The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-02

Deacons demit their Offices ?-Dele-
gates to the Presbyterian Alliance.
Pursuant to adjournment the Presbyterian
General Assembly met at half past 9 o'clock
Tuesday morning and was opened with devo-
tional exercises conducted by the Rev. Jahleel
Woodbridge, of Mississippi.
The report from the committee on Synodical
reports on the records of the Synod of Texas
was read and adopted with amendments.
The report of the committee on the records OF
the Synod of South Carolina was read and
adopted.
The Rev. Jahleel Woodbridge asked to amend
the action of the General Assembly yesterday
on the subject of women preaching, or that an
explanatory resolution declaring that the As
sembly had not gone into long discussion OF
this subject be passed and published. He thought
the Assembly had been placed in false posi-
ton, and he wanted the world to understand its
true position upon question now creating such
great agitation in the Christian Church. He
did not think there was a man in the Assembly
who believed that women had the right to
preach, and he was unwilling for the impression
to go abroad that the Assembly had gone into
the discussion of subject already so clearly
defined and so definitely settled. He therefore
introduced the following resolution:
Inasmuch as on motion for the adoption of
the committee of bills and overtures on an over
ture, No. 8, respecting the public preaching of
women, long discussion occurred, on a collate-
raj issue, which discussion may be misunder-
stood as referring to said preaching of women. it
is distinctly affirmed that on that subject there
is no difference of opinion in the Assembly, it
being unanimously forbidden and condemned
The Rev. A. W. Clisby moved to reconsider
the overture on women preaching.
Mr.. l.. b. Johnston wanted to know whether
such a motion could be entertained.
Mr.. Clsby supposed his brother, the Rev. Mr..
Woodbridge wanted to append his resolution
to the report of the committee as kind of ex-
planatory clause
Mr.. j. M. Kirkpatrick thought the matter
ought to come up and be settled
Mr.: Morris hoped the motion to reconsider
would not prevail.
Mr.. Inglis thought perhaps it would be better
to adopt preamble to the report as passed
The motion to reconsider was lost
The following dispatch from the General As
sembly of the Northern Presbyterian Assembly
was received:
MADISON, Wis, May "a, 1880
The General assembly of the Presbyterian
Church IN Session at Charleston.
The General Assembly in session at Madison.
Wisconsin, extend fraternal salutation to the
General Assembly at Charleston, South Caro-
lima, and prays that grace, mercy, and peace
from God and Father, the our Lord Jesus
Christ may be multiplied abundantly to all its
members.
u. WILLIAM M. PAXTON, Moderator.
On motion of DIR. Wilson the dispatch was re-
terred to the committee on Foreign Correspond
ence for Immediate answer, after they have re-
ported to the General Assembly.
The committee on Overtures reported favor
ably on the records of the Synod of Memphis.
Adopted
The committee also reported favorably on
the records of the Synod of Missouri Adopted
The special order of the day for 10 o'clock
m ha of
new Directory of Worship
The Rev: Mr.. CLANCY thought the recommen-
datlon OF the committee revision to recon
init the report to the same committee for fur
ther action was very wise, and moved that the
resolution be adopted and the committee EN-
powered to take charge of the whole matter.
The Rev. j. ID. West thought it was of the
greatest importance to have the revised Direc-
tory published and circulated among the minis
ters for their information and instruction.
The Moderator said it was in accordance with
parliamentary usage to print the reports of all
committees
Mr.. D. c. Collins, of Kentucky, moved the toll
lowing substitute:
ResotUed, That the report of the committee on
the revision of the Directory of Worship be ac-
cepted and recommitted to the same committee
with permission to have sufficient number of
copies printed at the expense of the General AS
sembly, and copy of the same be forwarded To
odOi minister OF JnlS church and two copies to
each session also two copies to each stated clerk
OF Presbyteries, with request that the same be
critically examined by each Presbyterv. and the
result OF such examination and criticism be for
warded to the chairman of said committee on re.
vision for their use in making a report to the
next General Assembly.
DIR. Woodrow said he had no objection IN tho
substitute, but was of opinion that the resolu
ton OF the committee covered the whole pronnd
Mr. Collins did not want the report to 90 down
with the authority of the Assembly. but To he
printed and referred to the committee. The re-
ference to the committee should be direct.
, Dr. Woodrow moved that the consideration of
the substitute be postponed. Carried
On the overture from the Presbvterv of Flor
ida, sentup through the SYNOD of fGeorGia osLino,
an answer to the following question "Can tbS
office OF ruling elder or deacon as tbet oS y
minister be demitted2" "
Inc committee report: First, that the word
deinit does not occur in our standards. and its
use produces confusion minister of tbe cos
PEI cannot demit his office; he can be diveste3 n
q, ms ONCE only by act of Presbytery. Second
the rules for divesting a minister Of his Office
Wlthout censure do not, in all cases applv to the
ruling elder and deacon. For instance fbon
vision OF Rules of Discipline, CHAPTER 3 Section
., mas application only TO a minister of the COS
PEI, ana the provisions of Form of Government
ChaaPter 6 Section 3 A. and 6, and Rules of Dis
ciPilne' chapter 3 Sections and 10. while an
plying to the elder and deacon, are expressly
restricted to the case where the officer is nnac
ceptable to the church
The Ke,v Fl. r. Raymond said it was the de-