The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-05-29
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
SEVENTH DAY.
THURSDAY, May sd.


Church, with view to the examination Of 1t at
the next meeting Of the Presbyteries.
Dr. Bunting presented report from the Audi
ting Committee, approving the accounts OF the
Treasurer of the Executive Committees Of Eduea-
ton and Publication. Adopted.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Dr. Adga presented thetolloving report, which
was adopted:
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
would recommend to the Assembly that the follow
ing appointments be made of delegates from this
body to other Churches, viz:
10 he Reformed Church IN Anlericd DR.. NJ, ID.
Hoge, principal; DR.. J. r. Wilson, alternate.
To tie Associate REFORMED Synod Of The South:
Rev. Jno. Douglas, principal; DR.. A w. Miller
alternate.
10 tie SynOd Of Missouri: DR.. J. S. Grasty,
principal Rev w. W. Dinwiddie, alternate.
TO the Cumberland Presbyterian CR1|cR new
T. B. Price. principal Rev. r. j. Taylor, alter
nate For the committee.
JOHN B. ADaER, Chairman
TRUSTEES
DR.. Pllmler presented the following, which was
adopted.
The committee appointed to consider the report
u Che Trustees 81 enc tScner1, Assembly haVe
Performed chat duty and recoamend the adopeor
The i0lswjug resolutions
a. nssotes, fiial 1dc 8uks on The 6enefa
Assembly are due and ave bereby rendered GO .s
Trustees IF lhl Genera. Assembly for rleir 1ih-
genee and ability Il caring tor the interests ntr So
ed to them.
p Resolvsd, That the Assembly concur with the
Trustees of the General Assembly as to the din
entity of the Secretaries Of our Executive Commit
tees being &c Q6ico members Of the corporation o.
the Trustees of the General Assembly, but It mem
bers at ALL they should as persons, by name, be duly
appointed members OF the corporation.
NV ON rrr-,rrrArrON
Dr. P7t,uer presented the following which was
adopted
In response to overture No II, from the Synod
of South Carolina, the Committee of Bills and
Overtures recommend that the third Thursday OF
November next be observed as day OF speelal
thanksgiving to God for his mercles to US as
Church, and of humiliation and earnest supphoa-
ton to God for an abundant OutpOurlng OF his
Spirit on all our pastors and congregations.
IMMERSION.
An overture was sent up from certain members
of the Presbytery Of Lexington, requesting an an
sWer to the question: whether it IS proper Tor MIN
listers in our Church to administer baptism by I'M
mersion. The following answer, presented by the
Committee on Bills and Overtures, was adopted:
Our Confession Of Faith teaches that dipping
Of the person into the water IS not necessary out
Baptism is rightly administered by pouring OF
shrinking water upon the person.; and our d.
rectory prescribes pouring or sprinkling water on
the face of the child without adding any other GER
emory. This Assembly judges that tor Pres
byterian minister to baptlze by immersion IS such
departure from the ways approved IN our stan
dards as should be discouraged.
NARRATIVE OF TIE STATE OF RELIGION.
Dr. Grastg presented the following, which was
adopted:
The General assembly of he Presbyterian Church
in the United States 10 the churches under Their
care.
BretbTen,-In the reports sent up BY portion
Of the Presbyteries to this General Assembly, the
following deinquences and diseOuragements are
noted.
/. Deficiency Of zeal on the part of ruling elders.
These officers of the church, in many congrega-
tons refuse to hear reasonable proportion OF the
burden IN the work of spiritual oversight OF the
flock
Wan. Of iberality 10 support Of the ministry,
aud ir contributions 20 the various directs OF
Christian beuevOence.
Il Neglect of family prayer, and this, even on
The part Of Office. bearers IN the Church.
5 Absence from the weekly prayer meeting, at
tendance on popular amusements, and alarming
conformity to the world, as displayed IN the con-
duct of those who profess the religion OF Christ;
And II is noticeable fact, that 10 the bounds OF
those Prcsbyteries which report the neglect OF
family Neutrality-suspicious. IN attendance at the
prayer meeting, and a want OF zeal and hberahty
In pushing forward the scriptuTal enterprises en-
Joined bv the General Assembly-but few instances
of revival have descended upon the churches.
On the other hand, Narratives IRON other Pres
byteries report much to encourage:
/. An enlarged system Of evangelzaton, by
this means, wide sections OF country are being
reached, that, in former days, have been almost
entirely destitute Of the ministry Of the word.
,. During the ecclesiastical year quite number
Of churches have been organized, while there is a
growing desire in the minds Of the people to have
pastors settled over them.
8. The Interest felt in Sabbath Schools is mani
testify on the increase, and the services OF cOmpe-
tent teachers can be more readily obtained than IN
years that have gone. 1t Is also a significant fact
that the attention Of Christian hearts has, OF late,
been turned more earnestly not only IN the dlrec-
ton of instruction for youth but these efforts have
been 50 conducted as to excite a relish for reli-
gious exercises, in the minds OF our children Fur
thermore, arrangements are perfected, IN many
CONGREGATIONS by which the little ones are taught,
from the start, to sing the sweet songs OF Zion.
l. Bible classes are on the increase, and these
in many instances are presided over by men who
distinguished IN the learned secular PROFESSIONS
5. In certain quarters OF Our Zion there has been
a marked advance in the matter OF contributions,
while the desire appears TO be very general to
adopt, as far as practicable, the plan OF regular
Sabbath day collections.
6. Attention is called to successful efforts to or
ganize Mission Schools in cities, and also renewed
attempts to teach the cOOred people.
In addition the Synod of East Alabama has es
tablished an Orphan Asylum for the benefit OF
children of deceased Confederate soldiers. AT
present one hundred young persons are gathered,
and Of this number, twenty-five have confessed
Christ,
z. 1t is ground for still further encouragement
has during the year, an unusual MUNGER or church
e. ana usrsOnages have been erected
Toe Spirit has been poured u2on congrega-
mons, not q ew-tnl believer ha5 b1 refreshed,
rb,e numerous SIDE tons have been made to the
communion of the Church And iu consequence
oil these revivss BE ESQ OF csna lat tor che Cos
q pei ministry has been notably enlarged-
In conclusion the gratifying Intelligence comes
I'D from an the Presbyteries, that harmony and
brotberlv love exist among ministers and 10 the
congregations. JOHN ,. GhAoI1'
Chairman.
SYSTEMATIC BENEYOLENCE.
Dr. Porter presented the following report, which
was adopted:
The Committee on Systematic Benevolenee re-
specially submits the following:
Reports from thirty-eight Presoyteres under
the care of the General Assembly have been put
In the hands OF this Committee. Five OF them
however, are so imperfect in detail, and ire guar
In form that they furnish no definite information
beyond TIE gratifying statement which eharae,
terzes nearly all of these reports, that the general
subject of Systematic Benevolence, seems to be
receiving increased attention on the part OF the
churches represented.
On comparing these Reports with those present.
cd to the last Assembly, We find the following
facts: