The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-28
DIXIE'S PRESBYTERIANS.
THE ASSEMBLY REFUSES TO RE-
OPEN THE ROBINSON CASE.


Negligence Reported in the Matter of
Church Narratives-A Com mittee on
Colored KvenRelization Organized
Delegates Not to be Sent to Toronto
This Summer-The Doctrine on Tenn
perance.
BIRMINGHAM. ALA, May 27.-The case
Of E. d. Robinson, from Knoxville. was
finally settled to-day by the Presbyterian
assembly declining to go into it. Robinson
was regarded as eccentric, and his case has
been before three assemblies. Last year he
was restored to communion Of the church
from which he had been excluded by former
judgments. This year another overture
from the Mecklenburg presbytsfy claimed
that the action Of the last assembly was Tn
constitutional, and wants the case reopened,
but the assembly declined to do it.
The committee on narrative reported sixty
eight narratives. They reported negligence
In this matter and failure to send in reports
on the condition Of the church. The report
says that the church is progressing more
than ever before. Men are coming into the
ministry, and more men and women are
ready TO enter the missionary fields.
DR.. Philips reported the organization of q
committee on colored evangelization He
recommended that each presbytery appoint
a committee on this subject, and that the
trustees Of Tuscaloosa Institute be incorpo-
rated. This was adopted.
CHURCH H RUMPUs.
The judicial committee, through Judge
Martin, reported that the memorial from
the Third church at Knoxville be answered
thus: THAT the lower courts take coani-
zance Of the case Ia dispute between a min
lister and the members Of his congregation,
as there seems to be an opening for peace"
This was adopted.
A. W. Pitzer, from the committee on for
eign correspondence, reported adversely on
sending thirty delegates to Toronto, Can
ada, to the grand alliance this summer,
money being scarce.
The synodical records of Memphis, Nash
vile and Arkansas were found TO be cor
rect.
1t was decided that when church fur
nishes preacher with q nanse the rent of
that manse was to be deducted from his
salary.
THE DOCTRINE ON TEMPERANCE.
In answer to an overture from the West
Hanover presbytery on the church doctrine
on temperance, it was replied that ''all of
our members be requested to abstain"
The committee on education was elected
as follows: E. w. Richardson of Memphis,
secretary; G.. A. McRae. treasurer; John
H. Boyd, F. L. Ewing, s. P. Reed, T. II.
Rice, W. II. Nelly, Thomas Wexford, John
johnson, Leander M. Wood, Rev. Alex
ander.
The theological seminary committee,
through Secretary J. Dixon, reported prog
ress on every side from the Union theo-
logical college, Columbia college and the
colored institute at Tuscaloosa. The Union
seminary has increased its accommodations.
The coloTed college at Tsukaloosa had
twenty-three pupils last year.
BILLS AND ovERTURES.
The assembly took up the report of the
committee ON bills and oyertures relative TO
some proposed changes in the laws and reg
ulations concerning the licensure and ordi-
nation of preachers. The commit ttee re-
ported that sections and in chapter of
the form of government be stricken out
and others adopted, which they set forth in
the report. The report recommends:
/. That after sufficiently trying their gifts
and pursuing further study under some ap-
proved teacher Of theology and receiving from
the church good report, .probstioners to the
ministry may, in not less than two years, be or
daned to the sacred office.
.. Candidates to preach shall produce testi-
mony OF good moral character, end the presby-
terry shall examine them respecting their ex-
perimenJal acquaintance with religion, and also
the-motives that induce them to preach.
The examination shall be in the presence OF the
presbytery alone.
The third, fourth and fifth sections of the
report treat Of the requirements Of candi-
dates for the ministry and tend to lower the
standard.
Section gives a number of proposed
changes in the ordination of ministers, and
the formation and dissolution Of pastoral
relations
The report brought on long and heated
discussion pro and con, and no action has
yet been taken on it. Many leading men
are opposed to it, because its object is to
lower the literary requirements Of ministers
of the Presbyterian church.
Tonight publication work was dis
cussed.