The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-26
The General Assembly

| FORM
On Thursday morning last, the General A.
sembly of the Presbyterian church in th
United States, brief sketch of which wa
given in our last issue, convened in the Pre-
byterian church Of this city. The attendant
was large, the first days session commencin
with a representation of sixty six minister
and fifty-eight ruling elders.
1t was fine looking body of men, and, l
gancing over it, the observer could not fail t
note the strong individuality and mental fore
with which many of the faces were marked
Among them were theologians distingulshe
alike for their piety and intellectuallty-me
who haye grown gray in the service of thei
Master. The venerable Dr. Pryor was there
and about him were Dr. Palmer, of Louisian;
DR.. Girardeau of South Carolina, DR.. Dabne
of the Theological Seminary, DR.. Lefevre, c
Maryland, Dr. Hoyt of Tennessee, Drs. Farri
and Adger of Missouri, and host of other
whose names and works are high enrolled o.
the records of the church.
The opening sermon was preached by tn
retiring moderator, DR.. T. A. Hoyt of Nash
vile. He is speaker of rare power and at
tractiveness. In depth of thought, grace o
delivery and beauty of diction, his equal il
worthy OF the distinguished audience to which
it was addressed. AT Its close the pastor Rev
W. E. Baker, delivereda brief and appropriate
welcome address, in which he stated that al
though Lexington Presbytery antedated in its
organization the union OF the States itself, YET
the General Assembly had never before mel
within its bounds
At the close Of the public worship, DR.. Hoy
called the Assembly to order and inauguratec
its proceedings with an earnest prayer
ORGANIZATION.
After the role call, the Assembly proceeded
to the election of moderator Rev. Scott
placed in nomination Dr. Farris of Missouri
and Rev. Converse presented the name of DR.
Theodorick Pryor, of Virginia At DR.. Pry.
or's request his name was Withdrawn and DR.
Farris' election carried by reclamation. Rev
G. A. Trenholm, of Bethel Presbyterv, was
elected reading clerk. A recess was then
taken.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
was occupied with the reading of reports from
the executive committees of the Assembly.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
DR.. Wilson, Secretary, presented the Goth
Annual Report Of the Committee on FOREIGN
Missions. 1t noted the death of Mr.. A. ODER
a member of the committee, and of Rev. F
Thompson, Of the Pernambuco, Mission. (Mr
j. Ell. Fisher was appointed to supply the va
cancy occasioned by the death of Mr.. Ober)
The aim OF the committee, as stated in the
report, was not SO much to plant new missions
as it was to sustain and strengthen those al
ready established and extend their influence
The missionary force, all told, now numbers
ninety-three persons, an increase of ten since
last year. OF these IL are ordained mission
aries, one missionary physician DR.. Fishburn
OF this county, 20 assistant missionaries from
this country, 10 ordained native missionaries
and "a native assistants During the year, 12
new missionaries have been sent out The
receipts for this service have aggregated $780,
1880, an increase of SIC, 1877 90 over last year
The present debt aggregates $12,O00-one half
on general account and one-half on the Cam
pinas debt. Property to the amount of $4,000
is held, principally in China and Brazil.
The paying subscription list of the Missionary
numbers 3,045, an increase of 425 since last re-
port. In addition to these over one thousand
copies are gratuitously distributed among
ministers. The committee strongly recon-
mend on active support of the Missionary and
announced that next year it will be more than
selfsustaining. The report, in conclusion,
pointed to Africa as promising field of oper-
alton, and strongly urged that steps be taken
for the establishment Of mission there.
EDUCATION.
The Executive Committee, on Education,
through its secretary, Rev. E. NJ Richardson,
presented its Goth Annual Report. 1t showed
an enrolment of 80 students from 81 Presby-
teries. Seventy-seycn students were aided
by the committee to the extent of $S,740 The
aggregate receipts were $10,335.93, of which
&c. 51.13 were received from churches, and
81, 1S4.00 from other sources. The number of
churches contributing was 975. The contri-
buttons were made as follows: From the
synods of Virginia, North and South Carolina,
with membership OF 54,555, $3,740S0, less
than per cent; Georgia, Alabama and Mis-
sissppi, with a membership of "a, 617, S., S4609,
over per cent; Kentucky, Memphis and
Nashville, with 24,S24, $2,1596S, 9 per cent !;
Arkansas, Missouri and Texas, with 1904
members, 81 1898, nearly per cent Du-
ring the year there were 3S ordinations and
10 deaths. The increase of working strength
has not been commensurate with the increased
numerical force, in consequence Of enf-eble-
ment and disability of older members In fact
the active working body has received little if
any augmentation. Of the II students, thirty
two are theological and 45 academic. The
dates, but urges presbyteries to guard more
carefully the reception and qualifications of
those admitted to the ministry.
PUBLICATION.
The goth report of the committee on publ
cation was presented by Rev. Jas K Hazen,
D. D., secretary. The total contributions for
the year were $S,016.n, decided increase
over the two previous years. During the year
$4,000 was received from royalties. Exclusive
of the mortgage ON the publishing house, the
committees present actual debt is $10S70,
none of which now bears intarast of F, rrootar
rate than six per cent
The total issues of the committees presses
during the year were as follows, viz: Childyen's
Friend, 100000; Earnest Worker. 81, 900; Les
son Paper 100000; Lesson Quarterly 10000;
Annual Reports, 500; and circulars, 10000.
The committee asked directions as to the
hymn book. The old plates being about worn
out, 1t was thought best not to recast them if
any changes were likely to be made
Rev G. A. Stillman, D. d., read the report of
the principal of Tuscaloosa Seminary, an in
stitution devoted to the education of coored
ministers A most gratifying exhibit was made
The students, % in number, were represented
as of excellent habits and department, and fair
scholarship. Their board, tuition, fuel &C.,
were furnished them, and they were required
to supply their own clothing. Some of them
had made remarkable progress, and were read
ing the Greek testament and studying the
Hobro,u GroD,r,or foroo in