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

the necessities of the case
DIR. Woodrow said that the Assembly
at Knoxville had refused it's sanction to
unauthorized preaching. 1t is a. com
mon thing for not simply So called evan
gelists, but for theological students totally
unfit for the work of the ministry, to
preach. There can be only one kind of
preaching, and the Assembly can recog-
nize no other. If it say public official
preaching it will in effect give its con-
sent that other preaching is authorized
than that approved by the Church and
authorized in the Scriptures. 1t is of
the last degree of Importance whether
the preaching of the gospel is to be car
RED on, not by a constituted ministry,
but by good men," If this plan is to
be set up the Assembly should say so,
but so long as the Church has constitu-
ton and catechism it should stand by
them, and not by introducing a new ele-
ment into the ministry bear down the
walls and say that the Church has no
constitution.
DR.. Leyburn said that the very matter
of difficulty would be remedied by chang
ing the report so as to read inasmuch as
the public preaching of women is not sane
toned by the word of God and the stand
ards of the Church it is not to be coun-
tenanced"
Mr.. j. E. Wilson moved that the whole
matter be referred back to the committee
for further consideration.
The Rev. A. w. Clisby said the course
OF the discussion showed the great impor-
tance of adopting the report pure and
simple, The objection is raised that the
brethren do not want to have the preach
ing of theological students estopped; this
would not prevent them from exhorting.
But preaching is the public authoritative
exposition Of the Word of God, and it be-
longs to that man who has learned to
know what Gods work is. 1t should be
done only by the recognized officers of the
church set apart for this work.
The motion to recommit was lost.
Mr.. Walsh moved to lay the amend
ments on the table Carried.
DR.. Girardeau said if the Assembly
adopted the report of the committee it
would prevent the public appearance of
theological students. He thought the
matter ought to be left to the Presbyteries.
There is broad distinction between pub
lie exhortation and official preaching. He
was decidedly opposed to the restriction
of Christian effort. There should be some
limitation, and this might be fixed by the
Assembly declaring that no public or of
fetal preaching shall be done by any but
regularly ordained ministers of the
Church.
The Rev. j. NJ CLANCY thought the adj
dition of the word official" would dis
countenance the labor of those who never
could labor officially"
Dr. j. R. Wilson said the Assembly
should avoid anything like surplusage,
and the word public" in the report ap-
plies to everything that is called preach
ing. An official preacher is one on whom
the office of preaching has been laid If
an official woman preacher had been H.
censed and ordained according to the
! standards of her own church, she would
be officially authorized The word pub
lie" includes the whole matter
DIR. kirkpatrick asked whether the ad-
dition of the word "oficial" would ex-
clude woman who had been ordained
in some other church, recognized by the
Presbyterian as fraternal, for there are
other churches in correspondence with
this church who recognize women preach
ers.
DR.. Girardeau argued that the word
official" would not take away from the
theological student the right to exhort."
The Rev. Mr.. Reed said that it is, per-
haps, more necessary for young ministers
to be instructed than old ones. The ques-
ton is, whether women preaching is an
offence, and he would like the addition of
the expression that it is an offence.
The Rev. Mr.. Primrose again offered
his substitute.
Col. Waddell moved to lay the substi-
tute on the table Carried.
The Rev. Mr. Woodbridge moved to
consider the report in sections.
The motion to devide the report was
laid on the table by a vote of rs to "a.
The Rev. Mr.. Penick renewed his mo-
ton to amend by substituting the word
does" for the word seems" and the
report as thus amended was adopted
DIR. Girardeau stated that the commit
tee on the diaconate, appointed by the
last General Assembly, was not ready to
report, and asked for further time
The indulgence was granted, and the
committee continued to report at the
next meeting Of the General Assembly.
DR.. Adger, from the committee on the