adopted at the National Synod of Dort, in 1618-19; that when the same shall have been constitutionally approved by the Classes, and adopted by General Synod, they shall be regarded as the rules for the government of the church; and that they report at the next session of General Synod. Resolved, that the above Committee consist of seven, that they be chosen by ballot, and that a committee be appointed to nominate twice the number of persons who shall constitute the same. The Committee of Nominution having reported, Synod proceeded to ballot, when the following persons were chosen, viz. :-Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., John Ludlow, D. D., Cornelius C. Cuyler, D. D., John Knox, D. D.; and the Elders Peter D. Vroom, Jun., Abraham Van Vechten, and Abraham Van Nest. Resolved, That the Elder, Peter D. Vroom, Jun., be the Chairman of the said Committee. The Committee on the removal of Ministers and Members, submitted the following resolutions, which were adopted. 1. Resolved that it be enjoined on ministers to transfer their classical relation to the Classis within whose bounds they may at any time remove, within one year after the time of such removal. 2. Resolved, that it be recommended and enjoined on members of our churches, to tranfer their relation to the church in our connexion or in correspondence with us, within whose bounds they may remove, within one year after their removal, if such removal place them from under the supervision of the church of their previous connexion. ARTICLE X. Doctrines and Morals. A Communication was received from the Classis of Schenectady relative to certain doctrines contained in the standards of the church, praying that the same might be expunged. The subject having been discussed at considerable length, it was Resolved, that the Classis have leave to withdraw their memorial. A memorial, signed by sundry members of the R. D. Church of New York, relative to certain alleged erroneous views of doctrine, was received, and referred to the Committee on Overtures. (See Article VII.) ARTICLE XI. Customs and Usages. A memorial was received from the Consistory of the First Church of Glenville, requesting Synod to grant them a dispensation from the established order of the church, requiring a portion of the Heidleberg Catechism to be explained every Lord's Day, which was referred to a special Committee, consisting of the Rev. John Ludlow, D. D., Cornelius C. Cuyler, D. D., and John F. Schermerhorn, and the Elders Abraham Van Vechten and Peter D. Vroom, Jun. Resolved, That the whole subject of explaining a portion of the Heidlebergh Catechism on every Lord's Day, be referred to the above Committee. The Committee reported, and their report was adopted, and is as follows: The Special Committee appointed on the memorial from the First Church of Glenville, praying that their minister be released from the obligation to explain the Heidleberg Catechism, report the following resolution : Resolved, That your Committee deem that they have no constitutional right to grant the prayer of the memorialists. J. LUDLOW, Chairman. ARTICLE XII. Schools and Christian Education. The following communication was received from the Corresponding. Secretary of the Board of Education of the R. D. Church, and referred to a special committee, consisting of the Rev. William Crookshank and Herman B. Stryker, and the Elder, Samuel Kuen. At the annual meeting of the Education Society of the Reformed Dutch Church, held in the North Dutch Church, Albany, June 2, 1831, the following resolutions were passed : Resolved, That this Society request the General Synod to take the subject of education under its own care; and hereafter appoint a Board annually, who shall have the whole subject under its charge. Resolved. That the same persons who were elected last year, constitute the Board of Education for the next year, unless General Synod should appoint another Board. Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary communicate the aboye resolutions to General Synod. A true extract from the minutes. WILLIAM M MURRAY, Corresponding Secretary. The Committee to whom the above communication was referred, reported, and their report was adopted, and is as follows: The Committee to whom was referred the application contained in the resolutions of the Education Board, to be taken under the care of this Synod, respectfully beg leave to report That from all the information which they have been able to obtain in relation to this matter, they cannot find that there is now any visible organized society in existence, to which this Board is amenable. We find that the original subscription of membership has been lost, and very few of the first subscribers have ever recollected to pay into the hands of the Treasurer their yearly dues; they are also informed that donations for the endowment of scholarships have been placed at the disposal of this Board, and that it is also understood that donations of a similar nature are still in prospect, which renders the subject one of much solicitude to this Synod, and to the Church in general. It is, therefore, the opinion of your Committee, that notwithstanding the proposed arrangement may add considerably to the business usually coming under the supervision of this Synod, yet, as the application comes from the Board itself, and as it is calculated to give more confidence in the education cause to the Church at large, and more security to the funds entrusted to its care, therefore, your Committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : 1. Resolved, That the application of the Education Board be granted. 2. Resolved, That the officers of this Board be, and hereby are appointed, the Board of Education of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church for the present year. And as the constitution and rules of this Board will need to be remodeled to suit the above arrangement, therefore, 3. Resolved, That the Rev John Ludlow, D. D., Isaac Ferris, and John Beattie, and the Elders Peter D. Vroom, Jun., and Peter Sharpe, be a Committee from this Synod, who, in connexion with the officers of this Board, shall remodel the same, and report at the next session of General Synod. All which is respectfully submitted. W. CROOKSHANK, Chairman. ARTICLE XIII. Rutgers' College. The following report of the Board of Superintendents of Rutgers College was received, and referred to the Committee on the Professorate. To the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church. The Board of Superintendents of Rutgers' College are happy in being able, from the report made to them by the faculty and from their own observation, to inform the General Synod of the continued and increasing prosperity of the institution. The whole number of students now in the College is seventy-two, viz. of the Senior Class, 18; of the Junior, 25; of the Sophomore, 19; and of the Freshman Class, 10. Lewis C. Beck, M. D., (elected Professor of Natural History and Chemistry, October 29, 1830,) commenced his course of instruction for the present year, on the 1st of May last; and the benefits of his professorship have been extended (without additional charge) to the Senior and Junior Classes, and to such theological students and resident graduates, as have seen fit to avail themselves of the privilege of attending them. This professorship, securing to the college so valuable and popular an addition to the course of its instruction, has been sustained, during the present year, by the private munificence of friends of the institution -particularly by the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany, and of Abraham Van Nest, Esq. of New York. The necessity of continuing these branches of education in the institution is indispensible; and the undersigned would most respectfully and earnestly press on Synod the importance of devising and carrying into effect, (in connexion with the Board of Trustees,) measures for the permanent endowment or support of the professorship. It has also become indispensible that a chemical apparatus should be provided. Professor Beck has, with a liberality for which we would express our gratitude, employed his own private apparatus in the service of the college during the current year. A new system of rules for the more complete government of the college, adopted in a joint meeting of the Superintendents and Faculty, is now in successful operation. The general health of those connected with the institution has been good ;-the deportment of the students regular and exemplary; and at no period since the revival of the college, has its friends had greater reason to be encouraged than at present. Let the Church patronize this institution as it deserves, and, it is believed, that it will realize all the best hopes which have been entertained respecting it. The undersigned would not do justice, either to their own feelings, or to the Faculty, did they refrain from expressing their high sense of the fidelity, ability, and zeal with which every officer in the institution has continued to execute the duties of his department. The report made by the Faculty to the Board of Superintendents, is herewith submitted for the inspection of Synod. Very respectfully submitted, June 3, 1831. CHARLES SMITH, C. L. HARDENBERGH, J. J. JANEWAY, ABRM. VAN NEST, Superintendents. |