Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-16
A GREAT GATHERING.
MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN PRES
nYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Most Interesting snd Important
Occnsion--The Wcstminster Ccie-
bration-Thc Prosrnmmc-Thc Toe
sin of Revolution.

CHARLOTTE. n. c.. May B.-The
General Assembly OF the Southern Pres
byterlan Church meets in the First Pres
byterlan church OF this city on the 10Th
OF May
The meeting will not only be one OF the
largest. but one OF the most important
held for years. There will be geo ac-
credited commissioners exclusive Of gene
raj officers.
AZ the meeting Of this assembly the
2Soth anniversary OF the formulation oil
the Westminster symbols of doctrine VIII
be celebrated Thirty members have
been appointed 10 take part in this. The
committee. as originally named, consist
ed Of Rev. ]. Henry Smith. d. D., chair
man; +. II. Beatle ID. d., w. NJ Nc
pheeters. D. D.. r. c. Johnston, d. d.. w.
a. Alexander. d. D., and John ~ Pres
ton. ID. d.
Or. Preston died few weeks after the
committee was appointed.
The programme. as arranged by this
committee. IS as follows:
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
% THE Social and Political Condition
OF Britain at tho Time. With Special
Reference to Those Aspects Of the Times
That (a) Prepared the Way for the Call
ing Of the Assembly, and 90 Exerted an
Influence on Ii When Called. Principal,
Rev. Henry ~ White, ID. D., Lexington
Va; Alternate Rev. Robert p. Kerr. ID.
d. Richmond, Va
CD THE Religious Situation Of Britain
at the e."-Prmcipal, Rev. Robert
Price. u. D. Clarksvile, Tenn; ;A IteI-
nate. Rev. Z. 4. Hemphiu. y. d. LOUIS
CS5 description Of the Assembly; Its
Personnel Proceedings, and Place OF
Meeting. "-Principal, Rev. T. ID winner
spoon. ID. D., Louisville Ky; Alternate
Rev Il. *. Smoot, ID. D., Austin, TEX.
tD "rhe DoctIinal Contents OF the Con-
fesslon: Its Fundamental ana heiatiEe
Ideas. and the Necessity and value OF
Creeds. "-Principal Rev. Robert l.. Dab
ney ID. D.. Victoria, Tex; Alternate Rev
John S. Watkins, D. d.. Spai'ahDurs'
Isl Mature. Value. and Special Utility
Of isms.''-Principal. Rev. c.. b.
strickler. j. D.. HampGen-Sydney, va.
Alternate. Rev. 5. a. King. D. D., Waco
Tex
Tfair Relations 10 Doctrine. principal,
Rev. j. NJ Palmer u. D., New orleans,
La; Alternate, Rev. Eugene Daniel ID.
D. Raleigh, y. c.
INFLUENCES. RELATIONS. ETC.
q "The Churches That Hold the Vest
minister symbols and the Reformed
Churches Generally; Their Points Of Con-
tact and Contrast; Their Present keia-
lions, Work. and outlook. "-Prncipal'
Rev J. 4. Tadlock, j.. D.. Columbia ,.
C.: Alternate, Rev. j. w. Walden, y. d.
Athens Ga.
CJ "The Westminster Symbols in Their
Relation 10 and Influence Upon the Mis-
sionary Character and Activities or the
Church "-Principal, Rev. Moses - hoSe'
j.. D.. Richmond. Va; Alternate, Rev. ".
T. Y. Bartlett D. D., Lexington, KY
90 THE Westminster Symbols, Con-
sldercd n Relation TO Current Popular
Theology, and the Needs of the future.~-
Principal Rev Samuel NJ Smith. ID. D.,
Columbia. s. c.; Alternate, Rev. H. ii.
Barnett. y. d. Atlanta, Ga.
CO The Influence EXerted by the
vidual. the Family, and Society. "-Princi-
pal Rev. J. +. Cannon, -. -, 81. LOUIS,
Mo: Alternate. Rev. a. r. Cooke, d. D.,
d6 "Tbe influence Of the Westminster
gvstern OF Doctrine, Worship. and P0hty |
on Civil Liberty and Responslple GoN--
rnment"-PrincipaL Hon. W. NJ. CoXX'
BALDWIN, Miss; Alternate, Judge j. -
This assembly will be moro largely at
tended than any held for years, from the
Fact that this IS a great centre OF Pres
hvfertanism in the United States, and
many of the ministers of the southern
Church have gone out from me FIesDy-
lerian belt. ana Will be glad OF an oppQgI-
lunity TO visit their native country again.
They will bring their families. ana thete
viii be slCh gathering OF PresDyterahs
ss has moi been seen here in the last
N' a MAGNIFICENT CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church Of this
sltv. where the assembly Will meet, oc-
PUPPIES the centre Of large square,
park in fact. with beautiful trees ana
walks There is 10 such church proper
~ TO be found in any city IN the country.
IT IS the proud heritage Of the Presoyte
rians Of this section.
OF all the historic places IN thls MS
toric county which first sounded the
tocsin Of liberty for these United states,
MAJ 90 1T5 in the famous Mecklen0urg
Declaration of Independence the stouhS
on which the First Presbyterian church
stands IS the most historic 1t was on
this ground where the men who gave
The impetus 10 American liberty and MS
tory stood This ground was used Tor
church purposes as far back as 1900. II
was sold about the year 1870, ana deeosa
70 the Presbytcrians Of Chariotte
Rev Or. Morrison gave the church or
pauized life IL has had a time or MINIS
try which has made 1t famous through
out the South , ..,..,-,
II IS not only a historic southern
church. but 1t has been the foremost
church OF its means in the whole southern
Church in the matter Of foreign missions
and education II has given more, IN
proportion to these causes than any city
church, Win lis ulilpIS.
The late Rev. DR.. John a. Preston, pas
tor Of the church for three years. SAID
on the occasion Of the laying Of the cor
ner-stone Of the present handsome build
ing: 1,...,,.. -.
Tight 10 have an interest in this place. AS
we all feel a common interest in some
treat battlefield in our borders, so nave
III a right 20 feel al interest IN these
THE NEW BUILDING.
In June 1894. the old church was va
,ated in order that it might be remodelled
INTO the new All the walls Were torn
iown except the front one. with It's tan
Ipire A larger edihce with handsome
innex was erected. The building is in
ityle a combination OF Gothic and Ro-
nanesque. The interior is handsomely
.efled the walls frcscOed. and the moor
covered With velvet carpetng. The fur
nlshings are OF red velvet. the woodwork
max The seating capacity of the main
auditorium IS between eight and nine
hundred The annex provides ample &C
commodaticn as 10 cOmmittee-rooms. The
church has ladies' parlora. Kitchen, am
iug-room. and every modern convenience
II IS especially appropriate that the
largest body OF the Presbyterian Cnurch
should meet In Charlotte on the 2Oth OF
May. as that date is always celebrated
es the anniversary OF the Meckienburg
Declaration OF Independence the singers
Of which were Presbyterians. This cOun-
~ IS filed with Scotch-lrish Presbyte-
rians II Is the Presbyt terrain stronghold
OF the United States
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