The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-13
Presbytery of Louisiana.


There were twelve members in attendance on the
Spring meeting of this Presbytery, which met in
Baton Rouge on the 18th nlt. 1t was opened
with sermon by Rev. A. R. Graves Rev. j. E.
c. Doremus was elected Moderator, and the Rev.
A. R. Graves, Stated Clerk. The following mat
tiers, among others, received attention.
THE BOOK OF CHURCH ORDER.
The following minute, brought in by Commit.
tee, consisting of Rev. DIR. Doremus, Rev. James
Stratton and p. Pond, was adopted to express the
decision of the Presbytery on the Revised Book
of Church Order:
"One.third of the members sitting and these,
ruling elders, express themselves as not prepared
to decide, not having had copies of the Book in
their hands.
One-fourth of the members sitting and these,
ministers, reject the whole Book.
One-third prefer the Old Book, as whole, but
approve of certain portions of the New.
One-sixth prefer the New Book, with some
amendments
One-twelfth prefer the New Book, as whole.
1t appears further, that, to the extent of review
made by the Presbytery, they are unanimous in
their dissent from all the language and the provi-
sions concerning the Doctor, so called that they
dissent from the provision for organizing Pres
bytery by Evangests without the Intervention of
Synod, except in cases of necessity to be clearly
defined; that they dissent from the ordination Of
Presbyters BY sole Presbyter, except in like case
of necessity etc., as above that they dissent from
the provision ID astor, tcr -
separate vote
bers, etc., and
ute, etc.; that
curing the adv )
ton and the rem Oh OF censures
that they object on V. of section l OF
Chapter VIII, Car Discipline last sentence,
because a wide door is opened to scandaous inter
ference.
That while these items are mentioned, in COM
pliance with the wishes of the General Assembly,
as some of the matters objected to- especially
brought forward by those who favor the proposed
Book; yet the Presbytery do object to so much,
that they are constrained to decline requesting a
revision Of portions not approved, with view
to final actionin 1871 and decide against the adop.
ton of the Book; I'll to l !; and further, decide
against any revision Of the Form of Government
at present.
First, because convictions Of the propriety of it.
do not seem to be hearty or unanimous.
Secondly, because they deem the proposed
change to be undesirable in these forming times
Thirdly, that our brethren of the Border States
ought to have the benefit of the integrity of oul
standards as justification of their union with us
and as defence for their property and ecclesiast
cal rights, in case of the investigation Of theil
Presbyterianism by the Courts of law.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Rev. R. A. McAster had leave to labor the
next six months at Liberty.
Rev. G. S. bod, at his OVID request was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Red River.
Education Ordered that the Central Commit
tee at Richmond, be requested to appropriate one
hundred dollars to the support of our candidate
and the churches which had failed to take up col
lections be enjoined to make special contribution
to this object, and to send the proceeds to the
Chairman, Rev. W. f. Gillespie, at Liberty, Miss
tSustentation The occupation of the Fl Id west
of the Mississippi, by an Evangelist, was recon-
mended
Church University Presbytery instructed
their Commissioners to the General Assembly, to
vote against the project of Great Southern Pres
byterian University.
Minutes of the General Assembly,. Presby
terry dissented from the action of the Assembly,
forbidding the baptizng of the children of those
whom the standards of the Church declare to be
members of the Church, and against whom nc
charges have been preferred, and who have not
been suspended from the privileges of the Church
2. Presbytery sustained (by negative vote or
the recommendation of the Committee to the con-
trary, the action of the Assembly. approving the
granting of permission by Presbyteries, ito per-
sons of suitable gifts to hold meetings and speak
the word Of exhortation, " etc., p. 1872 of the Min
utes.
8. Presbytery assented to the duty enjoined, OF
enforcing Discipline on the part of Sessions, against
the offences, particularly enumerated, viz: 1.-THE
atyical exhibitions, pr0miscuous danclngs lntem
perance, and immoral expedents for evading pc
cuniary obligations permitted by the legislation Of
the country" p. 39l.
Commissioners to the General Assem5h-Rev
A. R. Graves and elder f. w. Stratton, princi
pals; Rev. j. Z. c. Doremus, d. d., and elder
James King, alternates.
The next meeting will be held at Liberty, Miss.
29th September, 1870, at 10 A. NJ.
Sermon on Sustentation to be preached by Rev
j. b G. Doremus, ID. ID.