The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-06-04
The General Assembly.
NINTH DAY.-SAruhDAY, MAY "A

The General Assembly.
NINTH DAY.-SArURDAY NAY "a.
The committee on the education of young mer
for the ministry reported that though embar
rassed at times they had closed the year without
debt and all the money promised the candidates
had been paid. There has been gratifying in
crease in the number of cand1 oates.
question came up from the Synod of Mis-
souri, as to whether a church court may instruct
its delegate to a higher court Ow he shall vote
1t was answered In the negative, and delegates
were declared free TO delibera.e and vote accord
ing to their consciences.
1t was decided that the irregularities com
planned of by several Presbyteries in the man.
ner of sending amendments to the Presbyteries
last year, were of the nature of informalities
and not sufficient to invalidate legal procedure.
Prof G. K. Hemphill of the Columbia Theo-
logical Seminary, gave notice that he and others
would enter their protest against this action.
The committee on Foreign Correspondence
made majority report in favor Of sending fra
ternal delegates 10 the Northern Assembly A
minority of one reported against sending dele
gates, and his report was adopted by vote OF
As to AZ
The Moderator announced the following com
mittees to report to next Assembly
Committee to prepare a pastoral letter on
-. ,.
Rev. ]. r. Burgett, D. D., and elder ]. S. Ray
mond
Committee on the question of a Presbytery s
jurisdiction over church Session-Rev. E..
Daniel, D. D., Rev. ], L. Caldwell, and elder
]. W. Martin.
On powers of the foreign angelist-Rev. T.
E. Peck, D.. D., Rev. W. E. Boggs, D. D., Rev.
j. A. Lefevre, D. D.. Rev. Robert P Kerr and
elder John McLaurin.
The following letter, submitted by Dr. Ander-
son, was sent to the Northern Presbyterian AS
sembly:
Mr.. Moderator Fathers, and Brethren-Hav-
ing determined to adhere TO our position as
taken in the last Assembly in regard to the
mode of correspondence, we send you this letter
of salutation. Be assured that in taking this
action We do not wish to be understood as re-
cedIng in the least from any former expression
of fraternal regard, but continue to look upon
you as brethren beloved in the Lord. 1t would
give us pleasure, did time permit, TO lay before
you some of the details or ciS work but as we
are on the eve OF final adjourasFent content our
selves with this brief communication, hoping
that some future time we shall have the oppor-
tunity to give fuller expression to our feelings
and views.
We again salute you and invoke upon you the
blessings of the Great Head Of the Church
similar letter was sent to the Reformed
Church.
Rev. D. W. Shanks and others asked for the
appointment of a committee to consider the
question of admitting men to the ministry, in
certain cases, without a knowledge Of the an
clent Languages. The request for the appoint
ment of committee was not granted.
An amendment was enacted providing that
the Confession of Faith may be changed by two
General Assemblies and three-fourths Of the Pres
byteries concurring.
The Presbyteries were recommended" to
adopt an amendment to the Confession of Faith
allowing man to marry his deceased wife's
sister. This was decided b. ihe Presbyteres
last year. But the Assembly declared it neces-
sary for them to act again, as at the time the
Presbyteries acted there was no constitutional
provision for changing the Confession Of Faith
An amendment to the Book Of Church Order
was proposed by the Presbytery Of Chesapeake
providing for organic union with other bodies
on the consent Of two thirds Of the Presbyteries.
Declined
The overture from the Virginia Synod asking
that elders be made eligible 70 the Moderator
ship OF church courts above tDs Session, was re-
ferred to the next General Assembly for consid-
GRAFTON, that 1t might be for year IN the mind
Of the Church.
vote of thanks was passed for the extra
ordinary diligence of the committee Of Bills and
Overtures in digestng the unprecedentedly large
amount OF business that bad passed through their
hands"
All business being finished he Assembly ad-
journed at half past eleven clock at night.
Enthusiastic resolutions were adopted, thank
ing the citizens of Vicksbure for their magni6-
cent hospitality.
Rev. DR.. Theodorick Pryo, made some touch
ing remarks, stating that this was probably the
last General Assembly be would ever attend
but the members hope that hey may again,
more than once, ENJOY his genial presence and
wise counsels.
Two excursions by rail were offered and ac
cepted for Monday.