Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

14 THE I Synods | SYNOD OF ARKANSAS. The Synod of Arkansas convened in Helena, Uctober 19, and continued in session four days. Rev. R. B. Willis D. D., the moderator, preached the opening sermon on "The Sabbath." Dr. C. C. Williams was elected moderator, Rev. Flournoy Shepperson, temporary clerk and Dr. J. W. Purcell, reading clerk. The second day of Synod was largely devoted to hearing the "Second Day Program," and a number of helpful addresses were made. With this preparation the business of Synod was transacted speedily and pleasantly. No unpleasant complaints were heard and every decision of Synod was practically unanimous. The "causes" were given an attentive hearing. Rev. H. E. McMillan for Assemhli.'a . T>n m trx uij o nuiuc luiaoiiiiia, ncv. IV. ?j. V 111SU11 for Schools and Colleges; Rev. Robert J. McMullen and Mr. H. C. Ostrom for Foreign Missions; Mr. R. W. Davis for Brotherhood and Covenanter Work; and Rev. J. D. McLean for the Southwestern Orphans' Home, were presented. Austin Theological Seminary was represented by Dr. R. E. Vinson and through hinx and the board of trustees very encouraging reports were heard from this the young seminary of the southwest. A number of pledges were made for financial assistance to meet some of the immediate needs. Members of the faculty at Austin Sem inary are conducting Bible classes for university students, and the board has admitted to the class rooms such women as will undertake the full work of the class for a course or for a term. Home Missions, which is conducted under the Synod's plan of co-operation among the Presbyteries, was brought before Synod in the report of the chairman. Dr. J. C. Williams. The past year has witnessed the largest contributions to this work and the largest results in the history of the work in the Synod are reported. Dr. Williams was re elected chairman. The reports from Arkansas College, the Synod's school at Batesville, were the most encouraging ever sent to Synod from that institution. The material equipment of the school has been greatly improved, the endowment has been increased, and the enrollment for the present session surpasses expectation and the dormitories are more thpn filled. Additional accommodation is imperative and Synod appointed Rev. J. F. McKenzie as its representative to secure the |1,500 needed to erect at once a dormitory costing $6,000 and containing twentv-eieht rooms. Synod has endeavored for several years past to establish a college for girls and young women, but very little has been accomplished. A committee, composed of Rev. Drs. J. L. Caldwell, E. C. Bingham and Charles Morris, was appointed to confer with the board of trustees of Arkan PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOU sas College with regard to making arrangements for the better accommodation of girls and young women, so that they may have the full advantage of our already established college together with such other branches as are specially emphasized in schools for women. Memorials of Judge H. G. Bunn and of Rev. Robert B. Cavett were read. Jonesboro was chosen as the place of meeting next year, and the time was changed from October to the third Tuesday (15th day) in November. Wm. H. Morrow, S. C. Springdale, October 29. THE SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA. Charleston, the metropolis and chief seaport of the State, and the centre of much of its history, business and culture, was the place in which the Synod met this year. And the old First Church,popularly known as the Scotch Church, organized in 1732, the mother of the other Presbyterian churches of the city, welcomed the body in the massive walls nf its Rtfttplv hniiRO of wnrohln Tho place was very attractive in its historic interest, its beautiful and spacious harbor, and magnificent navy yard and its elegant and hospitable homes. The attendance was unusually large, 175 members being enrolled and many visitors besides being present, and the meeting proved a very pleasant one in every respect. There were no judicial cases or other vexing questions to produce heat of debate, or divergence of opinion. The meeting began, Friday night, October 22, and closed Tuesday night, the 25. Rev. T. W. Sloan, D. D., the esteemed pastor of the First Church, Greenville, was elected Moderator, and presided with promptness and efficiency. And the excellent arrangements of the efficient pastor, Dr. Alex. Sprunt, and the charming October weather, with its clear skies and balmy air, contributed much to the comfort and success of the meeting. South Carolina Synod has a very simple and easy going method of doing its business. Excepting Home Missions (of which there is an Executive Committee to conduct the work and report to Synod), it has a system of permanent committees, which bring in carefully prepared reports, AAirArlnty oil riA/tAaaoKW 1?form oUah nn<l V.U TV1 lt<5 Mil UCVCODU1 J 1U1U1 111ML1WU ailU recommendations touching the several causes, and these reports are considered immediately upon presentation and if the Assembly's Secretary, or other representative is present, he may be heard at once. Thus there are very few standing committees to burden the patience of the members and prolong the sessions of the Synod. This year we had Secretaries, Chester, Sweets, McMillan, Snedecor, Boggs and also Dr. Phillips. Mr. h. u. ustrom, or tne Laymen's Movement, Missionaries S. P. Fulton, and Tate, and College Presidents Adams and- Smith, all addressed the Synod and Rev. J. T. Hall, of the Plumtree mission in North Carolina and Rev. J. M. Way, secretary of the Interdenominational S. S. Association, also spoke. The features of special interest connected with the meeting were as follows: TH. November 10, 1909. 1. The Calvin Celebration, beginning with opening sermon of the Moderator, Rev. Dr. H. A. White. There were set addresses by Dr. S. M. Smith, of Columbia, on "Calvin and Civil Institutions," by Dr. James I. Vance, of Newark, N. J., on "Calvin's Message to the Modern World," and by Dr. G. B. Strickler, of Richmond, Va., on "Some Doctrines of v^mvin. lor. vances address was delivered to a large assembly of men in the Academy of Music, on Sunday afternoon under the joint auspices of the Synod and the local Y. M. C. A. The others were in the- church, where the Synod met. 2. The erection of a new Presbytery. A proposition was made two years ago to divide the old South Carolina Presbytery and constitute a new one out of the churches and ministers in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties, in the northwestern part of the State. But as there seemed to be quite a difference of sectional opinion on the part of those directly concerned, the matter was postponed until there should be an overture for division from tho Proohvtarv ?? a -1 though there was still a divergence of opinion as to the desirability of the division and strong opposition on the part of some, the erection of the new Presbytery was ordered and is to be effected as a meeting place at Seneca on the ninth of November. The Synod also at its own request, transferred Salem Church from Enoree to Bethel Presbytery. 3. Changes as to Synodical Home Missions. A new plan proposed last year and adopted by the Presbyteries goes into effect by which the chairmen of the Presbyterial committees on Home Missions, compose the Synod's committee; and all collections for local Home Missions go to the Presbyterial committees, which shall remit two-fifths to the Synodical Committee. Rev. G. G. Mayes, was elected General Superintendent and Rev. George F. Robertson, General Evangelist. A general treasurer is to be chosen by the committee. Rev. R. G. McLees, who has served acceptably and efficiently as general evangelist for six years, retires from the work to accept a pastorate at Chatham, Va. 4. Improvement in Columbia Seminary. Official announcement was made of the election of Rev. A. M. Fraser, D. D., of Staunton, Va., to be president and professor of Pastoral Theology and HomilAiinn *WU ? ui. a *? - isuw iu iuib vcuerauie 1I1H11I.UI.10I1, OI which he is a distinguished alumnus, and of his readiness to accept. But a technical defect appeared in the manner of his election, which though unanimous and hearty, was at a called meeting when two-thirds of the directors (as required by the constitution in the election of a professor), were not present. This was noted and steps were taken to have the other associated Synodq concur in adopt-, ing means to legalize the election and ur. r raser was urged to accept. 5. The Synod approved of measures taken last summer to organize the young people's societies, connected with the churches of Synod, into a Westminster federation of Young People's Societies