The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-23

Worldly Amusemenss-Dr. NleGifs
fert's Defiance OF the Northern Ass
sembly.
Richmond, Va, May 20.-The regular
session of the Presbyterian general as
! sembly today was devoted exclusively
10 the transaction of routire business.
Greetings were sent to the general as
ssnblies now sitting IN Minneapolis
ard Denver and received from the
| former. =
ferred was one from Mecklenburg. Va,
presbytery, asking "if minister is
justifable in performing the marriage
ceremonies when both parties, being of
manageable age, are under the age
OF Il, and the minister has reason to
believe that the marriage is without
the consent of the parents of one or
other of the parties to the contract"
tn same presbytery asks the assem-
bly, to withdraw from the information
al Sunday school committee
The Fayetteville, N. c., presbytery
sent up an overture, praying for the
appointment OF judicial and influen-
tlal committee to prepare cOmmuni-
cation on worldly amusements, with
particular reference to dancing, card
playing and theatre-going, the COM
munication to be read from every pull
pit in the southern church.
The report on colored evangeliZation
was submitted. 1t shows that the sum
of s2,423 has been paid to colored min
! listers and churches; all debts have
been paid, and the work has been main
tanned in all it's depths The year
closed with $4,000 in bank, which will
keep the work going until December.
The committee on Christian educa-
ton, appointed last year, reported. rec
ommending the establishment of church
tschools of the preparatory grade. The
report was made the special order for
Monday
Dr. Woodrow, the chairman of the
judicial committee, said he had great
pleasure in announcing to the assem-
bly, that there could be no judicial case
before the assembly The time for fill
ing notices of contests ex yired Friday
night, and no such notice had been
given. He said he would not ask for
the discharge of the committee, as
something might possibly turn up,
though 1t was subject for congratu-
lation that no contested judicial cases
were before the body at this time.
! None of the standing committees be-
ing ready to report, the assembly took
a recess until $3.50. O'Clock, p. m.
Tonight, the assembly received the
Covenantors, the boys societies of the
church. the first one of which was Or
ganized by Miss Catharine Halves, of
this city, and an address was made by
DR.. Cannon. The societies of the
churches of Richmond attended as
bodies and with them were representa-
tives of the organizations in outside
churches. Later, the Covenantors en-
tertained the assembly at a reception
COURTEOUS DEFIANCE OF THE
NORTHERN CHURCH.
Minneapolis, Mimi, May 2O.-Dr. A.
T. McGiffert. of the Union Theological
seminary, by letter to the Presbyterian
general assembly, today refused to COM
ply with it's request of last year that
he should modify his attitude on doc
trinal matters expressed in his Chris
tian Church in the Apostolic Age" or
else withdraw from the church. In
stead of modifying his views, he de-
clareS that he is in accord with Presby-
terian doctrine on all vital points and
far from Withdrawing, declares that he
cannot withdraw. The language of the
letter was so courteous that many OF
the conservatives in the assembly
joined the liberals in applauding it
when the stated clerk had read it, not
understanding that Dr. McGiffert had
refused. though most courteOusly, to do
the bidding Of the church. The letter
was surprise.
The committee on bills and overtures
DIR. Wallace Radcliffe, chairman, will
pass upon the letter. An influential
member of the committee declares that
the letter is exactly what it should not
be, except for it's courtesy. But the
spirit of the committee and of the
whole assembly is such that it is hard
to say what will be done. There will
be careful consideration by the COM
mittee and a heated debate in the as
sembly, whatever the report
DR. George W. F. Birch, of New
York, who instigated the proceedings
against DR.. Briggs and tried to keep
DR.. McGiffert out of the New York
presbytery, will take up the cudgels
against Dr. McGiffert. In the end the
assembly will either re-assert its posi-
ton of last year and let the matter
drop, or else recommend the New York
presbytery to take up the question Of
expulsion of Dr. McGiffert, which
means a heresy trial.
If you have piles, cure them. No Use
undergoing horrible operations that
simply remove the results Of the dis
H.