;{ \ r MINFTKS I I I I I I I , I : i Ktf ■ t : J OK 'I'll K I « m & ! (INK HUNDRED AND KKJHTH SESSIONS : ; , I i ! : OK THE (' * i I J ^ J ll ITESBYTEIFY Of EAYEITHYIEEE |j i » > t M : J J | 1IEL1) AT J . t t ft ; I It: }■ i ASHPOLECHURCH. it ,1 ft ;» ' ;.» \ I 5 ROBESON COUNTY, N. C., ! : .1' t :■ i }• i ft'« J April 11 tli—Kith. J I • it: I t I t i . t ■ 1.801. ! II. 5 it • t ct: it : ! » ' t; .t i t t - t t t ! : I! 18 IV 8; rj: ;{ favkttkvillk: I , I : Uth ft N. ('. PKESBYTEBTAN OFFICE'. t : • : ; t : f J., 1867. J §§! MINUTES of the ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH SESSIONS of the PRESBYTERY OF FAYETTEYILLE. Ashpole Churcii, Robeson County, N. C., April 11, 1867. Presbytery met according to adjournment, and was open¬ ed with a sermon by Rev. James H. Colton, the last Mode¬ rator present, from Matthew, vi: 10, (first clause): "Thy kingdom come/' After sermon, the sessions were constituted by prayer. Present: Ministers—H. McLean, H. McNeill, J. P. McPherson, C. Shaw, N. McDonald, J. M. Sherwood, D. D. McBryde, M. McQueen, N. T. Bowden, A. McQueen, J. H. Coble, D. Fairley, M. McNair, J. H. Colton and L. Mc- Kiunon. Ruling-Elders—Maj. J. McNeill, Laurel Hill; R. N. Buie, Buffalo; James Murphy, Black River Chapel; D. Mc- Laurin, Fayetteville; Angus Bain, Bluff; Alex. Kelly, Car¬ thage; A. J. McQueen, Smyrna; Washington A. McLean, Ashpole; Daniel McKinnon, Centre; A. D. Wilkinson, Leb¬ anon; Wm. H. Brown, Mt. Tabor; Malcom McNeill, Be- thesda; Neill McDugald, Bethlehem; Dr. C. T. Murphy, Oak Plane, and Peter Monroe, Sandy Grove. Ministers Absent—R. Tate, S. Colton, D.D., H. A. Mon¬ roe, N. McKay, G. M. Gibbs, D. B. Black, D. Johnson, A. McMillan, H. McAlister, J. M. Sprunt, J. McQueen, H. L. Singleton, S. H. Isler, B. F. Marable, A. N. Ferguson and James Kelly. On motion, Rev. Luther McKinnon was chosen Modera¬ tor, and Rev. M. McQueen and Dr. C. T. Murphy Tempo¬ rary Clerks. 2 • Presbytery took a recess for half an hour. After recess, Presbytery met and proceeded to business. ' The Minutes of the last sessions of Presbytery, at Sardis Church, having been printed, were distributed among the- members. Rev. W. C. Sutton, of the Presbytery of Harmony, S. C., being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Mr. Angus Blue, Ruling-Elder of Laurinburgh Church, appeared and his name was enrolled. Rev. Messrs. II. McLean, N. T. Bowden and C. Shaw rendered satisfactory reasons for absence from the last ses¬ sions of thife body. The Moderator announced, as the Committee on Reli¬ gious Exercises, Rev. Messrs. A. McQueen and M. McQueen,, with Washington A. McLean, Ruling-Elder. On motion, it was made the order of the day for 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, to select the place and time for our next regular meeting. The Stated Clerk presented the account from the office of the "N. C. Presbyterian1' for printing the Minutes of our last Fall Sessions, amounting to $35, and he was ordered to draw on the Treasurer for the same. A letter was received from Rev. James McQueen, assign¬ ing satisfactory reasons for absence from our present sessions. Rev. Messrs. A. McMillan and A. N. Ferguson appeared in Presbytery and assigned satisfactory reasons for tardiness. A letter was received from Rev. S. Colton, D.D., assign¬ ing, as his reason for absence, his advanced age and in¬ firmities. Whereupon, on motion, his excuse was sustained. Another letter from Dr. Colton was also read, and, on motion, placed on the docket. Rev. N. T. Bowden requested Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between himself and Sharon and Pee Dee Churches. A letter from the Sharon congregation,, concurring with him in this request, was read, whereupon the relation was dissolved, and Rev. J. H. Colton was or¬ dered to preach at said Church and declare it vacant. A communication from the Session of Pee Dee Church, on the same subject, was read, which, not being in order, was laid upon the table, and the Stated Clerk directed to cite said Church to appear by their Commissioners at our next regular meeting, to show cause, if any they have, why Mr. Bowden's request should not be granted. Col. William Shaw, Ruling-Elder from Longstreet Church, appeared in Presbytery and his name was enrolled. It was made the first order of the day for to-morrow morft- ing to hear the report of the Committee on Domestic Mis¬ sions. A petition, requesting that the Lillington Church may be dissolved and certain members therein mentioned be trans¬ ferred to Keith Church, and certain others to Moore's Creek Church, was read; whereupon their request was granted, the Church dissolved, and the following members directed to re¬ port to Keith, viz: Jas. Mclntire, Marg't P. Bell, Mary E. D. Garrason, Harriet D. Miller, Andrew J. Mclntire, Robert Miller, Mary C. Burnet, and James Garrason, Ruling-El¬ der; and the following to Moore's Creek, viz: William H. Register, Caroline Register and Laura Register, and also the following colored members: Halley Garrason and Aaron McAlister. Rev. Messrs. H. McLean and J. M. Sherwood, with Col. W. Shaw, were appointed a Judicial Committee. A petition from sundry persons residing in the vicinity of the old McPherson Church, praying for the organization of a Church at that place, was read, and, on motion, granted. Whereupon Rev. Messrs. J. M. Sherwood and D. Fairley, with Ruling-Elders Duncan McLaurin and Duncan Shaw, were appointed a Committee to organize a Church at that place, if the way be clear. On motion, it was Kesolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider and report to this meeting of Presbytery what, or whether any, special action is necessary on the part of Church Sessions relative to their colored members. Rev. Messrs. D. D. McBryde and J. H. Colton, with M. McNeill, Ruling-Elder, were appointed as said Committee. On motion, Presbytery determined to spend half an hop/ in devotional exercises each morning, and then adjoip^" 4 to meet in this place at half-past 9 o'clock to-morrow morn¬ ing. Closed with prayer. April 12, 1867. Presbytery met according to adjournment and spent half an hour in devotional exercises. The Minutes of yesterday were read and approved. The following Ministers appeared in Presbytery and ren¬ dered satisfactory reasons for tardiness, viz: H. A. Monroe, D. B. Black, S. C. Alexander, H. L. Singleton, S. H. Isler and James Kelly. The following Ruling-Elders also appeared and their names were enrolled, viz: Alexander McMillan, Antioch; James C. Smith, 1st Church, Wilmington; Alex'r Sprunt, 2d Church, Wilmington; R. M. Mclntyre, Pike; John Eve¬ rett, Groldsboro'; Laughlin McNeill, Montpelier; Robert McKenzie, Whiteville, and J. P. Hodges, Sardis. The Moderator announced the following Committees: On Sessional Records.—Centre, Moore's Creek, Euphronia, Galatia and Barbecue: H. McNeill and R. N. Buie. Antiocli, Philadelphus, Lumber Bridge, Laurel Hill and Montpelier: C. Shaw and D. McLaurin. Brown Marsli, White Plains, Mt. Horeb, Buffalo and Tirza: N. McDonald and Angus Bain. Lumber ton, Mt. Zion, Clinton, Hopewell and Rockfish: D. D. McBryde and Alexandra Kelly. Pike, Lebanon, Laurinburgh, Mark's Creek and St. Paul's: J. M. Sher wood and A. J. MeQueen. Big Rockfish, Beth-Car, Elizabethtown, Grove ami Union (in Duplin): N. T. Bowden and W. A. McLean. Bethlehem, Mt. Williams Keith and Fayetteville: A. McQueen and Daniel McKinnon. Black River Ghap el, South kiver Chapel, Bluff, Sardis and 1st Church (Wilmington): J. H. Cobl* and William H. Brown. Second Church (Wilmington), Ashpole, Bethesda Longstreet and Sandy Grove: M. McNair and James Murphy. Carthage, Unioi (in Moore), Sharon, Pee Dee and Mineral Spring: D. Fairley and Neill McDugald Mt. Carmel, Smyrna, China Grove, Cypress and Mt. Tabor: James H. Coltonam Malcom McNeill. Whiteville, Harmony, Mizpeh, Ben-Salem and Macedonia a. McMillan and Peter Monroe. Goldsboro', Oak Plane, Mt. Pisgah, Spring Vale, Beaver Creek, St. Andrew's and Bethel: a. N. Ferguson and a. Blue. Minutes of Synod.—.Rev. Messrs. S. H. Isler and James Kelly, with Jame C. Smith. Minutes of the General Assembly.—Rev. Messrs. H. L. Singleton am H. A. Monroe, with L. McNeill. The Committee on Domestic Missions presented their re port, which was accepted, and certain parts thereof referrec to a Special Committee, consisting of Rev. Messrs. H. L Singleton and H. A. Monroe, with L. McNeill. 5 Rev. M. .McQueen, Agent for foreign Missions, read his report on that subject, which was accepted, and ordered to be printed in the Appendix to the Minutes. The following trial-pieces were assigned to Mr. J. B. Mc- Kinnon, a candidate under our care, viz: Latin Exegesis.—"An Christus pro omnibus kominibus, aid pro electis solts rmrtum est?" Critical. Exercise.—Heb. xii: 12—30 verses. Sermon.—Heb. iv: 9. Lecture.—Rom. xiv: 12. The Stated Clerk reported in behalf of the Committee ap¬ pointed to re-arrange the Standing Committees for the ex¬ amination of candidates, which was accepted and adopted, and is as follows, viz: Languages.—H. McLean, James McQueen, A. McQueen, A. McMillan, J. H. Coble and James Kelly. Arts and Sciences.—D. Jobnson, J. M/Sprunt, D. D. McBryde and M. Mc- Nair. Theology.—C. Sliaw, S. C. Alexander, J. M. Sherwood, H. L. Singleton and S. H. Isler. Church History.—N. McKay, D. Fairley, J. H. Colton, B. F. Marable and L. McKinnon. Sacraments.—J. P. McPherson, H. McAlister, D. B. Black, N. McDonald and A. N. Ferguson. Church Government.—H. A- Monroe, H. McNeill, G. M. Gibbs and M. Me- Queen. The following Committee was appointed to re-assess the Churches for the Contingent Fund, viz: Rev. C. Shaw, J. H. Coble and J. H. Colton, with James C. Smith and Alexan¬ der Kelly. Mr. D. C. Mclntyre, Ruling-Elder of Lumberton Church, appeared and his name was enrolled. A call from Beaver Creek Church, for the pastoral servi¬ ces of Rev. S. H. Isler, for one-fourth of his time, was read and placed in his hands; and he having signified his accept¬ ance of said call, the following arrangements were made for his installation the first Sabbath in May 1867, viz: Rev. C. Shaw to preach the sermon, preside and propose the consti¬ tutional questions; Rev. D. B. Black to charge the Pastor, and Rev. J. H. Coble the people. The Committee on the 2d Church of 'Wilmington submit- 6 ted their report, which was accepted, amended, and is a» follows, viz: The Committee on the 2d Church in Wilmington report: That the Trustees, acting under the instruction of the Session, have sold the property to the Pres¬ byterian colored people of that city; and the Committee recommend that Pres¬ bytery appoint a Committee to dissolve the organization and to instruct the members to unite with the first Church, and the Trustees, previous to the disso¬ lution, to make such disposition of the funds that they may hereafter be used for a similar'enterprise, when required. H. L. SINGLETON, Chairman. The Committee appointed under the above report con¬ sists of Rev. H. L. Singleton, with Ruling-Elders Alexan¬ der Sprunt and James C. Smith. A call from South River Chapel, for the pastoral services of Rev. S. C. Alexander, was read, and being found in or¬ der, was placed in his hands. Mr. Alexander having sig¬ nified his acceptance of said call, the following arrangements were made for his installation Saturday before the 2d Sab¬ bath in June 1867, viz: Rev. J. M. Sherwood to preach the sermon, preside and propose the constitutional questions; Rev. James Kelly to charge the Pastor, and Rev. M. McKair to charge the people. Rev. Mr. Causar, of the Presbytery of Harmony, being present, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Rev. R. J. Graves, in transitu from the Presbytery of Or¬ ange to the Presbytery of Baltimore, being present, was al¬ so invited to sit as a corresponding member. Mr. Philip McRae, Ruling-Elder of Bethel Church, ap¬ peared in Presbytery and his name was enrolled. A call from Pike Church, for the pastoral services of Rev. D. B. Black, was read, and being found in order, was placed in his hands. He requested permission to retain said call in his hands until our regular Fall sessions, which, on mo¬ tion, was granted. Sundry overtures on the marriage question were read, and, on motion, referred to the Judicial Committee. The Judicial Committee submitted their report on the case of reference from Keith Church, which was accepted, the Court duly charged, and, after some discussion, the follow¬ ing resolution was adopted: 7 That a Committee be appointed to visit Keith Church, and investigate the- case of Mr. Lamb, referred to this Presbytery for counsel and adjudication, and report to the next meeting of this Presbytery. This Committee consists of Rev. Messrs. H. L. Singleton and I). B. Black, with John Everett, Ruling-Elder. The following Ruling-Elders appeared in Presbytery and their names were enrolled, viz: D. McKenzie, Mineral Spring, and Allen McDonald, Ben-Salem. Presbytery took a recess for three-quarters of an hour. After recess, Presbytery met and proceeded to business. The Committees appointed to install Rev. M. McQueen Pastor of Union (in Moore) and Carthage Churches report¬ ed that they discharged that duty at the times previously designated. Commissioners to the last General Assembly were called upon to report, when Rev. D. D. McBryde, the only Com¬ missioner present, stated that he attended the sessions of that body. Calls from the Churches of Ashpole and Smyrna, each for one-half the time, for the pastoral services of Rev. A. McQueen, were read, and being found in order, were placed in his hands. At his own request he was permitted to re¬ tain these calls in his hands until the next regular sessions- of this body. The Sessional Records of 1st Church (Wilmington), Sar- dis, Bluff, Big Rockhsli, Antiocli, Lumber Bridge, Phila- delphus, Laurel Hill, Brown Marsh, Mt. Williams, Bethle¬ hem and Fayetteville Churches were approved. On motion, the roll was called to ascertain what action had been taken by the Churches in reference to the plan of Systematic Benevolence recommended by this body twelve months ago; when it appeared that some progress had been made in that good work. The death of Rev. Robert Tate, the senior member of this Presbytery, was solemnly announced, whereupon Rev. Messrs. G. M. Gibbs and J. M. Sprunt were appointed a Committee to prepare a biographical sketch of the life and labors of Father Tate, to be presented at our next regular sessions. 8 The hour for the order of the day, viz: to Select the place and time for our next regular meeting, having arrived, that subject was taken up; when Goldsboro', fl". C., was chosen as the place, and the time Saturday the 26th of October 1867, at 11 o'clock a. m. On motion, the examination of Mr. J. B. McKinnon, pre¬ paratory to licensure, was made the first order of the day for to-morrow morning. The following members obtained leave of absence after this evening, viz: Rev. C. Shaw, Col. Wni. Shaw, R. N. Buie and Philip McRae. On motion, Presbytery adjourned to meet in this place at half-past 9 o' clock to-morrow morning. Closed with prayer. April 13, 1867. Presbytery met according to adjournment, and spent half an hour in devotional exercises. The Minutes of yesterday were read and approved. The Committee on Languages reported that they had ex¬ amined the Latin Exegesis and Critical Exercise of Mr. J. B. McKinnon, and recommended that they be sustained as satisfactory parts of trial for licensure, which was accepted and adopted. Presbytery then took up the first order of the day, when Mr. J. B. McKinnon was examined on Theology (Natural and Revealed), Church History, the Sacraments, and Church Government, all of which were sustained. Mr. McKinnon then preached a sermon on the text previously assigned, viz: Heb. iv: 9, which was also sustained. Rev. Messrs. H. McLean and A. McMillan, and W. H. Brown obtained leave of absence from the remaining ses¬ sions of Presbytery. The dissolution of the pastoral relation between Rev. J. P. Mcpherson and Laurel Hill Church was made the se¬ cond order of the day for this-afternoon. Alexander McMillan, Neill McDugald and Angus Bain .obtained leave of absence. The Stated Clerk read a letter from Rev. George A. Rus¬ sell, requesting to he dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Memphis, Tenn. Whereupon, 011 motion, his request was granted, and the Stated Clerk ordered to furnish him with the usual testimonials. Rev. C. K. Caldwell, through Rev. J. M. Sherwood, re¬ quested and obtained permission to labor within our bounds until our next regular meeting. The Committee to re-assess the Churches made their re¬ port, which was accepted and adopted, and is as follows, viz: Centre, Moore's Creek, Euplironia, Galatia, . Barbecue, Antiock, Philadelplius, Bethel, Lumber Bridge, Laurel Hill, Montpelier, Brown Marsh, White Plains, Mt. Horeb, Buffalo, Tirza, Lumberton, Mt. Zion, Clinton, Hopewell, Rockfish, Whole amount of assessment, ... - $443 The following Sessional Records were approved, viz: Lumberton, Centre, Euplironia, Lebanon, Pike, St. Paul's, Harmony, Ben-Salem with exceptions, Aslipole, Betliesda, Longstreet, Mineral Spring with exceptions, Mt. Tabor, Smyrna, Cypress with exceptions, China Grove, Oak Plane, Goldsboro' and Bethel. Presbytery took a recess for half an hour. After recess, Presbytery met and proceeded to business. The Committee on Languages, to whom had been referred the Popular Lecture of Mr. J. B. McKinnon, reported, re¬ commending that it be sustained as a satisfactory part of trial. The Committee to whom had been referred the matter of dividing the Presbytery reported as follows, viz: 2 $18 Pike, $ 5 Sandy Grove, $ 4 5 Lebanon, 3 Carthage, 6 6 St. Paul's, Big Rockfish, 8 Union (in Moore), 12 5 8 Sharon, 4 5 Beth-Car, 3 Pee Dee, 6 6 Elizabethtown, 3 Mineral Spring, 5 4 Grove, 10 Mt. Carmel, 3 6 Union (in Duplin), 10 China Grove, 6 4 Bethlehem, 3 Cypress, 5 12 Mt. Williams, • 3 Mt. Tabor, 5 5 Keith, 3 Whiteville, 3 10 Fayetteville, 35 Harmony, 5 3 Black River Chapel, 15 Mizpeh, A 8 South River, 5 Ben-Salem, 7 13 Bluff, 6 Maaedonia, 5 10 Sardis, 6 Goldsboro', 3 3 1st Ch., Wilmington, 30 Oak Plane, 5 4 Ashpole, 12 Mt. Pisgah, 4 4 Smyrna, 12 St. Andrew's, Spring Vale, 4 8 Bethesda, 5 3 6 Longstreet, 5 Beaver Creek, 5 10 The Committee have had this subject under consideration, and, for the pre¬ sent, recommend that it be dismissed and the Committee discharged. H. A. MONROE, Chairman. This report was accepted and tlie Committee discharged. The Committee to whom had been referred the Minutes of the General Assembly reported that they had not been able to obtain a copy of said Minutes, whereupon the Com¬ mittee was discharged. The order of the day was then taken up, when the re¬ quest of Rev. J. P. McPherson to be released from his pas¬ toral charge of Laurel Hill Church was granted, and Rev. H. A. Monroe appointed to preach at said Church and de¬ clare it vacant; and to consult with Mr. McPherson and the Session and see if all arrearages have been paid, and if not, report the same to the next meeting of Presbytery. The Special Committee, to whom had been referred cer¬ tain items in the report of the Committee on Domestic Mis¬ sions, presented their report, which was accepted, amended and adopted, and is as follows, viz: The Committee to whom was referred the subject of Domestic Missions re¬ port: That they recommend Presbytery to prosecute the work of Domestic Mis¬ sions within its own bounds, and, at the same time, require the Churches to contribute regularly toward the general cause of Domestic Missions through the - Sustentation Committee at Columbia, S. C. The report of the Standing Committee on that subject was then adopted, and is as follows, viz: The Committee of Domestic Missions, in making their semi-annual report to the Presbytery, state that, during the last six months, no missionary has been in our employment. This, as the Presbytery will recollect, has been the confes¬ sion of your Committee for the last two years. The reason for this state of things is the total leant of funds. This obstacle, however, no longer exists. Re¬ cently some funds have come into the hands of the Treasurer of Presbytery for, this object. What amount is at present in his hands we are unable to state, but enough to justify a beginning in this department of labor; and with the pressing wants of our Churches and Missionary fields, your Committee will not be back¬ ward in giving, to the utmost limits, of the means placed at our disposal. Let our people be urged to liberality—to an enlarged Christian spirit—in their contributions, and the work will go forward with blessed results. Much land yet remains to be possessed, even within the bounds of our own Presbyte¬ ry; while in regions beyond, loud and pressing calls are made upon us, to help those who are still more destitute than ourselves. We deem it proper to call your special attention to the action of our last General Assembly in regard to the subject of Domestic Missions. It was the- 11 4®sirp of that body, if we understand the action taken at Memphis, that all the Presbyteries carry on their work of Domestic Missions through the Assembly's Committee at Columbia, the Presbyterial Committee being the organ through which the work in each Presbytery shall be carried on. If, however, any Pres¬ bytery shall determine to maintain a position in regard to its own Missionary work independent of the Assembly's Committee, as we have been doing for some years, then it becomes the duty of such Presbytery to secure from its Churches a contribution in aid of the general work outside of its own bounds. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. M. SHERWOOD, Chairman. The Committee to whom had been referred the communi¬ cation of Dr. Baird presented their report, which was ac¬ cepted and adopted, and is as follows, viz: The Committee to whom was referred the communication of Dr. Baird, Sec¬ retary of Publication and Education, report: That they have examined the same and recommend to Presbytery the importance of appointing an Agent for selling and distributing the books published by the Committee, and also that he be a corresponding member of tbe Committee, and that he be the organ of communi¬ cation between the Presbytery and Committee. We also recommend that Presbytery urge upon our congregations tbe im¬ portance of liberally sustaining this enterprise ol tlie Church, and that they endeavor to procure Church libraries. We also recommend, as a very excellent paper for our children and youth, the "Children's Friend." We cannot too highly recommend the subject of Education to the favorable consideration of all our Churches, nor too strongly urge tipon them the duty of giving liberally according as God hath blessed them, to aid young men prose¬ cuting their studies in view of the Ministry. We also recommend, that the Agent for Publication, hereafter to be appoint¬ ed, prepare semi-annual reports for this body, as is now done by tlis Committees on Domestic Missions and Education. The Committee oil the relation of colored members to the Church reported, and their report was adopted: The Committee to whom was referred the question, What action, if any, is necessary on the part of Church Sessions relative to colored Church members, would respectfully report: That the anomalous condition of our Churches gen¬ erally, with regard to their colored members, resulting partly from the prejudi¬ ces imbibed from enemies who have sown the seeds of discord, and partly from the natural force of circumstances, would seem to require special action for the following reasons: 1st. The pastoral relation implies oversight—the duty it involves is to feed the flock of Christ; hence it is necessary that the flock thus to be guarded and supplied with spiritual food should be known, and this relation should be mutu¬ ally recognized. 2d. Discipline. Whatsoever discipline is essential to the purity and vitality of the Church, and the glory of her Divine Head, can be exercised, and the ends for which it is designed obtains only when its authority is respected, and the limits of its jurisdiction clearly defined. 12 3d. Many of our colored members have forsaken our Churches, seldom or never attending upon the ordinances of God's house: and some have irregularly left our communion, and have been incorporated into Churches while their names are still on the roll of our Church members. In view of these facts, Presbytery would recommend to Ministers and Church Sessions, 1st. That they labor more diligently for the moral, intellectual and religious improvement of the colored population; and that, in accordance with the recom¬ mendation of the last General Assembly, they be urged to continue their present- relation. 2d. That in the spirit of Christian charity and forbearance, they admonish and endeavor to convince of their error, both those who have left our Commu¬ nion and those who have ceased to attend upon the ordinances of religion. 3d. That they take immediate steps to ascertain those who wish to remain in connection with us, and who are willing to submit to the authorized discipline of the Church, and erase all others from the roll of Church members. The Committee on Overtures Nos. 1, 2 and 3 submitted their report, which was accepted, and, after some discus¬ sion, said report was, on motion, laid upon the table until our regular Fall Sessions. Mr. Robert McKenzie, Ruling-Elder of White ville Church, was requested to report the condition of said Church at our next regular meeting. A. J. McQueen and D. McKenzie obtained leave of ab¬ sence. On motion, the examinations and trials of Mr. J. B. Mc- Kinnon were sustained as a whole, when he was licensed in due form to preach the Grospel as a probationer for the holy Ministry, and the Stated Clerk placed in his hands a copy of his license. Rev. C. Shaw obtained permission to supply, during the present year, the Churches of Keith, Moore's Creek, Hope¬ well and Mt. Williams; Rev. J. H. Colton those of Bethes- da, Macedonia, Harmony and Mineral Spring; Rev. J. Mc¬ Queen that of Bethlehem; Rev. A. N. Ferguson, Euphronia; Rev. 1ST. McDonald, Gulatia, and Rev. J. P. McPherson. Montpelier. The Committee on Education submitted the following re¬ port, which was accepted, vizi The Committee on Education would respectfully report: That there are now 13 under your care seven candidates for the Ministry, who, so far as we are in- -fbrmed, are engaged in the prosecution of their studies. We further report, that on October 6th, 1866, we lost by death, and under painful circumstances, Mr. Robert T. Murphy, a young man of unusual promise; -and also Mr. James Campbell. As to the state of the funds for this object, we are unable, at present, to make .any definite report; but as two or three of our candidates are in need of pecunia¬ ry aid, we earnestly hope the Churches will be prompt and liberal in their con¬ tributions to this cause. Respectfully submitted. J. P. McPHERSON, Chairman. Rev. J. P. McPherson, Chairman of the above Commit¬ tee, was, at his own request, excused from serving any lon¬ ger in that capacity; and Rev. Hector McLean was substi¬ tuted in his place. Rev. M. McNair was added to the Com¬ mittee. On motion, Rev. N. McDonald was appointed Agent for Publication. Rev. D. Fairley, Treasurer pro tern., presented his report, which was accepted, and he was ordered to pay over the funds in his hands to Mr. A. McLean, Treasurer of Presby¬ tery. [This report will be found in the Appendix.] Petitions from persons connected with Buffalo, Union (in Moore) and Carthage congregations, praying for the re-licen- sure of Mr. John L. Mclver, were read and laid upon the table until our Fall Sessions; and a Committee, consisting of Rev. Messrs. M. McQueen, D. D. McBryde and D. Fair- ley, with Ruling-Elders Peter Monroe and Alex. Kelly, was appointed to ascertain the prospects for his usefulness in that vicinity, and report the result to Presbytery at our Fall Sessions. The Committee on Systematic Benevolence, not having had access to the Treasurer's Report, are unable, at present, to submit any statements requiring the action of Presbytery. J. P. McPHERSON, Chairman. This report was accepted. On motion, the letter from Rev. S. Colton, D.D., which had been placed on the docket, was taken up and again read, when the Treasurer was ordered to pay over to Dr. Colton and Rev. H. McAlister any money that may be in his hands for disabled Ministers, and also any surplus that may belong to the Contingent Fund. 14 Oil motion, all our Churches were directed to make col¬ lections for disabled Ministers. The Stated Clerk was directed to give the usual orders 011 the Treasurer. The Stated Clerk was likewise ordered to publish an ab¬ stract of our proceedings in the "N. C. Presbyterian", and also 800 copies of the Minutes in pamphlet form. The Committee appointed to examine the Minutes of Synod report: That they have done so, and call the attention of Presbytery to the action of Synod on the subject of Domestic Missions, (see page 17, printed Minutes,) and recom¬ mend to you the following action: 1st. That they enjoin upon all the Churches to support, with their prayers and substance, our Missionary operations in the Eastern portion of our State. 2d. That they appoint a Missionary, or an Evangelist, to labor in the Eastern portion of our State within our bounds. This report was accepted and adopted. Whereupon, on motion, Rev. S. H. Isler was appointed as a Missionary to labor in the Eastern portion of our Pres¬ bytery, and that he be authorized to draw on the Commit¬ tee of Domestic Missions for payment for his services. Vote of thanks, unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of this Presbytery are due, and are hereby ten¬ dered, to the Congregation of Ashpole, for their generous hospitality to the mem¬ bers during our present sessions; and that the Pastor-elect be requested to read this resolution from the pulpit. And also to the Presidents and Directors of the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad, and the Wilmington and Wel- don Railroad, for courtesies extended to the members. The Minutes of this day were read and approved. On motion, Presbytery adjourned to meet in the Presby¬ terian Church in the town of Goldsboro', on Saturday the - 26th day of October 1867, at 11 o' clock A. M. Closed with prayer, the doxology, and the benediction. j. p. Mcpherson, Stated Clerk. 15 APPENDIX. REPORT OF THE TREASURER pro tern. Churches. Domestic , Missions, i 1 I Foreign ! Missions, j 1 Education.! j