New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-05-14

The Assembly was then successfully addressed, on
the matters referred to in the above resolutions by
Dr. Mitchell Rev. D. Stevenson, of Indiana; Elder
Israel Spencer Of Mississippi Rev. ]. Edison Rock
we'll, Of New York Rev. Thomas Savage, Of New
Hampshire Rev. Mr.. Cowan. of st. Louis; Rev. J.
s. K. Arson, of Georgia and Elder Thomas R. R.
Cobb, Of Georgia.
After the recess, DR.. Breckenridge introduced the
subject Of getting up Presbyterian Commentary on
the Holy Scriptures. He spoke at some length upon
the great necessity existing for such Commentary,
and concluded by submitting the following preamble
and resolution, or minute, to the Assembly:
Inasmuch as the want of sound Cody and tho
rough Commentary upon the whole Word OF God,
composed in the sense Of the constant faith Of the
Church OF God that is briefly set forth IN the stand
ard of the Westminster Assembly, held by the Pres
byteTian Church in the United States of America,
has long been felt to be grieyous want, whereby
great lack of due service TO God and TO his truth
ours and whereby constant danger arises to men of
needless ignorance side, and of dangerous mis-,
guidance on the other-therefore, be it
Resolred, By the the General Assembly, that the
Board OF Publication SHALL and it is hereby directed
to proceed with all convenient dispatch to have such
Commentary composed, prepared for the press, and
published. And Ia the execution of this great work
the following rules and orders, together with such
further orders may be adopted from time to time
by the General Assembly, shall be carefully observed
way engaged in the execution of any part thereof
l. The Commentary shall be prepared exclusively
by the members OF this Church. And ia the pre-
pairing OF it, they shall have all such indulgence
time they shall respectively demand And for their
compensation they and their heirs shall receive for
the legal term of twentyeieht years. fair per centum
on the price OF the work Sold which shall be settled
in advance by the Board of Publication, and which
shall be uniform, and in lieu Of AL claims and cost Of
every sort in any way connected with their said
work.
2. The said Commentary shall be fitted for common
use by all men and in the preparation of it free use
may be made of all material that may exist, the
design being to procure, not so much what may be
original, as what may be best in the way of en-
tightening and saving men. 1t shall not be prolix
but so arranged that the whole may be embraced in
five or six royal octave volumes of good print,
tanning besides the Commentary the English text in
full together with the usual accessories thereof and
such other suitable helps to its understanding plain
people need. And the text used in it shall be strictly
that of the version prepared by the transators APP
pointed by James the First, King of England.
g. In order to secure the httest men for this great
work, the Board Of Publication shall make special
application TO the General Synods of Church, at
their next stated meetings, respectively and the
said Synods shall, upon careful consideration, nomi
nate to the said Board Of Publication any number of
their members, not to exceed five from any one
Synod, Of such they shall consider qualified I'M
dertake the work. And the Board Of Publication
may add not more than four in addition to the whole
cate the list Of thus obtained by sitting the
Church to the General Assembly at its next stated
meeting in May of next year making at the same,
and from year to year thereafter report of its dongs
under and by virtue OF this minute.
The General Assembly of 1859 will take such
further order in the premises especially with regard
to the selection of persons out OF the list communi
Gated to it, to the distribution of the work amongst
them. and TO all things needul for its efectual prose-
cution, as shall seem most expedient.
A lively and learned debate followed in regard to
the above. Different members offered amendments,
which were not accepted. Revs. Drs. Rankin Floyd,
and James Hoge, of Ohio, all took strong grounds
against it, for different reasons and Rev. Drs.
Junkin, Morris, and Hewitt, joined with DR.. Brock
inridge in advocating it. During the debate, which
lasted two hours all kinds of motions for refer
ence were made by the opposition. and voted upon,
but lost. The debate very interesting one,
but too long for to undertake to give even an
abstract of it. 1t evident that the measure would
be carried; but pending the debate the hour of ad-
journment arrived, and the proceedings were closed
without action being taken.
After prayer, the Assembly adjourned.