The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
General Assembly.
Nesp Orleans, Nav "a. 1877.
SEVENTH DAY.

The report of the committee on the Book
of Church Order, Rev. DR.. Armstrong, chair.
man, was presented on Thursday, as briefly
stated in our last paper.
The report submitted two plans for the re-
vision of the Book, recommending the one
leaving the matter to the action of the Pres
byteries, The report suggested that seven
articles in the Book be referred to the Pres
byteries.
The points to be voted upon by the Pres
byteries are:
1. Chapter V, section 4, article ii, Form
of Government restricting the right to vote
in Presbytery in certain cases.
2. Chapter V, section s, on ecclesiastical
commissions.
8. Chapter vi, section 3, article iv, on
election of pastors.
With this point the committee recommend
ed the following propositions to be sent:
1. This article as it stands in the Revised
Book of Church Order, printed at Richmond
in 1876.
2. The article as adopted by the General
Assembly at Memphis, viz: "A All communi-
eating members of the church in good and
regular standing, but no others, are entitled
TO vote in the election of church officers, in
the churches TO which they are respectfully
attached. In the election of pastor, when
a majority Of the electors cast their votes for
a candidate, he shall be considered elected :;
but separate vote may also be taken of the
nOn-oommunieating adult members of the
church, who are in regular attendance on the
common ordinances in that congregation, and
all other persons who regularly contribute to
the support of the pastor, in order to be laid
before the Presbytery as representation of
their desires in the premises.
3. "Al communicating members of the
church in good and regular standing, but no
others are entitled to vote in the election of
pastors, ruling elders and dsaeons; and when
InalQEAky "a Slle~ ~1la1keIs -saAsAS-seSSs
persons for either of these Offices, be shall be
considered elected"
Discussion followed on this subject, Rev.
DR.. Adger and Lieut.. Gov. Marye being the
principal speakers.
The motion to strike out the first PROPOSE
ton, and send for their action to the Presby-
teries only the second and third points, was
put and lost, and the other points, which are
as follows, we're adopted.
4. Chapter ~, section 4, article v-"The
examination rule, viz: ministers seeking
admission to a Presbytery are to be exam
ined on experimental religion and also as
touching their views in theology and church
government"
s. Chapter XII, article - Book of Disci-
phne. Judgment without process"
8. Chapter XII, article 2. Book of Disci-
pline. Transfer in certain circumstances
of a member from the class of eommunicat-
ing members to that of non. communicate"
7. Chapter XIV, article 8. Book of Disci-
pline. "Demlssion of the ministry"
Amendments to the Revised Book of Church
Order were then read, the amendments hav-
ing been suggested to the committee by the
Presbyteries.
After debate the substitute for the resolu.
ton of the committee was adopted, to wit:
Resolved, That the Revised Book, as
amended by this Assembly, be referred to
committee Of five to revise the language and
style of the same, in the light of the criticism
upon these points sent up to this Assembly
by the Presbyteries, and publish the same
and send it down for the action of the Pres
byteries."
The report was reeommitted on DR.. Arm
strong's motion, so that an overture to the
Presbyteries could be prepared, giving them
notice of the Assembly's action.
Committee on Correspondence then report
ed through its chairman, Rev. DR.. Adger,
who submitted resolution to discontinue
deputations to sll churches with whom the
Assembly is in correspondence, except the
Reformed Church, with which the Assembly
.sN s4ns liar relations, and that a committee
ted to conduct correspondence with
ygdies by letter.
EVENING SESSION.
The report of the Standing Committee on
Publication closed with the following resOlu-
tious:
L The Assembly expresses its sympathy
with the Committee in the embarrassing cir
cumstsuces through which it has passed; ap-
proves its action IN maintaining the honor
and purity of our beloved Church, by Offering
to pay the liabilities incurred by the late
Secretary, and commends its fidelity and
zeal in obtaining money to pay these losses.
2. That the Executive Committee be In
strucsed to carry on the sale as well as the
publishing of books by contract, if it be found
practicable to effect such contract.
3. That the Committee be instructed to
dispose of the Publishing House as soon as
this can be done without unnecessary sscri-
fee of value, unless means are raised within
a reasonable time to hquidate the debt now
resting upon it.
4. That the Earnest Worker shall here.
after be published monthly and devoted ex-
clusively to the exposition of Scripture les
sons and other subjects prOmotive of Sabbath
School work. The Children's Friend is COM
mended to the more liberal patronage of our
Sabbath Schools.
5. The restrictions as to the terms on
which the publications Of the Committee are
sold are hereby removed, and the whole sub