Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-13
EVOLUTION THEORY.
TIE PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD ENDORSES
THE GENERAL AssEnBLY's ACTION.
Systematic Benehcence-Ho Kissions-
Publication sunday-school Work
Appointments for To-Uorrow.


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The opening devotional exercises Of the
Presbyterian synod yesterday morning
were conducted by the Rev. W. T. Hall,
n. u.
The fixing Of the place and time Of the
next meeting beng reached on the docket.
Ruling-Elder Robert W. Santos placed the
First church. Norfolk, in nomination, and
II was unanimously chosen. The time will
be suggested hereafter by the pastor and
elder Of said church.
TIE EVOLUTION THEORY.
The Committee on the Minutes Of the
| General Assembly. through Rev. DR.. Pryor,
chairman. presented report, as follows:
In view Of the earnest and persistent ef-
Forts now making TO excite odum against
| The late (senerR Assembly Of our Church
Cd account oi its action respecting the
hypothesis Of evolution and its dissemins.
| ton in our Church, the synod OF Virginia
! fccls II proper 10 declare It's hearty accord
| with the Whole tenor OF the 5eneral As
sembly's action on that snbject, It's unwa
yeripg fidelity TO the doctrines OF our
| standards. sud Of the Word OF God rs op-
| p0sed g. tie hypothesis of the genetc eyo-
I tuition of man. aud ils sonvictiOu that the
prevalence uf that hypothesis in our Church
| must be fatal 10 the integrity OF that sys-
| TEN Of grace upon which depend all our
| eternal hopes.
| Or. PRYOR in support Of the report, said
| that the proposed action could not be con-
i sirucd as unfriendly 10 the Seminary at
! Columbia. He thought that the presen at-
! titude OF the question OF evolution before
/ the Church called for distinct expression
/ Of opinion from the Church courts. The
! supporters of Dr. " Woodrow had challenged
/ such M expression, and IN pass the matter
| over In silence would be construed into in
| difference. The theory Of evolution strikes
| al fundamental doctrines, such as the fede-
| raj beadship Of Adam; and We owe il to
| the peace ana integrity OF the Church that
We belp 10 sllay thIs agitation by this de-
clsra;ion Of our views. The report does
not touch upon the action Of the Assembly
/ with regard 10 the removal OF the Rev. DR..
Woodrow from his chair in the Seminary.
| II confines Itself simply 70 the action OF the
| Assembly a. 10 the genetic evolution OF
| man.
as AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
Or. q. W. Finley moved TO amend by
! striking out the words "wbOle tenor Of
| He thought the words il left In the report
| would give @ wider scope TO il than was de-
| signed by iis trainers.
Rev. Or. Hopkins thought the paper
| somewhat ambiguous ss il now stood. and
| he seconded Mr.. Flnley's amendment.
Rev. John A. Preston moved to amend
| further bv striking out ali after the word
| "subicct" This would make the paper
| express only the endorsstion OF the Assem-
| by's action on the subject Of evolution.
The Rev. Il. K. Howisou. in isvOring the
! amendments proposed, said be had no sym
| pathv with TIE views Of Dr. Woodrow on
| the subject of evolution: and ne hoped
| there would be unanimIty IN the Synod.
| lie could not endorse the action OF the
| Assembly with reference 70 the removal OF
Professor Woodrow. In his opinion 1t
! bad transcribed IT. power. and set
| precedent that might prove dangerous.
RFCpNyITTED.
Ruling. Elder :. G. Flournov suggested
| some further amendment, which be could
| not then under the rules offer as a motion.
ON motion Of Rev. Dr. !. {. Barr the re-
/ port was recOmmittcd.
| Major 7. J. kirkpatrick read the Nara
/ tive " prepared hy The committee OF which
! he is chairman. Ii lsa c0mpend o. the mar
! raiives sent tv the presbytefies. The facts
~tt lNI " III tNt iialfl HupN ttur4 - ~ " VI
! throughout the synod.
The Rev. pr. {. H. Read read extracts
/ fJoma letter from Rev Dr. :. Il. :. Bissell,
/ Of Connecticut, who was 3 member 0i this
| body from 1886 TO 1912, conveying the
/ wriieT's salutniions 10 the synod. Or.
! Read was requested 10 respond 10 the letter
/ on behalf Of the synod.
sYsTENATJC BENIFCENCE.
a g. D. oil
1 by Rev. Dr Charles White. II shows that
lis churches contributed 10 all the seven
causes Of hercvoltpce as ordered by the
/ General Assembly: - contributed 10 six
causes "a % i've; 20 10 four; Is TO three
! "A 90 two; 10 to one. The following
I amount. were contributed: Susteutation,
S1C.2l4: Eyangelistic, s7,4l2 Invalid,
/ S2.q23: Foreign Missions, SlG.0Ss; Edu-
/ cation. S5.gC2, Publication, S2,2js; Tuska-
/ loo,a Institute. Sgl5. Total Sll4 4,S65-.an
increase over last year OF S40,7ls.
rRrsBYTEEIAL RECORDS.
The records Of the following presby-
/ teries were approved without exceptions
Abingdon, chesapeake. East Hanover.
MARYLAND. Roanoke. and Winchester. The
records Of West Hanover were approved
with the exception thnt no mention is made
/ on the records that certain ministers, when
received into the Presbytcrv, subscribed
the obligations as required 10y th. form OF
government.
II was mad, the order for l. O'Clock NJ.
tC-day 20 hca- The memorials OF deceased
ministers.
AssENT Y ACTION ENDORSED.
The Rev. Dr. PRYOR presented the report
ihol tad beeE recommitted ia the follow
iuc form;
IN view OF the earnest snd continued ci-
forts now making 60 excite Odium against
our late General Assembly on account oi
| Il. d,hveruucc respecting the hypothesis
| Of evolution and iis dissemination IN our
church. the synod oi Virginia feels II
pfolel 10 declare it, hearty concurrence IN
that dtiycrance.
Rev. ". A. Crawford thought 10 best that
| The synod mike no driiyersnce on this sab
! icct lie would apply the principle OF alb
.upfuce in the exercise Of power Tor the
! good - others.
lev. John A. Preston and Rev. John G.
| Anderson both spoke briefly Ia favor OF the
rfpori o. now presented.
| The report was then adopted with on!
4 orc discerning voice.
! The Rev. i. Z. Ramsay presented pro
| tcst. which was admitted 10 record without
reply.
on motion Of Rev. +. NJ Woods, Ia. fol
| low ny wa, sdopted
/ RsS0irsd, That in view OF the vital tm-
| Dortance of our home mission work; 10
/ view NJ its yasinrss and difficulties, and Of
the encouragement which has attended our
! EFFORT. hitherto. the Synod hereby renews
| i,s urgeut Injunction upOn the presb byte