The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-17
The General Presbyterian Assem-
bly, Meets at Chattanooga.
Almost the First Thing Done is to
Nominate DR.. Woodrow
To be the Next Moderator, and He
is Compelled to Withdraw.
A Storm Ensues, Which is Only Gained
by tho Wise Action of the Learned
Dlvine-He. However, States
His Case.

General Assembly oil the Southern Freshly
terrain Church met in its tenth annual ses-
sion in this city. Eleven States were rep
resented, among the delegates being some
OF the most learned educators and cele-
. brated divines OF the denomination. The
-1assembly is one Of the finest religious gath
erings that has ever been held in the
South. The body was called TO order at
IL O'Clock in the First Church, OF this city,
{ by Moderator ]. j. Bullock, Of Washing
ton, ID. c., who conducted devotional ex-
ercises. The Rev. DR.. Bullock delivered
the annual sermon OF the moderator. In
grand effort. he set forth the power of
the Gospel for the enlightenment and
moral elevation OF the human race, aud
eloquently pictured the time when the
earth shall be entirely overcome with
goodness.
The Assembly was announced ready for
business and the election OF a moderator
declared in order. A number OF mem
bers rose TO their feet TO make nomin-
atoms The following gentlemen were
proposed: DIR. J. q. Hill, Fayetteville,
N. g.; Dr. j. G. Armstrong, Norfolk, Va;
DR.. James Woodrow, Columbia, S. G., and
DIR. ]. $. Lup;on, OF GAINESVILLE, Tenn.
The nomi nation Of DIR. Woodrow was ex-
pected aud a conflict between his sup.
porters and opponents became imminent,
lie is the celebrated eyolutionst whose
theories two or three years ago came near
causing serious split In the ch urch. lie
was deposcd from the Presidency OF the
Columbia Theological Institute, aud was
tried by the Assembly at Baltim ore. Ad.
iounmeni was had until the afternoon.
At the beginning OF the afternoon session
Rev. J. b. Adger, president OF Adger Col.
lege, South Carolina, arose and warmly
seconded the nomination Of DR.. Woodrow
- for moderator. The names OF Drs. Arm
strong and Lupion were withdrawn.
DIR. JAMES WOODROW
took the floor, and in n very earnest man
ncr said Il had been stated before the as
scmbly in one Of the nominating speeches
that he had refused 10 submit TO the judi
--cial decision Of the General Assembly. 81
want the opportunity" said he, ''ol say
ing that that statement is wholly incorrect,
and could not have been made by any one
who is aware Of the facts. The only judi
Gill NANt NNfE Uttu t0u-
necied with were those at the Baltimore
Assembly lass year when my complaint
was brought before IL. Tho Judgment of
that assembly was that the complaint
was not sustained, and TO that de-
cision, Us a loyal Presbyterian, | have
submitted with my whole heart.
1 have never done anything or
thought ANYTHING that was inconsistent
with the most complete and loyal sub
mission 10 the expressed judgment Of the
General Assembly. Along with that
judgment were certain u;tcranccs and
declarations Of opinion aud belief. When
judicial decision Is given that determines
and concludes in the highest court par
ticular case. Nv cizc was concluded but
the Assembly went on 10 say that any cx.
prcssions In connection with the judicssl
decisions or findings. proved their accord
nnce with the constitution OF the church
and the law Of God. The General As
scmbly has thus commanded TO sit IN
judgment uDon their opinion. ANY nom
Der OF the church Is 10 be the judge. The
responsibility IS upon me 10 refuse 10 sub
init to that opinion II, in my judgment,
find that Il Is not In accordance with the
law Of God. ! am not willing 10 be ira
duced before this assembly by having
anything attributed TO me that u
not truth. am loyal 10 the Presbyterian
Church and the FINAL judgment Of the rs
sembly. but | am not loyal TO anything
that Is not law from the throne Of God.
had no intimation that would be nomi
\ mated here. thank my student for wha
he has said Of me. God has honorcd me
thanks 20 Ills name for having caused mi
20 lead multiudcs 20 believe every syllabl,
of Ills blessed word. On account Of ms
M health and for other reasons ! rcqucs
that nv name be withdrawn"
Elder James Lyons, Of the Virginia Sy
nod, quickly took the floor and said h'
would show whether or not DR.. Woodrow
had made unlawful aud rejecting crit
cisms upon the action OF the General As
Bcmby.
Moderator Bullock requested Mr.. Lyon
10 take his seat.
at Is a question Of vcracity," insisie'
Mr.. Lyons, while the general inicrcs
dccpcncd. "Whcn he says that the spiri
OF the inquisition has entered into the dc
libcra,ions OF the General Assembly, he q
going too far. Editorials 10 that effect mp
pcarcd IN the Southern PRECIPITATION In July
lSSG. DR.. Woodrow was the editor. an
whether he wrote them or not | consido
him morally responsible for them"
Mr.. Lyons was called 10 order aud DIR
Woodrow Withdrew, over the protests Q
several members.
DIR. II. q. Hill, Of Fayetteville. n. q.
was elected aud installed.
J. y. West, Of Mississippi, and r. \
Caldwell, Of Louisville, were elected tom
porary secretaries.
W. y. Crabb, Of New York, represcn
taiiye Of the Ames...s:s.;.;. SUNDAY o1sefyanc
Snor..ee..jy, made an address In which h'
said the saloons, Sunday newspapers an
posloliiccs were among the creates
enemies 10 tho Sabbath observance. III
made a strong talk In favor Of legal Pre-
hibition Of Sunday work. The asscmbl
passed motion 10 refer 10 eommitic
Tor trial long standing matter Of dispui
between the Mecklenburg Prcsbytery an
tic synod Of North Carolina,
The night exercises Of the Presbyloria
General Assembly consisted In a numb'
oi addresses upon the work Of cysnge
i1ing the sailor, the special theme Of u
discussion being the Soaman's Bethel
New Orleans The plan Of work adopi'
there aud is very successful results We