Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-30
ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS
SOUTHERN PREsBYTERIANS TO
MEET NEXT IN CHARLOTTE.
best Debates of the Meeting-Ob-
servance of Sundny-Armenian Suf-
ferings-Power of Prcsbytery to Re-
view Action of Commission.

MEMPHIS, TENN. May 29.-CSpecial.)-
The assembly Is somewhat diminished
in numbers. but Is showing great vigor
in its business. The best debates of the
meeting have been to-day-on recon-
mendation to decline to grant the over
ture OF the Synod OF Texas as to arrang-
ing for petitions on the observance of
the Sabbath. substitute approving
such petition, proposed by the Rev. J. ).
Vanmehe, was adopted-64 yeas to 81
noes. An additional paper, by Rev. II.
p. Price, asking our members to seek the
closing OF local post-offices. was adopted.
The First church, Charlotte, n. c., was
sembly.
A paper on Armenian sufferings by Or.
]. p. Smith. was adopted.
An appeal of Messrs. Woods. Ramsay,
and others from the action Of the Synod
Of Memphis as to the power of presby-
terry to review the action of a commits
sion was debated at length, and, finally,
it was not substantially to 10.
4 resolution Of thanks presented by
Dr. Fair, was unanimously and heartily
adopted.
A committee on programme to select
speakers for the 250th anniversary at
Charlotte, n. c., I'm 1897. was appointed
as follows: Drs J. II. Smith, Beattie
McPheeters, l.. c. Johnson, w. A. Alex
ander, and J. A. Preston.
The assembly adjourned at 3 p. NJ, and
the moderator called another assembly.
to meet in Charlotte. n. c., in 1891.
A BIG QUESTION.
MEMPHIS, TENN, May 29-The
Southern Presbyterian Assembly struck a
big question this morning. An overture
from the Synod of Texas advocated a
mammoth petition TO Congress and the
State legislatures favorng the enactment
OF Sabbath Observance legislation. The
committee recommended negative an
swer. This brought out some OF the
finest debating OF the assembly. Hon.
W. NJ. Cox. OF Corinth, Miss, made
strong speech pleading for the petition.
He said: 1T il the inalienable right OF
each member OF the Presbyterian Church
10 petition the civil power. The Supreme
Court Of the United States has decided
that State governments have the right
to pass laws forbidding the running OF
trains. interstate or otherwise. on the
Sabbath. The great railroad corporations
are doing what the State and national
governments dare not do They deny TO
a large body of citizens the right to
worship God according to the dictates Of
their own consciences. Let us do all i'm
our power for the protection Of these
and other employees. who are forced to
labor on the Sabbath"
Dr. Woodrow took the ground that this
Is not n Christian government and the
Church has no right to ask its aid for
religion. The Jews have a right to be
heard.
Several fine speeches were made. and
the assembly decided in favor Of the pc
tition.
A paper was introduced by Rev. DR.. j.
p. Smith. OF Richmond, Va, express
ing sympathy with the people of Ar
menia, which was adopted by a rising
vote.
SYNOD OF MEMPHIS
Almost all the Afternoon session was
consumed by a debate on the judicial
case Of the Synod of Memphis. Under a
rule OF the assembly, each commissioner
had the right to speak for five minutes,
and full advantage was taken Of it. The
vote was 70 not to sustain. 10 to sustain.
a resolution Of thanks was introduced,
and adopted by a rising vote. DR.. NAL
lard, the moderator, made some very
feeling remarks. DR.. j. Il. Smith, Of
Richmond, Va, responded. using the
highest terms Of appreciation. with a
deep spirit Of earnestness. The assembly
rose and sang "Blest BE the Tie That
Binds Our Hearts i'm Christian Love"
The moderator then dissolved the as
sembly with prayers calling another
meeting in the First church, Charlotte,
n. c., the third Thursday in May. 1897.
Most OF the commissioners have already
left for their homes, but some will re-
main and nil the pulpits Of the churches
Of the city on Sunday.