Paid to those having a claim upon this Fund $2,656 01

Respecting Widows' Fund itself, the following facts appear:

$1,464.11 have been received from Churches; of this amount, $1,052.67 were for the general outlay of the Fund and $411.44 were for the payment of annual dues on the part of Churches in behalf of their respective pastors, these amounts being credited to the Churches in the general offerings to the Fund. A bequest of $5,000 from the estate of John Clark, New Brunswick, N. J, has been paid to, the Fund, and $265 have been added from the income account. Whence it appears that the Widows' Fund, which one year ago amounted to $38,631.02, has received during the year from different sources the additional sum of $6,729.11, thus making the Fund at present date $45,360.13.

In view of the character of these Funds, and the carefulness with which all matters pertaining thereto are administered; in view of the good which, through their agency, has already been accomplished, and the additional and increasing usefulness of which they are capable; and in view also of the fact that one of the prime duties of Christianity is, not only "to keep itself unspotted from the world," but also "to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction," and also to regard with loving attention and willing assistance those worthy servants of Christ and His Church, who in their prime and power labored in the ministry, but who, by reason of age or disability, are laid aside therefrom,

Be it Resolved, first, That we have cause for rejoicing in the fact that, while the Widows' and Disabled Ministers' Funds have been enabled, during the past year, to render valuable assistance to various families of disabled or departed ministers of the Church, there has been a marked increase in the Funds themselves, which increase gives promise of still greater good for the future.

Resolved, secondly. That this Synod recognize the safe and satisfactory principles upon which these benevolent funds are conducted,

and commend them to the confidence, consideration and charities of the several Churches and Christians under its jurisdiction.

Resolved, thirdly, That the attention of pastors be called to the combined business and benevolent features of the Widows' Fund, which features afford an apportunity to them of making at least a partial provision for themselves (if disabled), their wives and families, by the payment of a small allowance annually to this Fund, which allowance will give them a claim upon the annuities of the Fund.

Resolved, fourthly, That the attention of Churches be called to the advisability of appropriating, out of their contributions to the Widows' Fund, the sum of $20 annually, to the credit of their respective pastors, which appropriations will secure for such pastors an interest in the Fund, in behalf of their respective families.

Resolved, fifthly, That the example of those who have left legacies to the Funds, be held up for imitation on the part of those members of the Reformed Church who, in making the final disposition of their property, desire to turn some of their fortunes into benevolent channels.

Respectfully submitted,

THOS. WALKER JONES, Chairman.

ARTICLE XX.

PUBLICATION.

The Twenty-second Annual Report of the Board of Publication was received, and referred to the Committee on Publication, except so much as relates to vacancies, which was referred to the Committee on Nominations. The Annual Report of the Treasurer was also received and referred to the same Committee.

The Committee on the Board of Publication presented the following report, which was accepted and adopted:

The Committee are glad to be able to consolidate their report on this subject into a small compass. Reduced expenses and sales largely increased show honest effort and new life. Compliment and confidence are evidently due to Mr. Brinkerhoff, the publishing agent, whose short management has been followed by such good results. We only criticise for future correction in the Board's re

port, the introduction of "Incidentals" of considerable amount, without specifying to what use the money was applied. We endorse the application for a Secretary to do the work of correspondence, at a salary of $500, if in the judgment of the Board it be found necessary; but we do not at this time consider it expedient to make "The Gospel Sower, after the expiration of the present year, the especial organ of the four Boards of our Church, under the conduct of the Secretaries," one of whom shall be elected each year (by themselves) Editor-in-chief. The plan

of co-operation with the Southern Church, in which the Gospel Sower is now circulating, was unanimously adopted by General Synod. The project of a mutual paper, involved in this plan, was not acted upon by the Synod of last year, owing to the condition of the Board. But since it has now been carried into effect, in our judgment it would not do to rupture the agreement before time has been allowed to develop the success or failure of the experiment.

Resolved, With regard to the request of the German ministers to have a copy of the Constitution in German, that it be referred to the Board with power.

Respectfully submitted,

A. G. VERMILYE, Chairman.

The following persons were elected to fill vacancies in the Board of Publication :

It was Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to prepare a critical edition of the Heidelberg Catechism in its English version, and report to the next General Synod.

The following were appointed: Rev. W. H. Campbell, Rev. T. W. Chambers, Rev. C. D. Hartranft, Rev. R. B. Welch, and Rev. William R. Duryee.

Resolved, That Rev. C. D. Hartranft be requested to prepare a full and particular history of the Heidelberg Catechism, and to present the same to the General Synod at his earliest convenience.

ARTICLE XXI.

PARTICULARIA.

The Van Benschoten Bequest was read. The Synod resolved that the hours of meeting should be 9 A. M, 3 P. м. and 73 P. M., and of adjournment, 12 and 54 P. M.

Rev. C. S. Hag-man, Rev. Thomas W. Jones, and Elder Theodore Sturges were appointed a Committee on Devotional Exercises. The afternoon of the first day of the session, after the organization of Synod, was spent in devotional exercises, and also the first half hour of every morning session.

On the afternoon of the second day, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. The President conducted the services and read the form. Prayer was offered by Rev. M. S. Hutton. Rev. David Ingli; distributed the bread, and Rev. W. H. Gleason the wine. Elders Rossman, Sturges, Hees, Schieffelin, Heath and Lott assisted in the distribution.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a minute expressing the views of this General Synod upon the observance of the Lord's day in the International Centennial Exposition, which is now in progress in Philadelphia.

The following were appointed: Revs. W. J. R. Taylor, M. S. Hutton, David Inglis, and Elders James Anderson and Allen Rossman.

The Committee presented the following paper, which was unanimously adopted

The Special Committee on the Sabbath in the Centennial, respectfully report the following:

Resolved, That recognizing the hand of God in our National prosperity, and desiring to express our thanksgiving to Him for it, we are anxious that in the manner of its expression, we should not ignore the holy day He calls His own; and to the observance of which we, in no small degree, ascribe that prosperity. We believe

that if we honor Him, He will continue to honor us.

Resolved, That the Synod have learned with great satisfaction, the decision of the United States Centennial Commission, to close the International Exposition on the Sabbath day.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Synod, the highest moral and civic interests of the nation will be promoted by a firm adherence to the decision of the Commission, which conforms to the laws of most of the States, with the terms of the cession of the Exhibition grounds to the United States Government, with the rights of thousands of exhibiters and employees to the rest and recreation of the Lord's day, with the express understanding of many exhibiters that the Sabbath should not be violated by throwing the buildings open to the public, and with the general religious sentiment and habits of the Christian people of the whole land, in favor of the observance of the Lord's day.

Resolved, That this Synod, representing nearly five hundred Churches and seventy-five thousand communicants, and as many families, respectfully appeals to the Commissioners to maintain their righteous stand upon this subject, and that we pledge them the moral support of our entire communion in resisting all demands for the public desecration of the Day of days, a desecration which would dim the glory of the International Exhibition, and would expose us to the world as a people who have neither the virtue nor the courage to sustain an institution which has given us so great preeminence over nations that do not " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy"

Resolved, That an official copy of this action, duly signed by the President and Stated Clerk, be transmitted to the President of the Centennial Commission, with a request that it be presented by him to that body at its next meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

WM. J. R. TAYLOR, Chairman.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the Committee on devotional exercises, together with the pastor of this Church, be a Committee on supplies for the pulpits of this city on the next Lord's day.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That this Synod would be gratified at receiving a visit from the Hon. A. Bruyn Hasbrouck, LL.D., formerly President of Rutgers College, at such time as may be agreeable to him.