re

Mr. Henry then proceeded to address the synod. In a most lucid, animated, and affectionate manner, with all the pathos of real eloquence, he, for himself and the synod which he presented, reciprocated the fraternal affection of this synod; while he earnestly desired that the cords and bands of affection and of mutual co-operation might be drawn tighter and tighter, and that every energy might be direct. ed to the consideration of the great work of the covenant.

The court then, as a testimony of their high approbation, cordial affection, and hearty welcome, gave individually to Mr. Henry the right hand of fellowship.

Rev. Alexander Clarke was then invited to favor the synod with a relation of his missionary move. ments in Nova Scotia, and whatever observations he might see proper to communicate.

Mr. Clarke then indulged the synod with an accurate and very satisfactory detail of his missionary labors, from the time of his arrival in the British provinces, August 23, 1827, during four years. His labors had been very severe, and the prospects for a considerable time far from flattering. His circuit of riding was upwards of 2,500 square miles, exclusive of foreign visits. That, nevertheless, much had been done, and the prospects begin to brighten. sacrament of the Lord's Supper had been administered to fifty-two communicants. Elders had been ordained and a session organized. There is a continued ery, and the cry is increasing, "Come over and help us. A house of worship is greatly needed in two

The

places. Then much might be done; but without them, especially in the city of St. John's, comparatively nothing. One house of worship has already been erected, and two more are contemplated. Practical religion is scarcely to be found in the community at large. Mr. C. deplored the want of energy in relation to missionary operations, and earnestly requested the help and co-operation of this synod.

On motion, the court, through their moderator, expressed their high gratification at the excellent displays of information and good feeling afforded to them, and testify their unfeigned expressions of thankfulness to the delegate from the Irish synod, the Rev. Mr. Henry; to the Irish missionary to the British provinces, the Rev. Alexander Clarke; and to the Rev. Dr. McLeod, for the eminent services rendered to the church in his visit to Europe.

On motion, it was resolved, that this synod highly appreciate all the services of the Rev. Dr. McLeod, in his intercourse with the Scottish and Irish synods, on his late visit to the British empire; and they do hereby recognize them as clothed with all official authority.

On motion, the synod express their thanks to the sister judica. tories of Scotland and Ireland, for the respectful and affectionate mauner in which they received our delegate, the Rev. Dr. McLeod.

Resolved, That this synod duly appreciates the regard so promptly expressed to it by the sister judicatories in Scotland and Ireland, in the appointment of delegates to it;

and regret that the Scottish dele. gate has not been able to appear on our floor, in company with the highly respectable delegate from Ireland.

The consideration of the cove. nant, with the accompanying do'cuments, is made the order of the day for to-morrow.

The letter from the associate synod was called for, and read in part; but the hour of adjournment being come, the synod adjourned by prayer.

Eodem loco, Aug. 9, 1831. Court met and was called to order by the moderator. Same members ut antea.

1. The roll was called, and members answered to their names.

2. The minutes of the former sederunt were read and approved. 3. The reading of the letter from the associate synod was resumed, and finished, and the following order taken on it :

Whereas, this synod is persuad. ed that the subject in discussion between it and the associate synod, from the turn it has taken, might be carried on indefinitely, without advantage to the interests of truth; and being desirous of promoting that object, and nothing else, in the historical narrative to our testimony; therefore, Resolved, That the committee of foreign correspondence be directed to inform the associate synod, that, if furnished with a brief and distinct statement of the views entertained by seceders, on the points in question, such statement shall be em. bodied in the next edition of our narrative.

4. On motion, the Rev. Mr. Henry was respectfully requested to furnish this court with a copy

of his sermon. He answered that he would endeavor to comply with this request.

5. On motion, the synod went into a committee of the whole, for the consideration of the draught of the covenant, which was the order of the day.

The draught of the covenant was then read, together with the remarks of the Irish committee. The members made their remarks as it was read, paragraph by paragraph. The committee then rose and reported.

6. The moderator having taken the chair,-on motion, a committee of three was appointed, criti. cally to examine the draught of the covenant, and report to synod at next meeting. Rev. Drs. Wylie, McMaster and Black are that committee.

The synod then had a recess of twenty minutes.

7. The recess being ended, the synod was called to order.

8. The committee of bills laid upon the table No. 1, a letter from the editor of the Protestant, which was read and referred to the committee of discipline; No. 2, an appeal from a decision of the Ohio presbytery, signed Charles B. McKee, with accompanying do cuments, which was also referred.

The synod adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock, A. M. Moderator concluded by prayer,

Kodem loco, Aug. 10, 1831. The court met and were called to order by the moderator. Same members ut antea.

1. The committee on presby. terial reports reported. Their report was read, and the consideration of its recommendations was, for the present, deferred.

2. The committee on missions presented the following report, which was read and adopted:

"That the subject is of great importance, and calls for imme. diate and efficient acting. They therefore recommend the following resolutions:

Resolved, (1.) That synod do immediately appoint a missionary board, subject to synod itself.

(2.) That said board shall organize itself into such form as may be best calculated to effect the end of its appointment, without useless delay.

(3.) That missionaries employed by said board shall be under the direction of those presbyteries within whose bounds they labor, and so long as they continue with. in said bounds.

(4.) That funds, by subscription, collections, or donations, be raised, without delay, to enable the board of missions to enter, as speedily as possible, upon its duties.

3. The committee on the signs of the times presented their report of causes both of fasting and thanksgiving, which, on motion, was recommitted to make some alterations.

4. The committee on discipline reported as follows:

1. That, whereas the editor of the Protestant has made applica. tion to this synod, requesting the testimony of this court in behalf of that paper, therefore,

Resolved, That, whereas there is reason to believe that popery is making dangerous progress in the United states; and whereas, we have reason to believe that the Protestant has been useful, therefore, resolved, that the clerk

of this synod be instructed to write to the editor of the Protestant a letter, encouraging him to perse. vere in his laudable course. This resolution was adopted by synod.

2. The committee also reported in relation to the publishing of the Book of Discipline and Directories for Worship. Whereupon, the synod took the following order:

1. On motion, the act of 1819, adopting the Book of Discipline and Directories for Worship, but which act had never been published, was then repealed.

2. Resolved, That the Book of Discipline and Directories be published in the American Christian Expositor, in the form of overture.

3. The committee also reported on the appeal of Rev. C. B. McKee from the decision of the Ohio presbytery, dissolving his pastoral connection with his congregation in Cincinnati. On which the synod came to the following resolution:

Resolved, That this court consider the conduct of the majority of the congregation of Cincinnati toward Mr. McKee unkind, the reason of their application for a disjunction inadequate, and the deed of presbytery precipitate: therefore,

Resolved, That the act of dissolution, in this case, be, and it hereby is, repealed; and that Mr. McKee be restored as pastor of the church in Cincinnati,till the case be more fully and deliberately acted upon, and decided according to our ecclesiastical law.

4. Resolved, That the clerk of this synod be ordered to inform the congregation of Cincinnati of this decision.

5. A memorial from the con

gregation of Coldenham was presented, read, and laid on the table. Adjourned till 9 o'clock, A. M.

Eodem loco, Aug. 11, 1831.

Court met pursuant to adjournment, and were called to order by the moderator. Same members

ut antea.

1. The roll was called, and members answered to their names. 2. The minutes of the former sederunt were read and approved. 3. The committee of Bills laid on the table a letter from the Auxiliary Sabbath Union Society of Pittsburg, soliciting the attention of this synod to the best means of promoting the observance of the sabbath, and, if the synod think proper, to pass a resolution, approving the object of the parent association, and recommending it to the prayers and attention of their churches, etc. Respecting this paper it was,

Resolved, That the general object proposed in this letter is ap. proved by this court; and we pledge ourselves, by all proper means, to promote the great object of sabbath sanctification.

4. The financial committee of the theological seminary presented a report, which was accepted, and referred to the committee on the theological seminary.

5. The committee to whom was referred a report on the civil relations, &c. presented the following report, which was adopted:

The object of appointing a committee on the civil relations, is to inquire into the propriety of making application to the civil authorities, respecting the relations in which the members of this church stand to them. The said

committee accordingly submit to synod a resolution in these words:

That an application be made to the congress of the United States, when it shall have been ascertained from influential statesmen that such application will probably prove successful, for a grant of the rights of citizenship to the members of this church, not otherwise recognized as citizens, on other terms than swearing an oath of allegiance to the existing civil institutions of the land.

Your committee are of opinion that influential statesmen have not as yet opened the door for a successful application to congress; and therefore deem it most prudent to recommend to synod a postponement of the subject.

6. The committee on the mode of ordaining ruling elders and deacons, presented a report, which was read and ordered to lie on the table.*

7. On motion, the thanks of synod were presented to Dr. Black, for his sermon preached at the opening of synod, and a copy was requested for publication; with which request he promised to comply.

8. A motion was made and seconded, to repeal the act constituting a representative synod. The consideration of this motion was deferred until the report of the committee on presbyterial reports be disposed of.

9. The memorial from Coldenham was now taken up, and was committed to a special committee, consisting of Drs. McLeod, Wy. lie, McMaster, and Black, to re

* Not on file.