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22 THE
j Synods |
SYNOD OF GEORGIA.
The Synod cf Georgia met at Cedartown
on the 9th of November, and was
opened with a sermon by Rev. R. O.
Flynn, on the "Parable of the Barren Fig
Tree." Luke 13:6-9. There were present
fifty-two ministers and twenty-eight
elders.
Rev. W.. Moore Scott, pastor of the
First Church of Savannah, tendered to
Synod the gavel used at the last Assembly,
made from wood of the church in
wmch Jonn Calvin preached in Geneva.
Rev. I. S. McElroy was unanimously
chosen moderator and Rev. D. W. Brannen
reading clerk, and he was authorized
to act as permanent clerk in the absence
of that officer. Calvin Memorial Day was
celebrated on Thursday by addresses on
"Calvin, the Man," by Rev. A. A. Little,
D. D.; "Calvin and Servetus," by Rev. W.
L. Lingle, D. D.; "Europe as Calvin Found
It and as He Left It," by Rev. R. C. Reed,
D. D.
The interests of the Presbyterian Hospital
were presented by Mr. C. D. McKinney
president of the board of trustees,
and Mr. W. Woods White, another trustee.
After members of Synod had spoken
of its work, a committee of three was
appointed to visit the Presbyteries in its
' behalf.
The Synod was favored with the presence
of several of the secretaries, who
presented the claims of their respective
causes. Rev. W. E. Boggs, D. D., repre
senting the Assembly's committee on
schools and colleges; Rev. J. G. Snedecor,
D. D., colored evangelization; Rev. A. L.
Phillips, D. D., Sabbath schools and
Young People's Societies; Rev. S. L. Morris,
D. D., Assembly's Home Missions;
and Rev. H. H. Sweets, D. D., ministerial
education and relief; Rev. J. W. Bachman,
D. D., represented the committee of
Foreign Missions; and Rev. L. C. Vass, of
the Synod of North Carolina, spoke on
his work in Africa, accompanying his address
with stereopticon views. The Synod
also heard Mr. H. C. Ostrom in the
interests of the Laymen's Forward Missionary
Movement Additional corresponding
members were Rev. Geo. Telford,
of the Synod of Virginia, and Rev.
J. H. Wilson, of the Synod of South Carolina,
who are coming into our bounds,
but had not been received by their Presbjteries.
Rev. John I. Armstrong resigned as
stated clerk and Rev _T (i Herniinii wan
elected as his successor.
Rev. I. S. McElroy was requested to
publish in our church papers his informing
report on Foreign Missions.
Commerce was chosen as the place for
the next meeting of Synod, and November
8, 1910, is the time.
J. G. Herndon,
Stated Clerk.
Put not your trust In money but your
money in trust.?Oliver Wendell Holmes.
PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOUT1
SYNOD OF FLORIDA.
The Synod of Florida met at Plant City
on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p. m. The
opening sermon was preached by the
moderator, Rev. L. R. Lynn, from Matt.
17: 27, last clause, "That take, and give
unto them for thee and me."
Rev. J. C. Tims was elected moderator
and Rev. J. W. Stokes temporary clerk.
There was rather a meaeer attandancB
both of ministers and elders, largely due
to the fact that the distance to be travelled
to the place of meeting was so great
and the expense involved so heavy. A
committee wr.s appointed to report at
next meeting on some way to meet the
difficulty.
Rev. H. H. Sweets addressed the Synod
on the cause he represents, Ministerial
Education and Ministerial Relief and Endowment.
Rev. Homer McMillan spoke on the
Genral Assembly's Home Mission workand
Rev. J. B. Branch represented Thornwell
Ornhanaee.
Synod very heartily endorsed the election
of Dr. Fraser to the Presidency of
Columbia Seminary.
In answer to communications from tht
local and state W. C. T. Unions and the
Anti-Saloon League, the following, action
was taken;
1. That the position of our Church on
the evils of strong drink of every sort
is sufficiently known; but we hereby reaffirm
the action of the General Assembly
as follows: "As the traffic in the use of
Intoxicating liquors as a beverage are the
prolific causes of se much crime, poverty
and suffering in our land, and as it costs
the people so much money in criminal
prosecutions and the support of the victims
of drink, and as it is one of the
g.eatest enemies of the Church of Christ
in destroying tne sanctity of the Christian
Sabbath in its right observance wherever
its blighting influence is felt, and as we
are warned against its effects in 1 Cor. 6:
10, therefore, in view of these terrible
effects, this General Assemhlv hoora Ifo
testimony against this evil, and recommends
to all our people the use of all
legitimate means for its banishment from
the land."
2. That as to the civil policy of dealing
with the liquor traffic, the Church of
Christ has no province. The State seeks
by police methods to maintain justice
and preserve peace and good order; while
the Church seeks through the ministry
of the word, to bring men under the power
of grace for their conversion to God
and spiritual UDbuildimr.
3. That while asserting these principles
as controlling us in this matter, we wish
it to be understood that we rejoice in
every Indication of progress towards universal
temperance.
The Narrative sets forth, "That while
no conspicuous advance is shown over
the previous year, the general tone is
brighter and more encouraging.
"There is evidence of growth in the
grace of giving, and increased interest in
the services of the sanctuary. Some weak
churches have become self-sustaining,
H. November 24, 1909.
and obligations to pastors more promptly
met, while the need of more generously
supporting pastors is becoming more
clearly recognized.
"No special revival is noted, but a number
of churches have received encouraging
additions. The report as to worldliness,
the observance of the Sabbath and
family worship indicates no special improvement
along these lines, yet with in
v-icodcu luierwHi in toe general work and
worship of the Church, there is reason to
believe that individuals are coming to
recognize their duty to be exemplary in
these and all respects."
The evening services on Wednesday
was devoted to Home Missions, and that
of Thursday to Foreign Missions. At
both meetings able and interesting addresses
were made, and it is not too much
to say that the Synod of Florida is fully
alive to the importance of these branches
of the Church's work.
The other activities of the Church received
due share of attention and were
commended to the prayers and liberality
of our people.
The Rev. J. B. Branch was cordially
commended to the churches in his efforts
to secure funds for a Florida Cottage at
Thornwell Orphanage.
The sum of $100.95 in thg hands of the
Svnod's Evancollstlo *? ??
? 0w.*wv.v WMIIIIIVICC IU Ut5
turned over to the Tampa Cuban Mission,
and the Mission itself was commended to
the liberality of the churches.
The sessions of Synod were greatly
enjoyed; the annual meeting of the
brethren to consider the interests of the
Master's kingdom was felt by all to be a
means of spiritual uplift.
By rising vote, Synod gave expression
to its cordial thanks to the good people of
Plant City and their devoted pastor for
their exceedingly kind and grateful hospitality
and thoughtfulness for the comforts
of .the brethren.
The next meeting of Synod will be held
at DeFuniak Springs, on Tuesday, the
15th day of November, 1910, at 7:30 p. m.
?The dominant spirit in the Presbytery
of Western Texas during its recent
session at Goliad was that of prayer. In
the free conversation upon the subject
of religion, which occupied almost half
a day, an earnest prayer followed the
report of each pastor and his elder. Then
a special prayer was ofTered for the
churches not represented.
ST. JOHNS PRESBYTERY.
The fall meeting of the Presbytery of
St. Johns was held in the Tampa Heights
Church, Tampa, Fla., October 12-14, 1909.
There were present 15 ministers and 14
ruling elders. Under the direction of the
chairman of the Presbytery's Committee
ot Publication and Sabbath School Work,
a very interesting and helpful Sabbath
school institute was held on Monday evening,
October 11, and Tuesday morning and
afternoon.
Officers.?Rev. Chas. Kingsley, moderator;
Rev. R. W. Hlnes, clerk.
Received.?Rev. C. J. Morton from the
Presbytery of Florida; Rev. P. H. Hen