Drs. Neill and M'Dowell, the agents appointed last year to solicit donations for the Theological Seminary, reported that they had attended to the duty assigned them. The committee to which the Synodical and Presbyterial reports had been committed, reported, and, their report being read, it was directed that the stated clerk transcribe it into the Compendious View. It was also ordered by the Assembly, that the following part be printed, viz. "From this compendious view, it appears that there are, at this time, sixty-two Presbyteries under the care of this Assembly. Of these, reports have been received, for the last year, from 50. Forty-eight have reported on the number of communicants added during the last year; and 49 on the whole number of communicants. Forty-eight have reported on the number of baptisms; 9 on collections for Presbytery; 31 for the education of pious youth; 30 for the missionary fund; 41 for the commissioners' fund; and 18 for the theological assembly. Of 1300 congregations, the whole number reported [by 50 presbyteries] 578 have reported the number of communicants added to them the last year, to be 7,186; and 651 the total number now in communion, to be 71,364: 373 congregations have reported the number of adult baptisms in them to be 2,101; and 494 the number of infant baptisms at 8,105. The 50 Presbyteries which have reported, contain 546 ministers with charges, and 188 without, giving a total of 734, and have under their care 103 licentiates, and 101 candidates. The congregations within the bounds of these 50 Presbyteries, statedly supplied, are 793; vacant and able to support a pastor, 103; united able 20; and unable 318. "The committee further observe, by way of explanation, that the compendious view, now submitted, is by no means an adequate exhibition of the state of the churches under the care of this Assembly; either as to the number of ministers, the number of the churches, the number of communicants, or the number of baptisms. It will be seen that there are 12 Presbyteries from which no reports have been received on either of these items; that there are 14 who have not reported the number of additions during the last year; and thirteen who have made no report on the total number of communicants. It will also be seen that only 578 congregations, which is not quite half of the whole number reported, have reported the number of additions during the last year; and that only 651 have reported the whole number of communicants; and that only 373 have reported the number of adult baptisms; and only 494 have reported the number of infant baptisms. There is, therefore, manifestly, a great deficiency in the whole number of baptisms and additions during the last year, as well as in the whole number of communicants." The judicial committee brought into the Assembly a paper requiring the attention of the Assembly, and it was put upon the docket. The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of Geneva, reported, and their report being read, was adopted, and is as follows, viz. "That the book be approved to page 235, with the exception of pages 215. 24, 229, relative to certain appeals, in which the nature of the offence on which the appeals are founded, is not specified; and of pages 227 and 228, in which the conduct of the Presbytery of Cayuga is censured without prosecuting the subject to a proper issue; and in pages 270 and 271, where the conduct of the Presbytery of Ontario is censured for condemning the conduct of Mr. Foreman, a suspended minister, for exercising the rights of a common christian, in illustrating scripture and delivering exhortations; because, without deciding on the rights of common christians in this matter, Mr. Foreman being suspended from the ministry, ought by no means to be considered as occupying the ground of a common christian in good standing." A nomination was made of persons to fill up the vacancies in the Board of Directors of the Theological Seminary, and the election was made the order of the day for to-morrow morning. A nomination of persons to be chosen Delegates to the several Ecclesiastical bodies connected with the Assembly, was also made, and the election was made the order of the day for this afternoon, The Synod of Geneva requested that said Synod be divided in the following manner, and their request was granted, viz That the Presbyteries of Niagara, Genessee, Rochester, and Ontario, be erected into a Synod, to be known by the name of the Synod of Genessee, and that they hold their first meet. ing at Rochester, on the third Tuesday of Sept. next, at 2 o'clock, P. M. and be opened with a sermon by the Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D. or in case of his absence, by the senior minister present; and afterwards meet on their own adjournments: that the remaining Presbyteries constitute the Synod of Geneva, and that they meet on their own adjournments. A reference from the Synod of Geneva, relative to the validity of the ordination of a Bap tist Elder, was overtured, and the overture was committed to Drs. Green and Miller, and Messrs. John Brown, John B. Hoge, and Reid. A reference from the Synod of Pittsburg, on the subject of Free Masonry, was received, and read. After some discussion on the subject, the farther consideration of it was postponed till the afternoon. Mr. Lenox obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly. The following communication from the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church, was received and read, viz. "In General Synod of the Associate Reformed Church, "Resolved, That this Synod approve of the plan of union agreed upon by the joint committees; and refer the same to the consideration of the different Presbyteries, with an injunction to report their judgment to this Synod at its next meeting. "By order, "Philadelphia, May 23, 1821. "R. M'CARTEE, "Clerk of the General Synod." Adjourned till 4 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. Four o'clock, P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. John W. Cunningham, a ruling elder from the Presbytery of New Castle, appeared in the Assembly, and his commission being read, he took his seat as a member. It being the order of the day for this afternoon, an election was held for delegates to attend the several Ecclesiastical bodies connected with this Assembly. The ballots were taken and committed to Messrs. Davidson and Russel, to count the votes, and report to the Assembly, the names of the persons chosen. This committee reported, and their report being read, the following persons were declared duly chosen, viz. Rev. Wm. Neill, D. D. Rev. John Chester, and Rev. Artemas Dean, to attend the next meeting of the General Association of Connecticut; Dr. Neill, and Mr. Chester, to attend the next meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts; and Mr. Dean was appointed an alternate to either of these delegates, who may fail to attend. The Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D. D. to attend the next meeting of the General Convention of Vermont, and of the General Association of New Hampshire; and the Rev. Ira M. Olds was appointed his alternate. The Rev. John McDowell, D. D. and Mr. Alexander Henry, elder, to attend the next meeting of the Synod of the Associate Reformed church, and the Rev. Ezra S. Ely, D. D. and Mr. Samuel Bayard, elder, were appointed their alternates. The connected narrative of the state of religion, was read, and after several amendments had been adopted, it was agreed that it be read as a part of the exercises assigned for this evening, and that it be submitted again to the Assembly for further amendment. Adjourned till 9 o'clock, to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. May 24th, 9 o'clock, A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. Mr. Ramsay resigned his seat to Mr. George R. King, the alternate mentioned in their commission, and Mr. King being present, took his seat. Dr. Agnew obtained leave of absence, (after to-morrow morning) during the remaining sessions of this Assembly. It being the order of the day for this morning, an election was held for directors of the Theological Seminary. The ballots being taken, were committed to Messrs. Truair, Axtell, and Barnes, to report to the Assembly the number of votes given for the several candidates. This committee reported, and from their report it appeared, that the following persons were duly elected directors of the Theological Seminary, for three years, viz. Rev. Drs. Ashbel Green, John M'Dowell, John B. Romeyn, William Neill, Jacob J. Janeway, and James Richards, and Rev. Ebenezer Grant, ministers; and Messrs. Samuel Bayard, Thomas Bradford, jun. and Benjamin Strong, elders. The religious exercises assigned for last evening, were attended to, and the audience was large, attentive and solemn. The committee to whom was referred the information, received by the Assembly, respecting resolutions by certain Synods, to attempt to endow professorships in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, reported, and their report being read, was adopted, and is as follows, viz. That the Assembly have heard with unfeigned pleasure, the information that the Synod of Philadelphia have resolved to endow a professorship in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, with a capital of $25,000; that the Synod of New York and New Jersey, have resolved to endow another professorship with a like capital of $25,000; and that the Synod of North Carolina, and the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, have jointly resolved to endow an other professorship, with a capital of $30,000. And the Assembly doubt not that the laudable spirit of zeal which originated these resolutions, will lead to speedy and efficient measures, completely to accomplish the important objects contemplated. The committee appointed to determine upon the plan of printing a new edition of the Con fession of Faith, and Constitution of the Church, presented a report, which was accepted; whereon the Assembly resolved, 1. That the Rev. Dr Ely be appointed a committee to procure in the name of the Trustees of the General Assembly, the privilege of a copy-right for the publishing of the Confession of Faith, and Constitution of the Church; and that he be charged with seeing, that every part of the law concerning the securing said right be fully complied with. 2. That any printer, so disposed, may print any number of copies of said book, as he shall think proper, subject to the following restrictions. 3. That to secure authentic copies of so important a publication, three ministers of each of the Synods of our church be designated as a committee in their respective bounds, whose duty it shall be to form contracts for the payment of the premium hereinafter mentioned, and carefully to examine the proof sheets of said book. Their signature shall be regarded as a necessary certificate of authenticity. 4. That each printer of said book, for the privilege of printing, shall pay the sum of three cents per copy, to the treasurer of the General Assembly; to be equally divided between the missionary funds belonging to this Assembly, and the funds of the Theological Seminary at Princeton. 5. That the committee of the Synod of Philadelphia, be directed to have the book printed as speedily as possible. The Assembly then proceeded to appoint the following committees in their respective Synods, to act in conformity with the preceding resolutions, viz. 1. Of the Synod of Genessee. Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D. 2. Of the Synod of Geneva. Rev. Henry Axtell, Rev. Henry Dwight, Rev. Derick C. Lansing. 3. Of the Synod of Albany. Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D. D. Rev. Jonas Coe, D. D. ́ 4. Of the Synod of N. York and N. Jersey. Rev. John M'Dowell, D. D. 5. Of the Synod of Philadelphia. Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D. 6. Of the Synod of Pittsburg. Rev. Francis Herron, 7. Of the Synod of Virginia. Rev. John D. Blair, Rev. John H. Rice, D. D. Rev. Jesse Turner. 8. Of the Synod of Kentucky. Rev. James Blythe, D. D. 9. Of the Synod of Ohio. Rev. Robert G. Wilson, D. D. 10. Of the Synod of Tennessee. Rev. Thomas H. Nelson, Rev. David A. Sherman, 11. Of the Synod of North Carolina. Rev. William D. Snodgrass, 12. Of the Synod of S. Carolina and Georgia. Rev. John Joyce, Rev. Anthony W. Ross, Rev. Thomas Charleton Henry. Resolved, That the foregoing list of committees be printed on the last page of the Confession of Faith, &c. of the several editions. Resolved, That the members of these several committees, respectively, shall be considered as responsible to the church for the accuracy of the editions which may be printed under their superintendency. A code of rules to be appended to the Confession of Faith, and for the government of the several judicatories, was read, and after some discussion, was committed to Drs. Miller, Green and Robert G. Wilson, to revise it, and report to the Assembly. The committee to which the report of the Board of Missions was referred, reported the following resolutions, which were adopted. 1. That the proceedings of the Board of Missions be approved. 2. That the trustees of the General Assembly be instructed to issue a warrant for the payment of two thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars and fifty-two cents, being the whole amount of the sums due for missionary labours performed during the past year, and that the treasurer of the Board of Trustees be instructed to pay over the same to the several missionaries, according to the amount of their claims respectively. 3. That the salaries of the missionaries hereafter to be employed, be reduced to thirtythree dollars per month. The Narrative of the State of Religion was again submitted to the consideration of the Assembly, and it was agreed that it be read by paragraphs. After considerable progress had been made in the business, and after considerable discussion of several of the paragraphs, the Assembly Adjourned till 4 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. Four o'clock, P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Rev. Samuel Bell, commissioner from the Presbytery of New Castle, and Mr. Richard F. Nichols, ruling elder from the Presbytery of Long Island, appeared in the Assembly, and their commissions being read, they took their seats as members. Mr. Latta resigned his seat to Mr. Bell. The reading of the Narrative of the State of Religion, was resumed, and after some amendments, it was committed to the same committee which had drafted it to be farther amended, and printed under the direction of the committee. Ordered that 1500 copies of it be printed. The committees on the records of the Synods of Albany, Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina and Georgia, reported respectively, that the records of said Synods had not been sent up to the General Assembly: whereupon it was ordered, that the stated clerk of the Assembly be, and he is hereby ordered, to write to the said Synods, and require that said Synods be careful to send up their records for inspection, to the next Assembly. The reference from the Synod of Pittsburg, on the subject of Free Masonry, was called up, and committed to the Rev. Drs. Blatchford, M'Dowell, and Robert G. Wilson, together with Messrs. Strong and Southard. The committee on the subject of the ordination of a certain Baptist elder, presented a report, which was ordered to lie on the table for future consideration. By a unanimous vote of the Assembly, article 2. sections 1, 2, and 3. of the "Plan of the Theological Seminary,” were amended as follows, viz. Section 1. The Board of Directors shall meet statedly, twice in each year; once in the Spring, and once in the Fall, and oftener on their own adjournments, if they shall judge it expedient. Nine members of the Board shall be a quorum; provided always, that of this number, five, at least, be ministers of the Gospel, and the president, or in case of his absence, one of the vice-presidents, be one. Section 2. The Board shall choose out of their own number, a president, two vice-presidents, and a secretary. In the absence of the president and vice presidents, the senior member present shall preside. Section 3. The president of the Board, or in the event of his death, absence, or inability to act, the first vice-president shall, at the request of any three members, expressed to him in writing, call a special meeting of the Board of Directors, by a circular letter addressed to each, &c. Dr. Green resigned his seat to the Rev. Philip Lindsly, the alternate mentioned in their commission. A complaint of the Presbytery of Washington, (Ohio) against the Presbytery of West Lexington, was brought into the Assembly by the judicial committee, and several of the documents in the case were read. Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. May 25, 9 o'clock A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Nassau resigned his seat to Mr. John W. Scott, the alternate mentioned in their commission, and Mr. M'Neily resigned his seat to Mr. John Beatty, his alternate; and Mr. Scott and Mr. Beatty being present, took their seats. The following communication was received and read. Rev. and respected Sir, To the Moderator of the General Assembly, &c. It is my official duty to solicit, through you, the consent of the reverend body, over which you have the honour to preside, to the following amendments of the Constitution of the United Foreign Missionary Society, which, on the recommendation of the Board of Managers, were unanimously adopted at the late annual meeting. "In the third article, substitute twenty-seven for eighteen Managers; and after the clause empowering the Managers to supply any vacancies that may occur in the Board, add, and to appoint honorary directors and vice-presidents, in testimony of respect for eminent services." I am, sir, very respectfully, New York, May 21, 1821. Yours, &c. Z. LEWIS, Dom. Sec'ry of the The foregoing amendments of the Constitution of the United Foreign Missionary Society, recommended by the Board of Managers, were unanimously adopted by the Assembly. M. Boude obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly, The consideration of the complaint of the Presbytery of Washington, was resumed; and the reading of the documents was finished, and the parties were in part heard. Adjourned till 4 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. Four o'clock P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Clark resigned his seat to the Rev. William B. Sloan, the alternate mentioned in their commission, and Mr. Sloan took his seat. Mr. Dare resigned his seat to Mr. John E. Latta, who had been appointed by the Presbytery of New Castle to occupy the seat of any commissioner from that Presbytery, who may be absent. The committee appointed in the Synod of Philadelphia, to procure the printing of the Confession of Faith, &c. were directed to prepare and publish an index with it. The treasurer presented a copy of his annual account, as settled and approved by the Trustees of the General Assembly, which was laid on the table for the inspection of the members. The consideration of the complaint of the Presbytery of Washington, was resumed, and the parties were heard till they were satisfied. After some discussion of the subject, the Assembly Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. May 26, 9 o'clock A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Cunningham obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly, and Mr. Slaymaker obtained leave to be absent after this day. The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of North Carolina, reported, and the book was approved to page 126. The consideration of the business left unfinished yesterday afternoon, was resumed, viz. The complaint of the Presbytery of Washington, Olio, against the Presbytery of West Lexington, for licensing and ordaming the Rev. William L. M'Calla, contrary, in the opinion of the complainants, to Presbyterial order, Mr. M'Calla having been suspended from church privileges by the Presbytery of Washington, in consequence of a reference on the subject, from the session of the church of Chilicothe. After a long discussion of the subject, the Assembly adopted the following resolution and decision in the case, viz. Resolved, That while the Assembly disapprove the conduct of Mr. M'Calla in preaching the gospel before he was regularly licensed, and while they regret that the Presbytery of West Lexington in the final trials of Mr. M'Calla for licensure did not pay sufficient attention, either to his irregularity in preaching as just mentioned, or to the proceedings in the session of the church of Chilicothe, and of the Presbytery of Washington in his case; they nevertheless judge that the proceedings of the Presbytery of West Lexington, in licensing and ordaining Mr. M'Calla, be sustained, and that Mr. M'Calla be considered as a minister in good and regular standing in the Presbyterian church. The Assembly moreover cannot forbear expressing their regret, that the Presbytery of Washington should have passed a vote of censure upon Mr. M'Calla, without citing him to appear before them, or giving him any opportunity of making a defence; since this mode of proceeding seems to have occasioned a portion of the irregularity in the Presbytery of West Lexington, of which the Presbytery of Washington have complained. Nor can the Assembly forbear to regret that the session of Chilicothe had not acted in a more formal manner, in receiving Mr. M'Calta, and had not required a regular certificate of dismission from the church to which Mr. M'Calla belonged, before they received him. Dr. Batchford, Messrs. Herron and Rowan, were added to the committee, to which had been referred the code of rules, proposed to be adopted for the government of the several judicatories. The committee to which the report of the Board of Directors of the Theological Seminary had been referred, reported, and the following resolutions were adopted, viz. 1. That the report of the directors be approved. 2. That the Assembly approve of the employing of Mr. Charles Hodge, by the professors, as a teacher of the original languages of scripture in the Seminary; and that the professors be authorized to employ him for the same purpose, or such other person as they judge proper, and that not more than $400 be allowed said teacher, per annum, for his services. 3. That four thousand two hundred dollars, in addition to the unexpended balance of last year, viz. $448 44 be appropriated to defray the expenses of the Seminary for the present year.. The committee to which the reference of the Synod of Pittsburg, on the subject of FreeMasonry had been committed, reported, and their report was read. Mr. Boyd obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly, - |