The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-23
East Hanover Presbytery.
SECOND DAY

! b-ISt EaabOScT fESSDyieFys
SECOND DAY.
The PIesbytery reassembled Yesterday at
9:30 y. M.-Moderator $. X. Winn in the
chair.
The Rev. Thomas T. Jones, Rev. NJ. w.
Staples, and Elders Or. George w. Pol
lard and w. w. Henry. Esq.-nOt present
the first day-were enrolled.
The Rev. William f. Richardson, editor
OF the Central Presbyterian, was received
by certificate from Lexington Presbytery.
The Rev. J. X. Hazen, ID. D., and Rev.
J. a. WaddilI were presented to the Pres
bytery as corresponding members; and the
Rev. +. VI. Neyin, ID. d., Of New York !;
Rev. James Campbell, OF Toronto Prcsby-
terry. and he Rev. ". l.. Judkins, OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, were pre-
sented to the Presbytery as visiting
brethren.
At II \. NJ. the order Of the day for that
hOnr-the Estate OF Religion III the
churches was taken up, aud occupied
nearly all the remaining portion Of the
morning session. The reports were gene
rally encouraging, and were listened to with
marked Interest by the PIc>byiery and a
large congregation.
Written narratives were presented by
the following churches: Amelia, Ashland,
Belle Haven, Brunswick. Fredericksburg,
Holmes, Mauchester, Namozinc. Norfolk
First, Norfolk Second, NOttoway. Old
Street. Ohvet, Petersburg Second, Ports
mouth, PoWhatan, Richmond First, Rich
r0nd SECOND. pichnonG Third, Sulolt,
Sussex, and Tabb.Street Petersburgi; and
verbal reports were made i'll behalf OF tie
following: Bethany, Chester, Grace-Street
(RichmOnd), Hampton, HARDWOOD, Make
mie. Samuel Davies, and Williamsburg.
The Rev. Dr.. Brown presented the fol-
lowing important paper, which was made
the first order OF The day for this morning
The Presbytery of East Hanover bee
leave 10 transmit to the General Assembly
for such consideration as may be thought
sui able, the following representation and
overture:
|. 1t is manifest that the answer whether
il be right or WrOng-giycn by the last AS
semblv to the overture from the Prosbvtery
OF Atlanta. has been uusai,faciory to Z
large part OF our Church. 1t brings up 4
question as 20 the nature and degree of au'
thority TO be attached TO many very im-
portaut acts OF our highest indicaiOry.
Such, for example, is tbe question whether
decl.ion of the Assembly in ThpSi. as to the
meaning 0: any part Of the Constitution OF
our Church touching doctrine or discipline
has Il binding force equal 10 decision OF
the same point given in a case OF iudlcl1l
process. HIRE is a matter Of crave impor,
about which there is Il serious difference oi
oUiniOn, as may be seen from the action OF
the synod OF south Carolina and from re-
cent discussions in religious newspapers.
.. Ii is also manifest that there is ~ some
respects a very serious dillerer ce Of opinion
throughout the Church in regard TO what
are called "wor!dlv amuSementS." WHAT
is their nature? Are they under all forms
and circumstances sinful? II not, under
what conditions do they become soy What
is the relation and duty OF the Church to-
wards them 2 And what are the means
which can be most wisely and eiiectualy
used against them?
The PreStytery would represent TO the
Assembly that while at various times this
subject has found place IN its proceedings,
vet the action taken has been almost en-
tirely in the form Of brief declarations,
never in that OF instructive discussion.
This. it - agreed, must ordinarily be left 10
our pastors as a part OF their official work !;
but in reference to Il class OF subjects which
not only require very clear discrimination.
but about which there is in some respects
much Obscurity and confusion in the minds
OF many good people, may there not be
great advantage in receiving from our Yen-
erable Assembly some thoroughly conSId-
cred teaching and testimony at greater
length than wOuld be otherwise Deedlu?
It Is surely m st desirable that our beloved
Church should, in the action OF its iudlciA-
tories, b. very careful, on the one hand,
not TO weaken its rightful authority OF dis
cipline Gy iaklng any extreme, un'enable
ground which cannot be commended TO 4
reasonable conscience while. on the other
hand. il should set rs face iDteXibly against
what is wrong, and endeav0r By all lawful
influence within It's power TO stem the tide
OF evil connected with the matter here re-
ferred TO.
TO attain the end desired two things ore Of
prime necessity unity OF opinion and unity
OF aciiOn-ihe first being very conducive TO
the second. But IL IS hmentabIy true that
ai prcscnt our Church has neither. with a
view. therefore, OF securing both OF these
results. as far a. practicable, we do here re-
sDcclfully overture your venerable body TO
appoint a committee, whose duty il shall be
To take this whole subject into careful ton-
.ideratlon and make a tuIl report thereon
70 the next General Assembly.
The Presbytery took recess till 4:3O
p. VI. a.s,,ox
The churches presented the following re-
mort: statistical, on Sabbath Schools. on
Systematic BeneGeenee, and on Payment
OF Pastors Salary.
Mr. Pevton II. Hoge, member OF 'ne
second Presbyterian church, Schnon"'
wa. introduced to the PresbytSry by me
R,y. DR.. Preston IS candidate Tor t"e
ministry. After the usual eN1mi nation oh
exoerimental religion, aad bis views m N
,ceking the gospel ministry. Mr; Ho2e was was
tsken under the clre OF the Pre'DyteFy as q
eandldlte; and the Examining Comm tees .,,s
we're instructed 10 examine him on TIC
stud es of his collegiate course.
Tbe Rsy. DR.. Armstrong preachea "''
nighi. - -, No,s,lt will
preach tonight.
CASE CONTINUED the rolies Nvu,'