The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-04
The General Assembiy-The Closing

The General Assembly Of the PreSbytc-
rian Church in the United States met ut 9
o'clock yesterday morning-the moderator,
Rev. 4. Ii. Kerr, in the chair.
The Assembly was constituted by Rev.
Donald Frazier offering up a tervent prayer.
Rev. DR.. Baird submitted the following
minute, which was added to the report Of
the Committee on the Relation OF the
Church to the Freedmen:
Resolved by the General ASScm5'y Of the
PRESBYTERIAN Ch,wCh IN the United States,
That every Prcsbytcry under the jurisdic-
ton of this body be enjoinctl TO seek out
and set apart 4 minister to the work OF the
Evangelist, for its bounds, to act as super
intcndent Of its vacant congregations
wherever practicable. These superintcnd-
cnts shall be authorized to act as mode
rators of the sessions OF the vacant congre-
cations, to preach the Gospel and admins
ter the sacramcntS to them at stated inter-
walls, to counsel the serious in holding So
cial worship in the absence of ministers,
and in general TO take the pastoral super
vision OF the vacant congregations, both
white and colorcd; to encourage the
organization of Sabbath schools and Bible
classes, and the making of oblatlons ior
systematic bcncvolence. But when suit
able evangelist cannot be obtained, then
the Prcsbytery is enjoined to a.pportion
such organizations among It's mlnlsteflai
members of the same object, so that every
congregation and all our freed people shail
enjoy the pastoral superintendent III thelr
assemblies of some minister.
Resolred, That every Presbytery be en-
;oined TO require the vacant congregations
to come up to the discharge OF the duties
devolyed on them in the twenty-tirst chap
tor of the Form Of Government in the as
sembling of their respective congregations
for the worship Of God, to which it is pro-
ner to add exhortation. And in order that
this duty may be performed to the greater
acceptance of the worshippers, 1t Is fur
Their required that the Presbyteries do seek
out their elders who have the best gifts,
and do especially license and appoint them
to the performance of their duties.
Resolved, That our ministers who are
not now cnga ged in their sacred calling be
exhorted TO come up to our help, II they
do not find fields of labor in their present
localities; that they are exhorted 10 seek
other places of abode and fields OF labor
where they may be useful. And that the
Presbyteries be enjoined to examine their
rolls, and require all ministers who are not
employed to give an account of themselves,
and to proceed against those who are found
to be habitual neglectors of their VOWS Of
ordination.
Resolved, That every Presbytery be en-
Joined to take the whole minutes into con-
sideration, and act upon it at its first
meeting after the rising of the General
Assembly; the Synods TO inquire into the
fidelity of the Presbyteries and that both
Presbyteries and Synods give report OF
what they have done, or failed to do in the
premises, to the next General Assembly.
The minutes and report were adopted.
After the adoption of some unimportant
reports, votes of thanks were rendered to
the citizens of Memphis for their hospitall-
ties; to the members of the press, and to
the managers of railroads and steamboat
companies.
The Moderator then addressed the As
sembly in few feeling and most appropri-
ate remarks, and after devotional exercises
the proceedings terminated, and the Mod
orator declared the Assembly dissolved.