Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-20
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIANS.
General Assembly at StauntOn-
The Strength and Work OF the
Churches.

STAUNToN, VA, May 19-The General
Assembly OF what is popularly known as
the Southern Presbyterian Church met here
today. 1t will continue in session ten or
more. days. The opening sermon to-day
was preached by Rev. T. A. HoYt, D. D., of
Nashville. This gentleman was at one time
President of the Gold Board in New York
city, and presided there on the famous
"Black Friday"
The Southern Presbyterian Church en-
braces the States of Maryland, Virginia,
West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, MissiS-
sippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Car
olina, North Carolina and Indian Territory
west of Arkansas, and has churches in the
District of Columbia, the State of Ohio and
possibly elsewhere. 1t has nineteen synods
and sixty seven Presbyteries, including the
Presbyfery of San Paul, in Brazil, South
America.
The amount of moneys contributed dur
ing the year ending April L, 1880, by it's
1928 churches was 81 ,062 .338. The church
is conducting missionary work in China,
Greece. Italy, Mexico, Brazil and
in Indian Territory. II has two theo-
logical seminaries, one In Prince
Edward county, Va, aud the other at
.. ".
an institution for the education of young
colored men at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Probably two or three of the principal
topics that will come up fer discussion at
this meeting will be those embraced under
the title of "Retrenchment and Reform"
and the Revised Directory OF Church Wor-
ship"
Under the former head are comprehended
the management of the churches, benevO-
lent sohamnc and tho dietrfhutfOn Of funds
connected with these schemes. At the pre-
vious Assembly a committee was appointed
to consider a revised directory Of
church worship. This committee will re-
port to the present Assembly and recommend
as eminentiy proper that the church services
should embrace the recitation of the Lords
PRAYER and the Creed, and the reading of
the Decalogue. A form of burial, marriage
and baptismal service will also be submit
ted. Should the report be adopted, It's
adoption does not carry with it an absolute
obligation TO use the forms. Ministers may
use them or not, at their discretion.
After brief address OF welcome by Rev.
w. E Baker, pastor of the church at Staun-
ton, aud prayer by the venerable DR.. Pryor.
of Virginia, and an able sermon by the re-
firing Moderator, DIR. 7. A. Hoyt, of Nash
Vile, the General Assembly was called to
order at 1880 O'Clock. Rev. DR.. r. P. Farris,
Of Missouri, was elected Moderator by accla-
nation.
The various Executive Committees made
their reports. Foreign Missions reported an
expenditure of $59,2l5. NinetY-three per-
SONS, all told, are engaged In missionary
work. Africa is recommended as the next
field of adventure. The report on educa-
tion showed that eighty students were re-
ceivipg instruction for the ministry. During
the year there we're thirty eight ordinations
and nineteen deaths The total amounts of
expenditures was SIC, 800.
The seminary for colored students at
Tuscaloosa, Ala, reported a roll of twenty
six aud a most encouraging outlook. DIR.
Pryor, the delegate from this Assembly to
the General Assembly of the Reformed
Church in America, which met in Brooklyn
last June gave an account of his visit, and
the fraternal manner in which he had been
entertained. The Publication and several
minor committees made reports.