Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-22
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE @. P. CHURCH.
lREPoRTED FOR TIE UNION AND ANERIcAN'l 7
One rrz kTJON.

/ ORGANIZATION. ~
| THIRD DAY-CoNTINUED.
/ The committee appointed by the last General
Assembly, on the formation OF an educational so
ciety, presented very able report which was read
to the house, by Rev. R. Beard, D. D., and after
some excellent remarks in its favor, by Pres't T.
@. Anderson, d. D., it was made the order of the
| day for 215 o'clock tomorrow evening.
An affectionate and pathetic communication
from Rev. R. Donnell, one of the fathers of the
church, now in a very low state of health, to the
General Assembly, was presented and read by
Rev G.. W. Mitchell, of Athens. Ala, and com
mittee appointed to respond to the communication.
A resolution was also passed TO publish both the
letter and the response in the Appendix to the
regular minutes.
A motion was then taken to determine the place
for the next meeting of the Assembly. The fol-
lowing places were put in nomination, to wit.
Louisville, KY, Lebanon, Ohio, Lexington, Mo,
and EIkton, KY. A number of speeches were
made by various members, in favor OF each OF the
places. Several ballotings were had when Lex
ington, No. finally obtained majority of the
votes and was declared the place for the next Cen
eral Assembly.
FOURTH Day.
Friday, 18th inst.
After the usual religious services, the minutes
of yesterday were read and approved.
A memorial was received from A. H. DuddIers.
which was referred to the committee on WAYS
and means.
The committee on the minutes of Indiana Synod
reported, which report was concurred in.
The committee on the minutes of East Tennes
see Synod reported, which report was recommit-
ted with instructions
The committees on Middle, West Tennessee
and Union Synods made reports, which were con-
Cured in.
The committee on the minutes of Columbia Syn
cd made report, which was recommitted with
instructions. .E
The commit tee on overtures made report on
the memorial of Tennessee Presbytery, in refer
ence to the action of Memphis Presbytery, in re-
cev;ng as a member, Jno A. Dewoody, who was
under suspension in the Tennessee Presbvterv
The committee in their report, decide the action
of Memphis Presbytery unconstitutional, and con.
seqHently null and void. After a considerable de-
bate the vote was taken, and the report was adop-
ted.
A motion was passed declaring the office of
Treasurer of the Assembly vacant, and Rev. T.
P. Calhoun was made the Treasurer 81.
The special order of the day, viz the report of
the committee on an educational society was taken
up, and the report again read. A motion was
then passed to invite Rev. R. Beard, D. D.. Hon
R. L. Caruthers, and Rev. D. Lowry, members of
the committee, to give their views, though not
members of the Assembly.
motion was made to adopt the report, when
DIR. Beard arose and said in substance that he was
not expecting to be called on to speak on this
question. He would remark, however. that those
engaged in the educational enterprises of the
church, felt personally most interested in this en-
terprize. That but very few young men, prepar-
ing for the ministry, had the means to get an ed
ucation, only by their own exertions. Two from
Lebanon were now out, on foot, selling books, one
was cooking his own meals, and six or eight 9th
erS had dubbed together to keep house BY them
selves, to save expenses. The Dr. said, he men
toned these cases to show that these were Young
men of energy and in earnest. This, he said. was
not the time nor place for decision on the edu-
cation OF candidates for the ministry, but that it
was conceded that there was an increasing de-
mand for thoroughly educated ministry. The
facilities for getting such education were greatly
increased since his youth. When he was vounp
man, congregation in this, Wilson Co., Tenn
furnished him seven dollars and half to buv books
He was offered his tuition and board, but could
not have availed himself of it, but for that 81 80
He believed that there were many Young men in
the church now, who were impressed to the min
istry, that were in similar condition. They de-
sired to get an education for that great work, but
they were not able. This, said the Doctor, is a
Rail Road age. When he first travelled over
Tennessee there were scarcely any roads at all
then came turnpikes, and now Rail Roads are be-
ginning to check the State. These Young men
must be educated, but if they are not able to cd
ucate themselves, who shall educate them There
are in this room Planters and business men. who
are worth their thousands-who have princely for
tunes and yet these are only representation of
the wealthy in the church. There are in this vii
lage fifteen or twenty who are boarded gratu it.
ousy, by families residing here. He did not
plead for this place and the young men here
alon', but for such these. He wanted the young
men of the church aided in the work of preparing
for the great work of the ministry.
The Doctor extended his remarks to some length.
as did each of the speakers only brief outli ne
of whose speeches are attempted to be given.
Rev D. Lowry arose and addressed the Assem-
bly,. He said he had no fear as to the passage of
the report, but it was one thing to pass it unan-
imously, here, and another to go home with tn at
conviction of want that will exert such an inf u
ence on the mind of the church, as will be neces
sary to put it into full operation That the church
had much money accommodating What is to he
done with it? Must it all be given to our chill.
dfen? Who are the great men of our land in both
church and State? They are generally those who
were raised poor, and who had in their youth to
labor 1t is much better to prepare for your chill
dren to be placed, when you are dead and gone,
under an able ministry, than to give them any
other possession. 1t is the nature of intellect to
bow to superior intellect. If then YOU want your
children respectable in life, and saved in deatI,
secure them an intellectual ministry. But, saws
one, look at what our fathers ACCOMPLISHED
without this training. So did our Revolutiopar-V
fathers ocrnv,,yliCl Will