PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES (SouTrr), organized, Dec. 4, 1861, by commissioners from all the presbyteries within what were then called the Confederate states, who met at Augusta, Ga., and constituted the general assembly. The title chosen was the Presbyterian church of the Confederate States of America; but after the suppression of the rebellion, United Ntas substituted for Confederate, and of Amer ica was dropped. At that time this church contained 12 synods, 92 presbyteries, 1821 churches, 1079 ministers, and 112,183 communicants. Its contributions amounted to $1,138,681. Its standards, substantially the same as before its separate organization, have been amended in some minor particulars to suit the circumstances and views of southern Presbyterians. It claims to be even stricter than before in its views concerning the standards and the divine authority of church government: and more zealous than ever in maintaining special and protracted religious services. Southern Presbyterians have always held a high standard of ministerial and general education. They have been prom inent in the work of founding and maintaining colleges and schools. During the war many of these institutions perished by the loss of their endowments in the general wreck. Among these were Oglethorpe university, Ga., Oakland college, Miss., LaGrange college, Tenn., and others less prominent. Some were suspended by the enlistment of their stu dents in the armies, and some suffered a partial loss of endowments. Many, having survived the disasters of the war, are now growing in strength and usefulness. Among this class are: Hampden-Sidney, Va.. college, N. C., Westminster college, Mo., King college, Tenn., and Austin college, Texas. Central university. Richmond, Ky., has been founded since the war. Six of the synods have together projected the South.
western university, to be located at Clarksville, Tenn., for whiah they are now gathering an endowment. Many academies of established character were, like the colleges, broken up by the war. Sonic however remain; among them are: Bingham school, Mebanes ville. N. C., Pleasant Ridge academy, Ala., Edgar institute, Paris, Ky., military and
classical institute, Danville, Ky., Finlay high school, Lenoir, N. C., and Kemper insti tute, Booneville, Mo. There are 2 theological seminaries—Union, at Dampden-Sidney, Va., and Columbia, at Columbia, S. C.—these are endowed and furnished with buildings, libraries, and 4 professors each. The benevolent operations of the church are conducted by the general assembly through the executive committee of foreign missions and sus teutation, of publication, and of education.
Foreign missions have been established in the Indian territory, Mexico, South Amer ica, Greece, Italy, India, and China. At the date of last report, number of missionaries: 26 ordained mimsters, 25 licentiates and assistant missionaries from the United States, with 9 ordained native ministers, and 25 native assistant missionaries, making alto gether S5. These missions have under their care 22 churches, containing 1200 mem bers, and 13 schools containing 250 pupils. 'The sustentation branch of the committee distributed $20,000 to aid in the support of 185 churches in 57 presbyteries, $6,000 for evangelistic labor, and $10,000 to relieve disabled ministers and the families of ministers deceased. A house is established at Richmond, Va., with a capital of $40,000 for pub lishing books for the libraries of ministers, congregations. and Sunday-schools.
The Southern Presbyterian Review, established more than 30 years ago, and now pub lished under the supervision of the professors in the two theological seminaries, is con ducted with learning and ability. Ccns bluing the calamities which have fallen on this portion of the Presbyterian church since its organization, its SlleeeSE: has been remarkable; but considering the vast extent of territory over which it is diffused, and the destitution of a large part of it, the work yet to be done is very great, and the means for doing it very small. According to the reports made to the assembly, 1879, there were in con nection with this branch of the church: 12 synods, 66 presbyteries, 1122 ministers and licentiates, 1892 churches, 116,755 communicants, 70,224 children in Sunday-schools, and the total amount of contributions was $1,015,851.