An application has been made to the Board to release a party from an obligation, which, if complied with, will cause an addition of $2,426.99 to the debt of the Synod, unless some measure can be devised by which such a result can be averted. As the Board does not feel authorized to comply with the request, they would present the subject for the consideration and action of the Synod. When seeking contributions for various objects, Rev. Dr. Cornell obtained a note for $10,000 from Mrs. Board, an aged widow lady, for repairs at New Brunswick. On account of said note she has paid $4,200, leaving a balance of $5,800 unpaid. On this balance she has paid some interest, and, could she have sold a portion of her property some two or three years ago, she would doubtless have paid said balance. Believing that the note would be fully paid, and that, until paid, interest would be received thereon, the Board advanced on account of said note the above named sum of $2,426 to the Hertzog Hall Committee for Repairs. The financial difficulties which have prevailed for two or three years past have prevented a sale of her property, from which, when giving her note, she had expected to realize the funds to pay the same. This disappointment, and the alleged failure of other of her resources, has placed her, as she states, in such a position, financially that she cannot pay said balance, and therefore asks the return of her said note. And as Mrs. Board gave $3,000 toward the increase of the Library, and has paid $4,200 on account of said note-together $7,200-as gifts to the Synod, and in consideration of her advanced age, and the evident perturbation of mind under which she is laboring from erroneous impressions which have recently arisen in her thoughts, or been suggested to her by others, in relation to her gift, the Board would recommend to the Synod to direct a compliance with her request. Should the Synod sustain the recommendation, it is hoped that they will make provision for raising the amount which has been advanced on her note, that the debt may not be increased by its surrender. The Board would call the attention of the Synod to the appointment at their last meeting of Mr. Brower for one year. Under the classification of the Board, made in compliance with the resolution of Synod. adopted in June, 1871, the term of Mr. Brower would expire in 1873. The action of Synod in 1872, in removing him from the Board, suspended him from the operation of said resolution, and he has since then been appointed annually. By rescinding their action of 1872, at their last meeting, Mr. Brower was brought again under the resolution of 1871, and, to conform thereto, he ought to have been chosen for three years, so that his term would expire in 1878, according to the original classification. It is suggested to Synod to make the appointment at their present meeting for the balance of the term which was allotted to him. At the present time there are not sufficient funds in hand, belong. ing to the Permanent Fund, to pay the salaries of the Professors due June 1st. The term of service of John Van Nest will expire at this meeting of the Synod. All of which is respectfully submitted. P. R. WARNER, President. The following documents, viz.: Treasurer's Annual Account, Annual Digest, List of Securities belonging to General Synod, List of Real Estate, List of Endowed Scholarships, Education Fund Account, Education Fund Income Account, Widows' Fund Account, Widows' Fund Income Account, Hope College Endowment Fund, Hope College Income Account, Disabled Ministers' Fund Account, Disabled Ministers' Income Account, Expense Account, Estimate of Expenses for the current year, Van Benschoten Fund Account, and Knox Fund Account, (the two last named from the Treasurer of Rutger's College) were received also and referred to the Committee on the Board of Direction, except the papers relating to the Widows' and Disabled Ministers' Funds, which were referred to the Committee on those Funds, and that part relating to vacancies which was referred to the Committee on Nominations. Treasurer's Annual Account. The General Synod of the Reformed Church in America in account with JOHN I. BROWER, Treasurer. May 17 To Cash paid Board of Education, per F. J. Hosford, paid Delegates from the Particular Synod paid expenses of meeting of General Synod. deposited in United States Trust Co... Amount carried forward.... Aug. 26 paid Rev. Alex. McKelvey amount withdrawn 15 10,000 195 12,000 Sept. 9 deposited in United States Trust Co paid Rev. Andrew B. Taylor amount with- paid Gardner A. Sage, Treasurer of 700 383 50 the above being equivalent to six months' in- 1,083 50 1,050 paid traveling expenses of Corresponding 17 18 20 23 paid C. E. Crispell, D.P., interest on the En- paid appropriation from the Disabled Minis paid the following professors in the Theolo- Rev. David D. Demarest, D.D. $43,444 68 92 33 16 52 49 150 114 50 $250 250 250 paid Gardner A. Sage, Treasurer of the Stand- paid insurance on the Peter Hertzog Theo- paid annuities from the Widows' Fund.... 4,000 5,000 77 27 5,000 983 51 paid loan on bond and mortgage |