The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1861-12-28

this matter pass without remark, but some
things have been said which lead me to ex-
press my opinion. As churchman and as
a politician, have most utter repugnance
to Capitalization of power, and regard a
great and important principle 10 be involy-
ed in the power given to this Correspond
inc Secretary. His actions should all be
under the control of the church. 1t has
been said that the Assembly will create an
antagonism between the Secretary and the
Executive Committee. Why, are they not
all fresh from the same bOdy2 Are they
not all brethren associated together for the
same cause9 Why, therefore, should jea. =
onsy or antagonism exist between them.
The only difference between them is, that
one is q salaried offer, and the others give
their services gratuitously and freely. Power
is ever stealing from the many to the few
in spite of all vigilance which can be used,
and no surer means can be used Of more
rapidly bringing about this very result
than this amendment. And, again, as q
minister of the church am unwilling to dele
gate that authority TO any others, |, who
am bound as far as am able to he'll for
ward this great cause. Though others may
be better able to make better choice, yet
this is responsibility which | am uuwill-
ing to shift to others shoulders because
the great Head of the Church has imposed
it on me.
On motion of Dr.. Thornwell, the special
order for II o'clock was postponed for
few minutes.
Mr.. Curry's motion was then taken up
and the Assembly refused to agree to 1t.
DR.. Netherlands amendment was also
lost.
, Dr.. Thornweli's Amendments was then
taken up, aud the motion was male to
strike out the word Coayener and insert
Secretary.
A call was made for division of the
question.
DR.. Ramsay like the change of the
term to convene, and | like the manner in
which the amendment proposes the election.
The Treasurer, however, is not an I'll ;er of
the Assembly, and | would not have his
election by the Assembly. [ think that the
committee shoul,, be allowed to select one
of their own number for the Office of Treas
urer.
DR.. Thornwell-I appreciate the Difficult
ties Of Bro. Ramsay as to the Treasurer
But by my resolution he is made one OF the
committee and has q right to vote, and
hence his power in the committee is equal
to that of any ether member of it. And
we simply propose to carry out the prlncI-
ple adopted in regard to the conyener, AS
to the d ffioulty about finding the right man,
that is obviated precisely ike the difficulty
about the seven other members of the COM
mittee. Then as to the cOnyener, he stands
at the head and proposes everything to the
committee. If he is not present, the Com
stitution provides that the committee shall
elect Chairman. The great thing, there
fore, is TO get competent Convener, and
the only way to get one is to try differ
ent men and after a while you will get the
right one.
DR.. Baiey-If you change the name OF
this Secretary you will have to carry the
change throughout.
DR.. Thornwell-Yes. But we have not
got to that part Of the report yet.
Mr.. McInnis-I have simple objection
to the name, and that is that it does not
convey an idea Of the duty Of this officer.
Conuener means simply one who cOnvenes.
But this officer has a great many other du-
ties. So think that We had better retain
the old name.
T DR.. Lyon agree with Mr.. Mclnnis,
that we had better agree to the old name.
1t would be necessary to explain this word
Conuener to our people and Sabbath school
children.
d.. White-There is not only name,
but fact involved in that amendment.
Chancellor Johnstono-This word Con-
veneer is an old word which signifies chair
man, and as chairman, it was his junction
to control the committee. But you desire
to impose the duties of the Secretaryshp
on this Office
Judge MITCHELL would propose an old
term which is found in our confession, to
supply Its place. The term is President,
MIR. Smylie-Why not call him at once
chairman
DR.. rhornwell-There are two kinds of
Secretaries: one is a scribe the other Is
the organ of department, like our Secre-
taries of State. The term Corresponding
Secretary implies the position Of sub
officer, whereas we make this person the
centre around WHICH everything revolves.
The term convener expresses precisely the
idea, and it is a good old Scotch name
which must confess has great charm to
my ears.
DR.. J. L. Wilson objected to making the
power Of the Secretary SO Important.
DR.. Adger-The same difficulties thai
surround this word convener, surround the
word Chairman, and the word Secretary is
not sufficiently expressive. | like the old
Scotch word, and hope that it may be adopt
ed, even though it makes 1t necessary to
explain it to our Sabbath schools. | only
wish that they could have more told them
about Scotland.
The Assembly refused to adopt the word
Convener or Chairman.
The word Secretary was then taken up.
DIR. J. R. Wilson, move this amend
ment: "The Secretary shall be er cgtc'o
member of the Executive Committee and
it's organ of communication with the Assem-
bly, and all portions of the work entrusted
to its care.'
The amendment was adopted without
| n r. n. Rooool, - WA ordered