The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-21
[can,iru,a frer q. r,r,, r,n..l


iiSs; Ss That Of Minnesota comprises the State
and also Dacotah Territory.
30. That of Iowa North, to comprise all the
State north of the south lines of Clinton, Jones,
Linn, Benton, Tama, Marshall, Story, Boon,
Greene, Carroll, Crawford, and Mauona coun-
ties. N I..lU ..tE Ea U#"t. No q .
80. That of Iowa South, to comprise the re-
mainder of the State, with Nebraska and Wyo.
ming Territory. sr.--E rrt 20 rT. 81.
81. The Synod OF Missouri Is conIermlnous
49, That of Kansas extends over that State,
Colorado, and New Mexico ana the Indian Ter
ritories.
33. That of the Pacific embraces all west of
"a That of India comprises all our missiona-
ries and churches in that country. aaI.Ft r..a.
35 That of China comprises all our missiona-
ries and churches in China, Siam, and Japan.
In regard to fixing the boundaries of the
various presbyteries, which seemed as distinctly
assigned to us, we have felt, not only that it
would be a most enerous task, which we could
hardly do, for all parts with just discrimination,
or to general satisfaction, but that it seemed to
fall more properly under the province of the
different synods, or their representatives, who
could do It, when assembled, more understand
ingly and to the fuller content of those inte-
rested. For this purpose we shall propose a
plan which seems to combine the advantages
of this mode with the expressed wish that this
assembly establish the boundaries of presby-
teries as well as of synods. At the same time, in
order to secure some uniformity throughout the
Church, we recommend your adoption of certain
general principles, on which the presbyteres
should be constructed. "'Vi, 81,
/. That each several presbytery, with the
ministers and churches within its limits, be de-
fined as to boundaries by geographical lines.
2. That presbyteries be enlarged, and the
formation of small ones be discouraged; none
formed hereafter to consist of less than five
ministers, the quorum for business remaining
rs heretofore. g-.-.". '
8. That in the present distribution of presby-
teries, or their future formation or arrangement
by the respective synods, it be recommended
that no presbytery consist of less than ten
ministers--except in outlying, frontier, and
missionary districts, and then be constituted as
large as possible.
4. That each city, when not too small, or too
large, constitute one presbytery; which shall
usually not include territory outside of the city
limits, or at most of the county of which it is a
part. ~ H.Lha4-3 3.a'ti-t
s. That when two or more congregations upon
different sides of a synodical or presbyteria
line are under one pastoral charge they shall
all forthe time belong to that presbytery with
which the minister is connected, but only so
long as such pastoral relation continues
g. That ministers without charge are required
to unite with that presbytery within the geo
graphical limits of which they ordinarily reside,
or nearest to, and to which they shall be anne
nable for the proper discharge of their ordina-
tion engagements I'D
z. That the presbyteries and synods hereto
fore existing, which shall lose their present
organization by consolidation under these ar
rangements shall be considered and designated
as continuing their succession in that synod or
presbytery now constituted which includes the
largest portion, coanting both ministers and
churches of said body as existing May 49, 1870,
to preserve its records, and attend as may be
found necessary to its business and interests.
In order, then, to q judicious distribution,
reconstruction, and defining of boundaries for
presbyteries within the respective synods, when
arranged, we recommend the following plan to
hA aAA fnd hvyt thn n nv,nhl via
l. That the commissioners within the bounds
of each of their synods so established be ap-
pointed respectively a committee, to whom shall
be referred the whole subject of presbyterial
bounds within their own synod-the times and
places of the first meeting both of the synod and
the several presbyteres, and all other arrange
ments thereto pertaining.
3. That as soon as practicable after their
action on this part of our report, the assembly
adjourn over whole day to give their several
committees an opportunity to meet and perfect
their arrangements and reports within thstti
8. That these reports of such committees,
when presented to the General Assembly, and
accepted by them, be referred to special COM
mittee to be arranged and embodied in the form
of an act, to be submitted to the assembly for
their determination.
The next general subject is that of represent
alton in the General Assembly, and proper
ratio for the same. '. 1-r. : .7r .
Your committee, after full and repeated con-
sideration of this important and difficult sub
ject, are of the opinion that change to
synodical representation is necessary, in order
to bring the numbers in the Assembly within
due limits, and secure equal rights to all parts
of the Church. But so far as we can discover
the Church generally is not yet prepared for
such change; and the committee desire to
avoid all occasion of discord in our United
Church, or needless discussions on this subject
in this Generel Assembly. Therefore, no change
from presbyterial representation is proposed
but only change in the ratio and form of re-
presentation, that the same great object may be
secured to great degree. -.f =. -
1. That the ratio of representation be SO
altered as to provide for one commissioner a
minister, or an elder, from each presbytery
having twenty ministers, or less, and in like
proportion for any number of ministers over
twenty. It ..II F..
2. That wherever the number of members in
any presbytery allows double delegation it be
of ministers and elders equally. II.
8. That in order to equalize, as far as possible,
the number of ministers and elders in the assem-
bly,, the presbyteries entitled to single COM
missioner, or an equal number, shall send alter
pately minister or an elder, and it shall be
the duty of the synods at their first meetings to
arrange the order in which such presbyteries
shall send ministers or elders, so that the two
classes may be as nearly equal as possible each
year. a..- .... Il.
For the relief of the General Assembly in the
despatch of business, and to discourage perth
nacious litigation in church courts, the COM
mittee recommend that all appeals references,
and complaints terminate at the synod, except
in relation to questions of constitutional law or
the trial of a minister for heresy in doctrine
For the purpose of securing the necessary
constitutional changes for the foregoing OBJ
jects, the committee propose that this General
Assembly send down to the presbyteries the fol-
lowing oyertures, VIII
1. nthe Form of Government, chapter x, sec.
tion 2, after the word ministers to insert-sip
number not less than five"