The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-01
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Missionary Meeting.
The Assembly met at P. NJ, and
was opened with singing the 117th Psalm,
From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creators praise arise"
Rev Dr. Pryor, chairman of the stand
ing committee on Foreign Missions, pre-
scented report on the Executive Com
mittee's Annual report. The diligence
and care of the Executive Committee was
heartily commended The committee also
offered the following resolutions for the
adoption of the Assembly, viz:
Resolued, That while this Assembly would
bow with submission to the will of God, in re-
moving by death from the field of labor Rev. B.
f. Thompson, of our Pernambuco mission and
G. Ober, Esq, a valuable member of the Execu-
tive Committee of Foreign Missions, we cannot
but recognise these dispensations as most pain
full bereavements.
Second That this Assembly hereby expresses
Its adherence to the present constitution of the
Executive Committee on Foreign Missions and
Its hearty approval of their methods of conduct
ing the work committed to their charge, and de-
clines to make any change whatever in them
and that the Missionary be retained In its pre-
sent form, as the organ of Foreign Missions
Third. That in view of facts recently discov-
cred respecting the resources, the highways the
people, and the prospects of the great continent
of Africa, this Assembly authorises the Execu
tive Committee to establish a mission in Africa,
whenever in their discretion, the way is made
clear, provided that this measure shall not inter
fere with the support of other missions already
established, nor prevent the extinction in rea-
sonable time, of the debt already incurred by
the Committee.
Fourth. That this Assembly empower the Elk
ecutive Committee of Foreign Missions to CON
al nct aY,1
missionary committees and Boards, as may be
necessary to ascertain if it be desirable for US,
and if so. the best practicable method of carry
ing out the scheme of CO operation between the
missionaries of the ' eformed Churches" in the
foreign field suggested by the Pan Presbyterian
Council, and report to the next Assembly.
Fifth That in view of the action herein taken
IN regard to CO operation between the mission.
aries of the Reformed Churches" in the for
eign field, the Assembly in answer to the over,
ture from Chesapeake Presbytery, declines to
grant the request.
Strth. That the Assembly urges Presbyteries,
and earnestly exhorts them by the wants of the
world, and the hopes that are now awakened
by the facts rected above, to use their most
vigorous efforts to secure general and large con-
tributions from their churches. for the great
work to which the Church is called. When God
has opened wide the highways of the nations,
and disposed the hearts of many young men to
enter, and so fulfilled the long desire of His
Church, let not the people of God, purchased by
the Redeemers blood, from sin and hell with
hold the means of supporting the work, and ex-
tending the blessings of the gospel
,Seventh. That this Assembly hereby recon-
mends to the churches under its care, the OBJ
servance of the monthly concert of prayer for
Foreign Missions and that the collections for
that object be taken up in connection Herewith.
Eighth. That the Assembly hereby appoints
the following persons members of the Executive
Committee of Foreign Missions for the next year,
viz: Rev. ]. Leighton Wilson, D. D., Secretary,
Rev. Richard McIlwaine, coordinate Secretary
and Treasurer, Rev. j. A. Lefevre, D. D.. Rev.
J. ]. Bullock, D. D., Rev. John Leyburn, D. D.,
Rev. W. U. Murkland, D. D., Hon. Isaac D.
Jones' J. Harmanus Fisher, ESQ.,. G. F. Ander-
son, Esq. John l.. Weeks, Esq. c. F. Mccoy,
Esq.
After the reading of the report, Rev.
j. Leighton Wilson, D. D., addressed the
Assembly with tender and earnest appeal,
mainly urging the Importance of the mis-
sion work on the continent of Africa, and
briefly adverted to his own personal ex-
perience in that distant and benighted
land, long years ago. At the close of his
address the Assembly united in singing
the Missionary Hymn"
By special invitation, Rev. T. A. Hoyt,
D. D., of Nashville, then addressed the
meeting, and with his fervid eloquence
and ardent words, commanded the closest
and most earnest attention Of his hearers.
Another hymn was then sung, and
Rev. B. M. Palmer, D. D., of New Orleans,
took the floor, and with burning words
and flashing thought, he stirred to its
lowest depth, the heart Of every one be-
fore him, and new zeal and new love
for the great work of missions was en-
bindled afresh in the listening throng.
He said that he came to this Assembly
burdened with one supreme idea, brought
out in the report, of complete and
thorough union with other Christian
brethren in the missionary work in other
fields, and his prayer was that the Lord
would hasten the time when there should
be no North, no South, no East and no
West in this great work, but when all
should join hands in this blessed cause
At the close Of DR.. Palmer's address, a
collection was taken up for Foreign Mis-
sions.
Rev. T. Pryor, D. d., followed in a
brief and tender appeal, urging the peo-
pie to a consecrated liberality in this
work.
The further consideration of this re-
port was deferred until tomorrow and
the Assembly adjourned, with prayer by