The above investments were deemed by the Finance Committee to be safe, two of the members of the Committee having invested in several of the above banks large portions of their private funds. The annual income afforded by the stocks sold, at from 5 to 7 per cent., was $5,240 00; that expected from the new stocks, at the accustomed dividends of the banks of from 8 to 10 per cent., which has been hitherto justified by the event, was $7,900 00, yielding an increase of annual income of $2,660 00.

The Pennsylvania 5 per cents sold, cost $43,181 00, and were sold (deducting commissions,) for $46,340 11, making a gain of $2,159 11. The United States Bank stock was sold when the question of the expiration of its charter appeared to be settled, nor could human foresight anticipate the favourable change which has taken place in the concerns of that institution. The stock sold, cost $50,019 77, and was sold, deducting commissions, for $45,360 82, making a loss of $4,658 95. It would be worth, at the present market price, $ 51,660 00.

During the months of April and May of the past year, the Committee on Finance sold $20,000 00, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company 5 per cent. stock, for the sum of $19,551 00, deducting commissions, of which sum they invested $19,106 25 in 200 shares of the Planters' Bank of Tennessee, and paid the balance, $444 75, to the Treasurer of the Trustees. On the 24th of December, 1835, they sold the house No. 81 South Second Street, Philadelphia, the nett income of which was very small, for $7,000 (a larger sum than was bidden for the house at public sale,) of which $3,000 00 were paid in cash, and $ 4,000 secured by bond and mortgage at 6 per cent. On the 10th of March, 1836, they sold two shares of stock of the Bank of Pennsylvania, for $ 1,058 00, and 34 shares of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, for $2,380 00, making together the sum of $3,438 00. They invested $8,000 00 in paying up $3,000 00 instalments, due on the stock of the Planters' Bank of Tennessee, and in the payment of $ 5,000 00 for fifty shares of additional stock in the Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank of Wheeling. The increased income obtained by these sales and investments, is as follows

The former income was on

20,000 dollars, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company 5 per cents, at 5 per

cent.,

Dividend on two shares, Pennsylvania Bank, at 8 per cent.,
Ditto, 34 shares, Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, at 8 per cent.,
Nett income of house No. 81 South Second street, for one year,

$1,000 00

64 00

136 00

342 14

$1,542 14

$1,800 00

The present income is estimated as follows

Dividend on 200 shares, Planters' Bank of Tennessee, at 9 per cent.,
Dividend on 50 shares, Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank of
Wheeling, at 10 per cent.,

Deduct 10 per cent. on $1,117 25, invested from the cash funds of the Trustees in this purchase,

$500 00

111 72

Six per cent., on $4,000 00, bond and mortgage of Gebhard Harris,

388 28 240 00

The total amount of cost of the new bank stocks, is $ 123,029 80, and the present market prices of the same amount to $128,050 00.

Since the report of the Trustees to the General Assembly, of May 23, 1833, the funds under their charge have been in a course of gradual amelioration. A loan from Mr. Solomon Allen, of $2,400 00, for the contingent expenses of the General Assembly, has been nearly repaid from the proceeds of his sales of the Psalms and Hymns; the balance due him, according to his statement on the 28th of April last, being $212 36. The sum of $2,671 09, has been invested in stock from the cash funds of the Trustees, which has been applied towards reducing the deficiencies in the permanent fund of the Theological Seminary, and the Students' fund, and in the investment of stock to the amount of $700 00, for the ED Scholarship, the capital of which had been borrowed

for the contingent expenses of the General Assembly. The income of this Scholarship has been regularly paid.

The income of the permanent funds of the Theological Seminary, as at present invested, together with the contributions from the churches, have enabled the Trustees to meet the increased appropriation of the General Assembly for professors' salaries, of $6,800 00, and to pay off the amount of arrears of the previous year, of $ 1,977 77, the salaries being now paid to 1st of May, 1836. The Trustees have also made one payment for six months, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, on the amount paid upon each scholarship, on which they receive dividends of stock, which is more than had been paid for several years.

During the past year the Trustees have received a certificate of ten shares of stock in the United Passaick and Hackensack Bridge Company, amounting at par to $1,000, bequeathed to them by the late Dr. John R. B. Rodgers, together with back dividends on the same, amounting to $225 00. They have also taken measures for the recovery of a bequest of $1,500 00, by the late Mr. Thomas Arden of New York.

On the 1st of May, 1835, the amount of stock and other securities invested, was $152,159 16. On the 1st of May, 1836, it was $161,629 80, including $7,000 00, proceeds of the sale of the house No. 81 South Second street.

As stated in the report of the Trustees to the General Assembly, of 23d of May, 1833, considerable deficiencies still remain in the permanent fund of the Theological Seminary, owing to the overdraughts of former years, and to this fund never having been adequate to the object for which it was intended. The Trustees rely on the ef forts of the General Assembly, and the liberality of the churches, to furnish such means as may enable them to place the funds of the Seminary on a secure and permanent footing, and to continue their annual contributions for professors' salaries. Should these be liberal, the increased appropriation for those salaries may be met, and the sums bor. rowed from the Permanent fund be gradually repaid.

The magnitude and importance of the trust confided to the Trustees, has led them to deem it their duty to make to the General Assembly the foregoing exposition of its concerns; and the great responsibility which rests upon them in relation to the investment of its funds, induces them to commit to your venerable body a decision on the course adopted by the Trustees, in compliance, as above stated, with a resolution of the General Assembly, in relation to the investments made in Bank stocks with a view to increased revenue. These investments have been considered by the Committee of Finance to be safe as well as productive. But if the General Assembly should be of opinion that all investments of their funds should be made in those securities of real estate or state stocks, which courts are wont to authorize in cases of trusts, the Trustees request their direction to that effect. In that case, an annual income of more than 5 per cent., on the amount invested, could not be obtained, and a yearly deficiency, exceeding $3,000 00, would arise in the payment of salaries of professors, and income of scholarships, which it would be necessary to provide for in some other way, or the sums now appropriated could not be paid.

The Treasurer of the Trustees will attend the General Assembly, and will give such explanations and further information as they may require. By order of the Board.

May 10, 1836.

JAMES BAYARD, Secretary.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, it was

Resolved, That the foregoing statement be transmitted to the General Assembly at Pittsburg.

May 10, 1836.

JAMES BAYARD, Secretary.

The present Trustees of the General Assembly are

ROBERT RALSTON, Esq., President.

Rev. ASHBEL GREEN, D. D., Vice President.
JAMES BAYARD, Esq., Secretary.

Rev. George C. Potts,

Rev. William Neill, D. D.,

Alexander Henry, Esq.

Rev. William Latta,

Mr. John W. Thompson,
Thomas Bradford Jr., Esq.
Charles Chauncey, Esq.

Mr. John Stillé,

Mr. Matthew Newkirk,

Mr. Matthew L. Bevan,

Mr. Solomon Allen,

Mr. Ambrose White,

Rev. John M'Dowell, D. D.

Rev. Cornelius C. Cuyler, D. D.

[One vacancy.]

The Treasurer is Mr. ROBERT H. SMITH.

The Committee of Finance are-Mr. Matthew L. Bevan, Mr. Solomon Allen, and Mr. Matthew Newkirk.

REPORT OF MR. GEORGE FLEMING, ON THE PSALM AND HYMN BOOK, Carlisle, May 24th, 1836. To the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Sir,

Agreeably to a resolution of the last Assembly, empowering the Stated and Permanent Clerks of that body, to procure the transfer of the copy-right and plates of an arranged edition of Psalms and Hymns, owned by me, to the Trustees of the Assembly, I repaired to Philadelphia last June, and made the requested transfer to Dr. Ely, (Dr. McDowell being absent from the city). Agreeably to the terms of that arrangement, the plates and copy-right were transferred to the Assembly, without any advance of money on its part for the price thereof. They were to be paid for out of the sale of the work. I was to be the agent of the Assembly for publishing them, and to be allowed ten per cent. on all money necessarily expended in the publication, and for superintending the same, and six per cent. interest on the price of the plates, &c., until they were paid for out of the sales. All the profits of the publication, beyond the per centage allowed, to belong to the Assembly, and to be applied, in the first place, to pay me for the plates, &c., and after that, to be paid over to the Treasurer of the Assembly

Presuming that a report of the operations with this publication will be expected, I have sent you this communication, embodying the facts in the case.

It was in the month of July last, that the transfer of the plates was made to the Assembly. Not being a resident of any commercial emporium, where the business of bookselling could be carried on with efficacy; with the approbation of one of the committee, (the other member being absent) and of several Presbyterian Clergymen in Philadelphia, I put the work into the hands of an extensive bookseller in Philadelphia, Mr. Joseph Whetham, to issue the publication for the Assembly. It was consider. ably advanced in August, before any books were ready for market. Since that time up to the 16th of this instant, there have been printed and disposed of, 5750 copies; the paper, press-work, binding and commission on which amounted to $1,338 06. Credit.

Nett profits to be applied to the payment of the plates, and the interest on their cost,

$171 94

Cost of plates (after deducting five per cent. for cash payment,) $463 61

From present indications, there is reason confidently to believe, that the profits on the sales the coming year, will liquidate the above balance, and leave something to go into the funds of the Assembly.

All which is respectfully submitted.

GEORGE FLEMING.

SYNODS AND PRESBYTERIES.

The General Assembly has under its care TWENTY-THREE SYNODS, compris ing one hundred and twenty-eight Presbyteries, viz.

1. The Synod of ALBANY, containing the six Presbyteries of Londonderry, Newburyport, Champlain, Troy, Albany, and Columbia.

2. The Synod of UTICA, containing the five Presbyteries of St. Lawrence, Watertown, Oswego, Oneida, and Otsego.

3. The Synod of GENEVA, containing the eight Presbyteries of Geneva, Chenango, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tioga, Cortland, Bath, and Delaware.

4. The Synod of GENESEE, containing the six Presbyteries of Genesee, Ontario, Rochester, Niagara, Buffalo, and Angelica.

5. The Synod of NEW YORK; containing the eight Presbyteries of Hudson, North River, Bedford, Long Island, Long Island 2d, New York, New York 2d, and New York 3d.

6. The Synod of NEW JERSEY, containing the six Presbyteries of Newark, Elizabethtown, New Brunswick, Newton, Susquehanna, and Montrose.

7. The Synod of PHILADELPHIA, containing the ten Presbyteries of Philadelphia, Philadelphia 2d, Philadelphia 3d, New Castle, Wilmington, Lewes, Baltimore, Carlisle, Huntingdon, and Northumberland.

8. The Synod of PITTSBURG, containing the eight Presbyteries of Blairsville, Redstone, Washington, Ohio, Allegheny, Steubenville, Beaver, and Erie.

9. The Synod of the WESTERN RESERVE, containing the five Presbyteries of Grand River, Portage, Huron, Trumbull, and Cleaveland.

10. The Synod of MICHIGAN, containing the three Presbyteries of Detroit, St. Joseph, and Monroe.

11. The Synod of OHIO, containing the six Presbyteries of Athens, Columbus, Lancaster, Wooster, Richland, and Marion.

12. The Synod of CINCINNATI, containing the four Presbyteries of Chilicothe, Miami, Cincinnati, and Oxford.

13. The Synod of INDIANA, containing the six Presbyteries of Salem, Vincennes, Madison, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, and Logansport.

14. The Synod of ILLINOIS, containing the six Presbyteries of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Ottawa, Schuyler, and Palestine.

15. The Synod of MISSOURI, containing the three Presbyteries, of Missouri, St. Louis, and St. Charles.

16. The Synod of KENTUCKY, containing the five Presbyteries of Louisville, Muhlenburg, Transylvania, West Lexington, and Ebenezer.

17. The Synod of VIRGINIA, containing the five Presbyteries of Lexington, Winchester, District of Columbia, West Hanover, and East Hanover.

18. The Synod of NORTH CAROLINA, containing the five Presbyteries of Roanoke, Orange, Fayetteville, Concord, and Morganton.

19. The Synod of TENNESSEE, containing the four Presbyteries of Abingdon, Union, French Broad, and Holston.

20. The Synod of WEST TENNESSEE, containing the five Presbyteries of West Tennessee, Nashville, Shiloh, North Alabama, and Western District.

21. The Synod of SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA, containing the seven Presbyteries of South Carolina, Bethel, Harmony, Charleston Union, Georgia, Hopewell, and Flint River.

22. The Synod of ALABAMA, containing the three Presbyteries of South Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and Tombeckbee.

23. The Synod of MISSISSIPPI, containing the four Presbyteries of Mississippi, Clinton, Arkansas, and Amite.

PREFACE TO THE STATISTICAL TABLE.

In the following table, P. attached to a minister's name denotes that he is a pastor; P. added to the name of a church, that it has a pastor ; W. C. without charge; S. S. stated supply; V. vacant; Pres. President of a College; Prof. Professor in a College or Theological Seminary; Miss. Missionary; Ag. Agent; Chap. Chaplain; Con. Congregational; and Ch. Church.

Some of the Presbyteries have not made distinct columns for communicants added on examination and certificate. Where this is the case, the communicants reported as added, are all put in the column on examination, and the fact is designated by a star (*) at the head of the column. The same is the case, in the reports of some Presbyteries, in regard to adult and infant baptisms; they are all put in one column; where this is the case they are placed in the following table in the column for infant baptisms, and the fact is designated also by a star at the head of the column.

It is respectfully requested, that all Stated Clerks of Presbyteries would, in their next reports, make them out in the number of columns, and with the heading, and in the order of the following table. And it is also earnestly requested, that, agreeably to the order of the Assembly, every Stated Clerk of a Presbytery, before he hands in his report to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly, will have all the columns carefully added.