Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-28
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
LAST DAYS SESSION OF THE
NORTHERN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
PoIygamous Marrihses--Thfs Subject
Gives Rise TO Discussion, and the
Matter Is Postponed Until Next
Year-AssembIy Assessment.

PITTSBURG. PA, May T.-The las
days session Of the l07th General Assem-
bly, opened this morning with crowded
docket. The overtures from the Synod Of
| India asking a reply to It's memorial upon
the subject OF the baptism OF polySamou'
| converts was considered. A Mohamine'
| dan was admitted TO the Church ana al
lowed to retain both wives in his house
A memorial was presented asking the
| General Assembly that final power DC
| given to the Synod Of India In such cases
A protest against this memorial was
| fled, and the whole matter laid before
| the assembly's standing Committee on
Church Pollty. The answer OF the COM
mittee was that 10 action be TAKEN on
the ground that, according to the DOCK
Of rules. polygamous marriage was iof-
hidden. and the Church session was con-
stituted authority TO decide upon the adj
mission OF persons TO the sacraments'
DR.. Thompson, representing the commit
tee, explained that there was no concrete
case before the assembly. and that the
committee was indlsposed TO interfere
until n judicial case involving the ques-
semply, and not the synod, was the au-
thority in judicial cases, and special leg
islation In favor of the Synod OF India
was not necessary.
DR. Morrison, representing the Synod OF
India, urged that that body was compe-
tent to decide on questions relatlng 10
matters affecting the customs ana prhc-
tees Of india. lie held that recognition
Of polygamous marriages by the Church
eli
other rule, he said, would rule David out
Of the Church.
II having been ordered TO take a vote
on the answer at the conclusion OF the
remarks Of DR. Morrison, and motion TO
reconsider this action so as TO permit
further debate having been lost, motion
was made to refer the whole matter 20
the next General Assembly. This caused
a spirited debate. and was laid on the
table. A resolution was presented by DR..
Johnston, of Chicago, recommending that
the whole matter Of poygamous marriage
be left 10 the discretion Of the Church
sessions. I'm order to bring the matter
properly before the assembly In the form
of judicial case.
On motion the whole matter was re-
ferred back TO the Committee on Church
Polity, with instructions to amend its
answer.
On return from its consultation, the
committee recommended the appointment
of a committee OF three TO examine into
the whole matter Of polygamous mar
riages and report to the next General
Assembly. Resolution adopted
The Committee on Bills and Overtures
presented its amended answer TO the
overtures referring TO reduction Of the
assembly assessment from cents to 6
cents a member This matter was much
debated on Saturday, and the committee
was instructed to prepare an answer set
ting forth reasons in detail against the
proposed reduction.
DR.. Mutchmore, chairman Of the COM
mttee, argued that the proposed reduc-
ton would drive the assembly TO adopt
Saratoga as its regular meeting-place.
He held that rotation Of meeting-place
was of inestimable value to the Church.
He said that 1t was necessary that the
of the Church should be
cared for in good style at the General AS
sembly, and that the saving Of l cent a
member should not influence the COM
missioners TO report in favor Of such re-
duction.
The amended answer Of the committee,
retaining the 7-cent-rule of assessment
was adopted, one vote only being in the
negative.