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

ris, D. d. of the Presbytery of st. Louis, was
chosen to that office.
Rev. G. S. Trenholm. of the Presbytery of
Bethel was elected temporary Clerk
On motion of Rev. DR.. J. B. Adger, D. D., it
was resolved to take recess until P. NJ to-
day, and at that hour to hear the reports of the
Assemblys Executive Committees, and to at
tend to any other business that may come before
the body.
The Assembly then adjourned to meet at 8
P. NJ
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Assembly met at P NJ Rev. ]. Leighton
Wilson, D. D., presented the twentieth Annual
Report of the Committee on Foreign Missions.
This report noted the death of A. Ober ESQ., a
member of the body, and Rev. B. F. Thompson,
a member of the Pernambuco Mission
Mr.. j. III. Fisher of Baltimore, an esteemed
elder in the Church, was appointed to fill the
vacancy made by the death Of Mr. Ober
A very considerable increase in the contribu-
tions of Gods people is pleasing fact regarding
the past year.
| The entire force now engaged in the mission
ary work. under the direction Of the Church,
and supported by her contributions, consists of
eighteen ordained missionaries, missionary
physician, twenty-sx assistant missionaries from
this country. thirteen ordained native mission
aries, and thirty-four native assistants. The
whole force consists therefore of ninety three
persons, being an increase of ten during the
year. Twelve new missionaries have been sent
out during the year.
The aggregate receipts for the year amount
to S59215.39, being an increase of SO, 7344l
over last year.
The ndebte mess is $60l5.o7 on general ac
count, and $4,000 on the Campinas debt, aggre
eating $1201507 The amount of property
now held by the Church is about $4,000, the
principal part of which is in China and Brazil
The Missionary has had 3,045 paying sub
,lNnre IL IA,x.
425 over the previous year More than 1000
copies have been sent gratuitonsly to minis.ers,
and the Committee express their strong convic-
ton that the highest interests of Foreign Mis-
sions are involved in continuing the Missionary
Just as it is-and further announce that arrange.
ments have been made by which the Missionary
shall be published hereafter without cost to the
missionary fund, and at the same time sent gra-
tuitously to all ministers that have pastoral
charges
| The report also dwelt upon the question.
Shall the Southern Church have Mission on
the continent of Africa?" and urged it upon the
attention of the Assembly. The whole outlook
of the Mission work is hopeful indeed and
prayerfully commended to the support of the.
Church.
EDUCATION.
Rev. E. NJ. Richardson, Secretary of Educa.
ton, offered the twentieth Annual Report of
this Committee, detailing its work during the
past year, and pressing its needs for the future
upon the Churches.
The receipts for the year were $1O,335;
disbursements for students SS, ,74O, and 81 los
for expenses Aid has been asked for, and
granted to eighty students.
The Committee deprecates the smallness of
the contributions received from the Churches,
and the dearth of candidates. and recommends
great care by Presbyteries in the examination
and reception of candidates. Report referred to
Standing Committee on Education
PUBLICATION.
Rev. James K Hazen, D. D., Secretary. pre-
sented the twentieth Annual Report of the Com.
mittee of Publication
The total contributions received during the
year amount to $S,0l6.71. There has been
decided increase in the contributions for the
past two years, indicating an increased interest
in this cause, and attention in called to it for
the encouragement of all who are interested in
this branch of the work.
But little has been received from old acco o--is
due the Committee, and more than 81 900
of such accounts have proven worthless. The
amount received from royalties during the
year is about $4,000. The present actual
debt of the Committee, exclusive of the mortgage
on the publishing house, is about So, 600, and the
rate OF interest on all remaining debt has been
reduced to six per cent The publishing house
has not yet been sold but its receipts from rents
etc., nearly equal the disbursements on this ac
count
The circulation of the Earnest Worker has
greatly increased, and some growth is also noted
In the subscriptions to the Ctildren's Friend and
the Lesson Papers The Issues from the press
during the year have been as follows. viz
CbiLdren'S Friend, $4,000; Earnest Worker, co.
900; Lesson Papers, 100000; Lesson Quarterly.
10000; Annual Reports, 500; Circulars, 20. :
600. The donation work has, to certain
extent, been resumed, and grants have been
made amounting to some 81 $50. The Com.
mittee laid before the Assembly statement re.
garding the Hymn Book, asking directions as
TO the course it shall pursue Report referred
to the standing Committee on Publication
Rev. DR.. Pryor, q delegate to the SYNOD
of the Reformed Church in Amerca-reported
his attendance upon that body, and spoke with
pleasure of his hearty welcome, and delightful
intercourse with the members of that body He
also brought to this Assembly, from the Re-
formed Synod, warmest feelings and assurance
of fraternal affection and esteem. The report
was received, and the diligence Of the delegate
approved.
Rev. G. A. Stllman, D. D., presented report
on the Tuscaloosa Institute full of interest, and
mentioned a gratifying increase of students and
the hopeful character of the work
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. DR.. Pryor.
SECOND DAY.
The Assembly met at A. NJ, and was opened
with prayer by the Moderator.
The minutes of yesterday were read and ap-
proved
The Moderator announced the following
Standing Committees