Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-28
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
Topics for Young Peoples SOCIETIES Pro-
Ylded by Southern Assembly.
CoLOR-LIxE QUESTION COMES UP.
IL Gives Rise to a Stirring
Debatc-Grcnt speech from DIR.
W0odrow-The "Busy Demons OF
the Press"
the Press"

etteyille on doctrine ana one from
Orange Presbytery on publication Of lite
nature as to colored evangelizauon were
answered in the negative. on one from
Pennsylvania Presbytery as TO the pre-
paration Of topics for young peoples So
cieties. the committee recommended that
the Publication Committee look into and
do what it will in regard to them. After
some discussion by DR.. ". ID. Morton,
DR.. j. S. Parks. and others, substitute
was adopted directing the publication
Committee to prepare such series OF
papers.
on the overture from Lexington Pres
bvtery in regard to cheaper religious
papers the committee answered that
they do not see how the assembly can
deal with this matter in any practicable
manner
An animated discussion took place as
TO depositories for the sale of sur pub
Hcations. The Rev. ii. b. Price ana
DR.. J. l. Vance approved. Dr. HarZep
disapproved The report Of the commit
tee was adopted, that this plan could not
be adopted. 1t was ordered that spe-
cial committee be appointed TO arrange
for the celebration OF the 2j0th anniver-
sary OF the Westminster Assembly at the
next meeting of the General Assembly.
The report Of the Foreign Mission Com
| mittee was taken from the docket, con-
sldered, and adopted.
At the afternoon session the report of
the special committee on Sunday schools
was adopted, including a direction TO the
Publication Committee to appoint an edi-
| tor for the literature OF our Church.
The assembly heard the judicial case
from Charleston Presbytery as to receiv-
ing a young colored man as candidate
| for the ministry.
CHURCH AND STATE.
MEMPHIS. TENN, May 27.-The as
semblv opened at o'clock with devo-
tional exercises by Rev. w. T. Palmer
Of Trenton, Tenn. After the usual open
ing routine. DIR. J. p. Smith. of Richmond
| Va. desired to record his vote I'm the mega
| tive on the question of State aid TO the
| school at Fredericksburg. Notlee was
given Of protest on the same subject
Rev Or. l.. T. Bowen. of the Commit
tee on Publication, submitted answers 10
overtures in its hands. The question OF
young peoples societies, now agitating all
the churches. cropped up in connection
with a request for the preparation or
doctrinal topics for young peoples meet
ngs. Dr. Parks championed the cause oil
the young people. The committee opposed
the preparation OF such topics. but the
assembly decided by large majority in
their favor.
The assembly decided that 1t could not
interfere with the prices Of religious pa
pers.
A long debate followed on the establish
ment Of branch repositories Of the publ
cation-house I'm Atlanta, Memphis, and
other cities. DR.. Hazen, secretary of the
Publication Committee, said that 'the
establishment OF such repositories would
cripple and eventually destroy the publ
cation work OF the Church. by dividing
and impairng its capital, now barely
sufficient. Il would be absurd from a
business standpoint. We do not object
to local repositories, II supported by local
capital"
\ large majority decided against the de-
Dosiiories.
BUSY DEMONS OF THE PRESS"
The report Of the Committee on Publ
cation was read and docketed. 1t refers
10 "the busy demons Of the press" which
the Church must fight with their own
weapons: commends the work Of the tx
ecutive Committee. and recommends its
reappolntment.
The Bills and Overtures Committee then
reported. clearing their hands of several
f'tAr"~NA
out debate. The foreign missions report
was taken from the docket and adopted
by sections The economy Of the EXecu-
tive Committee is commended. The trea-
sury is out Of debt. Regrets are expressed
that 1909 churches have not given 10 Tor
egn missions. and the report bames the
ministers for failure TO present the
causes.
Action was taken disposng Of mission
nropartv In Brazil
The assembly then took recess till
p. NJ.
The assembly was called to order at
| p NJ. Rev. J. s Moore, -. D., Of Sher-
maa. Tex, presented the report OF the
special Committee on Sabbath-School Sec
rotary Replying to an overture which
had been placed In it's hands, II recon-
mended that the Executive Committee
of Publication be instructed to employ
a suitable man to give his whole time to
| developing the Sunday-school work and
| colportage, as missionary agency"
Adopted.
QUESTION OF COLOR.
a telegram of greeting was received
from the Cumberland Presbyterian
! Church. in session at Birmingham.
A judicial case involving the question
| Of color was then taken up. and the as
sembly was solemnly constituted a court
| 10 consider the matter.
The case is as follows: One Reuben
James, a colored man, presented himself
| as a candidate for the ministry before
the Presbytery Of Charleston, which is I'm
| the black belt Of South Carolina. The
/ presbytery examined him, and was salts
/ fed entirely as to his qualifications, but
| refused TO receive him, solely because he
was a negro. Exercising its right TO
review the records Of the presbytery, the
| synod took exception to this action. and
ordered that the pres bytery reconsider
/ it's action and receive James. Elder j. a.
| Ensloe. Of Westminster church, Charles
ton. brings the matter before the General
| Assembly by complaining OF this action
| OF tho synod.
The first speaker was Elder Ensloe, the
complainant. He disclaimed race preju-
dice. and spoke Of his lifelong interest
| In the religious training of the negroes.
/ But the people OF Charleston Presbytery
do not deem 1t wise to permit any ming
| ling OF the races. His principal point was
| that the Book OF Church order does not
/ recognize the relationship Of candidates
| 90 presbyteries; therefore. the synod had
no right TO force upon the presbytery a
relationship which is unconstitutional
Elder w. X. Thompson. of South Caro-
| lima, represented the synod. He appealed
| for the colored race. and said that I'VE
| nave no right 10 refuse TO license one
OF its members to carry the Gospel to his
own people. There is no fear OF race
amalgamation in South Carolina These
colored men will be driven TO leave our
Church and enter the Northern Church.
which is holding out its arms 10 receive
| them"
A GREAT SPEECH.
Tho oraataSt sneech Of the session so