adopted at Bloomington in '43, after spending much time in hearing the parties on both sides in detail-when the difficulty was again brought up. We have also conferred at some length with the parties on the present occasion.---After this careful view and examination of the case, the committee are unanimous in the opinion, that Synod has already used all the ordinary means in her power for removing the evils complained of. The regulations laid down in our book touching the case are plain and in general easily understood. The Synod has already plainly given her views on any points which seemed to need explanation. And here the committee will state what they understand Synod as having declared to be her views of the constitutional regulations in reference to the case. It is the duty of every professed christian to be in connection with the congregation of his own denomination, in whose bounds he resides. In fixing the bounds of congregations or in making a partition line between ' two congregations, it is not always expedient to follow an exact continuous or straight line; but when there is a dividing line agreed on, each congregation should be contented with its own limits. Every christian ought to attend on the ministrations of the Pastor of his own congregation unless he can give satisfactory reasons to his session for pursuing a different course. These regulations are, as all such regulations must necessarily be of a general nature. Christian prudence and discrétion is, therefore, and expected to be exercised in their application---and when christian prudence and discretion are not exercised all the regulations of the constitution and the laws and rules which church courts may enact on the subject will be found insufficient to secure that order, peace, and harmony so necessary for the edification of christian people, situated as these congregations are. Synod has already given her earnest and affectionate advice in the case and it gives us much pain to find that this advice has not been so followed as to lead to the desired object. The committee is very sorry to say (though they cannot disguise it) that they begin to fear that the state of things in these congregations is beginning to tend to that point at which it may be thought ad visable for the Presbytery to take measures to dissolve the connection between those ministers and their people.. The committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: 1. Resolved, That the Pastors and people of the congregations of New Zion, Richland and Bethesda, be and hereby are again earnestly and affectionately enjoined to use all proper means to terminate their difficulties and restore peace. 2. Resolved, That whilst Synod regard the doctrines of our constitution as expressed at previous meetings in relation to this case, and stated in the foregoing report, as wise and highly necessary to be observed; yet she does-in view of the difficulties already existing in these congregations, and which it is believed arose from misunderstanding and misapplying these doctrines---authorize and direct these sessions of New Zion, Richland, and Bethesda to proceed in relation to granting certificates of dismission from one to the ather, as they may in their christian prudence and discretion judge most for the edification peace and comfort of their christian brethren. Mr. Worth here enquired how the principles contained in the report were to be applied in the admission of members; in which inquiry he was joined by Mr. Pressly. The inquiry had an exclusive reference to the cong. named in the report. The question was afterwards reduced to writing by Dr. Claybaugh accompanied with an answer, and ordered to be engrossed in the minutes as instruction in the special case, and the question and answer are as follows, viz: Question by Messrs. J. Worth and J. N. Pressly, How are we to apply the principles of this report in receiving persons into church membership? Answer.If the persons live near the dividing line let them be received by the session to which they apply without objection; but if in the more central parts of either congregation, should the application be made to the remote one, let the session applied to urge carefully on them the duty of connecting with that congregation in whose bounds they live; but if after patience and careful,endeavors to convince them of their duty, they shall still retain their preference, they may nevertheless be received, in hopes that in process of time they will make such advances in wisdom and grace as shall enable them.. to do their duty, to regulate their place of attendance on public worship, according to the regulations of the constitution. The order in favor of Dr. Clay baugh was issued. The orders in favor of Dr. Macdill and of the Trustees of the Theological Seminary were issued. It was now on motion of Messrs. S. W. McCracken & Sawyer, Moved, That the Synod, as per request on yesterday, go into an extra-judicial conference on the state of the Seminary. The motion was approved and the Synod went into conference Gov. Morrow in the chair. After some time the conference rose and reported, that $590,00 had been subscribed to pay off the Seminary debt; and offered for the consideration of Synod the following resolutions, viz Resolved, That Synod accept these donations at the time specified: and that those congregations whose Pastors have subscribed be free from the Xenia plan so far as relates to the Seminary debt: and that the subscription be placed for pay ment in the hands of the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, On motion of Messrs. Prestley and Boyse," Resolved, That Rev. John M. Gordon be appointed to preach the missionary sermon at the next meeting of Synod; and that Rev. Charles T. M'Caughan be his alternate. Cn motion of the same, Resolved, That Rev. John N. Pressly be appointed the alternate of the Moderator to preach at the opening of the next Synod. On motion of Dr. Claybaugh and Mr. Baldridge, Resolved, That S. W. M'Cracken be requested to visit Hinkston and other congregations in Ky., connected with this Synod, and lay before them the necessities of this Synod, with respect to the Seminary debt, Library, &c. On motion of James Prestley and J. M. Gordon, Resolved, That the thanks of this Synod be and they hereby are presented to the citizens of Oxford and vicinity, for their kindness and hospitality to the members during its present sessions. On motion of R. C. Stewart and D. Macdill, Resolved, That the Treasurer of synod be as he hereby is directed to pay over to the clerk of the Synod the amount of his salary $15,00, On motion of John Graham and S. C, Baldridge, Resolved, That Dr. Macdill be as he hereby is requested to publish as soon as convenient in the Christian Intelligencer the minutes of the late meeting of the 1st Ass, Ref. Synod of the West, and also their minutes hereafter from year to year. On motion of Messers, J. M. Gordon, and John Nichol, Resolved, That the following persons be appointed to preach at Cedarville during the coming winter as follows, viz; John Reynolds 2 Sab. Dec.; C. T. McCaughan 3 do Jan.; J. S. McCracken 1 do Feb.; J. F. Sawyer 1 do March. Adjourned by special resolution to meet at 7 o'clock this evening, Closed with prayer. 7 o'clock P. M. Synod met. Opened with prayer, Members generally present. Read and corrected the minutes of the afternoon session. On motion of Messrs. Prestley and Thompson, Synod agreed to spend some time in religious exercises, which was done, and then the Synod proceeded to busines, On motion of S, W, McCracken and J. Prest'ey, Resolved, That the Synod are much gratified to learn the zeal and success with which Mr. Mayne is conducting the Grammar school under his care. On motion of Messrs, Reynolds and Resolved, That it is hereby enjoined on every minister of this Synod to preach a missionary sermon in his own congregation, some time previous to the next meeting of the General Synod and call upon his people to contribute to the Foreign Missionary Fund. Adjourned to meet at Sparta, Randolph Co, Ill., on the 3d Monday of Oct. 1845, at 2 o'clock P. M, Closed with prayer, singing the 133d Psalm and with the Apostolic benediction. WM. TURNER, Moderator, JAMES WORTH, Clerk. TREASURER'S REPORT, The Second Synod of the West in account with William Tay lor, Treasurer. Springfield Rev Sawyer 40 00 6.00 33 68 23 Caledonia Rev Worth 24 Sycamore Rev Monfort Sept. 29 Amount of receipt lifted by Rev McCracken Hopewell congregation G Ramsey 25 00 15 00 15 00 22:50 52 00 June 17 St Louis congregation D Macdill CONTRA. 28 64 10 00 20 00 68 58 118 50 25 00 1336 42 ***Statistical tables are again omitted on account of the failure of some Presbyteries to furnish them, and want of fulness in some which were furnished. It is hoped that Presbyteries will not again be inattentive to this matter. The receipts for the Synod's fund will be published in the next No. of the E. Guardian. |