Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-18
Fridays Proceedings I'm Detail


JACKSON, TENN, October 16.--Synod was
called to order yesterday morning at 9
o'clock and spent half an hour in devo-
tional exercises, conducted by the moder
ator.
Rev. ]. N. Craig, D. D., was reelected
director of the Southwestern Presbyterian
University.
Grenada was selected as the place for
the nextsmeeiing of synod.
Report on Foreign Missions was read by
the Rev. w. S. Cochrane. Report on pub
lication was read by the Rev. W. G.
Ready.
Most of the forenoon was taken up to-
day in hearing reports OF the various COM
mitteeo.
The Rev. 7. d. Latimer of Corinth made
a report on Sabbath Schools which was
adopted.
The Committee on Memorials reported
that that there was some business before
them, but the proper papers had not been
put into their hands.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures
made report and was discharged. The
only overture made to the synod was one
signed by EugeLs Daniel, Jas. L. Martin,
VIM. E. Boggs, T. W. Raymond, s. W.
| Newell and d. @. Rankin. The overture
| pertained to evolution. These gentleman
overturned the synod to explain and re-
move the ambiguity from its action last
| year at Covington touching the evolution
| controversy. Here is the action of the
| synod October 22, 1884.
| The committee appointed to prepare and pre-
| sent a paper for the adoption Of synod in refer.
| epce to the matter Of evolution reported as fol-
lows; which was received, amended and adopted,
/ as follows!
The committee 10 which was referred the con-
| sideration of tho teaching of evolution in our
| seminaries Of learning respectfully present to
Synod the following resolutions and recon mend
| their adoption as embracing the views of Synod !:
| ResotUed. That in the estimation of this synod
| the teaching of our candidates the doctrine of
Presbyterian Church, is franght with peril to ths
| peace and prosperity of our-etureh-
peryadins the I length and and breadth ef the South
| ern Presbyterian Church, and the extensive di-
the Imminent danger to the vital interests of our
| church, this synod does hereby express its con-
| yiction that it ought not to be taught in any OF
the schools of sacred learning of our church, and
that 1t will not be permitted to be taught in any
| institution over which this synod exercises
| control.
A special committee, composed of the
following gentlemen, was appointed to an.
swer the overture, namely: the Rev. Drs
John n. Waddell, W. G. Ready, W. G.
Richardson, and Ruling Elders Charles
Linn and David Tankersly.
This committee brought in the follow
ing report:
The committee to whom was referred
the overture of Rev. E Daniel, DID,, and
others to this synod to remove the alleged
Ambiguity" of the action of synod Octo
Der %, 1884, in regard to evolution, as
that action is embodied in the resolutions
cited in the overture, would report tha
in the judgment of this committee, thu
meaning of that action was plainly as fol
lows: "fhe synod designed to express it
disapproval of the teachings of evolution
, as it had been published and promulgated
throughout the length and breadth of tn,
Southern Church, and this disapprova
and prohibition extended to the teaching
Of the hypothesis; only this and nothing
more"
EsThe Rev. ]. H. Gaillard moved tn,
adoption OF this report.
DIR. Martin asked that it be docketed. l
J was docketed and o'clock was sppointe,
as the hour for taking it up.
At o'clock large crowd of people ha,
} assembled to hear the discussion.
DR.. Martin, with the permission of tn
moderator, cstechised the chairman of tn
committee for some time.
DR.. Daniel made speech of some lengtl
, in which he deplored the fact that eyolu
ton had been brought into the synod
that is, the discussion-and read from las
years minutes, showing that the discus
sion WAS introduced by brother who
well known throughout the synod as on
, of the best of men. He argued that tn
report brought in as an answer to his over
ture did not remove the ambiguity
, wanted ''a few plain words"
> Drs. Boggs and Martin also engaged il
the debate. The matter was discussed q
some length. Several gentlemen offere
8 amendments and substitutes. Nothin
> was adopted, however, until at late hou
of the night.
The Rev. J. H. Gaillard of Pontoto
! offered Il substitute which is as follows
|, "The synod, in its action last fell touchin
! evolution, while it disapproves of th
teaching of evolution in our seminaries
learning, carefully avoided approving c
y condemning evolution as it was then ag
!, tating the church, and the synod CAREFUL
e avoided condemning any one for an
4 peculiar views he may have held upon th
: subject of evolution"
- Several gentlemen made speeches o
this substitute.
= Mr.. Faris favored it, as he thought
awould suit all the brethren.
~ DR.. McHerlsnd opposed it, as he coul
tn see nothing in the resolutions of 1884
lte'hurt anybody. Nobody had been col
'neldemned.
4 DIR. W. G. Richardson opposed the su
agfstitute in speech OF some length.
lesn Ruling Elder Charles Lynn q so made
90 speech in favor of the paper presented
mn DR.. Waddell.
foh After full discussion, in which no u
,'S kind words we're spoken on either sid
:, II the vote was taken on the substitu
~ which Mr.. Gaillard had offered, and
= was adopted by a vote of 2S against
=, and SO ended all the discussion of evol
"a "a tion-or rather the discussion touehil
evolution-so far as the synod of 1885
ia concerned.
At A missionary meeting was held t
v night. Addresses were made by the Re
q ]. L. Rothrock, the Rev. W. E. Bogs
~ DID,, and the Rev. Matthew Hale Hot
q ton. The last-named gentleman is secl
- tary of foreign missions and resides
N Baltimore. Some of the best years of
4. life were spent in China as missional
All the addresses were fine. 1t was
treat to the audience to hear su
speeches. A collection was taken up, al
after the singing of the missionary hyn
es "From Greenland's Icy Mountains"
e, assembly was dismissed with the apostle
ali benediction. Some other business of i
n. portance will be attended to to-morro
ol when the synod will doubtless adjourn.
ct. CuAI TJrUnN