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From a hasty glance it appears that the cost of lot, Seminary buildings, stable, carriage house, coal house, fencing lot and yards, well, pump, grates, paling garden, smokehouse, stove, desk, chair, benches, shovels, pokers, &c. is $6898 and 60 cents, all of which is paid. D. H. By order of the Board of Trustees, the undersigned committee have examined the foregoing report, with the accompanaing papers and statements, and find it to be

correct.

ROBERT HENDERSON,
D. S. STEVENSON,

} Committee.

No. 28. A memorial from the Rev. H. Kirkland, which was, on motion, referred to the Presbytery of Alleghany.

The committee appointed to examine the records of the Presbytery of Chartiers, reported that having examined said minutes, they found them correct. The report was, on motion, accepted.

Proceeded with the business left unfinished last evening, viz: the answers to reasons of protest, &c. A motion was made to reconsider the vote of last evening, sustaining the appeal from the moderator's decision regarding the right of the protesters to a vote. It was agreed to reconsider, and the question was again taken on the original appeal from the moderator's decision. After a free discussion the vote of last evening was reversed.

The question was then taken on the motion to adopt the answers to the reasons of protest, and was carried "not adopt" by a vote of 39 to 19. On motion, Resolved, That the appeal from the Presbytery of Albany, noticed in the report of said Presbytery, be made the order of the day for this afternoon.

Adjourned till 2 o'clock.-Closed with prayer.

2 o'clock, P. M.

The Synod met and was opened with prayer. Members present as above, except that Nathaniel M'Dowel attended in the room of James Patterson. Read the minutes of last sitting. Mr. M'Clelland asked and obtained leave of absence for this afternoon.

The memorial of Mr. Kirkland mentioned in the minutes of the forenoon sitting, as referred to the Presbytery of Alleghany, was by said Presbytery referred back to Synod. Wherefore it was, on motion,

Resolved, That said memorial be referred to a select committee to report thereon, and Messrs. M'Lane, senior, Irvine and Beggs, were appointed said committee.

Proceeded to the order of the day, viz: the appeal of Messrs. Stark and Bullions from the decision of the Presbytery of Albany, declaring it to be censurable according to the word of God and the discipline of this church, for a minister of the Gospel to enter a civil suit against a member of his own communion for a supposed injury to his moral character, without first having submitted the matter to the adjudication of the appropriate church court.

The reasons of protest with the Presbytery's answers were read. At this stage of the business, its progress was arrested by the following resolution which was offered, and after discussion adopted, viz: "Moved that it is inexpedient to decide upon the abstract question proposed by the

Presbytery of Albany, inasmuch as there may be a diversity of circum stances in different cases, and no particular case is before Synod."

Against the decision adopting the above resolution Messrs. Martin and S. Hindman protested for reasons to be given in.

On motion, Resolved, That the Presbytery of Albany have leave to withdraw the papers in this case. Against this decision Messrs. Miller,. Martin and S. Hindman, entered their protest.

The committee appointed to confer with Mr. Beveridge relative to his acceptance of the professorship reported that he agrees to accept the appointment.

The report of the Treasurer of the Bible Society was read, and, on motion, laid on the table.

Report of the Treasurer of the Bible Society. T. Beveridge to the Bible Society of the Associate Church,

Oct. 1534, cong. of Salem,

Nov. 24, J. L. Porter, Lewistown,
July 23, 1835, Wm. Graham, Holmesburgh,
Oct. 8, rec'd from a friend, by Mr. Patterson,
8, cong. of Derby, by Rev. J. Wallace,
-8, cong. of Cherokee, do
do.

Dr. Oct. 1834, Bibles to Albany,
$30 00
do. to Salem,
10 20 Nov. 24, J. L. Porter, Lewistown,
1 00 Jan. 32, 1835, to Baltimore,
200 May 12, Bibles for Canada,

3 00

3 00

11, cong, of Cæsar'sCrk. by Rev.A.Heron 11, West Hebron, by Rev A. Anderson, 14, cong. of Salem,

7 50

47 50

10 00

191 63

$303-43

Balance by last report,

Contra,

Cr.

$15 40

30 00

10 80

19 65

50 00

50 00

$175 85

127 48

$303 48

do. for Western mission,

Balance in the Treasurer's hands,"

T. BEVERIDGE, Treasurer.

Resumed the business left unfinished in the forenoon.

The following preamble and resolution were offered for discussion, viz: "Whereas the answers to reasons of protest against the act declaring our union with the original Seceders in Scotland, are not adopted by the Synod, it is moved to appoint another committee to answer said reasons." The consideration of this resolution and of the business with which it is connected, was, on motion, postponed till to-morrow morning.

Entered on the consideration of an appeal by the Rev. Joseph Banks, laid on Synod's table last year, against a decision of the Presbytery of Ohio, inserting a certain addition in their minutes at a subsequent meeting to that at which the minutes had been approved, which addition the appellant considered as affecting a cause in which he had been concerned before Presbytery. The reasons of protest and their answers were read, and the parties heard and removed, and the Synod adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.-Closed with prayer.

Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The Synod met and was opened with prayer-members present as above, together with Mr. John France, minister, from the Presbytery of Alleghany.

The minutes of last sitting being read, Mr. Hanna claimed the priviledge of joining Mr. Martin and others in their protest taken last evening against the Synod's decision, in giving the Presbytery of Albany leave to withdraw the papers in the case of protest and appeal.

Proceeded with the business left unfinished last evening, viz: the appeal of Mr. Banks. The remarks of members of Synod were taken at some length, and the question was put, sustain the appeal or not, and carried sustain.

The draught of an act for a fast was read, and after some correction adopted.

An Act for Fasting.

So long as the church is in her wilderness state, encompassed with enemies, and sanctified but in part, it will not be difficult to find substantial reasons for fasting and humiliation.

It is evident from the word of God, that there is an observation and intelligence of the events of the times, which is closely connected with the knowledge and perform

081

ance of our duty, and that this understanding of the times is especially needful to those who are placed as watchmen on Zion's walls.

"The children of Issachar, it is said, were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." Such an understanding of the signs and events of the times is necessary to determine the special duties to which God calls us in our several places. It is recommended in scriptnre and the want of it severely reproved. Thus Isaiah says "In that day did the Lord God of Hosts call to weeping and mourning and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth. But behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep." In similar language does our Lord reprove the unbelieving Jews. "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times ?"

From the present aspect of Divine Providence, it is evident the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of this land, the reason of this controversy it becomes us carefully to search out. A spirit of insubordination to good and wholesome laws prevails to an alarming extent, in these United States. This spirit manifests itself in trampling on all law, and setting the civil authorities at defiance, and tends to the wildest anarchy and confusion. May we not justly deprecate the prevalence of such an evil, as foreboding the complete subversion of our civil institutions.

The growth of both practical and avowed atheism, and the increase of infidelity is We enjoy all the advantages of doubtless one leading cause of God's controversy. Divine revelation-have the means of knowing God and his will, which in infinite sovereignty are decreed to many nations, yet many are saying "Who is the Lord that we should obey him? We know not the Lord, neither will we obey his voice."

Gross ignorance of the scriptures, and wilful neglect of the means of information, whilst contributing to the growth of infidelity, are signs of God's wrath. Though great and laudable exertions are used for disseminating the oracles of truth, yet it may be said of many, as God says of the Jews, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

As another cause of God's controversy with us, may be mentioned the gross profanity which abounds, both with respect to the name of God and his holy Sabbath. The evidences of this are too plain and palpable to be denied. Because of swearing, the land mourneth. This includes not only the common profanation of God's name in conversation, but all irreverant uses of that great and fearful name, in lawful oaths, as also all profanations of it by unlawful and extra-judicial oaths, such as are practised by the society of Free-masons; and it is matter of lamentation that so much countenance is given by many of the Reformed churches to this latter abomination, by retaining in their fellowship, those who are involved in its guilt, and have given no proper evidence of repentance.

and

The profanation of the Sabbath, an iniquity, in some instances decreed by law, the general disregard of the sanctity of that day, calls loudly for deep humiliation and mourning. In connexion with this it may be observed, that covetousness, fraud and lying, are so connected with the commercial dealings of men, and so interwoven with their daily pursuits as to demand our serious notice.

One particular, which embraces a train of attendant evils deserves a prominent place among our reasons of fasting, we mean the execrable crime of slavery. God in his providence, seems to be opening the way for the diffusion of light on this iniquitous traffic, and to be calling the attention of the inhabitants of this land to a contemplation of its abominations. Yet, notwithstanding the obvious immorality of slavery, it still exists, and that too, in the church of Christ. An evil which disgraces our national character, ought surely to be repudiated by the church. In vain do we fast and pray, unless we "loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free," for whilst a sin so glaring is persisted in, our repentance can only resemble that of Pharaoh, who cried out, "I have sinned," but would not consent to liberate the oppressed Isrealites. Were it not that men's worldly interest is involved in this traffic, and prompts them to desire its continuance, we cannot but think all would, with one voice, condemn it as grossly repugnant to the law of God and the rights of men.

The rapid increase of Popery, and the favor with which many Popish superstitions are regarded by some Protestant churches forms another reason for fasting and humiliation. From the acknowledged character of Popery, and its avowed principles, it is evident that its prevalence to any great extent, must prove the subversion of our civil and religious liberty. It is therefore, a matter of humiliation that so many Protestants instead of testifying against this mystery of iniquity, in all its forms, are gradually falling in with many of its superstitions, and countenancing their observance. The increase of error in doctrine, together with a latitudinarian spirit in practice and the consequent evil of laxness in church discipline in many of the Reformed churches, are alarming evidences of the backsliding state of Zion. "How is the gold become dim and the most fine gold changed!" The glory of the Reformation is obscured; the vain speculations of a blinded understanding and perverse heart, are in many instances substituted for the simplicity of gospel truth, and the extravagant inventions of men, for the pure ordinances of Christ. A corrupt system of doctrine, which flatters the pride

of the human heart, and detracts from the glory and riches of free grace, finds many advocates; and a cold indifference to many precious truths of God's word, under the deceitful garb of a spurious charity, prevails to an extent which may well alarm those whose hearts tremble for the ark of God. The time has come "when men will not endure sound doctrine, but heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears." When we turn our attention to our own particular branch of the church, we find much to lament and deplore. God has given us "a banner to be displayed because of the truth," and we are united under the common bond of a testimony for its defence. But alas, we have not been valinat for the truth, in proportion to its worth; ignorance of the distinguishing principles of God's word and our witnessing profession prevails; ministers are not sufficiently diligent in teaching them to the rising generation, and parents too often omit, or superficially perform this necessary branch of duty. The scriptural zeal in behalf of God's cause, which distinguished our father's in the purer ages of the church, has degenerated with us, into lukewarmness or a cold formality; and though we adhere to the external forms of duty, yet it is to be feared that much of the life and power of Godliness is gone. A time-serving worldly spirit is evident both in ministers and people; mutual jealousies, personal contentions, "emulations, wrath, strife, envying," and such like evils, seem to have supplanted the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, meekness.

Thongh we have the means of grace in great abundance, yet we may justly adopt the lamentation of the prophet, "my leaness, my leanness, woe unto me. We have reason to fear that, in many instances the duties of secret and family devotion, are either totally neglected, or irregularly performed.

For these and such like aggravated evils, it becomes us to weep, and cry to God to vert deserved strokes of judgment. May he not justly say of us "you only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for your iniquities." Let us humble ourselves because of our abominations, and with weeping and with fasting, and with supplication, return unto the Lord our God. Let us search into the causes of God's wrath, that by seasonable repentance, they may be removed. Let us pray for the special out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the church at large, and this witnessing branch of it, in particular. Let us seek the fulfillment of the precious promises of his word, which respect the purity, prosperity and glory of the church, "when the envy of Ephraim shall depart and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off, when Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vex Ephraim," "and when there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all God's holy mountain." Then "shall her peace be as a river and her righteousness as the waves of the sea.”

The 2nd Thursday of January, 1836, was appointed as the day of fasting.

Messrs. Isaac and walker were appointed a committee to prepare the draught of an act for a fast, to be laid before the Synod at its next meeting.

On motion, resolved, that a committee be appointed to explain the nature of the duty of fasting, and the scriptural manner of its observance. Dr. Ramsay and Mr. Beveridge were appointed said committee.

On motion, resolved that the Presbytery of Philadelphia, be authorized to present to Mr. Wm. Galbraith, the call from Lewistown, before the expiration of his probationary year, it being understood that Mr. Galbraith shall fulfil Synodical appointments till the end of his probationary

year.

On motion, resolved, that whatever calls are already reported, or may be in train for Mr. John S. Easton, be transmitted to the Presbytery of Albany, with orders to present them.

Resumed the business left unfinished last evening, viz: the resolution for appointing a committee to answer the reasons of protest in the case of the Associate Synod of Original Seceders. The resolution, after a brief consideration, was adopted and Messrs. Adams, Templeton, and Wallace, were appointed a committee to answer said reasons.

Various resolutions were then offered in order to issue the whole business respecting the Synod's act. Wherefore, it was on motion, resolved that a committee be appointed to whom shall be referred all these resoutions with instructions to mature and report this afternoon-Messrs. Martin, Hanna, Beveridge and Dr. Bruce, were appointed said committee.— Adjourned till 2 o'clock. Closed with prayer.

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