REFORMED CIIU:rili:s. 



743 



opening of each draw is Hl'.-rt -d by n nmnll 

 engine, with thu current, in otic minute, and 

 the closing, against it, in three minute*. The 

 direction of tlie current strikes the eastern 

 clruw at on angle of 75 80' and tho western at 

 an angle of 5fi, thus leaving a clear apace of 

 888 feet lor the former channel and 884 feet for 

 the latter, besides permitting the surface cur- 

 rent to flow past tho pontoons without expend- 

 ing its full force on them. It is commended 

 on all hands by the pilots and rivor-mcn as not 

 interfering with navigation. In relation to the 

 pii-sn.u'e of trains it is proved to :1 !lord ^renter 

 security than ordinary drawbridges, for tho 

 pontoon is capable of floating a weight six 

 greater than that of tho heaviest trains, 

 and there is no danger of accident from the 

 breaking of overstrained spans. It affords fa- 

 cilities for the passage of 1,000 cars a day, the 

 average number being now about 800. The 

 cost of the entire structure and its appurte- 

 nances is one-sixth of that of the most inex- 

 pensive bridge across the river, and one-fif- 

 teenth of the lowest estimates for constructing 

 an iron drawbridge at the same point. 



I IK FORMED CHURCHES. I. REFORMED 

 CIIUBCH IN AMERICA. The following is a sum- 

 mary of the statistical reports of this Church 

 made to the General Synod at its annual meet- 

 ing, June 3, 1874 : 



The number of families connected with the 

 Church is given at 43,099 ; number of cate- 

 chumens, 22,764 ; number of Sunday-schools, 

 629; number of scholars in the same, 64,164; 

 number of adult baptisms during the year, 951 ; 

 number of infant baptisms, 4,378 ; number of 

 candidates for the ministry, 9 ; amount of con- 



tributions for religious and benevolent pur- 

 pose*. $276,404; contribution* for congrega- 

 tion^! purposes, $931,256. 



Toe General Synod of the Reformed Church 

 in America met at Poughkeepsie, N. V., Juue 

 3d. The Rev. Goyn Talmago was chosen presi- 

 dent. The committee appointed by the pre- 

 vious General Synod to take into consideration 

 the whole subject of union, whether federal o: 

 organic, with other Presbyterian and Reformed 

 Churches, presented a report of the conferences 

 which they had held with the Committee of 

 the Presbyterian Church in the United States 

 of America (Northern), in the city of New 

 York, January 15th and May 14th, and the 

 conclusions which they had reached. It ex- 

 pressed the conviction that a closer union be- 

 tween the two denominations was desirable, 

 particularly as regarded the interests of the 

 missionary work in the newer parts of the 

 country. It suggested that cooperation once 

 begun in this department might in the end be 

 advantageously extended to other branches of 

 work, and ultimately, perhaps, result in the 

 union of the Churches themselves. " A matter 

 so large and so delicate as the union of these 

 independent and historic Churches should in 

 no way," the report continued, " be pressed 

 to a conclusion, but should come about, if at 

 all, as the result of the deliberate, well-in- 

 formed, and general choice of the members of 

 the two Churches." It was therefore con- 

 sidered premature to propose at this time any 

 scheme of union in any form. Reference was 

 made in the report to the distinct character- 

 istics, historical relations, and denominational 

 trusts and institutions of the two Churches, 

 the adjustment of which would have to be 

 carefully studied and guarded. A minority 

 report was presented which advised the dis- 

 missal of all thought of organic union, but rec- 

 ommended the continuance of conferences for 

 a revision and clearer understanding of the 

 articles of correspondence, " with a view to 

 obviate rivalry and promote cooperation in 

 the field of domestic missions." 



The following action was taken upon the 

 subject of the reports, after which the con- 

 sideration of the reports was indefinitely post- 

 poned, while the reports themselves were or- 

 dered to be printed in an appendix to the pro- 

 ceedings of the Synod : 



Whereas. This Synod is constrained to believe 

 that our Church is not prepared to effect an organic 

 union with the Presbyterian Church of North Amer- 

 ica: therefore 



Jtesolced, That on this ground we must decline the 

 appointment of a committee to continue the con- 

 ference held so pleasantly with the committee ap- 

 pointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 

 Church. 



Resolved, That in deferring action on this subject 

 till the indications of Divine Providence shall have 

 shown our Church ready for such movements as 

 may lead to union, if that time shall ever come, we 

 take special care to express our affection for and our 

 confidence in the Presbyterian Church, which has, 

 in a manner so courteous and honorable to ourselves, 

 made overtures to us on this subject. 



