The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-31
THE TABERNACLE COUNCIL.
CLOSING HOURS OF THw PREsBYrB-
RIAN GENERAL AsHEMBLY.

CLOSING HOURS OF THw PREsBYTB-
RIAN GENERAL AssEMBLY.
Discussing the Division Of synods and Presby-
tcrics-Dr. Edwards Asking for Forms Of
Posturins-Brother Briefs Cow story.
Although no announcement had been
made to that effect, there was an impression
among the delegates to the General Assembly
Of he Presbyterian Church yesterday that their
labors, by little additional vRor, might be con-
Guided In the course OF the day, and q final ad-
journment arrived at In the evening. There was
somewhat larger attendance than usual. and
the desire to debate protracedly upon every
question that arose was not SO marked as here
toforo.
The Finance Committee reported favorablv on
the accounts OF the truatees OF the Presbyterian
Home, and overtures were submitted from the
Presbytsries Of PittsburRh, Allegheny and Red
stone praying the General Assembly to reiterats
its former dshverances on the observance Of
the sanctlty Of the Sabbath, aud recommend all
synods and Presbyteres to use the word Sab
bath instead Of "Sunday"
The committee appointed to consider the
overture from Lincoln University, asking that
the rules OF the church relating to the licensing
II coIored candidates for the ministry should
be modified, reported that the General Assem-
blv could not change church rules. but recon-
mended that Presbyterira should use tn air own
discretion In licensing such candid stes. The
resOlu lon to appropriate 500 TO the Los VeeOe
New Mexico, Church was reaiur'ned. and the
for Ministerial assurances recommended that II
be distegarded, the objects aimed at by the
memorialists ooing OF no Importance.
A committee Of seven was appointed to CON-
sider the question Of represe ntation, and report
at the next General Assembly, with Instructions
to print the plan they proposed to adopt at least
two months before the Assembly cOnvenee next
year, So as to enable the various Presbyteries to
consider the project and vote intelhgoHtly upon
". 1here was some discussion upon this ques-
ton, the deere OF the Assembly being evidently
70 reduce the number Of deicga es. The Rev.
william Wallace pritr of San jose said threats
had been IN de IN the Assembly and through
the newspapers that, under certain circum-
stances, the fund for defruyins the expenses OF
the delegates would be withdrawp. He wished
u to be understood that the Presbyterles OF the
Test would oe represented IN the Assembly, no
matter what obstacles baa to to he encountered,
and even II II became necessary for the dele
gates to pay their own expenses.
oHANoISo SYMBOLS AND PREsBYrERIEs.
Much laughter was excited by the prsse nta-
tionof an overture from hatoon, asking for the
abolition Of synods. he committee appointed
to consider the question reported that IL would
be unAdvisabie to take any action.
An overture from the Presbytery OF Oregon
was presented, praying the General Assent by to
divide the Presbytery into three, under the name
Of the Synod Of the Columbia. There was
against forming any new Presbyteries, and the
Rev. Dr. Aaron l.. Lindsey made an earnest
speech In favor OF the overture. The Presby-
tery, OF Oregon was, he sa'd, the largest in the
world. and n. future prosperity depended upon
Us being divided II the Assembly hssit ted to
grant the plea on the ground that IL would In
| crease the number OF delegates, the new Syond
would consent TO be b.nished from its councils
for nve years. The Committee On Church Polity
recommended that the request OF the Presby-
| terv Of Oregon be granted, aud several speeches
| were maze for and against tue adoption OF the
report. The argument IN favor OF a division was
chiefly that the immense extent of the preset ut
Presoytery OF Oregon rendered II impossible to
Il IN
The overture was at length sdopted, and DIR.
Lindsey exclaimed, hank you; gentlemen,
laughed and applandsd.
The Rev. DR.. Jonathan Ed wards wanted some
recognized Presbyterian form OF posturing. All
| other denominations had uniformity IN these
particulars. but the presbvterians had uonv.
upon the music aud said Let US rise aud sing
and the consregation rose. The Methodist sid,
Let us kneel and pray," and the worshippers
all dropped upon their knees but the Pres yte
rams knelt, or stood or sat, as they chose. Their
books gave no explicit directions, and so little
did they know about them that, within \ few
miles OF Cincinnati. he md been asked whether
he required a Boe and hymn book to cele-
brate the marriage ceremony.
THE ONE DIRECTION.
There was nothing at all about the conduct Of
funerals. except In the digest. II was direct
ed. plainly enough. that persons we're not 60 get
drunk on such occasions. rue speaker did not
care what particular posturing or tormslItiss
were adopted. but be thought the PRESBYTERIAN
commi,,es on Church Poity had rspoiied ia
favor OF revising the directory OF church vyor-
ship, and he hoped the Assembly would adopt
| their report.
The morning session terminated before DIR.
| Edwards had closed hts address. and before
recess Il was resolved that the Assembly should
ad lourn finally to-day.
Or. Prime rscommen ded a slight correction In
| the phraseolnRv OF the resolution adonted 10y
| the Assembly on Monday TO make II In all re-
| spects similar TO that adopted by thu Assembly
Northern" Tor "Southern'J. The motion was
carried, and the correction made. ana ar er re-
cess DIR. Prime announced. amid great applause.
that he had sscsrtained, few minutes pre-
| viOusly, In a telegram from Savannah, that Il
was the only thing necessary to make the pre-
| hninary ARRANGEMENTS for n resumption of fra
| ternI relations between the Presbyterian
| churches North and South complete.
| The discussion on the revissi of the directory
| Of church worship was resumed, and after "A
bret debate " was resolved, bv small ajority,
| to lay - q whole matter upon the table,
CONTRIBUTION STORY.
There was an UNEXPECTEDLY long discussion
| upon the contributions Of churches to the va
| rious boards. IL was argued that many congre-
! atoms were too Door to pay even the insignIn-
cant sums demanded OF them, but the Rev. Mr..
william Walltoe bner Thought all could con-
a COW oil the guarantee OF the seller that II
would give two gallons OF mlk morning and
evening He found that IT gave him three gal
| Ions at each milking, but "a he onlv vented two
gallons, he never took any more, houing 10 save
up the remainder for such time as he required
IT, Under this ingenious mode II treatment the
| COW soon failed to give even the two gal ons he
had bargained for, and the gentleman COM
| planned tnaL ne ndu Uteu sNlnuled. MT. Bfier
| applied this illustration 20 the question under
discussion, and warned the Assembly that Il
had better DIR W all the contributions from the
churches that they were pre- pared to give.
| The Assembly refused to approve the addition
| OF a special column in the statistical report for
| the contributions OF women, as recomm ended
| In an overture from the Presbytery OF Rochester
a. In ne evening the delegates, by invitation Of
| the Union Ferry Company, sailed around Black
| wells Island IN the steamboat Farragut.
"
Whipping School Boy In Texas.