The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-24
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE
-, UNITED STATES. ~
PR0cgIDIyGs OF GENERAL ASsEMBL,
Compiled from the Avalanche.
h FIFTH DAY.
MEMPHIS, November 20, 1866.

Net. Minutes approved
The canons of discipline were taken up
and discussed as unfinished business. Rev.
G. R. Foster thought that the amendment
proposed should read, the husband or wife
NAV be permitted" instead Of cad
mitted," to give testimony either for or
against the other.
Colonel G. S. Walker was In favor OF
letting the canon remain as it now read,
that the husband or wife shall not be
" compelled" to give testimony in the case
that involves the other. The husband and
wife are recognized as the same in all
common law, and as such their testimony
is not forced, as in other cases but II they
chose to give testimony against each other
before the church. session, no one wouio
object.
DIR. Cunningham thought that they should
DO permitted to give testimony, as the Bible
plainly teaches that We should give up
father, mother, brother, sister, husband, or
,cife for the good Of Christ's church.
The question being called for, the vote
on the amendment was lost. The previous
question, the adoption of the second canon
as reported by the committee, was called
for. and was almost unanimously adopted.
The rule was continued until 10 o'clock
A. NJ, when the special order of the day
had arrived for reading the majority report
of the Committee on the Hymn Book Tor
the use of the Presbyterian Church, which
was read by the Rev. DR.. Brown.
DR.. Wilson then read the minority report
of the committee, signed by charles ..
Dodd. -,
be received and referred to special com
mittee to be appointed by the Moderator,
which motion prevailed, and the following
members of the Assembly we're appointed
as special committee DR.. Woodrow,
Rev. ]. R. Graham, Rev. J. NJ. Cochran,
and Rev. S. B. Campbell; Elders Colonel
B. NJ. Estis, George J. S. Walker, and h.
r. Bartlett, Esq.
The rules were again taken up, and the
subject of competency, character, and
number Of witnesses necessary to establish
an offence. Colonel Estis thought that the
number of witnesses was unnecessary, pro-
vided the competency and other things
were sufficiently good. g.,
DR.. Adger spoke in defence Of the canon
as reported by the committee, "that IL
should require at least two witnesses 70
establish thing"
Colonel Marye did not wish to detein the
Assembly at any length, but ne had oeen
told this morning by one OF the best and
most able elders in the country that he had
known three cases Of fragrant sin in which
tba hands of a church session had been
Tod nv their construction Of this very
canon that it required at least two wit
nesses to establish crime, and in conse-
nnence the offenders went free, because
there was but one witness.
Colonel Estis, by special permission, was
allowed to speak again, and argued the
points as before.
Rev. DR.. Murphy, of the Associated Re.
formed Presbyterian Church, South, who
came as q delegate from the General AS
semblv of that denomination for the pur-
pose of forming an organic union with this
General Assembly, was received.
DR.. Murphy made very able address on
the subject.
DR.. Palmer then. made speech of well
come to the delegate, DR.. Murphy.
Ii was moved that the Assembly 60 at
once into the selection Of place for its
next meeting.
DR.. Baird put the city of Richmond in
nomination.
Rev. Mr.. Bonde put the city Of Nash
vile in nomination. ...........
DR.. Baird then withdrew Richmond.
DR.. Morse put Atlanta, Ga, in nominal
ton, but subsequently withdrew Atlanta,
and Nashville was unanimously chosen by
reclamation.
Dr., chairman Of the Committee
on Synodical Report for the Synod Of Vir-
GINA, reported that every report of the sy-
nod was correct and in good order.
DR.. Palmer moved that eleven o'clock
Wednesday morning be selected (as the
special order of the day. for the reception
of the commissioner from the General As
sembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, who comes for the purpose of re-
ceiving and making propositions for organic
union with this Church.
The discussion Of the rule was continued
by Colonel George j. S. Walker, who
thought that We should go entirely by the
law of God, and from that law deduce such
other regulations as are necessary.
DR.. Baird made very able speech in IA
vor of the canon requiring two witnesses.
The motion to recommit this second sec
ton to the committee was called for and
lost then the original section was called
for, and was adopted.
The Assembly adjourned with prayer.