SUMMARY VIEW OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA FOR THE YEAR 1877.

North Classis of Long Island.

South Classis of Long Island.

Classis of Monmouth

Classis of Montgomery.

Classis of Newark

Classis of New Brunswick

Classis of New York.

Classis of Orange

Classis of Passaic

Classis of Poughkeepsie.

ARTICLE VII.

SYNODICAL REFERENCES.

The Committee on Synodical Minutes presented the following report, which was accepted and adopted:

The Committee on Synodical Minutes find on pages 54 and 55 of the Minutes of the Particular Synod of Chicago, a report on the subject of Missions, which requires the action of this Synod. The portion which relates to Domestic Missions, having already been referred to the appropriate Committee, we offer respecting the remainder, which relates to Foreign Missions, the following:

Resolved, That so much of the said report, as relates to Foreign Missions, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Missions.

We find on page 6 of the Minutes of the Particular Synod of New Brunswick, a resolution asking the General Synod for further action on the subject of preaching on the Heidelberg Catechism.

Resolved, That this request be referred to the Committee on Overtures.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

HENRY WARD, Chairman.

OVERTURES.

The Committee on Overtures presented their report, which was accepted, amended, and adopted, and is as follows:

The Committee on Overtures have had submitted to them an Overture relating to the Heidelberg Catechism, resolutions from the Particular Synods of Albany and New Brunswick, on the same subject, requests for dispensations, and a petition.

We report upon each as follows:

The Classis of Rensselaer sends to the Synod the following Overture The Classis of Rensselaer respectfully memorializes General Synod to submit to the churches an amendment of the Constitution, either to expunge the requirement as to the explanation of the Heidelberg Catechism, or to so modify it that preaching the substance thereof be regarded

as a compliance with the law, and thus a law that has been a dead letter be taken from our Constitution."

The part of the Resolution of the Particular Synod of Albany, which demands the attention of your Committee, is as follows: "When the pastor or elder have answered in the negative to the second question, the President shall censure before the Classis said pastor, for evidently neglecting or refusing to preach upon the Heidelberg Catechism, according to the constitutional requirement, and the elder for not demanding of his pastor a prompt and ready conformity to the regulations of said Constitution, and the names of persons so censured, recorded on the book of Minutes of such Classes."

The Resolution of the Particular Synod of New Brunswick, with reference to preaching on the Heidelberg Catechism, is as follows:

"Resolved, That this Synod, under the circumstances, will wait the further action of General Synod on this subject." In view of the above, your Committee recommend the following:

Resolved, That in view of the varied legislation, during many years, upon the subject of explaining or preaching upon the Heidelberg Catechism, a committee be appointed to examine into the whole subject as to the origin, history, practice, and synodical legislation, pertaining to this matter, and to report what action may seem proper, to the next session of the General Synod.

The following were appointed said Committee: Revs. E. T. Corwin, A. R. Van Nest, W. J. R. Taylor, E. P. Livingston. Elders, James Anderson, J. W. Ferdon, and G. C. Churchill.

DISPENSATIONS.

1. The Classis of Arcot requests a dispensation for Moses Nathaniel, from a collegiate course, and from the Greek and Hebrew languages, in order that they may ordain him to the ministry. The reasons for this request are that the Classis have entire confidence in his worthiness for the sacred office, and that several of the Mission churches desire his services as pastor, and have promised to contribute about half his salary.

We therefore recommend to the Synod that the request be granted.

2. The Classis of New Brunswick unanimously requests a dispensation for John H. Bergen and Islay Walden, from the study of the Greek and Hebrew languages, for the following reasons: "Mr. Bergen is totally blind, and Mr. Walden's eyesight is defective, the Classis being fully persuaded that these students would make intelligent and efficient ministers," among their colored brethren.

We therefore recommend that the request be granted, and that these students be permitted to continue their studies in the Seminary.

3. The Classis of Holland requests a dispensation for Marinus Van Doren. The reasons are that Mr. Van Doren is now 35 years of age, has a family to support, and gives good evidence of such endowments as promise future usefulness in the ministry.

We therefore recommend that the request be granted.

4. The Classis of New York requests a dispensation for Frederick R. Marvin, M.D., relieving him from the following requirements of the Constitution, viz: Examination in the original languages of Scripture, and a professorial certificate of having completed a three years' course of study in our Theological Seminary.

We recommend that the request be granted.

5. The North Classis of Long Island requests a dispensation for Louis T. Herr, from a collegiate course. "The Classis recommend that Mr. Herr be placed under the care of the Board of Education for the usual amount granted to students, and that owing to his age and circumstances, a dispensation be requested from General Synod to set aside his lack of collegiate course, inasmuch as he has received a High Education, and is now pursuing classical study in private.

We recommend that the request be granted.

On the general subject of dispensations, your Committee recommend the following action :

Whereas, The Classes are alone responsible for these applications for dispensation, and,

Whereas, The Classes alone can know all the circumstances, and the qualifications of each applicant; therefore,

Resolved, That we urge the greatest care and discrimination in recommending applications for dispensations.

A lengthy petition from Rev. N. D. Williamson, asking for a number of amendments to Rules of Order, &c., was placed in the hands of your Committee.

After a careful consideration of the subject, your Committee recommend the following resolution:

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to make the amendments suggested.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

E. P. LIVINGSTON, Chairmqn.

P. FURBECK,

W. H. CARR,

F. A. LANCASHIRE.

ARTICLE VIII.

SYNODICAL APPEALS.

An appeal by Rev. Augustus Blauvelt, D. D., from a decision. of the Particular Synod of New York, sustaining the action of the Classis of Kingston, in suspending him from the ministry, was received, and, with the accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Judicial Business.

The Committee on Judicial Business presented the following report, which was accepted and adopted:

The Committee on Judicial Business would respectfully report that there have been placed in our hands the following papers in the case of the Classis of Kingston against the Rev. Augustus Blauvelt :

1. A document setting forth the action of the Classis of Kingston in the suspension from the ministry of Rev. Augustus Blauvelt, in part as follows:

"Whereas, Rev. Augustus Blauvelt, in his reply to the questions proposed to him, has stated that his disagreement with Articles IV.. V., and VII. of the Confession is fundamental or radical;' and

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"Whereas, He has also stated that in preparing the article on Protestant Vaticanism,' published by him in Scribner's Monthly of September, 1876, he did not think anything about its being in violation of his promise and covenant in signing the Formula, which was the condition of his being re