The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-25


A. Penland, &" North Alabama.
Overtures from various Synods and Presbyte
ries were then read and referred to the appro-
PIRATE committee
communication was also presented from the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and referred
to the committee on Foreign Correspondence.
HOME MISSIONS: e
Rev. R. McIlwaine, Secretary, offered the
twentieth Annual Report of the Executive Com
mittee on Home Missions
The only embarrassment the Committee has
suffered during the year has been occasioned by
the inadequate means placed at its disposal
This has been felt in all branches of the work.
but especially that under the head of Sustenta
ton. But for this difficulty the Committee
would have an unbroken story of encourage
ment TO tell
The total receipts for all the funds in this de-
partment have been $46 ,302.09, which is larger
than ever BEFORE and a gain of nearly Sl4, 600
over last year.
The receipts for Sustentation amount to S1S-
5260S, which is some 800 less than last wear.
The receipts for Evangelistic Work have been
$l0, 0,958.S9, which Is the largest amount ever re-
ceived by this fund, and some So 500 more than
last year. This work was never in so hopeful
and effective condition as at present. and the
demand for It's enlargement was never so urgent.
The receipts for the Colored Evangelistic
Fund have been S597.75, being an increase of
! $3.50 over the past year. Presbyteries report
under their care 25 churches, 16 ministers, and
z candidates. Thirty,seven Sabbath Schools
are reported rs under the care of our churches
The receipts for the Invalid Fund have been
$lO.248 27, being about the same as last year.
The Relief Fund has received during the year
| S597l.lO, and the number OF names now on the
relief lists, whose premiums have been fully
paid is seventy-one. Three of its subscribers
have died since the last General Assembly.
Dr. j. h. Wilson presented paper from the
Presbyterian Alliance relating to CO. operation
in the Foreign Mission work. Referred to the
standing Committee on Foreign Missions
+ The chairman of the Permanent Committee
on the Sabbath offered an interesting paper on
this subjectwhich was referred TO the proper com
mittee
On motion it was resolved that the closine
quarter OF an hour Of each session be appro
priated to devotional exercises, to be conducted
by the Moderator.
Ordered that the order of the day for Satur
day at 10 A. NJ, be the matter of Retrencbment
and Reform.
Reports were received from the Committee or
/ Union Theological Seminary and from the trus
tees of the General Assembly.
The Committee on Foreign Corresnondence
was instructed to send fraternal GREETINGS TO tb,
Northern General Assembly now in session al
/ the city of Buffalo, N. Y This action brouobt
out most animated discussion. participated ir
by Revs Drs. Adger, Mutually, and Revs. p
Fletcher, j.. w. MOseley, and b. 0. Davies. but
the motion was adopted by an overwhelming
majority, Dr. Mutually entering his protest
against it.
THIRD DAY.
Assembly met and was opened with PRAYER
by the Moderator.
Rev. w. L. Kennedy and Ruling Elder viii.
liam McCurdy Of the Presbytery of Western
Texas, were enrolled as commissioners.
THE D1ACoNATB.
Rev. DIR. j. L. Girardeau. chairman presented
an elaborate report bearing upon the subject oI
the diaconate in the Presbyterian Church. The
paper asserts that the Office of deacon Is not in
cluded in the higher Offices Of preaching and rul
ing, and that proper division of labor gives
! to each Office a specific work.