The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-06-01
SECOND DAY.
(CoNTINUED.)
FRIDAY, Nay 90.

The reports of the Executive Committees
of Publication and Sustentation were read
and referred to the standing committees.
The report of the Executive Committee of
Sustentation on the Relief Fund for the
widows and orphans of ministers, was read
and referred to special committee of one
from each Synod, viz: Kentucky-Rev. j.
E. Spilman. Vrginia-Rev. j. G. Brown
North Carolina-Rev. H. L. Singleton. s.
CarOlina-L. W. McMaster. Georgia-H.
P. Richards. Alabama-W William ?. Webb.
Mississippi-Rev. B. M. Palmer. Memphis
L. B. Thornton. Nashuile-Rev. j. H.
Rice. Tsras-D. McGregor. Arkansas
J. L. Witherspoon.
A communication from minister of the
Presbytery of Cherokee, inquiring into the
propriety of relinquishing his ministerial
Office, was referred to the committee on bills
and overtures.
Rev. DIR. ]. A. Lyon stated that memo.
rial, from the Synod of Georgia, in relation
to University, would be presented to this
body, and he moved that it, together with
all other papers upon the same subject, be
made special order for Saturday, the 21st
inst, at 10 o'clock.
A large number of overtures from Presby-
byteries, praying for change of bounda-
ries, for facilities for gathering statistics,
&C., &C., were received, read and referred to
the appropriate committees.
An overture relating to the new Book of
Church Order and Discipline brought Rev.
DR.. J. A. Lyon to his feet, with motion to
dispense with the reading at this time of all
oysrtures relating to this subject, and that
they be referred to special committed of
five to be appointed by the chair.
The Moderator said that he regarded this
committee as a very important one, and that
its delberation would be of the most vital
Importance to the Assembly and to the
Church. He therefore respectfully asked
the Assembly to elect the committee.
Rev. DR.. Palmer thought that the AS
sembly ought not to act precipitately in a
matter of this kind, and therefore moved
that the answers of the Synods relative to
expunging section 10 of chapter 4 of the
Book of Discipline, which provides that two
or more congregations, united together, shall
have but one elder to represent them, he re-
ferred to the committee, whose duty it shall
be to inform the house what is necessary to
be done.
Rev. DIR. Robinson suggested the propriety
of allowing the committee to receive outside
information and to judge of its reliability;
also allowing volunteer commissions, who
choose to make an informal report, to do so
in writing.
Rev. DIR. Hopkins said that the Assembly
could get no legal information outside Of
certain prescribed channels. Any informa-
tion which might be derived from outside
sources would be of no value and could not
be acted upon. He understood that to be
the decision of the Moderator, and it was
certainly according to custom and law.
Rev. DR.. Lyons said that he fully con-
Cured in the remarks of DR.. Hopkins. He
did not think the Assembly could take this
step without impinging upon dangerous
ground.
The motion of DR.. Robinson was rejected.
The chair then announced the following
committee on the New Book of Disci-
pline-Rev. B. M. Palmer, d. D., Rev. j.
A. Lyon, D. D., Rev. Stuart Robinson, D.
D., Mr.. W. L. 7. Prince, Mr.. j. L. Campbell.
The Assembly resolved, for the present, to
hold but one session a day, viz: from A.
M. to P. M.
The committee on Devotional Exercises
recommended that the General Assembly
hold with the Second and other Presbyterian
churches of our connection communion
season on Sunday, 22d inst, at 4 P. NJ,
the Moderator to preside, assisted by Rev.
Drs. McCorkle and Holmes.
Supplies were appointed for the various
churches in the city. A meeting of the
Sabbath Schools was appointed at A. NJ,
at the new room of the Second Presbyterian
church, on Second and Broadway, to be ad-
dressed by Drs. j. Leighton Wilson and
Baird, and the Rev. Allen Wright.
Gan account of this interesting service will be
found on the 4th page.)