The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-25
PRESBYTERlANS IN PULPlTS.
ELOQUENT SERMONS by VISITING
PREACHERS At MEMPHIS.

Rev. DR.. smith of Richmond Tells
An interviewer of the General
AssembIy's Duty To quiet the Spir-
Il Of Unrest-NO Change In the Ma
chinery Of the Church Expected
at This Meeting.
Memphis, Tenn, May 2-AH the pulpits
of the Protestant churches were filed by
the ministers in attendance on the south
ern presbytery general assembly this
morning. The greatest interest centered
about the moderator's sermon at the
First Presbyterian church Seated with
him In the pulpit We're Rey. Dr. cum
mings, Rev. DIT. Farris and the pastor,
pr. DR. Ramsay. Or; Mallard,s text was
hiding place from the wind, etc"
His sermon was clear and marked with
great conciseness. Some OF his flights
of eloquent description were magnin-
cent. He said In introduction: There
Us only one theme for the Christian min
ister, Christ and him crucihed. IL Is the
most comprehensive of themes. Him, 1
shall preach TO you to-day.
This afternoon Dr. Morton OF North
Carolina, assisted by several of the lay
commissioners, conducted the solemn
communion Of the assembly in the First
church. a large crowd attended the sec
ond Presbyterian church, where Dr.
Hemphill preached an eloquent sermon,
also marked with simplicity ana on a
Rev. Dr p. ]. Smith Of the Richmond.
Va. Central Presbyterian said 90 the
Southern Associated Press correspondent
In an interview: 1t rs one Of the duties
OF the general assembly TO quiet the spirit
of unrest that prevails at all times TO
greater or less extent in the church. Ev-
cry year the most radical measures are
proposed by presbyteries or individuals,
but the assembly always quietly refuses
to consider them or answers with a curt
negative"
The doctor does not think there Will be
a change In any Of the machinery Of the
church q this meeting. lie says the ma
jority viii decide to "let we'll enough
alone" There are many, however who
do look for some changes, not radical, II
is true, but for the better efficiency Of
the work. The machinery Of this Presby-
terian church Is bureaucratic. In theory
and practice all the ministers and elders
are equal in authority. The moderator
elected each year holds the office only one
term, and by unwrtten law can never
hold it again. He has no inherent, power
or authority When the general assembly
adjourns, IT ceases to exist, excepting in
its executive committees and clerks. Ihe
secretaries Of these committees are paid
regular salaries and exercise considerable
power in an executive sense. They are
elect ed from year 10 year by the assem-
bly,, and are usually continued In office
until age or iniirmity incapacitates them.
of the present secretaries, two are ad-
Vanced in years and while honoring and
respecting them, still many think that the
Z
er hands. At Dallas, last year, a strong
effort was made TO effect this change, but
| either for sentimental reasons, or because
Of the peculiar Wis inertia TO which refer
/ ence was made above, nothing was done.
/ The church loves and honors those aged
/ minister's and hesitates to replace them.
| II, however, this assembly should develop
a strong Unitarian disposition, sentiment
| may give place to eXpediency, and changes
! be made, not in two but in all but one of
| the officers. DR.. Hazen is safe to remain
| In charge Of the publication work for
! years to come unless he voluntarily re-
! signs, but the others may be changed
| this year. 1t IS perfectly safe to predict
| that nothing will be done hastily or in
| any spirit Of malice, or iconoclasm.
! There is a question of law before this
| assembly in the shape of a complaint
| against the synod of Memphis. 1t deals
/ with the distinction between a commit
| tee and commission. A commission has
/ power to act finally for the ecclesiasti-
| cal body appointing Il on the matter re-
/ ferred to 1t. The question involved Is as
| to the authority of the court in appoint
| ing committee to review the acts OF the
! commission. There VIII undoubtedly be
| much debate on this question and a final
| decision reached for the future govern
ment of the church
| There has been an agitation in the
church for a new executive committee
| to have charge Of the Sabbath school
| interests. This would include a new sec
] retaryship. The matter was submitted
| by the Dallas assembly TO the presby-
teries and majority have decided
There is also movement to change
| from the International system Of Sunday
| probably defeated. There is no really
great question before the assembly, and
| Il is probable that all the work will be
finished and adjournment by Friday OF
| Saturday. This will, Of course, depend
| upon the amount of time wasted over
| trivial matters.