The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-29


WORLDLY AMUsEMENTs.
rfondeused from tia Charif ston Is. CO. News aud
Courier, 27th.l
The sixth days session OF the General
Assembly OF the Presbyterian Church In
the limited States was opened at halt-past 0
O'Clock yesterday morning with devotional
exercises conducted by the Moderator ana
the Rev. Mr.. Penick.
DIR. Kirkpatrick, Of the Committee on
Theological Seminarcs, reported that they
found nothing IN the condition OF the
Union Theological Seminary calling Tor
special action. The committee recommend
the adoption OF the following minute:
The General Assembly acknowledges the
courtesy OF the trustees In laying their re-
,rt before the body, and heartily unites IN
the tribute OF thanksgiving TO the Great
Head OF the Church for His continued IA
yor 10 the beloved institution over which
they preside.
The report was adopted.
DANCING AND WORLDLY ADJUSTMENTS.
On the overture from the Presbytery OF
Athens, asking the Assembly TO make a
more full and explicit deliverance on the
subject Of dancing and worldly amusements,
the Committee on Bills and Overtures made
the following report:
This Assembly declines attempting any
such deliverance-
1. Because The deliverances OF former
assemblies on this subject are as full and
specific as the nature OF the case allows.
9. Because the evils referred TO are 10 DE
met, not by resort to deliverances OF the AS.
sembly, but rather by care on the part VI
the courts OF original jurisdiction.
Ia mil no &c
ed. The following overture then came up
from the Synod Of South Carolina on the
report OF the Committee on Bills and Over
tues:
The SYNOD Of South Carolina hereby over
lures the General Assembly, respectfully
pra, ing that ii will consider and repeal, or
at least seriously modify, so much OF the
deliyerance OF the late Assembly at Louis
vile in relation to worldly amusements as
declares that all deiveraEces OF the General
Assembly and by necessary implcation) OF
the other courts OF the Church, which are
not made by them in q strictly judicial ca
pacity. but are deiverances in MeSi, can be
considered as only didactic, advisory, ana
monitory. printed Minutes, 1879, p. ~
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
To this overture the Committee on Bills
This Assembly nterprets the language
complained of in the overture rs by no
means declaring that all deliverances in
Mesi uttered by a General Assembly are to
be considered as merely "didactic, adyi-
sory, aud monitory," but only as assuming
that when any in hesi deliverance bears
upon the law OF offences and the admins.
trati0n OF discipline ii is not to be regarded
as furnishing a sufficient ground for judi.
eial process by the court OF original iuris-
diction, which has the power OF interpret
ing for itself the law Of offences as laid
down i'm the Constitution of the Church.
9. This Assembly therefore declines to
repeal or modify the deliverance referred
TO, as thus interpreted, OF the last Assem-
bly,.
Il minority report was offered 10y the
Rev. l.. ii. Blanton, of Kentucky. Mr..
Blanton said that nothing but the convic-
ton that the wording Of the majority re-
port is misleading, and the report itself
fails to present the real issue before the As
sembly would compel him to present his
minority report.
DISCUSSION.
DIR. Girardeau asked the chairman of the
committee the exact meaning of the first
part of the report-f he meant to say all
deliverances Of Church courts were simply
didaciic. advisory, and montory.
DR.. Wilson said that the committee had
simply gone into an Interpretation OF the
answer of the last General assembly.
The Rev. Mr. Penick. in order to bring
the matter properly before the Assembly,
moved the adoption Of the majority report.
The Rev. S. NJ. NeeI rose to oppose the
adoption Of the majority report, and to ia
vor the acceptance Of the minority report.
He would not enter into the argument, but
believed the minority report brought the
matter most clearly before the Assembly.
1t reaflirms the sction Of the Assembly of
1879. and makes clear and simple issue OF
the matter. The speaker, therefore, moved
that the minority be substituted for the ma
iority report.
The Rev. Mr.. Penick asked for a particu-
lar case in theSi in which the deliverances
OF the Church courts can be other than adj
visory, didactic, and monitory.
DR.. Wilson then made very clear eXpla-
nation OF the reasons leading the committee
to the conclusions contained in the MAORI
ty. 1t was matter of simple interpreta-
ton of The action of the Assembly, differ
ing from the language of the overture from
the Synod Of south Carolina, and does not
need any explanation, modification, or in
The Rev. S. T.. Leeper said that the Synod
Of South Carolina does not care in what
form the answer Is reached.
DR.. Girardea u consumed nearly two
hours in the deli very OF his speech, which
was one OF the mt 'st powerful efforts OF his
life. DR.. Woodro W will follow in reply
his morning, and Dr.. Wilson on the same
tide.
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.
On motion OF the / 'ev. A. w. Clisby the
General Assembly will hereafter devote IT,
cen minutes to deyotk NAL exercises before
he hour of adjournmea 1t every day.
The Rev, Mr.. Penick offered the report OF
he Committee on the Ma rrative, which was
dopted.
PUBLICATION N oUsE.
DR.. Leyburn submitted I he report OF the
Committee on Publication, which was made
he special order OF the day for half'past 10
'clock this morning. UnG r the manage
neDt OF the present secretary ana treasurer,
Or. Hazen, the debt OF the pull fishing house
las been reduced to less T. han $4,000.
Three years ago the debt amour 'ted to about
5000, and 1t is hoped in sho ri time, and
With the increasing prosperity O. the coun-
ry, the debt will soon be altoga her wiped
ut.
Personal.
Rev. G. II. Rout. Of Kentuo Ky, was
ecte1 TO represent the Assembly in the
General Synod OF the Reformed ca urch in
America. with the Rev. DR.. The, 'dorck
'ryor, OF Virginia, as alternate.
The Assembly then engaged in devo-
iona exercises, and after prayer Ii, v the
Rev. DR.. Scott, took recess IN, I'll 8
o'clock.
MEETING FOR HOME MISSIONS.
o o,olooI- tbo .x