressed in many quarters.
The Young People's movement demands it. That movement is entering on a second stage of its existence. Dr. Work says, "It is true the Bible has been more in the hands of our young people of this generation than of any other. It is also true that the method of using the Bible in vogue in these organizations has not been as a rule promotive of real interest in the Scrip- ture. The expression of the Christian life through testimony and organiza- tion has been until now the dominant issue. The need of the solidification of study is only beginning to appear." To these words of Dr. Work we may add the utterances of a Scotch clergyman. Rev. Wm. McLaren. Speaking before the Colorado State C. E. Union he said: "The Bible story was written to produce Christ in the heart and we should study this story as it is written by the Spirit of God. Christian experience divorced from the Bible will be imaginative and often dangerous. Even prayer without reading the Bible is often illusion. Christian life hangs on experience and this experience de- pends on the Bible story and this story is found in the whole Bible. The truths of the Word depend in almost every case on the context."
The Sabbath-school though good as a missionary agency fails as a method of indoctrination. It does not educate its members in a knowledge of the Book. . .
•'It has produced no intensive education in the Bible, neither has it created by its methods of study a widespread feeling of interest and enthusiasm." Religious education in the Sabbath-school has not kept pace with secular education either as to ideal or method. The Bible is not the book of the honie as it once was, and the pulpit, whatever new elements of strength it has dis- covered, it is very evident that its strength is not so manifestly the strength of the Word of God as it once was."
Our prayer meeting subjects consist in the discussion of topics rather than the unfolding of the Word as it stands related to the context. The Church is not interesting the people enough in the chief instrument of its life. "The problem of bringing the Word of God to the world, and bringing the world to the Word of God is that which overtops any other." When this problem has been solved we may expect the Church to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and Christ's royal claims recognized. Critical unbelief will then lose its power and those numerous systems of darkness which live upon half truths will vanish before the light of life.
We recommend the following:
First— That two parallel courses of study be prepared for use in the Sabbath-schools of the Church; one course to furnish a comprehensive and
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 125
attractive study of the Bible by books ; the other to provide a system of catechetical instruction to be used as supplemental lessons.
Second — That a central committee be appointed to outline a 'plan for these courses of study and to invite qualified Bible expositors to prepare studies on such portions of Scripture as shall be assigned them by this com- mittee.
Third — The catechetical system shall consist of a graded series of cate- chisms consisting of those already in use in our Church and other churches, and of such systems of instruction as may be prepared or adopted by this committee or ijy any special committee or committees which may be appointed by this Synod.
J. M. Wylie, D. O. Jack, H. H. George, C. M. Smith, J. H. Braum, J. M. Henning.
REPORT OF REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN WOMAN'S AS- SOCIATION.
To the Moderator and Members of Synod:
The Reformed Presbyterian Women's Association would respectfully re- port that the work of the past year, the tenth in the history of the Aged People's Home, called for twenty-eight meetings — four regular and two called meetings of the Association, four regular and three called meetings of the Directors, and twelve regular and three special meetings of the Board of Managers.
The work of the various committees has been attended to promptly and faithfully.
Since our last report, one name has been added to the membership of the Home, Mr. William Kerr, of Elizabeth, Pa., and one has been called away by death, Mrs. Mary Ann Stewart, of McKeesport, Pa.
During the ten years of our existence thirty-one persons have been re- ceived into the Home and fourteen have passed from this earthly home to their Eternal Home.
Sabbath services have been held in the Home as often as possible, and prayer meeting every Wednesday evening, led by the students, ministers and elders in the vicinity of the Home. The members of the Home seem to ap- preciate these privileges and some of the covenanter families who live near are quite regular in their .attendance at these services, giving help and en- couragement by their presence.
Our Matron, Miss N. J. Ewing, who has been with us from the beginning, and has ever been faithful, always working for the best interest of the Home, has withdrawn from the work on account of illness. At a meeting of the Board of Managers held in the Home, March 6th, Miss Etta Jamison, of New Concord, was elected as Matron, to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Miss Ewing. Miss Love is still with us as helper.
On our Annual Donation and Reception Day many substantial gifts were given by the friends who visited the Home.
We are grateful to the editors of the Church papers and the Pittsburgh press, who have contributed free copies of their papers during the year. We
126 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
desire also to express our appreciation of the willing service of the physicians, ministers and students which have brought joy and comfort to the members of the Home.
We are glad to report ihe addition of three honorary members and nine life members of the Association.
During the past year we realized the necessity of having a larger build- ing, also of locating nearer the car line, so have purchased property at the corner of Perrysville avenue and Burgess street. The Building Committee, Mrs. W. M. Hice, Mrs. J. M. Allen and Mrs. Annettle G. Wallace, have had plans prepared for a new building consisting of thirty-two rooms. These plans were submitted to and approved by Synod's Board of Trustees, and the building will be started as -soon as possible.
At the last meeting of the Association action was taken directing the Finance Committee to use the money received from the Porterfield Estate for the payment of the mortgages on the new Home property, but as we are contemplating the erection of a new building and about to assume the debt of the same, we would again ask for an appropriation of $i,ooo. The con- gregations have shown their increased interest in the Home by their col- lections, which were almost one hundred dollars more this year than last.
Respectfully submittedj
Mrs. W. J. Ward, Secretary.
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136
THE FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE REFORMED PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA.
The undersigned -will publish soon a history of the Foreign Missions of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of these The Occasion missions affords a suitable occasion for the preparation for the Work of such a volume. A whole generation has passed away since our foreign missions were begun. Of the ministers who sat in the Synod which chose our first missionaries, only one remains. Of the Board of Missions which was then constituted not one sur- vives. The history of these years is valuable. Much of it is of transcendent interest. As it recedes into the past, its outlines become shadowy and grad- ually fade from tlie memory of the Church. The written records, buried in the pages of our magazines, are lost or inaccessible except to a very few. This history ought to be rescued from oblivion, and many years will pass before another so fitting occasion shall be found.
In the development of missionary agencies the mis- The Writer's sion study class is now well established and has a most Purpose important future before it. Our own study classes have
been gleaning in many fields, but for lack of a text-book have been unable to study our own. Our work has not been conspicuous, but it has been solid, faithful, enduring work, and the memory of it ought not to be r.llowed to perish. If the missionary spirit is to be transmitted and in- creased the story of that work ought to be put in some permanent and accessible form, for the use of the present and coming generations.
llie author has been a member of the Board of Mis- The Writer's sions since 1S64, and for twenty years of that time was Opportunities its Recording Secretary. The Board has placed in his hands its official minutes from its organization to the present time. All the reports of the Board to Synod, and all the correspond- ence from our missionaries as published in our magazines, has been before him and has been carefully consulted.
The volume will be compressed into from 400 What the Book to 500 octavo pages. It will record the founding of will Contain our missions and the various steps which led up to
the preparation of the work; a brief life-sketch of each of our missionaries, witli portraits; the successive stages in the develop- ment of the work, and a full account of the results which have been accom- plished. The financial tables will show, b}' decades, the growing spirit of liber- ality and self-sacrifice wliich has sustained the work. There will be also a careful study of each -of our mission fields, with maps. Views of our mission buildings and of other scenes of interest will be given. The volume will open with careful summaries of the condition of the whole missionary enterprise at the time when our_ mission was founded, and at the present tme. Analytical summaries for review, Avith references to collateral reading, will increase the value of the book to study classes, and a complete index will make every por- tion of its contents accessible to every reader. There will be also a special account of the mission of the Irish and Scotch Reformed Presbyterian Churches in the Syrian field.
The book will be handsomely bound in cloth, with Size and Price gilt letters, will be printed on fine paper, and will be of the Book sent, by express or post, charges prepaid, for $1.25 a
volume. It will not be electrolvped. The publisher must be guided as to the size of the edition by the number of orders received. As the edition will therefore be limited and there will be no second edition, persons are advised to order now whatever copies they will wish for them- selves and their children, and for friends whom they may wish to supply.
Orders and money may be sent to James S. Tibbj^ (Penn Building, Penn Avenue, Pittsburg, Pa.,) or to
T. P. Stevenson,
4502 Kingsessing Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
137
__lflil£L_
MINUTES OF THE SY
OF THE /V
Reformed ^ Presbyterian Churc
of North America
Third Reformed Presbyterion Church, Philadelphia, Pa.
SESSION LXXIX
4. 78
596 liladelphia, Pa., May 27 to June 2, 1 908
08
PRICE, THIRTY-FIVE CENTS, POSTPAID
Address, Mr. J. S. TIBBEY, 411 Penn Building. Pittsburgh. Pa.