variance with this, the Assembly declared that a Session might send a different Elder to an adjourned meeting.* In 1878 it decided that an Elder appointed to represent the Session at Synod was not, by virtue of that appointment, also its representative at any adjourned meeting of his Presbytery held during the intervals of the sessions of Synod; yet each Session may "prescribe the particular terms for which, or times at which, its delegates shall attend as its representatives in such judicatories."† Some Sessions appoint a delegate to serve at any meetings which may be held within six months.‡ May the Synod order the Presbytery to meet? Yes, according to the decision of the O. S. Assembly in 1848, specifying the time, place and business to be transacted. In such cases the rules for the calling of a pro re nata meeting must be observed, except when the Synod desires, while in session, the action of Presbytery "on business immediately connected with the proceedings of that body; in such cases the Presbytery may be required to meet at once by order of the Synod." § Where may the Presbytery meet? (1) Within its own bounds-sometimes in a church or hall selected by the Presbytery for its meetings, but more generally in the different churches on their invitation. (2) Without its bounds, by order of the Synod-as during the meeting of Synod, or by its own order, to suit the convenience of its members. § XI. How is the Presbytery to be opened? "At every meeting of Presbytery a sermon shall be delivered, if convenient; and every particular session shall be opened and closed with prayer." The preacher should * Presbyterian Digest, p. 131. † Minutes G. A. 1878, p. 69. Presbyterian Digest, p. 178. See p. 184. be the Moderator, or in his absence the last Moderator present; yet in 1849 the O. S. Assembly said that no principle of the constitution was violated by inviting a member of another Presbytery to preach.* "Every particular session" is generally understood to mean each day's session, during which recess may be taken for meals or other purposes. May the Presbytery sit with closed doors? "All judicatories have a right to sit in private on business which in their judgment ought not to be matter of public speculation." In 1880 the Assembly "recommended to its subordinate judicatories that before entering upon judicial process they carefully determine what degree of privacy or publicity in the proceedings would be most conducive to the ends of justice, the peace of the Church and the spiritual benefit of the person tried." "In all cases of judicial process, the judicatory may, at any stage of the case, determine, by a vote of two-thirds, to sit with closed doors."§ How is the Presbytery to be closed? "Every particular session shall be closed with prayer," and a record of the fact must be made. At the final adjournment the Moderator, "in addition to prayer, may cause to be sung an appropriate psalm or hymn, and shall pronounce the apostolical benediction."+ XII. Who may be invited to sit as corresponding members? "Ministers in good standing in other Presbyteries or in sister churches, who may happen to be present, may be invited to sit with the Presbytery as corresponding members. Such members shall be entitled to deliberate and advise, but * Presbyterian Digest, p. 179; Form of Government, ch. xii., sect. vii. + General Rules for Judicatories, xxxviii. See p. 537. Minutes G. A. 1880, p. 23. Book of Discipline, sect. 31. not to vote in any decision of the Presbytery." Their names and their ecclesiastical relation must be recorded.* The N. S. Assembly in 1843 recommended that no Minister should be so invited who does not belong to some body in correspondence with the Assembly; and in 1849 it unanimously decided that it was orderly to invite Ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church to sit as corresponding members in Presbytery and Synod.* The O. S. Assembly seems to have taken no such action, but the usage has been in accordance with the above. CHAPTER XI. OF THE SYNOD. I. What is the Synod? "As a Presbytery is a convention of the Bishops and Elders within a certain district, so a Synod is a convention of the Bishops and Elders within a larger district, including at least three Presbyteries."† The Synod is therefore a larger Presbytery. Its original title was "The Presbytery." It was recognized as possessing the powers of the subordinate Presbyteries and of supreme jurisdiction, "unlimited by written constitution and uncontrolled by a superior." Its appropriate title was "The General Presbytery." The first Synod was organized in 1717 by the three Presbyteries, which then included all the churches of the denomination. In 1725 the Synod was asked if it might be composed of delegates from the Presbyteries, and replied in the affirmative. It was voted "that the Presbytery of New Castle and Phila* Presbyterian Digest, p. 180. † Minutes G. A. 1880, p. 73. delphia do yearly delegate the half of their members to the Synod, and the Presbytery of Long Island two of their number." And it was further ordered "that all the members of the Synod do attend every third year; and that if in the interim anything of moment occur, whereby the presence of all the members may be thought necessary, they (upon notice given by the commission of Synod) shall carefully attend, notwithstanding the above delegation. And it is further agreed that every member of the Synod may attend as formerly, if they see cause." After some time the plan silently fell into disuse.* "The 'Form of Government,' as adopted in 1789, reads: 'As a Presbytery, etc., so a Synod is the convention of several Presbyteries within a larger district, including at least three Presbyteries.' The Assembly of 1804 sent down an overture to the Presbyteries to change the section, so as to read as at present (1873), and adds in a note: 'Under this section it has been doubted whether the members can proceed to business as a Synod unless there are present several Presbyteries-i. e. at least three Ministers from one of the existing Presbyteries and three from another. The doubt has not only caused delay in several instances, but defeated the whole business of one entire meeting. The amendment therefore goes to make a Synod consist not of Presbyteries, but, as it ought, of Bishops and Elders.' The amendment was adopted (1805, p. 333)." In 1880 the Assembly transmitted to the Presbyteries the following overture, which, being approved by them, was, in 1881, adopted as part of the constitution: "The Synod may be composed at its own option, with the consent of a majority of its Presbyteries, either of all the Bishops and one Elder from each congregation in its * Assembly's Digest, p. 277. † Presbyterian Digest, p. 181. district, with the same modifications as in the Presbytery, or of equal delegations of Bishops and Elders, elected by the Presbyteries on a basis and in a ratio determined in like manner by the Synod itself and its Presbyteries.”* This, together with the adoption of another overture,† makes a decided change in our constitution. The first clause of this section still declares the Synod to be a larger Presbytery, composed of Bishops and delegates from Sessions. The remainder of the section permits and encourages the Synods to become provincial Assemblies, whose boundaries shall correspond with those of the several States, and whose members shall be delegates of Presbyteries which were not represented as such in Synod. The uniformity of our church courts will be lost, some Synods remaining larger Presbyteries, and others becoming provincial Assemblies. "In the judgment of the General Assembly the act of 1881, consolidating certain Synods, affects only their boundaries, so that at their first annual meeting, and to the close thereof, said Synods must be constituted as the Synods have uniformly been constituted heretofore. Should any Synod vote to become a delegated body, its decision shall be submitted to its Presbyteries, and shall take effect when ratified by a majority thereof. This result shall be ascertained at a subsequent meeting of the Synod, or, if the Synod so provide, the result shall be certified to the Moderator and Clerks of the Synod, and by them be communicated to the several Presbyteries, as a basis for electing delegates to the ensuing or second meeting."‡ The records of the consolidated Synods were directed * Minutes G. A. 1880, p. 73; 1881, pp. 522–524. |