Whereas The habitual use of tobacco is a vile and filthy practice, defiling the secretions, corrupting the stomach, firing the nervous system, and engendering disease, thereby proving the winding sheet of many thousands of our citizens every year; and whereas, multitudes in the church, indulging in the use of it to excess, ignore this monstrous evil, and by their example demoralize the youth and put a stumbling block in the way of the weak; and whereas, its use has become a national vice of frightful mien, and an ally of drunkenness, degenerating our race morally and physically; and whereas, it is contrary to the exhortations, "keep thyself pure," or, "whether ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God," and ought to be condemned; therefore,

Resolved, 1. That we hereby most explicitly condemn the habitual use of this destructive weed in any form.

Resolved, 2. That no person known to indulge in the habitual use of tobacco, only when prescribed by his physician, shall hereafter be licensed to preach the gospel.

The committee on Finance reported. The report was accepted, amended and laid on the table for the present.

The report on papers Nos. 4 and 5 was taken up. The report was amended and adopted. It is as follows:

The committee to which papers Nos. 4 and 5 were referred by Synod at its last meeting, respectfully report:

These papers are memorials, the one from members of Allegheny congregation, and the other from members of Rehoboth congregation, under the care of Pittsburgh Presbytery. The memorialists request Synod to take action on the subjects of proclamation of banns-continuous singing, and singing repeating tunes the late war, and occasional hearing. On the first three of these we have nothing to recommend to Synod. The omission to proclaim the banns of marriage was brought about by Synod, in the regular way of overture and adoption, and the memorialists present no instance of evil arising from the omission as a reason why the church should return to the former practice. The change from lining the psalms to singing continuously, took place gradually, and as there is nothing in the standard, imposing a paramount obligation to line the psalms, continuous singing, when preferred by the worshipers, does not require synodic action to make it lawful. In reference to singing repeating tunes no legislation seems to be needed. In regard to joining in the late war, it seems to us that any deliverance at this day would be wholly unseasonable. Sessions received instructions from Synod how to deal with such cases as might require discipline, and we have heard of no complaint of unfaithfulness. On the subject of occasional hearing, we recommend that Synod enjoin pastors and elders to be careful, by their example, counsel and exhortations, to guard the people under their care against this growing evil, and encourage them to maintain in practice as well as in principle, our testimony, until its end has been accomplished.

Respectfully submitted.

THOS. SPROULL, Chairman.

J. H. Hemphill, R. Spear, T. M. Hutcheson, R. H. Purvis, J. Love, J. Spear, dissented from the vote that "no legislation is required in relation to the use of repeating tunes.'

Report of committee on Unfinished Business was adopted.

The report of the committee on Finance was taken up and adopted. It is as follows:

The committee on Finance respectfully report, that we have received and examined the following reports:

The report of W. Brown, Treasurer and Trustee of Synod;

D. Gregg,

of Theological Seminary;

We recommend that these reports be appended and kept on file.

We recommend that the bequest of elder George Spence, deceased, of Kortright, being a draft for $1,000 on the Metropolitan National Bank, N. Y., for the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, be permanently invested for the endowment of the Theological Seminary.

The request of the Ohio Presbytery for $100 we would refer to the Central Board.

The request of Illinois Presbytery in behalf of Indianapolis, we would also refer to the Central Board.

We recommend that the expenses of the commission to Princeton be paid out of the Home Mission Fund. The amount is $116.50.

We endorse the recommendation of the Board of Superintendents that $500 be paid to Rev. S. O. Wylie for services in the Seminary

We recommend that the bequest of Robert Kyle, of Rochester, to the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, being the amount of $260.00, be distributed, the one-half to the Home Mission Fund and the other half to Westminster College, Allegheny City, Pa.

The following is the account current of the finances of the church as presented in the reports:

Donations and collections,..

Total income,.

Amount expended,..

As there are urgent demands on this fund, we earnestly recommend the exercise of an enlarged liberality throughout the church in regard to it.

Education Account.

Balance as per last report,....

.$ 707 14
712 66

.$1419 80

1344 92

Balance in treasury,............

A collection for this fund is appointed by Synod to be taken on thanksgiving day. All the congregations should heartily respond to this call. We recommend that those congregations which have not taken tions for the Literary Fund, be ordered to do so.

Traveling Fund Account.

The following amounts have been received from the Presbyteries: Presb. of New York,.......$ 627 30 Presb. of Ohio,.

up

collec

$ 135 05

217 20

286 00

228 35

$2257 06

The whole amount of expenses as reported by the Clerks of Presbyteries, is $2809.46.

We have distributed the funds received, as follows (80.3 per. cent. being the ratio of distribution):

Presbyteries are directed to furnish their respective quotas to the Finance

committee on the basis of 30 cents per member.

The following is the estimate of funds for the several schemes of the church,

We recommend that pastors present the claims of the church in her various operations, clearly before their congregations, in connection with the time appointed for collections, that the whole church may be stimulated to a higher and deeper beneficence.

W. F. GEORGE, Chairman.

The Clerk was directed to draw an order for $116.50 in favor of S. O. Wylie, chairman of the Princeton commission, for the expenses of said commission. To be paid out of the Domestic Mission Fund.

The Clerk was directed to draw an order for $500 in favor of $. O. Wylie. To be paid out of the Seminary Fund.

The report of the committee on the Theological Seminary was taken up. The report was amended and adopted. It is as follows:

The committee on the Theological Seminary respectfully report: We find the following matters before us for consideration: the licensure of theological students; a proposal for a system of bursaries; the re-organization and expenses of the Board of Superintendents; and the report of the Board.

I. In relation to the licensure of theological students, we recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

Whereas, there is a diversity of practice in the application of the rule requiring students of theology under the supervision of this Synod, to attend four full terms at the Seminary before they shall be licensed to preach the gospel; and whereas, the fields are white unto the harvest, and the laborers are few; therefore,

Resolved, 1st. That the present rule be rescinded.

2d. That Presbyteries be authorized to license, after careful and satisfactory examination, such students as shall have attended three full sessions at the Seminary.

3d. That all students thus licensed, shall be required to return and attend the Seminary the fourth year; that no interference with this session's studies shall be permitted by appointments to preach; and that no call from any congregation shall be sustained and presented until their full theological course has been completed.

II. In relation to a system of bursaries. A number of the members of the church having given their names for the necessary funds, we recommend the offer to our students of the following bursaries:

1st. One of $75 for proficiency in preparatory studies at the commencement of the Seminary course.

2d. Three of $25 each, for excellence in the intersessional studies of the second, third and fourth years, respectively.

3d. Three of $50 each, for proficiency at the close of each session of the Seminary in the studies in advanced Hebrew, the Greek Testament and Turrettine, in which students have been instructed by the Professors during the session.

The amount for which the names alluded to have been given is sufficient to meet the requirements of the above bursaries for three years. In regard to the examinations, we recommend that they be conducted in the form of written questions and answers, by the Board of Superintendents, assisted by the Professors; that the examiners have discretionary power to determine the standard of excellence, and in case of equal, or nearly equal proficiency, to make a division of a bursary.

III. In relation to the Board of Superintendents, we recommend that the present regulations be annulled, and that the following rules be adopted:

1st. Tha: the Board of Superintendents consist of six members—four ministers and two elders, to be chosen by Synod.

2d. That at the first election of the Board two members shall be chosen for three years; two for two years; and two for one year; that at subsequent elections menbers shall be chosen for three years; and that at each meeting of Synod successors shall be chosen to those members of the Board whose term will then expre, or will have expired, before the next meeting of the Court.