Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-17
THE CUMBERLAND
Presbyterian Cburch General Assembly
&c Meet In Nashville To-Day.
The Reports and Matters OF Interest
Likely 20 be brought Before u.

From the Nashville Banner, Of Tuesiay,
We learn that the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church will con-
we've in the hall of the House of Repressn-
tstives to-day. The General Assembly meets
annually. 1t net last year at Huntsville,
Ala, and the year previous at Austin, Tex.
The Rev. DR.. S. I. Anderson, of Tehusc-
ans, Tex, was The first member OF the Gen
eral Assembly 20 reach Nashville. He came
in on Saturday morning, and went on to LIB
anon ia The evening. DR.. Anderson is now
PRECEDENT dd interim of Trinity University.
The General Assembly corvenes this year
under circumstances of peculiar interest.
The prospect Ia that the annual reports will
show a marked advance il the work in all
departments. Since the formation of the
assembly there has not been q time of such
interest 10 PTesbyterianisnl. The doctrines
ard polity have never been in so important
az attitude before the Christian worlj, or
sustained so interesting a relation TO other
Presbyterian bodies. The revision OF the
Westminster Confession of Faith, or some
modification of its phraseology, and change
IN the standard of ministerial qualifications
are now strongly advocated in leading Pres
byterian papers. These matters are being
openly and freely discussed, aud to an extent
not equaled in the days OF the founders
of the Church. The present attitude
must therefore be one Of very great
interest 10 all Cumberland Presbyterisns,
and all must rejoice in the Pfovidence that
in so marked manner is vindicating the
wisdom Of the founders of the Church prov.
ing the reality and value of the medium
ground occupied by it. In all these moye-
ments, both in England and in this country,
the whole trend Of sentiment is toward the
very middle ground on which the Church
stands.
Among other matters of interest 10 be
considered by the General Assembly will be
the work of revising the Confession of Faith.
OF this work the Cua.5erluHd Presbyterian,
OF Nashville, edited by the Rev, J. 4 Brown,
ID, says:
We have taken no part in the work OF revising
our Confession OF Faith. With the constant pres
sure OF other duties, demanding the full strength
OF DOth BODY ana mind. we had no opportunity TO
study the revision we would wish to do before
taking any active part in disposing of IT, Besides
ms IL seemed proper and best for US TO act simply
as moderator, leaving the discussions to others
This we have honestly endeavored to do and now
T We d hhe Wth which he matter has been
disposed of. There are some things we do not
ike IN the revised book and IL is probable il Will
never be otherwise. Were it debated for twenty
year, there is little PROBABILITY that it would then
suit everyone. All viii not see The same things
IN the same light or from the same standpoint.
The General Assembly will remain in sss-
sion about ten days. A number OF dsleg Ates
have already arrived, and every incoming
train adds to the list
The Board of Publication mel Tuesday
afternoon to consider the report of its agent
for the year, which closed April 30th.
The Cumberland Presbyte,ian, the organ Of
the Church, will be issued daily during the
session of the General Assembly. This
widely circulated paper is now issued from
its new building on Church street, being one
Of the best equipped printing establishments
in the South.