The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-22
Presbyterian General Assembly.
[RKpoRTED FoR THE REPuBLIo.l
Second Dan,


| opened with prayer Half an hour occupied
in devotional exercises; after which the roll was
called and the proceedings of the previous session
were read and approved.
The Moderator called for the presentation OF sy-
nodcal records, &C.; which were handed in.
Rev. DR.. Dutiied inquired as to the course to be
| given TO communica tions from the Presbyteries.
The Moderator said they would take the usual
| course.
DR.. Dufied desired different proceeding. In
stead of handing over such matters to the head Of
committees, he preferred they should be placed in
the hands of the Moderator, for his inspection and
disposition-as in some it might be necessary
they should go to select committees.
Judge Darling thought they had better go to the
Moderator, and be by him referred to appropriate
| committees.
Rev. Dr. Beman regarded the reference of these
matters to the standing committee bills and
overtures as calculated TO save the Assembly from
deluge OF papers likely to consume time in their
consideration, and of no practical benefit in the
result. As. for instance, should petitions on the
| subject Of slavery be presented, they would as in
former cases, be given to the appropriate standing
| committee for it's preliminary action, and then go
to select committee, to be reported upon for the
final action of the Assembly. If the proposed
course be adopted, the reading ofany paper might
be called for upon being placed in the hands of the
Moderator, and much time wasted in debate, &C.
Rev. DR.. A. d. Smith inquired as to the specific
| object of the motion.
DR.. Dutlield said il was inconyenient for those
| entrusted with the delivery of communications
| from the Presbytery to hunt up the chairman Of
committees to present them, when it was easy Just
to lay them on the table before the Moderator, for
| his disposition.
Judge Mason opposed to leaving 1t in the
power Of standing committees to suppress matters
that might be given them in charge; and thought
the motion peculiarly proper.
Rev. DR.. Hull desired to pursue a parliamentary
course in the promises.
| Rev. DR.. Taylor referred to past usage, and pre-
| fcrred adhering thereto.
| Rev. DR.. Pollock regarded the Assembly as or
ganzed to facilitate business; and as the Modera-
tor was easy Of access, when il might be difficult
| to find the chairman Of committee, he favored
the proposed change.
Judge A. p. Hascall desired the Assembly should
be the judge of what business il would receive and
when matters were referred, those interested could
| go before the committee.
Rev. Drs. Smith, Beman, and Mills, made some
| remarks as to former usages.
| The motion of the Rev. Dr. Duffield, requiring
| communications to be handed to the Moderator
was carried.
| Rev. DR.. Roland suggested an adjournment over
from the afternoon session to Monday morning. to
allow members to accept an invitation to visit
! Mount Vernon on Saturday, (to-day.)
| Rev. DIR. Wisner moved resolution to that cf.
| feet.
Judge Darling opposed the motion, as calculated
to delay the Legitimate business of the Assembly.
Rev. DIR. Roland defended the motion.
Elder Jacob Gideon, in answer to remarks, ex-
planned to the proposed vis and, in reference to
apprehensons of its imposing the members another
day longer than necessary upon the hospitality of
the citizens of Washington, he felt authorized in
saying there need be apprehensions on that
score, especially when such an incident was the
cause.
Rev. DIR. Eckard said he would assume the re-
sponsbiity of announcing, that if put to vote Of
the people of Washington, there would be one
unanimous assent to what his colleague (Mr. G.)
had said.
After further remarks from the Rev. Messrs.
Taylor, knight, Lewis, and Blackstone the motion
was adopted. I'm connexion with this adjourn
ment, il was subsequently arranged that the MEM
bers of the Assembly meet in the afternoon (Sa-
turday) and proceed to the Presidents House,
where be promised to receive them at five O'Clock
Rev. DR.. Whitaker proposed the holding of re-
ligious exercises at Mount Vernon on the occasion
OF their visit; but, after some suggestions. with
drew the motion.
The stated clerk (Rev. Ed +. Hatfield, D. d.
made ON announcement in relation to a committee
appointed at the last Assembly 10 prepare Digest;
and on his motion the committee disc rged
from the further consideration Of the subject
Rev. Thornton A. Mills, from a eeleot committee
m tod Al tIa Lac .asia
rial the subject of Church extension, submitted
elengthy report, embracing. among other things,
the following suggestions:
lst The education Of its ministry.
ID. Domestic missions and Church extension.
3D.. Publication Of doctrinal tracts.
The report was made the order of the day for
Monday next.
The Assembly, under rule, adjourned from two
to half-ppst four o'clock, after prayer
The Assembly, converting in the afternoon, was
opened with prayer.
The Prcsbyteries called, and their narra-
tiyes Of the state of religion and statistical reports
were received and placed in the hands Of the stated
clerk.
Rev. Drs. Vaudeville and Cook, and Elder
Ware, we're appointed Committee on Elections.
Rev. DIR. Eckard reported arrangement for
religious exercises in the different churches Of
Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria, ON
Sabbath next; (for which see another portion Of
THE paper)
On motion Of the Rev. DR.. Roland, the Assem-
bly, then proccededSo put in nomination delegates
TO corresponding bodies To allow time for the
clerk to make out fair list Of tho presented
for the consideration Of delegates, the subject was
postponed until Monday next
The fret Monday in June next was named as
day OF fasting and prayer by the Church gcncrslly
| aud the fret Monday of February next. prayer for
the revival of religion in the colleges, &c.
On motion, tho Assembly proceeded to the 30
lection of a place for holding it's next annual ses
sion. The following places were named New
York city. St Louis. Chicago, Rochester. Phila-
delphia, Cincinnati, st. Paul's, minnesota Terri.
| tory) The subject was postponed until Monday
| next.
The Assembly thereupon, after prayer by the
Rev DR.. Patterson, adjourned,