Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-03
PRESBYTERIAN General Assemblies.

ST.. LOUIS, June In the Presbyterian
General Assembly to-day resolution was
adopted expressing regret for the great evil Of
intemperance, and urging unity of action against
it, but not pretending to be the expression OF
the opinion of the Assembly.
The Woman Question" then came up as
the special order of business. DR.. Richardson
presented the report of the special committee
TO which the matter was referred, Which de-
clares that literal Interpretation OF the preVl-
Gus delverance of the General Assembly on
the subject denied the right Of women to
preach, pray aud exhort in public or in promis-
cuous assemblages. Each assembly, however,
had the right to order its Own proceedings, and
might, therefore, decide in reference to this
subject whether it would or would not permit a
deviation from the action of the former assem-
blies CD this question.
Dr. Crosby explained that the question came
up on an overture, and was, "Are We to under
as forbiddiDg women to speak or pray at rcgu-
lar weekly prayer meetings?" The answer of
the committee was, Yes, except in special
emergencies, to be decided by the pastor or the
session."
DR.. Poor and DR.. Nelson opposed the idea
that the Assembly in its deliverance was doing
anything more than expressing an opinion tor
the future approval OF disapprobatiun of the
presbyterles.
DR.. Robert Aikman offered as substitute a
resolution that the Assembly expresses no
opinion as to the spiritual view of woman 5
right to speak or pray in special prayer meet
ings, and commits the whole subject to the
discretion of the pastors and elders of the
churches.
The previous question was called. and a mo.
ton to recommt was lost by large majority.
Dr. Aikman's substitute was then adopted
by a vote of 2ll to "a.
The committee appointed at the last General
Assembly to consider the appointment of a new
and foa court of appeals, reported in favor of
a court of eighteen, composed of nine ministers
and nine ruling elders who shall hear and de-
eide all questions except OF. doctrine. A paper,
protesting against such a court, was received
from the Synod of Buffalo. Both the report
and the remoustrance were laid over for anoth-
er year.
At last evenings session the report of the
committee on the Office of ruling elders was
presented, and after amendment adopted. 1t
provides that any church, by vote of the MEM
bers in full communication, may elect ruling
elders for limited time, provided that the
time be not less than three years, and the SEES
sion be made to consist OF three classes, one OF
which only shall be elected every year, and pro-
vided that the elders once ordained shall not be
Invested of Office though they are not elected
1t also provides that ruling elders cannot sit
and vote with acting elders in cases of actual
process judically.
In the AFTERNOON session to-day DR.. William
J.. Breckenridge, OF the committee appointed
to consider the expediency of committee from
this Assembly comforting with the Southern
Assembly, reported that owing to the action Of
that Assembly nothing remained to be done.
The committee was discharged.
The Assembly has decided to adjourn We'd
uesday evening.
PHILADELPHIA, June 2.-The Reformed
Presbyterian Synod reassembled to day, hold
ing two sessions. The report Of the Commit
tee Oh Terms of Communion, presented yester-
day, was taken up and discussed at great
length, and resumed at the afternoon session
without definite action.