New-York daily tribune., 1856-05-23

The General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church New School), now in session in this city
was employ ed yesterday and the day before in tn
discussion of the Slavery question, which hills, s'
this moment, not less conspicuous place In our
ecc,esisstcal than il does in our political debates
The debate is unfinished, aud is to be resumed TO-
day. The matter comes up in the reports OF d
committee appointed by the last Assembly to report
70 the present one, "On the constitutional power
90 of the Assembly over the subject Of slave
holding" -Four members the Committee agree
in majority report. Dr. Boyd of Virginia offers a
dissenting report, signed by himself. These reports
involve good deal of technical reasoning as 10 the
relative powers of the General Assembly, and OF
the subordinate ecclesiastical jurisdictions Of which
il is the head; but, after all the difference in the
two reports substantially turns, if not on the essen
tial character of slsyehOldiDg, at least upon its
ordinary tendency and operation, while the debate
a, TO what should be done with the two reports
turn., it may be said, entirely upon that point.
The msiority report, which is signed by Albert
Barnes, Asa d. Smith, VIM. Jessup and Augustus
T. Hascan excuses itself from any discussion of
the moral character of slayehoding, or of the
que stion whether slayeholding is in any case dis
ciplinable OfeDse. These questions are considered
as settled by the resolution which after much dis
cusson, the Assembly came to at Detroit in 1850.
That the holding our fellow men in the condition
of Slavery except in those cases where it is una
yoidabe by the laws of the State, the obligations
Of guardianship, or thede mands Of humanity, is an
ofense in the proper import Of that term, as used
in the Book of ID scipline, chapter l, section 3.
3. and should be regarded and treated in the same
mamie as other offenses." This proposition was
laid down ON that occasion, not indeed as law. but
merely 81 doctrine; but having been expressly or
virtually reafirmed by every succeeding Assembly.
The Committee regasd il as the settled view Of the
Church TIE question for the Committee is, what
power has the General Assembly in the premises {,
The functions Of that body they regard as of two
kinds-adyisory and authoritative. As to the first
the Form Of Government gives the Assembly the
power to be exercised Al its own discretion. Of
"reproyiDg, warning, or hearing testimony against
"error in doctrine or i,rnOrality in any church
"presbytery or synod" and Of recommending
reformation of manners through all churches
under their care" The authoritative function i.
much more limited. Tie discipline Of the church
can only be administered according to certain fixed
forms. in general, and always in respect to ind
yiduals, the power of the Assembly in this respect
is not an originating, but merely sn appellant au
tbority. Proceedings in discipline must commence
in the Jurisdictions it being the function of the
General Assembly to serve as court Of appeal. IT.
however, any ,ynod should appear from its own
records not TO have fulfilled its duty in this respect
either by Incorrectly deciding cases or refusing
,b.m hearing. or in beglectlag 10 cite before it
II crior irdicst ries IL msc,ves gr.y %. neglect %.