The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-06-01
FIFTH DAY.

TUESDAY, May "a.
Rev. DR.. j. R. Wilson, Stated Clerk read to
the Assembly telegram announcing the appoint
ment of Rev. Dr. j. Q. Backus, Rev. DR.. FL. j.
Van Dyke, and VIM. e. Dodge, as commissioners
from the Northern General Assembly, to present
their Christian saluta,.ons together with propo.
sal for the opening Of friendly correspondence
Also one from Rev DIR. FL. A. Boardman, pro
posing fraternal visit from the deputation of the
Church of Scotland.
DR.. Palmer, the Chairman, made the following
REPORT OF THE co NurrEE ON FOREIGN CORES
d NOE.
The committe Correspondence begs
leave to report has examined the
DR. 49, this Assembly,
VIII "a, Of reasons by GER
tain ministers - she city of Charleston,
S. G., for withc Ig from the Presbytery Of
Charleston, and II ustituting the old Charleston
Union Presbytery az an independent body.
The grounds of disafection appear to be the
action taken by the last General Assembly, de-
claring it to be contrary to our standards tor one
of our ministers to remain the permanent supply
to a Church of another denomination; and their
opposition to the New Book Of Church Order,
which they assume as being endorsed by the
Church and certain to be adopted in her organic
law However i'll advised and premature this
withdrawal may be, in view of the fact the Book
of Church Order is yet accepted by the Church,
and in view of the fact that the particular act OF
legislation excepted against is still under consider
alton by this Assembly, through an overture from
one of its own Presbyteries, still, the paper re
ferred to this committee is neither complaint nor
an appeal, but simply an official notification Of the
final Withdrawal of those parties from our iurisdic-
ton, no action is called for on the part of this As
sembly, and the committee recommend that the
subject be dismissed from further consideration.
In response to the resolution adopted by the
Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, re-
Gently assembled in the city of Memphis. and
transmitted to us through the Rev. DR.. A. FL.
Kerr, conveying their "Christian sautations to
their profoundest regards, and with their most
earnest prayers for the presence and blessing of
God upon its deliberations" your committee re-
commend the following resolution:
Resolced, That this General Assembly recog-
nizes in this fraternal greeting beautiful illustra-
ton of that "unity Of the spirit in the bonds of
peace, whereby the different parts of the one
catholic, visible Church of the Redeemer repre-
sent to the world that, amidst minor diversities,
they still have lone Lord, one faith, one baptism"
And the Assembly hereby directs its Stated Clerk
to transmit to the Bishops of the NJ. E. Church,
South, this cordial reciprocaton Of their generous
the abors of both the denominations, participating
in this correspondence, may be owned and blessed
by our Great Head In turning many to righteous
ness, and in Fastening the day when the king,
doms of this world shall become the kingdoms of
our Lord and of His Christ.
Your committee further recommend that the
Assembly, having listened with so much pleasure
to the addresses of the Rev. Messrs. J. G. Bow.
den, corresponding delegate from the General As
sembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and w. H. McElwee, corresponding delegate from
the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, pro.
coed now to appoint those who shall reciprocate
these grateful Christian courtesles to these bodies
respectively. The committee would respectfully
nominate the Rev. DIR. A. d. Kerr principal, and
Rev. d. Fl. Cummns, alternate, as delegates to at
tend the next meeting of the Associate Reformed
Synod of the South; and the Rev. DR.. H. II.
Hopkins, principal and Rev. DIR. j. L. Hendricks,
alternate, to attend the next meeting of the Gen
eral Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.
Respectfully submitted
B. NJ. PALMER Chairman.
The report was received and adopted.
The report of the committee on Judiciary was
then received, amended and adopted.
The following reports on overtures were then
made and accepted:
ON OVERTURE NO. l.
The committee recommend the following an.
swer:
As ruling elders are delegates from church ses-
sions, and members of the Presbytery by virtue
of their commissions the Assembly is of the opn-
ion that it is not competent for the Presbytery to
appoint on committee ruling elder who is not
a member of Presbytery, unless appointed on a
committee. Adopted
ON OVERTURE NO 2.
The committee appointed to examine the min
utes of the Presbytery of Charleston, called the
attention of Synod to the fact that the Presbytery
had held several meetings without the presence
of ruling elder and two of these were regular
meetings This matter having been referred to
the committee on Bills and Overtures, the follow
ing minute was adopted by the Synod, to-wit:
"The committee on Bills and Overtures would
report to the Synod that there have been two de-
cisions of the old General Assembly-one in lS43
and one in lS44-afirming the right of Presby-
terry to transact business without the presence of
a ruling elder The contrary of this is embraced
in the defining the quorum of Presbytery in the
new Book of Church Order, which is now sent