sisting of the Rev. C. D. Westbrook, I. N. Wyckoff, and Samuel A. Van Vranken, and the Elders Stephen Van Rensselaer* and Singleton Mitchell.

The Committee reported, and their report was adopted, and is as follows:

The Committee on the subject of preventing Intemperance, recommend to the General Synod the adoption of the following resolution :

Resolved. That this Synod has heard with deep interest and painful solicitude the address of the Rev. Mr. Hewitt, on the causes, the consequences and the remedy of Intemperance; that it cordially approves the object of the Society of which he is the Agent; and that it be hereby affectionately recommended to the Ministers, Consistories, and Congregations under its care, to promote the cause of temperance by precept and by example; and as one means of furthering this most benevolent object to discourage the indiscriminate use of ardent spirits in family, and in social circles.

By order,

CORNELIUS D. WESTBROOK, Chairman.

Resolved, That this Synod regard with deep interest the extensive and awful profanation of the Holy Sabbath-day in this country.

Resolved. That this Synod consider the running of public stages and of steam-boats and canal-boats on the Sabbath, a gross profanation of that holy day, and that the Members of our Churches and Congregations be, and they hereby are earnestly solicited to discourage, both by counsel and example, all such travelling on the Sabbath-day.

Resolved That it be and hereby is recommended to our different Classes and Congregations to take the subject of the Sabbath into their serious consideration and to devise such measures as may, under the Divine blessing prevent the profanation and promote the sanctification of the Sabbath-day.

*The Elder Cornelius C. Van Wyck was substituted in the place of the Elder S. Van Rensselaer, after the latter had obtained leave of absence.

ARTICLE XVIII.

Missions.

A communication from the Rev. Absalom Peters, the Corresponding Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society, was received, accompanied with a number of the last annual reports of said Society which were distributed among the members of Synod.

The Fifth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church was presented to Synod, and referred to the Committee on Missions.

The Rev. Professor De Witt preached the Annual Missionary Sermon before Synod, from Isaiah lxii. 6, 7, in the First Reformed Dutch Church, in the evening of the first Sabbath after the commencement of the session-when a Collection amounting to $72 36 was taken up in behalf of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church. The Rev. William C. Brownlee, D. D. was appointed to preach the Annual Missionary Sermon at the next stated meeting of Synod, and the Rev. Samuel A. Van Vranken was appointed his secundus.

The Committee on Missions reported, and their report was amended, adopted, and is as follows:

The Committee on Missions, present the following report :

It is pleasing to observe, that the importance of Domestic Missions, and their claims on the Christian Church begin to be generally acknowledged and extensively felt. The various evangelical denominations in our country have organized associations in their respective bounds, and are effecting much to cultivate the waste places of Zion. It will be grateful to this Synod to be informed, that our brethren of the German Reformed Church, have entered with spirit into this work, and organized an efficient Society on the principles of our own.

The report of our own Board, exhibits great cause of gratitude and renewed activity. The practical efficiency of our system has been felt more widely than at any previous period. Its friends have multiplied, and lent their co-operation. And, what affords the high

est encouragement, the Lord has been pleased to own the labours of our brethren in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth and the fold of Christ.

It should however be deeply impressed on every mind, that we should not—cannot, pause at this stage-but are most imperiously urged forward. A vast field spreads itself before us ready for cultivation; many locations remain unoccupied, and numbers who have strong natural claims on our church, are anxiously looking to us for aid.

Besides, the marked favour which the Great Head of the Church has vouchsafed, affords such an index to duty, that it would be a reflection on our filial regard and faith, not to follow its direction promptly.

It is a matter of congratulation, that the northern section of our Church, has expressed so strong a feeling and desire to pour its great resources into the domestic treasury, and exercise its influence in breaking up the fallow ground. While we say, God speed to the system of Foreign Missions, for it is great, splendid, and eminently successful in bringing forward the latter day glory, yet it is believed that the cause of Domestic Missions should go hand in hand with it, and indeed among ourselves should have the precedence. Upon examination, it appears that many of our Congregations contribute their whole charities abroad, while many others seem to pay no regard to the recommendations and injunctions of General Synod, to make collections for Missionary purposes. It is not sufficient that Synod legislate-Brethren must come forward and act; and if we are not satisfied with merely rording the enactments of Synod, on the minutes of our Classes, but put them (in our respective places,) into the fullest execution, another year will furnish us the most cheering intelligence.

The Committee are not aware, what considerations led the last Synod to recommend a Foreign Mission, by our Church in her individual capacity. Yet, as it has been recommended--as the Board have made progress in preparatory steps-and it has gone before the Churches, they feel themselves so delicately situated, as to be unable to suggest any measures in relation to it; though as a committee, they conceive it matter of very doubtful expediency.

Appended to this report, are several resolutions which are recommended to General Synod for their adoption.

1. Resolved, That the report of the Board of the Missionary Society as amended, be adopted and published by the Board, and circulated as widely as possible among the Churches.

2. Resolved, That this Synod do join with the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society, and the Friends of Missions in Thanksgiving to the Head of the Church, for his blessings on our Missionary efforts during the past year.

3. Resolved, That the Board be encouraged to go forward in their work, and use every pious means to excite a more general interest on the subject of Domestic Missions in the Churches under our care.

4. Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society, urge upon their Missionaries, the importance of using every effort to raise their support among the people with whom they labour. 5. Resolved, That the Missionary Collection, directed by Synod in former years, be continued the present year.

1. FERRIS, Chairman.

Resolved, That the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church be and they hereby are requested to continue a Board of Agency; and if they shall judge proper to enlarge that Board within the bounds of the Particular Synod of Albany, and that in the appointment of Missionaries to labour within the bounds of that Synod, they consult as far as practicable the views of said Board.

The following resolution was adopted.

Whereas the report of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church, has been published in part in the Magazine of the Reformed Dutch Church, before the said report was submitted to this body for their approbation :-and whereas certain parts of said printed report, especially that part which relates to the mission to Utica, and the remarks on that mission, have met the decided disapprobation of this Synod, and have consequently been stricken from the report, therefore,

Resolved, That the said Missionary Society be, and are hereby directed not to suffer in future their annual reports, either in whole or in part, to be published from the press until the same has received the approbation and consent of this Synod.

Resolved, That in case any day of Thanksgiving and Prayer be appointed by the civil authorities, that a collection be taken up on such day, in aid of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church.

ARTICLE XIX.

Widows' Fund.

Nothing occurred.

ARTICLE XX.

Particularia.

The communication of the Rev. Elias Van Benschoten was read.

The following resolution was adopted,-viz:

Whereas Messrs. Terhune and Letson of New-Brunswick, having obtained licence to print a new edition of the Psalms and Hymns of the Reformed Dutch Church have left out all the forms usually inserted in that book, (excepting those of Infant Baptism and Marriage,)—and whereas the General Synod deem such an omission calculated to keep out of the view of our people those peculiar features which distinguish our Church, and which we wish to transmit unimpaired to our children's children, therefore-

Resolved, That in case any part of said edition be still in sheets, the publishers be requested to add all they have left out; or that in case the whole edition be already bound up, General Synod hereby recommend to the Churches under their care, not to purchase such an imperfect copy.

Resolved, That the Stated Clerk furnish Messrs. Terhune and Letson with an attested copy of the above resolution.

Resolved, That the Stated Clerks of the Particular Synods of New-York and Albany, be requested to transmit annually, at least