*at> xitt ms: BBOBME Vol. Xllt. July & August, 1849. Nos. V. & VI. Minutes of the reformed Presbyterian synod of north america. session xxv. Philadelphia, 22d May, 1\ P. M. The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church having met, the Moderator delivered a discourse from Isaiah liii. 1, "Who hath believed our report," &c, the subject assigned al last meeting. Immediately after sermon, Synod being constituted, was adjourned by prayer to meet to-morrow, 9 A. M. Same place, 23d May, 9 A. M. Synod met, and was constituted by prayer. The members were ascertained as follows i New York Presbytery. Ministers. Ruling Elders. James Chrystie. Andrew Bowden, 1st cong. N. Y. James Douglas, Samuel M. Willson, Moses Roney, James M« Willson, Matthew Mackie, Cherry st.,Phil. Andrew Stevenson, James Wiggins, 2d cong., N. Y. Samuel O. Wylie, William Brown, 2d cong., Phila. James W. Shaw, James M. Beattie, Wm.M'Leran,Ryegate and Barnet.* Joshua Kennedy, John Renfrew, Conococheague. Renwick Z. Willson, Alexander Shields, Craftsbury. C. B. M'Kee.* Matthew Duke, Newburgh* 130 Miuutes of Synod. Ministers. Ruling Elders. David M'Alister, White Lake. James Shaw, Argyle. Hugh Glassford, 3d cong., N. Y.t Pittsburgh Presbytery. James Blackwood, John Love, Camp Run, &c. Thomas Sproull, David Gregg, Allegheny and Pitts­ burg. John Crozier, James Patterson, Monongahela. John Wallace, • , ' Thomas Hannay, John Galbraith, Robt. Dodds, Union,Pine Creek,&c. Oliver Wylie, Thomas Dunn, Brookland, North Washington, &c. R. B. Cannon, James Gemtnill, Greensburg and Clarksburg. |A. M. Milligan, John M'Clure, New Alexandria. JR. J. Dodds. David Wallace, Salt Creek cong.* James Cook, Little Beaver. Samuel Henning, Wilkinsburg. Rochester Presbytery. David Scott, Hugh M'Gowan, Rochester. John Middleton, Samuel Bowden, W. L. Roberts, D. D * Hugh Crockett, Sterling.* Lakes Presbytery. James R. Willson, D.D. J. B. Johnston, Cornelius Jamison, Miami. A. M'Farland, James Neil, Samuel Blackwood, Southfield. J. C Boyd, fjosiah Dodds. James M. Milligan, Beech Woods and Garrison. Illinois Presbytery. James Milligan, William Sloane, John M'Clurkin, Elkhorn, III. J.J. M'Clurkin, James Wallace, Thomas Cox, St. Louis. J. W. Morton, Missionary. * Marked thus appeared after the constituting of the court. t Congregations organized since last meeting. t Introduced—having been ordained since last meeting of Synod. Minutes of Synod. 131 Absent, Wm. Neil, James Faris, Wm. Slater, James Love, Samuel Sterrit, Robert Hutcheson, and Robert Wallace through bodily indisposition. It was moved by Mr. Stevenson that " ihe name of Rev. R. J. Dodds be erased from the roll of the constituent mem­ bers of Synod, inasmuch asjie bus never been elected by any portion of the people to bear rule, nor installed by any court of the Lord's house lo exercise rule." This motion was nega­ tived, and Mr. Dodds' name kept on the roll. Rev. A. Ste­ venson and Jas. Wiggins dissenled. A certificate from ihe Eastern Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian church in Ireland, of the Rev. Robert Johnston, was laid on ihe table. Resolved lhat his certificate be re­ ceived and his name put on the roll. The Rev. James Chrystie was chosen moderator, Rev. J. M. Willson, clerk, and Rev. John Wallace, assistant clerk. Resolved, that during its present sessions, Synod shall meet from 9 A.M. till 12 M.', and from 3 P. M. till 6 P. M. Rev. W. L. Roberts, appeared and took his seat. Ad­ journed with piayer. Same place, 3 P. M. Synod met, and was constituted with prayer. Members all present, except R. J. Dodds, Robert Johnson and William Brown, who soon appeared: Hugh Crockett presented his certificate from session of Sterling congregation, and took his seat. Minutes of morning session read, amended and approved. Rev. Wiii.Sommerville of the Presbytery of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in connexion wilh the Reformed Presbyterian Synod, Ireland, being present, was unanimously invited to a seat as a consultative member. Minutes of last session of Synod read and approved. The Moderator appointed the following standing committees : 1st. Unfinished business, M'Farland, John Wallace and Jamison. 2d. Discipline, Scott, S. M. Wilson and Renfrew. 3d. Presbyterial reports, Sproull, Roberts and Gemrnill. 4th. Signs of ihe times, S. O. Wyiic, Sloane, and J. M'Clur­ kin. 5th. Foreign correspondence, J.M.Willson, James Black­ wood and Shields. 6th. Theological Seminary, J. Milligan, J. B. Johnston and Dunn. 7ih. Finance, S. Bowden, A.M. Milligan and Mackie. Sth. Presbyterial records, New York Presbytery, O. Wylie, James Wallace and Love. Rochester Presbytery, R. Z. Willson, Cannon and Duke. Pittsburgh Presbytery, J. Kennedy, J. Middleton and James Shaw. Lakes, J. W. Shaw, Crozier and Cook. Illinois Presbytery, Galbraith, Beattie and Samuel Blackwood. It having been stated to Synod by Rev. D. Scott that the Rev. J. W. Morton, missionary to Hayli, had in a very public 132 Minutes of Synod. manner declared his adoption of views in regard to the day to be observed as the Sabbath contrary to those taught in our standards, viz ; that the seventh day of ihe week, and not the first, is to be observed as the day of rest, therefore, Resolved, lhat a committee of three be appointed to deal wilh Mr. Morton, and lo report such a course of action as it may deem proper in his case to-morrow at commencement of afternoon session. Committee, D. Scott, S. M. Willson and Thomas Dunn. J. Milligan added by motion. Inquiry having been made as to Mr. Morion's standing in the mean­ time, the Moderator gave as his decision, that Mr. Morion is not, under the circumstances, entitled to deliberate and vote in this court. Papers were then received and numbered as follows : No. 1, Communication from Scottish Synod. No. 2, Letter from Synod of Ireland. No. 3, Letter from Scottish Synod. No. 4, Report of Lakes' Presbytery on Overtures. No. 5, Communication from Rev. W. Sloane. No. 6, Complaint of J. M. Willson against the New York Presbytery. No. 7, Li­ bel by Rev. J. R. Willson, D. D., on Rev. J. Crozier. No, 8, Report of New York Presbytery. No. 9, Petition from Mil­ ler's Run congregation. Memorial from members of Monon­ gahela congregation. No. 11, Petition of Session of Pitts­ burgh and Allegheny congregation. No. 12, Petition from members of Union, Pine Creek, &c. No. 13, Memorial from Congregation and Session of Brookland, North Washington, &c* No. 14, Memorial on Slavery from ladies of Brookland, North Washington, &c. No. 15, Petition from Mr. Ardrie. No. 1, Relating to a matter and an individual not before this court, was not read, but was put on file. No. 2 read and re­ ferred to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. No. 3 read and referred to ihe same committee. No 4 laid upon the table for the present without reading. No. 5 read and laid upon the table for ihe present. No. 6 read and referred to the Committee on Discipline. No. 7 read and laid upon the table for the present, No. 8 laid upon the table for the present, without reading, and the reading of presbyterial re­ ports made the order of ihe day for tomorrow afternoon. No. 9 read and laid upon ihe table for the present. No. 10 read and laid upon ihe tabic for the present. No. 11 read and laid upon the table. Adjourned wilh prayer. Same place, May 24th, 9 A. M. Synod met and was constituted with prayer. Members all present except M'Clure and John Wallace, absent by in- * These petitions, from 9 to 13, asked for the repeal of Synod's resolutions of 1847, on the subject of deacons. Minutes of Synod. 133 disposition, and R. J. Dodds, Kennedy and Middleton, all of whom soon appeared, except M'Clure. David Wallace pre­ sented a certificate from the session of Salt Creek congregation, and Wm. M'Leran from the session of Ryegate and Barrief, and took their seats. Minutes read, amended and approved. Rev. C. B. M'Kee appeared and took his seat. The assistant Clerk being absent by indisposition, J. W. Shaw was appointr ed Assistant Clerk, pro tern. Papers were received and nufn- bered as follows : No. 16, Report of Illinois Presbytery. No. 17, Memorial of Andrew Stevenson and James Wiggins. No. 18, Com­ plaint of Andrew Stevenson against session of Second Cojil gregation, New York.- No. 19, Complaint of Andrew Sievensqti and James Wiggins. No. 20, Libel by Rev. T. Hannay against J. M- Willson. No. 21, Petition from Salt Creek congrega­ tion. No. 22, Libel by Rev. T.Hnnnay against Rev. J. B. John­ ston. No. 23, Memorial and petition of Rev. Robert Wallace and others. No. 24, Report of ihe Piesbylery of the Lakes. No.25, Memorial from First Congregation, New York* No. 26, Petition of session of First Congregation New York. No. 27V Report of Pittsburgh Piesbylery. No. 28, Declinature1 of Rev. Wm. Neil. No. 29, Treasurer's Report. (\* No. 12. Read and laid upon ihe (able. No. 13. Read nnq laid upon the table. No. 14- Read and laid upon ihe table. No. 15. Read and referred to the Committee on DistirjljnC; No. 16. Laid upon the table without reading until this after* noon. No. 17. Read and referred lo the Committee on Disci­ pline. No. 18. Read and referred to same Committee. No. 19. Read and referred to same Committee. Adjourned with prayer < Same place, 3 P. M. Synod met, and was constituted wilh prayer. Members all present except M'Clure, still absent by indisposition. Min­ utes read and approved. Special committee on the case of Rev. J. W. Morton reported. Report accepted and adopted, and is as follows: Report of the Special Committee on the case of Rev.