The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-28
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OLD
SCHOOL.

FIFTH DAY.-The report Of the board of domes-
tic missions being the special order, was taken
from the table.
Dr. Mussrave, from the board, remarked the
prosperity Of this executive arm of the church
The receipts for the year amounted to nearly $780,
coo, of which $35 600 was contr buted during last
January and February. The balance on hand al
the beginning of this year was larger than ever
before, bat there exists an urgent mead of still
larger contributions. DR.. n. advised the orgaui.
cation of advisory committees on domestic mis-.
sions in the North west aud Southwest, with dis
trict clerks, for the promotion Of domestic mis-
sions With such arrangement We shall have
superintendents at Philadelphia, Louisville, Chi
cago and New Orleans, to administer upon The
very large field of usefulness The great want o
the board 10 this want OF men, not Of machinery
nor even money. There is great destitutiop o.
ministers. We have 500 or 900 churches nov
that have no stated supplies, and the great desid
eratum is men in commission. During six year,
we have increased the salaries Of our missionaries
43% per cent.
Dr. Humphrey, from the committee to whom
the report Of tho board Of domestic miasions Wal
referred, presented report reviewing the flourish
ing condition OF the affairs of the board. The %
tablishment of an advisory committee, with
seer etary at New Orleans, was recommended ant
the establishment of like committee ia the North
west left matter of future consideration.
Dr. Humphrey proceeded to state the reason o
the instr uction with reference to the establish
The presbyteries OF Texas and Arkansas had re-
auested It, and the brethren at New Orleans pro.
pose to take upon themselves all the expenses
consequent. There were no such overtures frou
the Northwest. Beside, the Northwest was CON-
parativeIy we'll supplied with missions, while tn,
Southwe was almost destitute. ...-
These propositions gave rise to protracted de-
bate. DR. Van Dyke arraigned the board Of domes
tic missions for iuefisency, denounciDg tho sys
tenn q fslIacy. He was followed By others les
severe, but concurring in the general sentiment
DR.. Thornwell made powerful plea for the South
ern agency, and the resolution was adopted, a
was aIso the one In relation to the Northwestern
agency.
joHrpment.
"Resolved, That q committee OF members shall
be appointed by this assembly, with Instruction
to INQUIRE, to confer with the board OF domestit
missions, and report to the next general assembly
what changes in the organization and methods o
the board are necessary, in order to It's greater e
cieucy and wider usefulness. This committee II
particularly charged to report on the expedienc,
Of the following measure:
"The reduction Of the number of members II
the board, and its reorganization somew hat affe
the form of the committee on church exfensiou--
The removal of the board to somo place near tnt
centre Of the Western Missionary field. The es.
tablisbment Of several executive commtiees and
secretaries 10 different parts OF the
church; these officers 70 be vested with co.ordi
nate powers; or the establishment OF singie cen
trail executive committee, with advisory commit
tees and district secretaries, ~ provided hereii
for the south west. The committee will consider
the question as 20 how maay officers will be need
cd ia the central board, and the division OF labo
among them. The committee will also repor
upon any other matters which they may nnt
within the range of their enquiries" -.
IsDrANApoLIs, May 25.-Tns General Assembly
this morning die :ussed the report Of the commit
tee on publications, but nc action was taken.
At the afternoon sessioa the consideration OK tb'
seminary question was continued. DR.. Rice, o
Chicago, concluded the speech whfca ne COM
msuced on Tuesday, and was followed by Messrs
Cunningham and Stephenson, Of Indiaaapolis.-
No vote was taken. - .- ..
Five thousand shad were sh ppsd from BAH
Me- for Nav York. In one day last week.