The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-02

nv snare, SOT z one else must III" 'ahc IL up. l.
see that Mr.. Hogshead has preferred to bring it
up in the form of an Overture L concur in 1t,
save that there is too milk and water
Mr.. Neil Graham hold that the whole sub,
iect belongs properly to individual churches, and
would prefer that it be referred to them and lett
to their control.
A motion to postpone indefinitely was lost.
DIR. Converse Singing is part OF public gor
ship, and as such ought to be reverenced. i've
in city where sometimes we are favored Win
opera singing in the church. l do not like opera
music even in the form of interludes and over ures
or upon the organ, which is so appropriate IN aud
to our music. They are beautiful, but not sppIro-
pirate. do not think the response OF tbs AS -,
sembly will hamper any church session, and u viii
be valuable in calling their attention to tins SUP
ject. ,,so.
DR.. Girardeau-I urge its reference BECAUSE
mere constitutional law is not sufficient TO resist
tendency. There is evil, and it needs dettDe re-
sistance. Wherever there is true yea - t,,o
cause of worship, this tendency to seculfrize tne
music will be resisted.
There is tendency, now extant, to ln'aue ne
church worship and church government, aug IN
the Presbyterian church this takes the fcl u Sc
cularizing the music If this seculariZ atloh gain
full sway, it will 60 on until ritualism has Uoyed
the vitality of the church.
A reference has been made to the Scotg;n church,
as if there were laxity there Recoleca that but
a year or two since the Established Church OF Scot
land refused to sanction an organ do not allude
to this as attempting to raise the question OF the
organ, but to shew that the Scotch Church is In
earnest [ should be deeply grieved if this receive
the go.by.
The motion to refer the resolutions OF Messrs.
Hogshead and Paine, to select committee OF live,
was carried.
The committee was made to consist of Messrs.
Fl. H. Paine, Morrison, Dickerson, Baxter and
Hogshead. t
ANSWER TO OVERTURE NO. 6. 4i9l
The Committee on Bills and Overtures, to which
was referred Overture No. 6, from Rev. DIR. Dab
ney, the substance of which is an earnest recon-
mendation to the General Assembly to direct all
its moral and spiritual powers, by such measures
as shall seem to the association BEST to the follow
ing objects, to wit:
| |. Appealing to the Christian consciences of
your educated members among literary and pro-
fessional men, for an extraordinary recruit to our
ministry, who, by receiving licensure as soon as
they can comply with the constitutional require
ments as to scholarship, may be ready to meet our
exigencies earlier than the pious youth now in
Academies and Colleges.
3. Efectualy causing all Church Sessions and
Presbyteres to enforce the discipline provided In
our Constitution, against offences and especially
against conformity to dissipated and lascivious
amusements of the world; intemperance, and re-
Taxed expedients for evading pecuniary obligations
now permitted by the legislation OF the country.
Would report to the Assembly that they have
had the Overture under careful consideration, and
respectfully submit the result of their delibera
tions and recommend as the answer OF the As
sembly the following resolutions:
l. That this Assembly would earnestly appeal
to the Christian consciences of the educated mem.
bars of our church among literary and professional
men, as well as among our young men who are now
considering the particular profession or Network
for their future pursuit, to seek in solemn and
earnest, humble prayer to God, the answer to the
question, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
and that they watch the providences Of God as
they open before them, and that, by every availa-
BILE MEANS they strive to ascertain Gods holy
will in reference to this great matter, without al
lowing themselves either presumptuously to seek
this holy office from the mere possession OF exter-
nal gifts, however great, or suffering themselves
to be deferred from it by obstacles and difficulties,
however apparently formidable.
2. That the Assembly would, in hearty response
to the second suggestion to this Overture earnest
| ly and solemnly enjoin.upon all the sessions and
Presbyteries under its care the absolute necessity
of enforcing ''the discipline provided in our Con
stitution against offences" underShe word offences,
including attendance by our members upon theatri.
cal ambitions and performances, and promiscuous
dancings; against intemperance; and against avail
| ing themselves of the expedients for eyading
pecuniary obligations, now permitted by the legis-
lation of the country in such manner as cannot
be justified by a conscience enlightened by the
Shirt and tho Word of God and rnuat diahoror
the cause of Jesus Christ.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN N. WADDEL.
The report was received, and the resolutions
appended were adopted.
Answer to overture No. 4.
The Committee recommend the following chang
| es as the answer:
In the first condition of the first resolution, after
sat least once year" omit the words, in dis
course exclusively devoted to the subject" and
insert the word " distinctly"
In the second condition of the first resolution,
the language be so altered as to read as follows:
THAT the said Minister shall, in cooperation
with the Session, there be one see to it, that
in the congregations administered to by him, at least
one annual collection be taken up in aid of the
benevolent operations of the church.
Omit the fifth resolution.
The report was accepted and the committee dis
charged.
Ya OVERTURE NO. IL. seHu
An Overture from ministers of the South Ala
bama Presbytery, requesting the Assembly Ito
adopt some plan whereby Presbyteries may be au-
thorized to license as lay preachers or exhorters
such persons as may be found qualified in mind
and heart to instruct and edify the churches, with
out requiring of them that course of Literary and
| Theological Education which is required tor our
regular ministry, etc., etc.
| The Committee would recommend the following
answer: rat fat -
That the Assembly expresses its appreciation Of
Presbyteries granting permission to persons OF
suitable gifts to hold meetings and speak the
word of exhortation in churches in their respective
bounds with the consent OF the sessions where
such exist, and also in destitute neighborhoods;
such persons being required to abstain from assum
ing the proper functions of the ministry, and being
held subject to the control of Presbytery in this
matter. .pE
ADJOURNMENT.
On Thursday about p. NJ, Rev. Mr.. Morrison
moved that this General Assembly be dissolved,
and that another General Assembly, chosen in the
same manner, be required to meet in the Second
Presbyterian church, Louisville, KY, on the third
Thursday of May, 1870, at eleven o'clock, A. M.
Carried
The following resolution of thanks was adopted.
Resolred, That the thanks Of the General AS
Sembly are due and are hereby cordially rendered
to the citizens of Mobile for their generous and
warmhearted Inequalities, extended to this body;
to the several pastors and congregations Of the
city for the use of their pulpits on the Sabbath
and the various railroad and steamboat companies,
for free return tickets to the members of the As
sembly.
The Committee on Leave of Absence reported
that they had granted no applications.
The Assembly Joined in singing the 18th Psalm,
after which it was closed with prayer and the apos.
tolic benedicton by the Moderator. -.e
The Assemblys Sabbath in Mobile.-A correspon.
dent of the Richmond Dispatch says:
GAIL the churches of the city were occupied on
Yesterday by members of the Assembly, and it is
i a e. IL f.,l