The news & observer., 1898-05-26
Assembly Hold Next SeS-
sion at Richmond.
FOR EDUCATIONAL WORK
$4,000 WAS AUTHORIZED TO BE
USED.
FOREIGN MISSIONS WERE DISCUSSED
Committee on Publications Reported increased
Patronage Complaint from South Caroi-
ma Against Sabbath Mail Distribution
ReIecied. .-The Invalid Eund

Rejected The Invalid Fund
New Orleans, La, May 25.-Thc Pres
bytcrian general assembly to-day dccid-
ed to hold the next general convention
at Richmond, Va. The executive com
mittee was authorized to raise 100000
for educational work during the coming
year. to be apportioned among the pres
byteries. The executive committee was
instructed to discontinue aid to aca-
demical students not in college classes,
as Presbyterian colleges and seminarics
afford ample facilities for the education
of ministers.
The following were elected to compose
the committee on education of ministers
for the coming year: Rev. J. II. Lump
kin. secretary; Rev. W. +. Alexander, s.
II. Foster, n. NJ Woods, w Neil and
Messrs Thomas Wuford, S. p. Read, G.
! W. Macrea, G. ii. Albright and John
Johnston. The committee on publication
reported increased patronage, and asked
for the disappointment of the executive
committee. 1t answered in the negative,
the Muhlenburg overture for cheap
editions of dOctrinal and devotional
tracts for free distribution.
There was another impaSsioned debate
in adopting the report of the committee
which framed the assemby's action i'm
rejecting the complaint from South
Carolina about that synod's action pro-
testing against Sabbath mail distribu-
! ton.
/ The question of foreign missions was
= taken zip and discussed. DR.. Henderlite.
of Brazil: Rev S. T. Fulton, of Japan.
and Lieutenant Commander a. V.
/ Wadhams, United States navy. who was
/ stationed in China and Japan, made in
| teresting addresses upon the conditions
| i'm those countries.
Rev. +. S. Penney sent up memorial
directing attention to the embarrassed
condition Of the invalid fund. 1t sug-
gests that preachers pay two per cent
of their salaries into this fund, which
would amount to $4,000 or $4,000 Il
year. Referred.
The committee on Overtures reported
unfavorably on the proposition to con-
solidate the educational and publication
committees, and the report was unanl-
mously adopted.
Rev DR. GOetcheus then reported the
committee on overtureS conclusions on
large number of Overtures that had been
submitted to it. The committee recon-
mended that no action was necessary on
the overtureS sent by the Norfolk pres
bytery, requesting the assembly to re-
frain from assuming financial obhga-
tions without reasonable assurance that
there will be funds to meet them. Adopt
ed. A church session is competent to
! elect the elements typifying the blood Of
the Lord at the sacrament of the Lords
Supper The Lord has indicated bread
and wine.
In reference to the overture of the
Columbia presbytery, the assembly an
swered that desertiOn, total and cause
| less. affords proper ground for divorce.
The innocent party, presuming that the
civil court has correctly granted the di-
vorce has both the legal and moral right
to marry again.
The Athens presbytery, asking if
charges are to be preferred against
members wilfully and persistently alb
senting themselves from Sabbath ser
vices, was referred to the rules and dis
cipline committee.
An overture from the South Alabama
| presbytery asking that salaries of all
! missionaries, secretaries and professors
be reported in the Presbyterian statist-
cal tables, was declined
The overture from East Hanover. ask
ing that the baptiSmal formula be re-
stored to its original form, was granted
The overture from the same church
requesting a chapter on Christian giving,
he added, to the directory on worship,
was answered in the negative Still
| another overture from East Hanover,
touching changes in the book of church
order was answered in the negative.
An overture from Brazos. Texas, ask
| ing what was the view Of the assembly
with regard to holding entertainments IN
church buildings. at which admittance
was charged, was reported by the com
mittee thus "Thc church session is to
be the Judge in each case
The Brazos presbytery oyertures to
| know whether a minister or officer can
accept the standards as whole without
subscribing to each particular doctrine.
The acceptance Of so much as is formal
to the system of standards rs a whole, is
necessary. they answered, and the as
sembly adopted this view.
Tbe report of the committee on theo-
logical seminaries was received and went
over as unfinished business, the hour
oof adjournment having arrived.
Tonight there was a joint committee
servise, Rev. B. Nj. Palmer preach
ing the sermon.