The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-26

scriptures In public worship. The judicial
committee recommended that the appeal
be not sustained, on the ground that the
general assembly Of 1878 had passed upon
the matter by declaring that responsive
reading was o subject for discipline.
Judge Drake, the appellant was given
permission 70 speak, and he took issue
with the report OF the committee, who,
he claimed, had exceeded their powers
In giving an opinion on the case.
Their only business was to report 10 the
general assembly upon the orderly char
acter Of the appeal. The merits Of the
appeal were Tor the consideration OF a
judicial commission or for the general as
scmbly itself
TN DIR. Crosby's motion the case was
referred back to the committee, with in.
structions to report upon the orderly char
actcr OF the appeal. This will bring the
whole matter OF responsive reading before
the general assembly.
The appeal Of the Rev. DR.. West, OF the
First Presbyterian church, OF 81. Paul,
Mimi, against the synod Of Minnesota in
sovering his relations with his congrega-
ton, was under way when II was cut short
by the call Tor the regular order OF the day,
which was the report OF the standing COM
|
johnson. OF Chicago, the chairman OF this
committee, made very encouraging OK.
hiblt OF tho work OF spreading the gospel
mcnded the contribution OF 81, 000, 900 for
the cause Of foreign missions during the
present year.
The Rev. Arthur Mitchell, DID,, one Of
the secretaries Of the foreign board, spoke
| alnouanflu pnat, tha enhfnot af nataoiAn ~
labor. Every reference no made 10 organic
union brought out applause.
The committees report and accompany
ing recommendations were adopted. These
recommendation included one added by
the Rev. DR. Crosby 20 send seven elders
TO attend the organization OF the Presby-
terry OF Rio do Janeiro, Brazil, In August
next. II was announced by DIR. Crosby
that the expenses OF such a commission
would he borne by private subscription
| A cordial response was read and ordered
10 be sent 10 the saluiation Of the confer
once OF the Protestant Episcopal diocese
of Pennsylvania.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
| Al the afternoon session DR.. McCosh no.
ported back as In order the appeals OF
Judge Drake against the synod OF Balt.
more In the cases OF DIR. George o. Little
and the Rev. I. y. lIamlin OF the Church
OF the Covenant, Washington, and the as-
scmbly found itself dangerously close 10 n
general discussion OF the question OF
responsive readings OF the Scriptures In
public worship. DIR. Calvin w. Stewart
came 10 the rescue with motion 10 have
the trial OF the appeals referred 10 q
judicial commission, which was agreed 10
after opposition by some commissioners
who wanted the question settled right then
and there on the floor Of the assembly.
The Rev. j. 4. Smith, ID. d., Of Balti-
moro, then read the report OF the commit
tee on conference with the southern as
sembly ON organic union. The question
OF the relation Of the eolorcd people In the
south TO the church N thus disposed Of In
the committees report: 1--WE arc of III,
opinion that our assembly will agree 10
basis Of organic union by which our pros
ent boundaries and constituents Of prcsby
teries and synods In the south shall ~
main In statu quo 10 be changed only will
the consent of the parties Interested, and
that all new chuchos and new prcsbytorics
hereafter established shall be organized by
and received into connection with prcsby.
terios and synods respectively rs the inter
ostcd parties may mutually agree"
DR. Smith said that this was merely do
signed 10 give colorcd members and col
ored churches the liberty Of entering into
such associations ~ they desired. and wa
In no sense mandatory upon the colorct
people, who could associate with the whit,
Prcsbytcrics or not, as In their judgment
seemed proper.
The llcv. Eycrad Kempshal, Of New
Jersey, made plea for dclibcmtion AM
moved 10 rccommit the report 10 the com
mittee with instructions TO report 30 III,
next general assembly.
The Rev. Howard Crosby, Of New York
hoped the general assembly would nc
promptly and iayoably upon the commit
tees report.
The Rev. ]. II. Paxton, Qi New York
favored DIR. Kcmpshall's resolution for ~
commitment, and Il WIS during his NJ
marks that occurred one Of the most NJ
markablc demonstrations yet seen upor
the floor Of the general assembly. lie ~
iorrcd 10 the fraicrnnl spirit that had been
engcndercd by the visit Of the southern
assembly and their reunion In yesterday
centennial celebration. "Silcnce nj thi'
time Is golden" he said, there stands ID,
negro may God curse the day when u,
came from Africa's sunny strand Herr
the assembly aud spectators broke into q
perfect storm Of Kisses, which the modern
tor vainly stroye 10 suppress, breaking his
gaycl In the effort 30 do NJ. DR.. Paxton
explained that hc loved tho colorcd man
and his remark had been misunderstood
What he did mean was that the negro had
been stolen from his home, robbed Of his
heritage aud sold Into slavery. Tho as
scmbly rewarded this sentiment with loud
applause.
Justice Strong also argued against toe
hasiy action. lie moved ~ an amend
ment that the committee ON conference be-
enlarged by six mombcrs and continued
with instructions to confer with any com
miitcc that might be appointed by the
Southern assembly with respect 10 organi,
union or cooperation, 10 report NJ tho ncxl
meeting Of the general assembly.
Dr. McCosh thought the assembly might
20 still farther In preparing the way FOL
union by the adoption Of resolution do
claring willingness 10 form q union, ON the
ground 81 the standard Of the two churches
pure aud simple. Loud applause.
The question was further discussed In
behalf II immediate action by the Rev,
Dra. r. VI. Patterson aud Thomas A. lloyt
Of Philadelphia, while the Rev. DIS. Cal,
win Stewart aud Charles A. Dickcy, Of
Philadelphia, plead for postponcment.
The Roy. DR.. w. A. Franklin, colorcd
/ M a "A A