It was resolved that Synod does not approve of the licensure of students who have not remained during the prescribed time in the Seminary, and that such students be still required to complete the full period of their studies.

The Committee on Missions reported. Report accepted, amended and adopted, and is as follows:

Report of the Committee on Missions.

The Committee on Missions respectfully reports: Three papers were placed in our hands, viz., the Report of the Board of Foreign Missions, the Report of the Central Board of Missions, and a communication from Rev. N. R. Johnston in regard to a mission among the Chinese in San Francisco. These we have carefully examined. In the report of the Board of Foreign Missions we find nothing requiring any action by this court. Still, there are two things which should not be passed unnoticed. In the bereavement which the mission has sustained by the death of Mrs. Metheny, the whole church joins with profound sorrow in expressing sympathy with the bereaved husband and motherless children. The divine Master is making us to have a stronger interest in the mission field, because the dust of our beloved friends rests beneath its soil. But while in this case we "weep with those that weep," yet we find abundant reason to rejoice in the continued prosperity of the mission; and this notwithstanding the absence of the senior missionary, Rev. Joseph Beattie. There has been a very encouraging growth during the past year; and although the Turkish government is involved in war, the mission is still undisturbed. There should be daily prayer offered to God for their protection, and that the present conflicts in the Old World should so work for the furtherance of the gospel, that Mohammedan superstitions may soon vanish before the clear shining of the "Sun of righteousness."

We would urge upon the church the continuance of their liberality for the support of this very important work.

From the report of the Central Board of Missions we receive encouraging accounts. The Southern Mission is prospering, notwithstanding the disgraceful occurrence that transpired in connection with the work in Selma. The Board have opened a new field, viz., Camden, Alabama, and have placed in charge of it a competent and reliable missionary.

The report before us regarding the Domestic Mission work presents nothing requiring any special attention by this court.

We would also suggest the propriety of the Board's remitting the station at Mansfield to the care of the Ohio Presbytery. It is almost within the centre of their circumscribed bounds, and is not properly of that class of places contemplated in the original establishment of this Board. Should the Ohio Presbytery need funds other than those which they can raise in their own bounds, let them apply to the Board for financial aid. But as the Board has already made arrangements for this mission field for the ensuing six months, this action shall not interfere with that arrangement.

In regard to the establishment of a mission among the Chinese, this Synod has heard with satisfaction of the self-sacrificing and devoted labors of Rev. N. R. Johnston and family in San Francisco, yet owing to the financial pressure, Synod is unwilling to take such action as may involve the church in debt.

We recommend that Synod recognize Rev. N. R. Johnston as a missionary under the care of the Home Mission Board, to receive such compensa

tion as the funds of the Board and the contributions for this scheme shall warrant; and that this scheme be recommended to the liberality of our people.

The congregation of Selma having made a request that G. M. Elliott, now laboring among them, be ordained and installed as their pastor, signed by all the members and twelve adherents, we recommend that this be regarded as an informal call, and that the Pittsburgh Presbytery be directed to ordain and install G. M. Elliott as pastor of that mission congregation, at as early a day as possible.

As to Dr. Wylie's resignation as chairman of the Board of Foreign Missions, we recommend that it be not accepted.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

R. B. CANNON,

JOHN HUNTER,

JAS. M. BEATTIE,
D. H. COULTER,

WM. KENNEDY.

Report of the Board of Foreign Missions.

In submitting to Synod the annual statement of another year's missionary work in Syria, we have the same reason as heretofore for abundant thanksgiving to God. As a natural result of the disturbed condition of the Turkish empire, the year has been one of great anxiety in regard to the mission. It was not known what attempts the fierce and fanatical votaries of the Moslem religion, taking advantage of the times, might be instigated to make against it, or into what peril of personal safety our missionaries might be brought. But the guardianship of a watchful and gracious Providence has defended it against the mischievous designs of unreasonable and wicked men, so that it is seen more clearly than ever that the eyes of the Lord are upon his own work, and that every interest of it is precious in his sight.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES-REVENUE OF THE MISSION.

The total receipts for the past year are..
The total expenditures for same period...........
Balance April 6, 1877...

3,463 84

A synoptical statement will be laid before Synod by the Treasurer, classifying the sources of revenue, and the objects for which disbursements have been made. The general report will furnish the items in detail. The financial exhibit is perhaps as satisfactory as, under the circumstances, could be expected. It is certainly not unsatisfactory, in view of the continued and almost unparalleled depression in the commercial and industrial interests of the country, and from which all classes of people have suffered more or less in consequence, and in very many instances the most serious embarrassments. While in nearly all other churches the falling off in missionary revenue has burdened their treasuries with an accumulation of debt, and compelled the most disastrous retrenchment, the income for Foreign Missions in our own church has been kept up to the usual line, so that every imperative claim has been met, and the treasury, instead of deficit, shows a balance. Doubtless more money could have been expended than has been done, and with advantage to the mission, but in view of the financial pressure, and the fixed policy of the Board not to incur debt, it has been our aim to keep down expenses, and to conduct the operations of the year on as economical a scale as practicable.

DEATH OF MRS. METHENY.

The mission has suffered a great bereavement in the death of the beloved wife of Dr. Metheny. After years of weakness and disease, which she bore with the most exemplary Christian fortitude and meekness, she entered into rest on the 17th of December last. Mrs. Metheny was a most devoted friend of the mission, and one of its most generous benefactors. The chapel, which has just recently been brought to such a state of completeness as to make it fit for occupancy, and in which the Sabbath day services are now conducted, was erected at her personal expense. So long as it continues to stand, it will be a monument of her love for Syria, and will perpetuate her name and memory as neither tomb nor obelisk of marble can do. While, with all the members of the mission, we mourn her loss, with them we rejoice in the testimony which she has left to us in her character, and life, and deeds and death, of the reality, power and excellence of the faith of the gospel of Christ.

VISIT OF A NATIONAL VESSEL TO LATAKIYFH.

The measures adopted by the European powers to exact from Turkey some pledge of better administration, and additional guarantees for the security of the Christian subjects against the outbreaks of Moslem fanaticism, naturally led to an unsettled state of affairs throughout the empire. Indications were not wanting in some of the interior portions of Syria to justify apprehensions of a possible repetition of the shocking outrages which had been perpetrated in Bulgaria. And while the danger of such occurrences is less in towns and places on the coast than in the interior, our friends in Latakiyeh were not without uneasiness. In view of these circumstances, and of the contingencies of the case, the Hon. Secretary of the Navy was solicited to order one of the national ships to visit Latakiyeh at as early a date as possible, in the interest of the missionaries and the mission property. In the course of a few days a reply came from Secretary Robeson of so satisfactory a character that we transcribe a paragraph contained in it. He says: "In a dispatch from Rear-Admiral John L. Worden, commanding the U. S. naval force on the European station, dated January 20th, 1877, he reports the sailing of the U. S. steamer 'Marion' about January 17th, from Messina, for the coast of Syria, with orders to proceed to Beirat, and thence to Latakiyeh. He also reports that Commander Bradford, commanding the 'Marion,' has instructions to carefully seek information from all reliable sources as to the disposition of the Mussulman population towards the Christians, especially those of our own nation," &c.

The "Marion" remained about two days at Latakiyeh, and the effect of her presence there was of the most salutary kind. The authorities and people were visibly awed by the display of power, and seemed to feel that any acts of violence toward the mission or those connected with it would hazard consequences which they did not care to invite. It was felt on all hands that the appearance of the "Marion" in the waters of Latakiyeh, with her guns frowning upon the town, had been of signal advantage to the mission, in the respect which it had awakened among the people for the missionaries, and in the new and increased security which it furnished. Commander Bradford promised to return, and we have noticed with satisfaction that Rear-Admiral Worden has ordered the vessels of his fleet to rendezvous at Constantinople, in order that they may be in a position to keep a close watch over American interests along the shores of the Mediterranean, and since the formal declaration of war they have been actively occupied in doing so.

THE SCHOOLS.

The number of pupils in the boarding school in Latakiyeh during the year has been fifty-three. This is almost one-half less than in the previous year, and is due to the continued political troubles. In the unsettled state of the country, occasioned by the attempt of the Government to reduce its insurgent provinces into submission, with the likelihood of an open rupture at any hour with the European powers, the mountain tribes were unwilling to allow their children to leave their homes. A number of the children of native Christians in the town and neighborhood were received into the school, and enjoyed not merely the benefit of teaching, but of constant religious training under the eye of the missionaries. The day school in Latakiyeh has been well attended, as also the schools in the mountain villages, which seem to be growing more and more in favor with the people. Many villages, in addition to those already occupied, have asked for the opening of schools, but with the means at its disposal, the mission has not been able to grant the request.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

Besides the daily religious instruction and worship in the school, the Sabbath school work has been regularly conducted. The Word- the great instrument in the hand of God for the conversion of souls-has been fully preached, on the Sabbath and at other times, by both Dr. Metheny and Mr. Easson, and the attendance upon it has never been so good as during the past year. On the communion Sabbath, March 18th, the chapel, of which they had taken possession the week before, was thoroughly filled, there being from three to four hundred persons present throughout the day. As far as they have been able to do so, the missionaries have travelled through the country, preaching Christ, and offering salvation to sinners in his name, and many have heard from their lips the glad tidings which God wills shall be made known to all people. Something, too, has been done in the way of colportage by Selim Salah, who has visited and conversed with many of the people, and pressed upon their attention the importance and necessity of seeking to make sure for themselves of the one thing needful.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE SUPPER,

The Lord's supper has been twice dispensed in the mission during the year covered

by the present report. At the first, fifty-eight communicants sat down around the table of the Lord to eat and drink in communion with Christ; and at the second, fifty-nine partook of the sacramental elements. Twenty-three, from various causes, were hindered from being present on the last occasion, and three were not allowed to commune because of some irregularity of conduct. It appears to have been an occasion of special solemnity, and to have impressed deeply the large numbers who were present as spectators. A young girl of the Armenian faith remarked at the close of the service, "I have been going to my own church ever since I was a baby, and never until to-day did I know what the sacrament of the Lord's supper means,"

ADDITIONS TO THE CHURCH.

The labors of the missionaries, under God's blessing, have not been without fruit. Sixteen names have been added to the roll of membership, and a number of children have been baptized. At the communion recently dispensed, seven persons were received into the visible membership of the church. Five of them had been educated and trained in the ⚫ school, and one was an Armenian who for a number of years has been an attendant, more or less frequent, upon the religious services of the mission. The seventh is a case of very special interest. Mohmand is the first Ansairiyeh fully instructed into the mysteries of this strange religion, who is known to have renounced and forsaken it, and accepted the religion of Jesus Christ. He is in comfortable worldly circumstances, having an ample competency, and has discharged all his military obligations to the government, so that as far as can be judged, he was not impelled by any selfish or mercenary motives, but by honest and sincere conviction in espousing and professing the Christian faith. He presented four of his children, who received the sacrament of baptism. A daughter, who has been in Christ for two years, has made continual intercession for the conversion and salvation of her father, and the power of prayer finds in her case a new and very striking illustration.

EVANGELISTIC EFFORT BY THE NATIVE CONVERTS.

The growth of the gospel among the native population does not appear to be merely in the number of its adherents, but also in the measure of its influence and force upon their hearts. A most encouraging evidence of this has been furnished in a practical resolution of the members of the Syrian Church to engage in evangelistic and missionary work. A very interesting scene occurred at the close of the services of the public thanksgiving in the month of November last. The sermon delived on the occasion had reference to the duty and grace of giving for religious uses, and great was the surprise when it was discovered, that the amount of the collection contributed for the day was nearly equal to the whole collection of any previous year. Before leaving the house the native members assembled in meeting and resolved upon the organization of a Missionary Society, and a subscription was made on the spot equal to $16 per month. It was determined to organize one or more schools in the mountain villages, to be supported entirely by the funds of the Latakiyeh Missionary Society. In less than five months about $100 are available for the purpose. If liberal giving be, as we know it is, a proof of the reality and power of divine grace in the heart, we have this evidence remarkably developed in the church at Latakiyeh, a number of whose members are giving for the use of the gospel, at the rate of one-fifth of their gross income. What an example to those who in point of privilege are unspeakably better off, and what an encouragement to those who during the past years have been sending their benefactions in this direction. Already they are finding the bread cast upon the waters days ago. A grand point is gained when the first step is taken, and earnestly tasen, by the native church in Syria for the evangelizing of its benighted and perishing people.

SCADIYEH STATION.

The Dr. and Mrs. William Holt Yates Mission at Suadiyeh has been carried on during the year as heretofore under the direction and supervision of our missionaries. While we are the owners of the property, and have exclusive control of the adminis tration of the mission, the expense of running it is largely, if not entirely met by contributions from London and raised through the effective agency of Mrs. Yates. The mission is in charge of Yakoub Ham lun-a most competent person, who in addition to the week day instructions regularly conducts private and social religious services on the Sabbath. The progress at this station, though never so marked as at Latakiyeh, owing no doubt largely to the fact that it was most unfortunate in the persons who were placed in charge of it at the first, is by no means unpromising.

REMOVAL OF DR. MARTIN TO ANTIOCH.

The joint action of our own and of the Reformed Presbyterian Churches in Ireland and Scotland in mission work at Latakiyeh, has been terminated, by the transfer of Rev. Dr. Martin to Antioch. It was thought best, in view of all the circumstances, for missionary interests, that Dr. Martin occupy a separate and independent field. After careful inquiry, Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians, was selected and a school opened, and we are glad to know with specially encouraging prospects. We add in this connection that during last summer, Dr. Martin suffered a terrible bereavement in the sudden death of his young wife and infant child.

THE PROSPECTS OF THE YEAR.

We enter upon another year with the horizon in the East deeply overcast, and giving portentous indications of a time of trouble, such as the world has scarcely ever seen. The war cloud which has been for a long time gathering has begun at length to discharge its fiery contents, and what the result may be, no one is able to forecast. We are hardly in circumstances as yet as to venture an opinion as to the immediate effect of these terrible political convulsions upon Christian missions throughout the Turkish Empire. Thus far they have suffered no visible damage in their interests and it may be in the purpose of God in precipitating upon the Government a conflict in which it will be compelled to struggle single handed for its very existence, to interrupt in the meanwhile its hostile attempts upon missionaries and their work, and to give the church rest, that they may without hindrance and with still greater success carry forward the work of preaching and teaching the gospel. As to the ultimate issue there can be no room for question in the mind of those who read events in the light of prophecy. Mohammedanism as the great obstruction to the progress of the gospel in the East will be taken out of the way, and Truth, with her rapidly multiplying hosts, will march on from victory to victory until all wicked and immoral systems shall disappear, and the nations born anew shall crown and own Immanuel as Lord of all. These are the days of vengeance when all things that are written shall be fulfilled, and the day of vengeance ushers in the year of Christ's redeemed.

EXPENSES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

In the present unsettled state of affairs in Syria and throughout the Turkish empire, we are unable to name any definite sum as a probable estimate of what may be required for carrying on the mission during the current year. It ought to be assumed, however, that the work will not only meet with no interruption, but that as the outcome of existing providential dispensations, its opportunities will be greater than at any previous time, and if such opportunities should occur, it will be a great misfortune, if from want of means or any other cause the church may not be able to take advantage of and improve them. Under these conditions the Board do not feel that they would be faithful in the execution of the trust confided to them, if they did not ask the church, through her assembled elders, in order to meet the requirements of the present year, a sum equal to that of the past year ($12,400), twelve thousand four hundred dollars. S. O. WYLIE, Ch., J. R. W. SLOANE,

Report of the Central Board of Missions.

In presenting to Synod and through it to the church, this, our annual report, it affords us pleasure to be able to state that the work entrusted to us is still progressing. All things considered, the year has been one of continued prosperity. In both the Southern and Domestic fields we have enlarged our operations, and thus far with encouraging success. That the church is interested in our work and has confidence in the management of it, is evidenced by the fact that notwithstanding the continued and increasing depression of all business interests in the country, and the severe trial through which our Southern Mission has passed, the receipts as reported by our treasurer have been quite liberal, those for the Domestic Mission Fund being in excess of the amount reported for either of the past two years. This, when we remember that contributions to benevolent objects have, as a rule, during the last twelve months been greatly diminished, is peculiarly gratifying, and encourages us to believe that during the ensuing year we may be able still further to enlarge our operations. New and promising fields are opening to us, which we are ready to occupy as soon as there is a reasonable certainty that the increased liberality in the collections will justify us in so doing.