The Treasurer states there was a balance due professors last year, $986; there is a deficiency this year additional of $1,350.00; total amount of salaries due professors at date, $2,336.00. The Synod is due the Treasurer of this fund the sum of $119.53. $320 17 For salaries of missionaries..... $4,842 53 483 62 Receipts. .$5,708 81 Sabbath schools and missionary societies......... 2,173 49 926 39 100 00 32 89 483 50 175 43 19 50 From various individuals... donation to Chapel Fund, interest on U. S. bond in hand of Treasurer..... From interest on invested funds in hands of Synod's Trustees, per Wm. Wills, Treasurer..... Interest in hand of Treasurer... Balance on hand April 13, 1876.... shipping and freight on 11 packages per steamer Abyssinia...... 100 00 The total deficit in the current expenses of the Theological Seminary Fund, at the present date of report, is the sum of $1,599.03. The Treasurer states that upon Sept. 1st there will be $1,375.00 due professors for salaries; this will make a deficit, at that time, of $2,974.03. The Treasurer of this fund states: "The action of Synod relative to the Students' Fund, has not prevented appropriations to persons for whom the fund was not created. There seems to be an impression that it was designed for general distribution; this is not the fact, and at present those really needing the aid which the fund was designed to furnish receive but a meagre amount. It might serve a better purpose if each Presbytery would refer applicants to a committee of three, who would carefully examine into the circumstances of each applicant, and give to such as required it a certificate stating the amount needed. Your treasurer dislikes to call your attention again to this rather delicate matter, but feels constrained to do so, because members of Synod have informed him that some have received aid whose parents were in comfortable, if not affluent, circumstances, and it is an abuse of trust to give to such, unless as a loan, to be repaid within a stated time." The Treasurer of the fund states: "The present debt of the Seminary building is $10,175.06. Deducting from this the present Memorial Fund and balance due in June on the old building, there will remain a debt in round numbers of $6,700.00. Owing to the continued depression of business, no rent need be expected this year for the lower stories. The sooner means are adopted to pay this debt the better. Synod will please note the fact that not one dollar has been contributed by the church during the past year for this purpose.' 12. M'ALLISTER'S REPORT. Richard McAllister reports that he has received the $187.41 donated by Synod last year for the use of Miss Rebecca McKinney, and that he has dis bursed the same. The following is the report of Synod's Board of Trustees : The Trustees of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, respectfully beg leave to report: That the Board reorganized shortly after the last meeting of Synod, by re-electing the former officers, viz., David Gregg, president; John A. McKee, vicepresident; William Wills, treasurer; and D. Chesnut, secretary. That we have given careful attention to the investment of such funds as have been entrusted to our care, to the collection and reinvestment of interest and gains arising from the bonds, mortgages, and other securities in charge of the Board, and attended to such other business connected therewith as has required attention at our hands. 25 The assets or total investments upon bonds, mortgages, notes, or other forms of obligation amount in the aggregate, at this date, to eighty-eight thousand four hundred and ninety-nine dollars, but for further information concerning these investments, and for a general statement of the financial business transacted since our last report to you, we respectfully refer you to the statement of the several funds and accounts, as furnished by the treasurer, and herewith annexed. A committee appointed by your Board have audited these accounts, compared them with the books, and counted and examined the bonds, mortgages and other securities in which the funds have been invested, and found them to agree with the statement of accounts herewith rendered. The term for which David Gregg and Daniel Euwer were made members of this Board will expire June 15, 1877. We, therefore, ask Synod at this meeting to elect two trustees, to serve for three years ending June 15th, 1880, or until their suc cessors be duly appointed or elected. The election to be valid must be by ballot, and a certificate showing who are elected to membership, duly signed by the moderator and clerk, should be delivered to this Board. Respectfully submitted, 1. We recommend that the several reports be put on file. $ 120 04 2. That Mr. Robert Speer, the trustee of the fund raised for the family of the late Rev. James Buck, be advised to retain this fund in his own hands, and use it for the education of the children. 3. That $200 be appropriated to the use of John Wallace, and $200 to the use of J. Neill, from the Aged Ministers' Fund; and that this sum be paid in semi-annual instalments. 4. That the treasurers of the different funds be advised to use postal cards or letters as a medium of communication, instead of the telegraph. 5. That every Presbytery appoint a standing committee of three, to examine the circumstances of each applicant for aid from the Students' Fund; that this committee report to Presbytery, and that Presbytery in certifying the applicant state the amount absolutely required by the applicant. 6. That the bequest of Mary W. Auld, $199.30, be used to liquidate the deficit in the current expenses of the Theological Seminary. 7. That all the congregations under the care of Synod be directed to take up a special collection to meet the deficit in the current expenses of the Theological Seminary, which will at the end of the current year amount to $2,974.03. That this collection be forwarded to the treasurer before August 31. This collection is not to interfere with the regular annual collection. 8. That as the debt of the Seminary Memorial building, which amounts to $6,700, will call for collection during this year, Synod ask the church to raise this amount at once. 9. That Synod request the treasurer of the Domestic and Southern Missions, Daniel Euwer, to withdraw his resignation, and to continue in the position which he has satisfactorily filled for these many years. 10. We recommend the following collections: 11. That two trustees be elected to become members of Synod's Board, and take the places of David Gregg and Daniel Euwer, whose term of office expires June 15. 12. We recommend, finally, that Presbyteries be directed to adopt such measures as will secure the full quota of all appropriations to the general schemes of the church, from every congregation. D. GREGG, Ch'n. The clerk was directed to cast the unanimous ballot of Synod for the Trustees nominated in the above report. The Committee on National Reform reported. Report adopted as follows: The Permanent Committee on National Reform respectfully report, that the past year has been full of encouragement in many important respects to the friends of National Christianity. The Centennial Convention was a disappointment in respect of numbers, the event proving that the executive committee was mistaken in their calculations as to the time when the largest number of visitors might be expected in Philadelphia. Nearly five hundred members, however, were enrolled, the addresses were of a high order of merit, and the correspondence and other preparations for the convention revealed a decided advance in public sentiment and secured the adherence of many valuable friends to the cause. The week which followed was signalized by one of the most important victories ever won by the friends of public morals and national religion in this or any country. Against the combined influence of a large part of the popu lation of our principal cities, of many influential journals, and of a powerful railroad combination, the United States Centennial Commission decided, after protracted discussion, to respect the Sabbath, and keep the gates of the International Exhibition closed on that day. This act was a confession before the assembled representatives of the nations that the Sabbath has a place in our civil institutions; it furnished a precedent of inestimable value in future controversies; and it is matter for thankfulness that the National Reform Association was so largely instrumental in securing the result. Soon afterwards a remarkable step was taken by the Senate of the United States, which contained the germ, at least, of the religious amendment of the constitution of the United States. In adopting an amendment |