The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-02
VOL. 15---NO. a..

other evidences of their excellent Judgment the
fact is signalized that they have so managed the
hnances OF the institute as to avoid contracting
deot' an example so rare in the history of similar
enterprises that it deserves to be noted The
institution already enjoys to a gratifying ex-
tent the confidence of the churches, and it is
oeheved that Its management for few wears
more with the vigor, skill, and prudence that
characterize the past of its brief existence will
not only widen and deepen that confidence but
also enlist on Its behalf the fervent sympathies
and prayers of Christian people throughout the
Southern Church
The Rev. Mr.. Martin moved that the whole
subject OF the resolutions of the committee as
tnat matter would come up in another form in
the discussion of the report of the committee on
retrenchment and reform, be postponed or dock
eted - 1''A
This motion prevailed, and the report of the
committee was accordingly docketed
On the overture from the Presbytery of
Athens. asking the Assembly to make a more
full and explicit deiverance on the subject of
dancing and worldly amusements the commit
tee on bills and overtures made the following
report
This Assembly declines attempting any such
deliverance-
lst Because the deliverances of former Assem-
olles on this subject are full and specific as
the nature of the case allows
I'd. Because the evils referred to are to be met
not by resort to deverances of the Assembly
but rather by care on the part of the courts of
original jurisdiction
The report of the committee was adopted
The following overture then came up from the
synod OF South Carolina on the report of the
committee on bills and overtures
The Synod of South Carolina hereby over
lures the General Assembly, respectfully pray
ing that 1t will consider and repeal, or at least
seriously modify, so much of the deliverance of
the late Assembly, at Louisville, in relation to
worldly Amusements, as declares that all de-
liverances of the General Assembly and bv
necessary implication, of the other courts of the
church, which are not made by them in a strictly
Judicial capacity, but are deliverances in the$i
can be considered as only didactic, advisory and
monltory printed Minutes 1879, p. pa The
Synod admits
l. That the General Assembly cannot add to
the Constitution or make any constitutional
rule.
2 That it has no power to commence process
against individuals
3. That in the exercise of the constitutional
power of review and control it can roach dlrectLv
only the court below, and the other courts only
DlediGteLy through it,
4. That it is precluded from deliverances IN
thesl which may prejudice judicial case likely
to come before it
o. That some deliverances of the Assembly
and OF the other courts of the church are only
ADVISORY, recommendatory and monitory
SAID delIverance as has been herein specified
is asked on the following grounds:
i: because 1t makes judicial decisions as~con-
tradlstlngulshed from didactc decisions some
thing different from and more than didactic.
which is the same thing as to make them diff
1erent from and more than declarative de-
cislons, and so the constitution is contradicte5
which represents all church power as simply
ministerial and declarative. There is it is
conceded difference between judicial and de-
lucrative decisions growing out of the different
circumstances which condition them hut to
make distinctionbetween judicial and didactic
decisions is to assign the judicial something more
than declarative enforcement upon the con
science of the law of God Either it is held that
dldactc and judicial decisions are the same or
1t is held that they different. If it be held
that they are the same, the deduction in tbis
deliverance is utterly illogical. and OUGHT TO he
corrected. If it be held that they are different
we athrm the unconstitutionalitv of the discrini-
nation
2. Because it reduces the General Assembly
and the other courts of our Church so far az
they are deiiberative bodies to the stains of
CongregatiOnalst Associations, possessed ONLY of
advisory powers, Is contrary to the genius of the
fres0yterlan system and the historic doctrine of
our Church as to the binding force of such de-
IMPERATIVE decisions as are expository of con
sTtutlonai 81 law, and tends to degrade the au-
thorlty and lessen the influence of the Assembly
3. Because said deliverance takes awav The
| Key OF doctrine from the General Assembly and
the other courts of the Church, and retains in
their hands the key of discipline alone
r. Because 1t contravenes the great principle
laid down in the Confession Of Faith conse-
Grated by the blood of our martyred ancestors
and until now well nigh universally recognized
among US that good and necessary consea9ences
i from the doctrines and precepts of the Divine
Word, or from the Constitution of our Church
are OF equal authority with the Word and the
constitution and when declared by the church
court IN any capacity, whether judicial or DELHI
eratiye, must bind the conscience and can no
more be regarded as simply advisory and moni.
tory than are the Word itself and our Consfitu-
ton They have legal authority because thew
are law. 9J
.. Because it opposes the doctrine of our stand.
ards, long practically acted on in our Church
mat the church courts are appointed bv Christ
10 be authoritative expounders of His law con-
tanned IN the Scriptures, and az we believe re-
nected on our constitution. 1t is admitted that
they have no original power TO make law but
they can declare it and it cannot. consistently
with our standards, be held that the only Office
OF exposition by which the courts ninisieriall,,
declare Christs law is discharged by them when
sitting In a strictly judicial capacity. But IF
the courts act by Christ's appointment when
they, In their deliberative ca6acitv soIaronI,-
declare His law, they are entitled in tbe a.:
charge OF that function, not only to be respected