Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-05-27
The General Assembly Of the
Presbyterian Church at
Charleston, S, &,

O., May goth, 1880, at IL A. NJ. This AS
sembly embraces tho States of Maryland,
kentucky aud Missouri and all States South
of them. 1t contains IL Synods, 60 Presbyr
teries, about 200 ministers, 1000 churches
and lit 900 members. Tho delegates to tho
Assembly are elected by tho Presbyteries,
each being allowed to scnd ono minister and
ono elder, whilst several which arc very
large arc entitled to two ministers and two
elders This givos each Assembly mem
borship of about $50 delegates, and of theso
there wero present ITO tho first day and tho
othors came aftorward. Tho most prominent
members of tho present Assembly arc DR.. j.
l.. Girardcau, of Columbia, Dr.. j. T.. Kirk.
patrick. Of Virginia, DR.. James Woodrow, of
Columbia, DR.. Thos. A. IIoyt, Of Nashville,
Drs. J. D. Burkhcad and j. S. Moore, of
Texas, DR.. James II. Wilson, of Wilmington,
and DR.. A. ". Clisby, of Macon. Among
tho delegates are two "full-bloodcd" Choc-
taw lndians, who represent tho Indian Pres.
bytery, which has about 1000 church mem,
bers gathered in By missionaries. Rev. Allen
Wright, the minister, is n native missionary
to tho Choctaws and graduated at Union
College and Union Seminary, New York, and
preached in the Presbyterian Church tho
second night during the session Of the Assem-.
bly,. The youngest member Of the Assembly is
tho pastor of the Presbyterian Church at
Walhalln.
The opening sermon was preached by Rev.
Joseph II. Wilson, D. D, the retiring Mode.
rator, on the text, 20 Lord, besccch thee,
sond now rosperty"-rsalms 1885. Ills
subject was truo church prosperity. Tho
prayer Of the text is tho ut.efancc Of The
church for prosperity. But this prosperity
was not to como by miracle or chance. Tho
voice of prayer must rise to claim it. The
hand OF faith mus, open to receive it.
|. What this prosperity is not. Not
automatic expansion, where mechanism takes
the place Of life. Not extent OF territory
graspcI by II raralizcd hand, for the primitive
churches possessed almost tho entire civilized
world. Not the breadth Of snowy foliago,
which Mt tho same tine fails of tho fruitago
of saving truth. Not growing numbers, who
volunteer willingly and couragcousy but
turn their backs in every battle where prin.
ciplo and true interests of tho church arc
involved, for quality is moro potential than
fNe't'J' ASoi 10 NcultIy CuuTCn nCCCSS1f
rily prosperous church.
II. What it is. l. Tho purpose and effort
to maintain sound we'll defined, evangelical
doctrine. 2. Unity, sympathy and co opera
ton of all its integral parts. g. FREQ and
steady outgrowth exhibited in propagating
spread.
The want of space prevents moro full
outline of this able sermon, truly able in the
marvellous simplicity Of its language, depth
OF thought, breadth and fertility of its IDEAS
The fret item of business was the election
of Moderator. Drs. james Woodrow and
Thomas A. lioyt wcrc put in nomination.
which resulted in the election of DR.. IIovt by
small majority. DR.. i. NJ. Green. Of Pan
vile, Kentucky, was elected Assistant Clerk
This closed the first days proceedings.
The second was occupied entirely in read
ing lhc reports of the executive committees
Of education, foreign missions, home
missions, publication. tho appeal of
Rev. j. F.. White, the letter of fratcrnal
greeting tDr. w. b. Barry firm the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, body
about tho size Of the Southern Presbyterian
Church, reports of Union Theological Semi
nary and Tuscaloosa Colorcd Theological
Seminary and q numbcrless array of bills
and ovcrtures. Then followed tho appoint
ment by the Moderator Of tho various stand
ing committees on tho foregoing and other
subjects, These committees in their reports
prepare the business Tor the action Of the
Assembly
Tho third day, like tho preceding, was
wholly occupied in reading the reports of the
Trustees Of tho General Assembly, reports of
committee on rctrcnchment, both majority
aud minority, which were exceedingly able
in comprehonsivenoss md thought; report of
committee on the Sabbath and Of the Colnm.
bin Theological Seminary.
The Assembly then adjourned in order to
give tho various committees timo to prepare
their reports for the Asscmbly's action.
These committees arc very largo and hold
meetings in which speeches are made and
votes taken, as if they were tho body taking
final action on tho matter occupying its
attention. After thorough discussion report
is prepared for the Assemby's consideration.
If all the committees cannot agree to tho
report, tho dissenting ones may submit
another to tho Assembly, called tho minority
report. Tho Assembly may adopt either, or
after discussion may adopt something entirely
different.
All tho various committees have been at
work since their appointment, and will be
ready to report by Monday, when tho work of
tho Assembly will begin in earnest. The
first few days aro always epent in mapping