The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-25
FOR PEACE CONFERENCE.
presbyterian Assembly oners spc-
cinI nyer-Procccdingr.


cinI Prnyer-PrOcccding
Richmond, Va. May 2-The morning
session of the Presbyterian general assem-
bly, Witnessed the transaction OF great
amount of business. notable incident
was the according of the rights OF as-
sociate membership OF the Rev T. w
Williams, the delegate from the indie
pendent colored synod. who comes TO
speak upon the question OF eolored
eyangellzatiou After the assembly hat
voted to accord these privileges, the mod
crater extended the welcome OF the as.
eombly in few we'll chosen words the
committees all standing Rev. Williams re-
spondcd briefly.
A communication was received from tho
association OF ministers Of Richmond and
Manchester indorsins the proposition TO re-
move the headquarters Of the foreign mis-.
slons committee to this city. 1t was
dooketed.
The report OF the committee on foreign
mssion5 was called and adopted.
The report says among other things:
/ THE net receipts for the year were Slii,-
800 10. We regret to record the fact that
this is $i,0533l less than the net receipts
for the previous year The year, however
closed April l. 1899, without a debt and
with a balance of $5ii0 In the treasury
Ton hing this matter aud in reference to
ovortures from the presbyteres, ds..ing
the general assembly TO take proper steps
to signali2e the opening of the twentieth
century by n special effort to raise not
less than $200.000 for the cause OF foreign
misslcns in the year ending March 81 1900,
We recommend that the ovcrtureS be an-
swered in The affirmative nud that our
reoTle be urged TO make the minimum Of
their contributions this year 81 each.
The report on home missions was pre-
scented by the chairman OF the standing
committee and adopted, as was the report
on theological semiuares.
In answer to the overture about min
| listers marrying runaway couples, the as
semhly made tho following deliverauce;
'The assembly is of the opinion that u
would be both unwise aud lueNpedient to
attompt to lay down any inHeXihle rule for
tho guidance OF its ministry in relation
to the performance OF this ceremoly-tho
great bond OF society, II believes that
an enlightened conscience and the laws
OF the land are. as a rule, the safest and
only guides to be followed In such cases
But the assembly can not forbear to eX-
IEess the opinion that in the cases de-
| soTihed IN the overture the greatest pru-
dence and caution should he exercised by
tine minister; that he should exert his in
|. fluonce as far ms he can properly and pru-
IDENTIFY do so to prevent such marriages
and only consent to perform the ceremony
| in those cases where he is satisfied rom
all the circumstances that the best inter-
est Of all parties OncludinB the parent or
parents) win be subserved by his 50 do
| ng.
The report of the Sabbath schools and
| young peoples societies was received and
adopted The paper gives the following
! interesting statistics The report OF 2050
Sunday schools as summarized. with an in
rollment of la.0SS officers and teachers
and i3S.557 scholars showing an increase
Of eight schools rs officers and teachers
and i2il scholars. The contributions
amounted 10 S4i 1871, showing decrease OF
81 tbS
For other objects s2L99a was contri-
buted 1880 less chan last year.
Reports have been summarized from
iwcnty-eight presbyterles. showing 33l
young peoples societies. with a member
chip OF s,S92, contributing SCISSOR.
Special mention Is made OF the organ
| OF tho Covenanters' societies.
The assembly then took recess.
! AT the afternoon session the overture
on behalf Of the alliance OF the Reformed
churches was favorabiy reported by the
committee on forelgn relations. The
committee recommends the appropriation
OF $3.50 to make the alliances and closed
| with the following; Since the peace con
ference OF the accredited representstlves
! OF the nations. looking forward TO the