Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-05-23
FIRST EDITION.
the PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.


Especially reported for the Commercial
BALTIMORE, May 90, 1879.
The Assembly were in session Wednesday and
Thursday and transacted the following business
Of importance:
THE CONSOLIDATION OF BOARDS.
In response to ovorturcs from over go Presby-
teries, the Assembly appointed Committee OF
seven to report at the next meeting iu st. Louis,
plan for the reduction of the number of the
Boards, il consistent with efficiency and econo-
my.
1t was shown in debate that the benevolent
operations Of the Presbyterian church was man
aged at less per cent, Of expense than that Of
any other church in the country
More than 81 800, 900 contributed to missions,
are handled at about per cent
THE soUrHERN PREsBYrERIANs
Dr. Nlcolls as chairman Of the committee on
bills and overtures, presented the following pa
per, which was unanimously approved by the
ESQ ued, That the General Assembly do SOL
emnly declare that, in accordance with a resolu-
tion unanimously adoptt by each OF the two
bodies now constituting the reunited Assembly
all action touching the brethren adhering to the
body known as tho Southern General Assembly
together with all action touching the body known
as the Old School Synod OF Missouri. has been,
since the reunion, null aud void. and therefore
OF no binding effect, and not to be pleaded as
ResoiUed, That the Assembly express conf
dence in the soundness,of doctrine and Christian
character Of these brethren, and cannot doubt
that more intimate communion would lead to
a speedy removal Of the barriers that now sep
arate those of like faith 10 Increased mutual 1ik-
ing and esteem ami to practical manifestation
OF our oneness in Christ. With regard to the
civil magistrates and the relations of Church
and State, the Assembly deem it sufficient to
call attention to the following principles and
in of ards tn xVif
Synods and Councils are TO handle and conclude
nothing but that which is ecclesiastical, and are
not to intermeddle with civil affairs which COLI
cern the Commonwealth, unless by the way of
humble petition in caseS extraordinary. That
all Church power, whether exercised by the bo-
dy in general. or in the way OF representation by
delegated authority, is only ministerial and de-
clarative That the Assembly will appoint two
commissioners to confer with similar commit
tees, il appointed by the General Assembly of
the Presby yterian Church in the United States
and by the Old School Synod in Missouri, to seek
closer and more fraternal relations with these
bodies.
FoREIGN MISSIONS.
The Board OF Foreign Missions reported
through DIR. NJ. johnson, of Philadelphia, 725
laborers in Missionary fields under the care of
the Board; that Si5i 900 had been contributed
by the churches, but that there was a debt of
$13O.OOO remaining which would require the
Board to fetrench and retreat in Its work.
unieeb lullHeulhtely pdlu n COHecllOn amounting
to over $50, 900 was Immediately made by the AS
sembly and tho moderator was directed to at
once address an appeal to the churches to sustain
the great and growing work OF Foreign Missions
Rev. j. L. Vaandigham pledged New Castle
Presbytery for $l001 towards tho removal of
the debt, as a special contribution.
TIE FOREIGN pELEGArEs.
Rev Drs Endie and Calderwood delegates
from the Presbyterian church of Scotland, and
Mr. Prochat, delegate from the Wadensian
church, Italy, addressed the Assembly, and were
responded to with Ills usual felicity by the Nod
orator. DIR. Crosby, OF New York.
Hen. Reverdy johnson was On the platform.
SOCIAL REUNION.
Mrs George Brown entertained the Assembly
and friends to the number of 1000, at Lenman's
Hail. last night. There was great feast OF rea-
son an flow of soul. j. q. II.