The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-06-04
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Late Assembly.
VIcKsBURG, MISS, May &c,

lChobOhCTJ Miss, MAY 20, Of.
MesSrS. EditorS,-I do not know GER
tainly what spirit moves me; but only
that am strangely and strongly moved
to write you about the General Assem-
bly, which closed its sessions on Saturday
night at II o'clock.
1t was somewhat remarkable Assem-
bly, in several ways. Largely made up
OF young men, it yet had two ministers
who had numbered four score years-Drs
Pryor and J. W. Miller, of Texas. 1t
was very noisy and somewhat unman-
ageable body, even in the hands of very
prompt and efficient Moderator. And
yet during nine days and nights of earn
est debate, there was not an angry or I'm,
kind word spoken. 1t was especially re-
markable for the clear and distinct grasp
that even the youngest members seemed
to have of the fundamental principles Of
our constitution, and for the facility and
accuteness with which these were dis
cussed. One would be disposed almost
to think that these men had been study
ing law rather than the gospel, but for
the fact that much of the spirit of the
gospel revealed itself in the kindly ma.
ture of these discussions.
The amount of business transacted dur
ing the nine days of its sessions was sim
ply enormous. 1t would require months
to do as much in our Legislatures, and
then it would scarcely be done as well.
Ihlrty-tour overtures from various Pres
byteries came up, touching many points
of constitutional law or asking changes
and exciting animated discussion, and
were all disposed of. The answers OF
sixty eight Presbyteries to six overtures
sent down to them by the Assembly were
examined and acted upon, besides the re-
port of the work of the Executive Com
mittees Of Home and Foreign Missions,
Education, Publication, Theological Sem
inaries, committees nd interim, etc., etc.
1t would be impossible in this to give
you even brief outline of the business
and discussions. There were two sub
ject, however, that excited peculiar in
terest. One involving the question of
the powers of the General Assembly in
the amendments proposed to the consti-
tuition. One party took the position that
the Assembly must first recommend the
change proposed, by a formal approval
of the change, and then after a majority
of the Presbyteries had approved, must
itself enact-in the strict sense of the
word enact-thus making the Assembly
the real legislative power, that by re-
fusal to enact, might veto the action of a
majority or even all the Presbyteries.
The other side assumed that the Assem-
bly, might recommend to the Presbyte-
ries, for their action, even though they
did not themselves approve, and when
the constitutional number of Presbyteries
had formally approved, had no other
power than to register the fact that the
change had been made in an orderly and
constitutional way. The latter view pre-.
vailed in the Assembly, and was the one
acted upon, with formal protest from a
number of the members.
The subject of correspondence with
other churches was the other subject of
special interest 1t would seem to be a
matter of little moment whether that cor
respondence was conducted by delegates
or by letter, but it excited more feeling
than any other, and was finally decided
TO be by letter to the grief of many, es-
pecially Of those who feel the effects Of it
in their work, and were most earnest in
pressing the sending of delegates. There
were two things urged by the minority
which ought to have great weight with
the Church 1st The ambiguity of the
action Of the Assembly Of 1888 left it in
doubt whether that Assembly did intend
to close the correspondence by delegates
at this time, and 2nd Whether, if that
was the purpose, it were wise to do it
when our relations to the Northern
Church we're SO peculiar and so intimate
in all the great missionary fields of the
Church. This action is regarded as a
grave mistake by many Of the best men
Of the Assembly-and one that will COM
plicate the difficulties already existing
along our borders.
The subject in which your correspond
ent was most deeply interested was that
Of the qualifications to be required Of can
didates for the ministry. But unfor.
tunately, from the beginning, there was
manifest determination to throttle this