The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-09

minority report and DIR. Woodrow offer
ed the following substitute, which was
promptly seconded by DIR. Girardeau.
The Assembly met in Charleston. IN
virtue of its power to give authoritative
interpretations of the Word declares, :,
l. That nothing is law to be enforced
by judicial prosecution, but that which is
contained in the Word as interpreted In
our standards.
Q. The judicial decisions of our courts
differ from their IN theSi deliverances In
that the former determine, and when pro-
ceeding from our highest court corecletde,
a particular case; but both these kinds OF
decisions are alike interpretations OF the
Word by church constitution, and both
not only deserve high consideration but
must be submitted to, unless contrary to
the constitution and the Word, of which
there is a right of private judgment be-
longing to every Church Court and also
every Individual church member.
Mr.. Collins congratulated the Assembly
that the discussion had reached so happy
a conclusion.
DR.. Joseph R. Wilson, chairman of the
committee on bills and overtures which
brought in the majority report discussed
objected to the substitute, on the ground
that it does not answer the overtures from
the Synod of South Carolina; the only
direct answer to the specific question
proposed by the Synod is that contained
in the majority report of the committee
on bills and overtures; that this answer
replies to the overtures by recognizing
and SIGNALLING the fact that there are
deliverances IN thesi that are more than
didactic and advisory He said that
the substitute was good enough paper
but it does not answer the Synod or say
anything every one does not already
know.
The Rev Mr. Reed did not believe in
making any compromise upon the subject
in dispute, and wanted clear and en-
phatic answer to the overture from the
Synod
DIR. kirkpatrick moved the question,
and the vote was taken on the substitute,
which was adopted
DR.. Leyburn moved to take up the i'm
mediate consideration of all that part of
the report of the committee on Domestic
Missions relating to the removal of the
Office of Home Missions from Baltimore to
st. Louis. This motion passed, and the
subject was taken up.
DR.. Leyburn then moved that the re-
commentator of the removal be refused.
In support of his motion he said that
the operations of the committee were
never more prosperous, and that the la
bors of the past year were rewarded with
a greater degree Of success than ever be-
fore In the life of the Church.
The Rev. Mr.. Martin made very
earnest appeal for the removal of the Of
fee, because the request comes from those
Presbyteries acting without concert but for
good of the Church. The expense of the
transfer will be not much more than the
simple cost of transportation Office rent
will be as cheap in st. Louis as in BaIti-
more; living will be lower; st. Louis is
more convenient to the field of missionary
labor which it commands in. every way.
Mr.. Collins moved that, Dr.. Scott be
officially informed that. the General AS
sembly meant no discourtesy to him in
moving to the Glebe Street church Tues
day night, notwithstanding a preaching
appointment before the Assembly had
previously been made for him.
DR.. Scott said he was satisfied with
the action of the body.
In order to prevent any further misun-
derstandlng Or. woodrow moved that the
majority report Of the committee on bills
and overtures relative to the IN thesi de-
iverances of Church Courts, as amended
BY the Woodrow substitute, be adopted by
the General Assembly. Adopted.
The Evening Session.
The Assembly re-convened at halfpast
o'clock. The report on systematic be-
nevolence was adopted
On motion of the Rev. L. II. Blanton.
and for the best interest of the Church
the selection of Covington, Ky, for the
next meeting of the Assembly was chosen
by reclamation for the next place of NEE
ting.
DR.. Woodrow, from the judicial com
mittee, reported on the case of the Rev.
j. b. White, of Chester, recommending
that he be reinstated in the rights wbicR
he had at the beginning of the last AS
sembly, and that he be heard.
The discussion on the removal of the
Home Mission headquarters to ST. Louis
then came up, and was. opened by Mr..
Morris, who objected to the transfer on
account Of the increased expense it would
involve. The argument that st. Louis is
central point should have no weight in
settling the matter