The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-28
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[EErosTED FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
SEVENTH DAY.
THURSDAY, May 25tl

Brown, ID. u.
1t was made the order of the day at II
o'clock, to receive the Rev. A S. Sloan,
Commissioner from the Associate Reformed
Synod of the South.
NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION.
Rev. C. S. Vedder presented and read q
Narrative on the State of Religion, which
was adopted.
This win be published at some future
time.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.
Rev. J. II. BrysOn presented and read the
report of the Standing Committee on Sab
bath Schools.
h.. NJ stated that his Presby-
terry [Arkansas lad prepared . report on
Sabbath Schools and axpsained Rhy it had
lot been received. ~
Rev. Z. Cater--I do not know that it is
advisable for the General Assembly imphe-
itly to rebuke or censure Presbytery for
not complying with such resolution. 1t
would be decidedly better to omit the names
of such Presbyteries. Some think that this
whole matter is extra-eonstitutiOnal. Some
are disposed to complain of the many re-
ports they are required to send to the Gen
eral Assembly. Were these regulations sim
ply to 90 out with moral force, you would
End all the reports after awhile coming up.
move that the report be amended by strik-
ing out the names of those Presbyteries that
have not reported.
Nr. BrySOn-YOu will find by examining
the report Of last year that there are more
Presbyteries reporting this year than there
were last This is an obligation laid upon
Presbyteries by the Church-by the Assem-
bly,, and the Presbyteries that pay no atten-
ton should be reminded of their duty. If
you give their names, you will call their at
tcntiOn to the matter. This report is defec-
tive because 81 Presbyteries have not re,
ported. This is the only way by which we
can carry on this work The result of leav-
ing it to their convenience, viii be that none
viii report.
Rec. Mr.. NOrton-It is scarcely dignifed
for the Assembly to give the names Of the
Presbyteries that have fallen short Broth
er BrysOn's object viii be fully answered by
having the matter brought before the Assem-
bly, as it has been. Such invidious distino-
tions will be detrimental to the whole scheme.
If you establish this precedent, you viii have
the Assembly calling out the names of de-
Hnquent Presbyteries on Systematic Benev-
Olence, Evangelistie Labor, &c.
Mr. TeRney-I would like to have the
report modified so as to read, ''The follow
ing Presbyteries have failed to send up their
reports. Then no eensure would be implied,
but there would be reminder, which would
be we'll
After some further colloquy, Mr.. Cater
accepted Mr.. Tenney's suggestion, and the
amendment was adopted.
Dr. Wlls-There is one expression IN the
report which think "squints' of heresy-
mot Intentionally To say the least it is
an unfortunate expression. 1t is that the
Sabbath School is the "children's Church. "
/ do not recognize that doctrine. The chill
dren's Church is my Church; my Church is
the childrens Church. There can be no
separation. That declaration to me looks
very much like the doctrine of voluntary
ism" There is but one Church that Church
the Redeemer bought with his own blood
We do not recognize any other society or
associations as competent to teach the chill
dren of the Church. Whilst do not wish
TO be captious at all, would prefer that
that expression were stricken out.
A. DavidsOn- remark of DR.. Wills
is precisely what I desired to say myself,
only he has said it in better way. | dis
ike that phrase, "children's Chureh" very
much. The Church is composed of families.
There is no such thing as ''she children's
Church" That term was introduced into
some reports Ia the Presbytery of Louis
vile, and it was voted down as un-Presbyte-
rian.
DR.. WMs-I move that that expression
be stricken out.
Mr. ByysoR-I think the criticism is an
unjust one. do not think that the express
sion can be fairly construed as meaning an
other and different Church. | have no
zeal for the expression, The thing that was
intended was to get rid of the idea that it
was schools most obnoxious feature.
The idea that the children are a part of
the Church was the very idea we intended
to bring out.
At the call of Judge Mitchell the sentence
was read as follows "The Sabbath School
is properly speaking the ehildren's Church,
and when conducted in accordance with that
idea it viii be productive of the greatest
good.
Dr. S. j. Bard concurred with Mr.. Bry-
son. The exception can hardly be sustained
IN one sense of the word, there is but one
Church Of God. Is this Presbyterian
Church that one Church? We don't claim
it. Is this congregation meeting for divine
worship that one Church? Paul speaks of
the Church in thy house" The report
simply means by "the children's Church
the assembly of the children for the worship
Of God. The conception is that it is not
"schOOl in the secular sense, but the chill
dren assembled for the purpose for which
the Church was ordained-to hear the Cos
pei Of Jesus Christ. 1 sm not jealous for
the precise phraseology but the exception is
hardly sustainable.
DR.. HeRdrsek-The tendency is to make
a kind of Independent concern of our Sab
bath Schools, which really in some places
comes in conflict with the Church; not that
it is intended, but it is the effect. The
phrase is not correct The idea intended to
be conveyed in the report is perfectly cor
rect, but the expression will mislead. The
report enjOins upon pastors and sessions that
they shall attend the Church Sabbath School,
and take charge of it. If it is their school
how is It a Church school for children in a
separate sense? The report is inconsistent.
The motion to strike out was agreed to.
ReU. Lr Law-There is one other ex-
rression that do NOT like. and that 10 Wthe