The Western Democrat

THE N. C. SYNOD.

A letter in the Wilmington Dispatch, dated Fayetteville, Oct. 30th, speaks of the late session of the Presbyterian Synod in that town as follows:

"The Synod of the Presbyterian church in North Carolina convened in this place on last Wednesday evening. Owing to the unsettled state of affairs there was not as large an attendance as usual, but most of the prominent and distinguished ministers of this denomination were present. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Joseph M. Atkinson of Raleigh, who fully sustained his high reputation as a pulpit orator.

Rev. Colin Shaw was chosen Moderator. On Friday and Saturday a spirited and important discussion took place upon the subject of the state of the church. Incidentally the religious condition of the freedmen was considered and resolutions adopted requiring unintermitted labor on the part of the church in their behalf. Their religious condition was reported not so satisfactory at present, but hopes were expressed that upon the subsidence of the excitement consequent upon the great change in their position and the continued efforts of Christians in their behalf much good would be effected.

The subject of reunion with the Northern branch of the church was largely discussed and with great ability by all the leading members of the Synod. Your correspondent regrets that it was not in his power to hear the discussion. Many of the citizens availed themselves of the opportunity. It was finally determined to make no overtures in the matter, and as the Northern church had rendered reunion impossible by declaring the Southern church out of fellowship until it acknowledged the sin of slavery, to await the rescission of this action on their part. The discussion was conducted with great kindness and in a Christian spirit, but there could be no question of the opinion of the Synod on the point of reunion, the division having taken place primarily upon the action of the Northern church-upon the sin of slavery. The question under discussion was whether it was proper for the Southern church to make advances in favor of reunion. No action being taken the matter remains in statu quo, awaiting the action of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the South."