Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-21
PRESRYTERIANISN.
The General Assembly at Memphis
Foreign MissiOns---RepOrt on PubIi-
cations, etc, etc.
Special Report for the Union and Americana

Special Report for the Union and American
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Nov. 18, 186G.-Th,
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church met at o'clock yesterday, A. NJ
The following Presbyterys were repre-
sented for the first time during the sessions
Indian, New Orleans, South Alabama, Gen.
tral Mississippi, East Alabama, Roanoke
Eastern Texas
The first business was the report of the
Committee on the Rules of Parliamentary
Order. After some discussion, and after a
few amendments the rules were adopted
They are similar in a great degree to the
parliamentary rules which govern our le-
gislative bodies. They were ordered to be
sent down to the Presbyteries for adoption.
The next order of the day was the "Ca-
mons of Discipline" Dr. ADGER, the Chair
man, said, that the work of preparing the
new "Canons of Discipline" had been COM
menced nine years ago. The present Com
mittee had set on the report at Charlotte,
Prince Edward and Memphis. Different
clauses were then read, discussed and adopt
ed, until ithe next "order of the day." was
taken up and DIR. J. LEIGHTON Wilson,
submitted the Report on Foreign Missions.
1t laments the contraetedness of their
work. Less than $4,000 had been eontri-
buted during the year by the churches. The
work among the Southwestern Indians had
been carried on but with many discourage
ments, arising from the demoralizing effects
of the war among them, and the reduced
force of the missionary strength. The pre-
seEt laborers in the field are. Rev.. Cyrus
Kingsbury, d. d., the original founder of
the Mission and now eighty years old; Rev.
Messrs. Ebenezer Hotchkin, c. G. Copeland,
and Alexander Reed; and Rev. Messrs.
Allen Wright and Pliny Fish, Choctaw
preachers, all of the Choctaw Mission; Rev.
Hamilton Balentine, of the Chickasaw Mis-
sion, and Rev. Stephen German, native
Cherokee, of the Cherokee Mission, and Miss
Augusta Bradford, female teacher-in all
eight missionaries and one female teacher.
The Committee at present have no mis-
sionary in foreign lands-those from the
South in those fields going out before the
war under the Board of Missions of New
York, and still remaining under their direc-
ton because of their connection with the
Missions. Rev. Z. B. INsLEE, of the Pres
bytery of Mississippi, for some years mis-
sionary in China, will soon return to that
field under the direction of this Committee
The Rev. DIR. L. 7. BAIRD then presented
long and elaborate report from the Com
mittee on Publication
After referring to the fact that the lives of
all the members of the Committee had been
spared during the year, and also that, since
the last meeting OF the General Assembly,
the Chairman of the Committee had had an
opportunity of visiting foreign lands, the re-
port went on to remark that the labors of
the Committee, comparatively speaking, had
been meagre, although under the circum-
stances in which they were placed, more
had been done than could almost have been
expected. The foundations, however, had
been laid, and the Committee expected that
stately edihce would soon rise, which
would be an ornament to the church. The
Secretary had spent three months in the
cities of New Orleans, Mobile and Memphis,
soliciting subscriptions for publication
purposes and had been well received in all
the cities he had visited. The responses in
all cases had been liberal, more especially
in Mobile. He then went to Richmond.
where, in addition TO his other duties, he
assumed those of publishing agent, with the
full approval Of the Committee thus dis
charging the duties of Secretary, editor of
the CaadreuS Friend and publishing agent.
4 catalogue Of books, suitable for the peo-
pie. to besold in the Repository was at present
in preparation, while the catalogue for Sun
day School Libraries, had been finished.
The publication of the CRiidrens Friend was
resumed last July, and had won a large cir
and the receipts and disbursements
of the year would about balance. Besides
supplying the Sabbath Schools Of the Sotflh
with the publication, a large number Of
Missouri, and even as far west as Montana.
They had in the publication Of this little
work for Sabbath Schools received the warm
cooperation of other denominations.
A proper store-room for publications had
been secured, and they had received large
quantity Of tracts and pamphlets which had
been rescued from the fire on the evacuation
Of Richmond. Three cases Of Bibles from
England had also come safely to hand. The
British and Foreign Bible Society had can
celled their debt of -, 500, and had also
the debt of the Confederate Bible !
Society, amounting to S25,000, without be-
ing asked 10 do so. As the people would |
not be satisfied ualess the work Of publishing |
was carried on under the auspices of the |
church, large number of stereotype plates |
had been procured and several thousand |
copies Of books printed A distinguished |
brother Of the church was at present pre- /
pairing question books for Sunday Schools |
and families, and a book Of chants was in |
he press.
Owing 70 the want of funds il was not |
thought necessary to open branch deposito- /
ries at the present time. As S50e00 would /
be required 20 carry on the business Of pub 4
fishing, Presbyteries were respectfully re- 1
luested to keep stock Of the books pub
ished at the Depository in Richmond, and
appoint one Of their ministers TO sell them
among the people. The income thus de-
rived would, in the opinion Of the Commit
see, justify an energetic minister in giving
he matter his attention. The whole amount
received during the year from all sources
FasSlS,l74 Is. Disbursed, $4,000, leaving |