New-York tribune., 1873-05-21
RELIGIOUS COUNCILS.
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
IMPORTANT CHANGE IN THE FINANCIAL sYsTEM-THE
EXCURSION PRoGRAMME-THE CENTENNIAL RE-
PORT CONFIRMED.
BALTIMORE, May 20.-The General Assembly
Of the Presbyterian Church met this morning Prayer
was offered by the Rev. W. W. Brer. The Assembly
adopted the report OF the Special Committee recon-
ending that the next General Assembly convene in the
First Presbyterian Church OF ST. Louis. and that the
sessions" OF the churches Of ST. Louis be appointed
committee OF arrangements The unfinished business Of
yesterday the consideration Of the report OF the Special
Committee BenevOenee and Finance, was resumed.
The particular the report of this Special Com
mittee, Of which DIR. Backus Chairman, which has
given to such proracted discussion, is that 1t
poses radical change in the benevolent financial
system Of the Presbyterian Church heretofore practced
creating permanent central finance committee, who
shall receive all benevolent contributions aud pay out
distribute the TO the several Boards, who have
heretofore each levied and distributed them according
to the direction OF the donors proportonatey accord
ing the determined to be raised for each Board
t also proposes dispense with all paid Of
Boards.
The Secretaries OF the several Boards requested
TO give their views OF the scheme for grand central
treasury each being restricted to ten minutes. DR..
Kendall and Dr. Dickson Secretaries OF the Board OF
Home Missions; Dr. Elenwood and Dr. Lowerie; secre-
tary OF the Committee Ministerial Relief; Dr. speer
Of the Board OF Education Dr. Jacobus Of the Commit
tee on sustentation and Dr. McCeland OF the Commit
tee Freedmen, severally addressedthe Assembly.
majority OF these gentlemen decidedly opposed the pro-
posed change After the Secretaries had spoken the
subject became general, and continued almost without
intermission till noon, when a recess was taken.
During the session telegram OF fraternal greeting
was received from the Association OF United Brethren
In af Wh
manifestations OF appreciation and good Will. and the
Moderator was directed TO answer the telegram.
Dr. Smith, from the Committee OF Arrangements sub
mtted statement in regard TO the proposed excursion
10 Annapolis and also TO Washington, via the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, and the Assembly decided to visit
Annapolis where they will be received by Gov. Whyte'
and also the Naval School, Monday OF next week,
leaving by the steamer at o'clock p. M, and to visit
Washington and call upon the President Wednesday
OF next week, leaving here at noon.
After recess the discussion was resumed on benevo-
lence and finance and naly the report Of Dr. Backus,
Chairman Of the spesal Committee voted on seri-
atm, and, with a few unimpOrtant amendments, the
principal one giving the churches permission to con-
tribute through the permanent Committee on Benevo-
ence and Finance directly to the Board, was adopted
byth Assembly. motion by Dr. Bell to reconsider
the vote I'm relation TO taking part the Centennial Cee-
braton OF American Independence lost by decided
vote The Assembly then took the report relative TO
the publication OF free periodical and after lengthy
discussion the entire subject referred TO commit
tee OF ten The matter of the conflicting claims OF the
two churches at Jacksonville, Fa came up and was ex-
planned by DR.. Reynolds Resolutions were adopted d.
recting the Board Church Erection to appropriate
Al OO 10 reimburse the church Jacksonville and al
lowing the church authorities to make an appeal to the
Northern churches TO the extent OF $1,000
The business session then adjourned TIL evening
when home missions considered