Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-12
TO MEET In DALLAS
ANIMAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE PREsBYTERIAN CHURCH.
some Questions to Arise-Obser-
servance Of the Sabbath, Home
Mission Work, and Organic Union.
Those 70 Go from This Section.

Those 70 Go from This Section.
The General Assembly Of the Presby-
| terrain Church In the United States
| (Southern). will meet in the First Pres
| byterian church. Of Dallas. Ten. on
Thursday next the 18th. at II o'clock a.
III. Besides the ordinary routine busi-
ness the assembly will have to con-
slider number OF important questions
pertaining to the administrative policy
OF the Church. More than the usual
number Of ad interim committees were
appointed at the assembly of last year
to report to the present assembly. some OF
them on subjects Of such character that
the reports will be looked for with in
terest.
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.
A committee consisting Of Revs. F. II.
Gaines. ]. w. Rosebro. d. d.. Il. Daniel.
d. D., and Ruling Elders J. w. Wallace
and J. G. Barley was appointed to re-
port on these points: ~ Whether or not
the time has come to appoint an agent
or secretary of Sabbath schools, CD on
the HQNlSABlllty OF duDItAbS e'"'NN
system OF Saba th-schooi lessons on a
doctrinal basis: 90 the conditions and
needs OF the Sabbath-school cause In our
boards. We have been informed that the
report OF this committee Will present
fun and carefully-prepared statement
OF the condition and needs OF the SAB
ba tn school cause in the southern fres-
byterian Church, and that II viii re-
commend the appointment OF a secre-
tary of Sabbath schools. There Is such an
officer in the Northern Presbyterian
Church, and IL Is claimed that this de-
partment Of church work has been greatly
benefited by his services.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
The subject Of Sabbath observance VIII
also DO reported on. The last assembly
ordered that a committee OF seven
be appointed 20 present 10 the next as
sembly paper. In the form OF an ad
dress to our Church, setting forth and
Illustrating the principles that are to
guide our people in deciding between
works that are lawful and those that
are unlawful on the Sabbath; and. also
the principles that should guide our
Church courts in dealing with the mat
ter"
The committee consists OF Revs. S. 3.
Campbell, ID. D., J. D. Mclean, @. T.
Storey, J. NJ. Purcell, and Ruling Elders
K. c. McPhaill. a. Moseley, j. B. Nc
Lane. This body has prepared an ad-
dress 10 the Church to be reported 10
the assembly, dealing with the difficult
and delicate points committed to II for
cons Iteration. II will also recommend
interdenomnational organizations OF the
friends of the Sabbath, 20 resist by pro-
per moral influence the growing encroach-
ments upon the day OF sacred rest.
To a committee consisting of Revs.
r. II. Saw. u. D., i. Il. Webb, j. NJ.
Whavey, d. D., and Ruling Elders J.
W. Lapsley and J. i. Hobson, was re-
ferred the whole matter of beneficiary
education. The manual Of the Executive
Committee was also referred TO this
committee The whole subject is in the
hands OF this body. and its report may
deal with the principles of beneficiary
and may suggest changes In
the administration of this department
Of the Churchs operations.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The last assembly sent down to the
for their concurrence i'm
portant amendments TO the constitution.
one, which includes number of sections
Of the Form of Government, makes ma
te-lal changes in the terms of licensure
and ordination for the ministry. The
other empowers a minister in foreign
field where there is no presbyteries TO
)rdain other ministers. The report of the
action of the presbyterles, as given in the
papers, show that both of these amend
ments are defeated. II so, the Church
law will remain as - a.. THE assembly
can do no more than record and enun-
ciate the action Of majority OF the
,resbyteries. 1t is probable. however.
that both these subjects will come again
before the assembly in some other form.
A number of ministers in various parts
Of the Church proposed to the presbyte
ries an overture 10 be sent to the assem-
bly,, asking some changes In the conduct
of the home mission work and In the
schedule of collections so far as IL re-
lates to this cause. Some of the presby
teries adopted the overture. whilst others
adopted adverse overtures. and many
took no action. The overtures necessa-
rily bring the subject before the Assem-
bly,, but what it's action will be cannot
be now foTetold.
ORGANIC UNION.
The old question Of "orranic union"
with the Northern Presbyterian Church
will necessarily come up again, though IT
may be thought TO demand, and may re-
ceive. but little attention. The last as
sfUlDIS. III uiSWtl W StN'idl
from presbyteries. gave reasons for not
this question. and to tele-
gram from the Northern Assembly
stating that II had appointed commit
tee 10 confer with similar committee
Of the Southern Assembly, should one be
appointed, as 10 union upon the basis of
the common standard, this answer was
returned: THE blessing OF God having
rested upon our Church in her separate
-. -
bly, of the Presbyterian Church In the
United States In session In Nashville.
with affectionatc. fraternal greetings 10
the General Assembly OF the Presbyte-
rian Church OF the United States OF
In session in Saratoga, and
wishing 1t godspeed In every good word
and work, regards II as unwise to re-
open the question of organic union.'
ADOPT ANOTHER COURSE.
There was no little opposition in the as
sembly Itself 10 its action in declining
to appoint the committee of conference
asked for and overtures have been sent
up from several of the lower courts ask
Ing that the pr sent assembly shall take
up the subject and adopt a different
course. Whatever particular action may
be taken as TO appointing 4 committee |
OF conference. or otherwise seeking closer |
relations with the Northern Church. II is
not probable that the general sentiment |
OF the Church. represented by the dele |
gates to the assembly. will call for any |
material modification Of the position of |
the Church as to the difficulties In the |
way of organic union with the Northern !
Church. |
OUR DELEGATES.
The commissioners (members) from |
asf
bly, are Rev. W. r. Richardson, d. D..
Rev j. +. Cannon. and Rulng-Elders |
Judge Il. II. Wexford. of Richmond. and |
General George j. Hundley, OF Amelia. |
This presbytery, which embraces the |
Richmond churches has in these four
members an able delegation to deal with
he many important subjects to come be-
fore the assembly.
Norfolk Presbytery sends Rev. T.. T.
Wexford. formerly OF Richmond. now OF |
Newport News. and Ruling Elder j. p.
lprpioau Norfollr