The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-03
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States.
Official Reports and Resolutions.

In the reports of the proceedings of the As
e-mblv. as we have copied from the Baltimore
name, ANY items of business, and indepen-
dent resolutions were omitted, and we are com
PEELED to give them now, not in the order in
which they were presented, but as distinct
subjects.
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON
sUsTENTATIoN
The attention of the Assembly is respect
fully called to the hopeful and encouraging
condition of this great enterprise since the last
general report; resulting under Divine direc
ton from the munifcent benevolence of friends
of religion in various parts of the land from
the increased and more general interest felt and
displayed in it throughout the church and
from the wise and successful management of
its affairs by the Executive Committee
Tn view of the statements presented in the
Report. we recommend the following resolu-
| tions:
l The fact that the Committee have been
enabled promptly and fully to answer every
annlication for aid, is a signal token of Divine
favor. demanding the profoundest gratitude,
and admonishng us to go forward without fear
and doubling in the work to which God hath
appointed us, surely depending on the sufi
cheney of the Divine help and guidance.
2. The General Assembly Of the Presbyte-
rian Church in the United States, now in ses-
sion in the city of Baltimore, hereby grateful
lyacknowledges the Christian liberality hitherto
shown towards our impoverished people,
churches and seminaries, by many known and
unknown friends beyond our bounds; espe
caly, is this due to the Synod of Kentucky
and the Presbyterian churches of Baltimore,
for their timely, continuous and most generous
aid. The Assembly does not doubt, that a
time will soon come, when these Christian
friends shall find that in so doing to the least
of Christ's disciples. they did 1t unto Him.
They are invited, moreover, to behold In the
facts disclosed in the Annual Report, the best
evidence that their assistance has not been
given in vain
g. The Assembly is pleased to know, that
much larger proportion OF the churches are now
contributing to the cause of Sustentation; but
looks with anxious solicitude to the time when
all of them shall be represented in this work.
In the judgment of this Assemb'r, there Is no
consideration which can justify 4 neglect OF
this important duty.
A. The Assembly learns with great sorrow,
that in consequence of the impoverishment OF
many parts of the country, numbers OF our
ministers are compelled, in part at least, to
leave the work of the ministry that through
secular pursuits they may gain support, and
that as a result of this, religion langulshes and
our church is retrograding. 1t is, therefore,
enjoined on the Presbyteries concerned that
they at once ascertain and fix the minimum
amount required for the support Of laboring
minister, and that they use diligent efforts to
provide the same. The Committee of Sus-
tentation is directed to cooperate herein to the
extent of their ability, provided the sum SO
designated shall not exceed six hundred dol
lars.
5. In lieu of the appropriation of five per
cent. of the Sustentation Fund, 1t Is enjolned
upon the Presbyteries to have a collection
taken up in all the churches Under their care,
for relief fund, which shall be devoted to the
relief of disabled ministers, and of widows and
orphans of ministers deceased. These coec-
tons are to be forwarded to the Treasurer of
the Sustentation Committee and disbursed ac
cording to the discretion Of the Committee,
upon application made through the Presbyte
rial Standing Committees on Domestic Mis-
sions.
6. The Sustentation Committee is moreover
charged with the duty of aiding all feeble
churches, who require it in the support of their
pastors or supplies, of aiding in the support OF
missionaries or evangelists when aid is needed;
of aiding in building and repairing church
edifices when 1t is necessary; and OF aiding IN
-Llle- sEsfsr of-breLhren .wlLhouL MEANS, from
one field of labor to another, when there APP
pears to be providential call for such reno.
walls. The number and variety Of these du-
ties together with the consideration that the
Secretary of this Committee occupies the pc
sition of Secretary of the Committee on For.
eign Missions, have suggested to the Assembly
the question of division of these RESPONSE
bilities. The plan of Sustentation, however,
is working so satisfactorily under the present
management, that the Assembly considers il
inexpedieut to introduce at this time any
changes in the existing arrangement. Instead
Of this, the Committee are recommended, and
, are hereby authorized, to make any such addi-
tons to their clerical force as the amount and
nature of their duties may require.
7. The Assembly entirely approve the care,
fidelity, and affectionatc zeal exhibited by the
Committee in the discharge of their important
trust The Committee is exhorted to continue
the prosecution of this work with the same
faith, zeal and devotion, and with the hope
and expectation of still greater and more
abundant success.
The Standing Committee dominates to the
Executive Committee of Sustentation for the
ensuing year, tue Ile'. uessIs' q. ~. " lison,
ID. d., Secretary; Professor James Woodrow,
Treasurer; George Howe. ID. D., j. B. Ad.
ger, d. D., J. R. Wilson, d. d., A. w. Mil.
Ter, d. D., j. L. Girardeau, w. K. Boggs,
General f. w. McMaster, DR.. Z. Nye Hutch.
inson, and Professor Joseph Leconte.
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON
PUBLICATION.
The Standing Committee to whom was re.
ferred the Annual Report of the Executive
Committee of Publication report
That the general evidence of healthy and
prosperous condition of the department of the
Church work presided over by this Committee
is decided, and calls for a very explicit and
grateful recognition on the part of the Assem-
bly,, both of the fidelity of the members of the
Committee and of the fostering care of the
Church's Head. The administration of the
affairs of the Committee has been conducted
with happy admixture of energy and eau
tiousness. So satisfactorily is this administra-
ton progressing that it would perhaps be the
part OF wisdom to leave the present policy of
the Committee for the most part undisturbed.
After specially calling the attention of the
Assembly to the three facts-lst, that the in
debtedness of the Committee has been reduced
since the date of their last report from Sl3,
76l. 90 to S., 1929; I'd, that the result of the
business OF the Committee for the past two
years indicates gain upon the amount invested
of 81, 79l.67; and Sd, that in every case the
Committee have been able to meet the calls
made upon them for gratuitous contributions
of books and tracts. Your committee would
recommend for adoption by the Assembly
the following resolutions:
l. That the thanks Of the Assembly are due
to the Secretary and his associates in the coun-
ellis and work of the Committee, for the pru-
dent and jealous manner in which they have
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