The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-30
DIXIE'S PRESBYTERIANS.
TIE ASSEMBLY WINDS Up ITS
WORK AND ADJoURNS.

The Report on Gard, Playing Consid-
ered-An Overture In Reference to
the Selection of Deacons and Riders
Causes Discussion Women Not to
Be Allowed to Speak in Public.
BIRMINeHAN, ALA, May 29.-The Pres
byterian general assembly adjourned to-
day.
The first business this morning was a
motion TO reconsider the report previously
adopted with respect 20 the practice Of card
playing, prevalent in most circles. The
motion was adopted and an amendment was
offered, 30 that the report will read; ''In
some Of our churches.n DIR. Moore wanted
it 10 read; SIN many churches" Dr. Peters
wanted 1t Every many" And it was finally
ordered to read: Dancing aud card playing
that prevail in some Of our churches"
DRAGONS AND ELDERS.
Next came an overture sent over by the last
assembly in reference to deacons and elders
who are induoted into Office without exami-
nation as 10 their knowledge Of the rules
and doctrines Of the church. 1t came up
bytery, and the report OF the COM
mittee this morning favored a
change 30 as to require examination.
DR.. Parke, chairman OF the committee,
strongly sustained the report, maintaining
that it too often happened that men are
elected and inducted into Office at the same
meeting and sometimes by packed presby-
tories, with no examination at all. He had
known cases where such deacons and elders
had not even seen the book of orders. Rev.
Mr.. Chester offered an amendment provid-
ing for extraordinary cases.
LONG DISCUSSION.
A long discussion ensued, one side being
in favor Of such requirements as would Sc
cure educated elders, aud the other main
tanning that the present restrictions are suf-
ficient, and that frequently men who were
not learned made good church officers.
Finally it was solved by the adoption of a
substitute offered by DIR. Hitner, that the
assembly declines to send down overtures on
the subject, but urges all churches and pres
byteries to be careful In the selection of
deacons and elders.
WOMEN SPEAKING IN PUBLIC.
The committee having charge of the over
ture In reference to women speaking in pub
lio made a report, recommending that it be
not allowed, and after a brief discussion the
report was adopted.
The old case of ]. c. Cassell, who had
Deen turned Oub OF q CnufCl IN Ln0 meUl-
phis synod, came up He carried his case
before his presbytery, which investigated it
and found that his discharge on the score of
unhecoming conduct was really the work of
malice on the part Of two other members
named Hearn and Smith. The presbytery
accordingly ordered that q clean let
ter be given him. The synod had oyerruled
the presbyte and sided with the chvrctE
After discussion pro and con the assembly
voted to sustain the presbytery in it's action
and disapproved the action of the synod.
SEVERAL ADDRESSES MADE.
TIE venerable DR.. Marshall of Texas was
called on for an address and responded
feelingly.
in reply.
DIR. Handley of Birmingham followed in
brief speech.
The usual resolutions Of thanks were
passed; "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" was
sung, and the assembly adjourned.
This afternoon the delegates were taken
on an excursion tendered by the Ensley
dummy line to the Ensley furnaces. A
great many delegates left the city last night
and to-night's trains took more.