Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-25

| Of the assembly from the American Sab
| bath Union, on the ground that it is
society for the promotion Of legislativ,
| reform.
The assembly declined to recommend
the amendment TO the form of govern
ment recommended by Rev. A. L. NJ
Kelway, that d minister who finds him
self out of harmony with the standard Of
the Church shall be permitted the devest
ment Of his office without a formal tria
for heresy.
The recommendation Of the committee
that the assembly decline to comply with
the request of Rev. w. n. Binnott for a
change in the baptismal formula was
docketed for discussion.
AS TO RUNAWAY MARRIAGES.
The following overture and report
which have also been docketed for dis
cussion, will be Of very general interest:
Mecklenburg Presbytery:
Is minister Of our church justifable
In performing a marriage ceremony when
one or both Of the contracting parties re-
side with their respective parents, are
both Of marriageable age. but under the
age of q (said ceremony being performed
ct a pace OllltI Nlldll the NOME Oh one OIL
the parents of the contracting parties),
when the minister knows. or has reason
TO believe, that such marriage is without
the knowledge and against the consent
of the parents Of either one of the con-
tracing parties?
In answer TO the above the General
Assembly replies as follows: The assem-
bly, is Of the opinion that it would be
both unwise and inexpedient to attempt
TO lay down any infleXibe rule for the
guidance Of its ministry in relation to the
performance of this ceremony-the great
bond of society. 1t believes that an en-
lghtened conscience and the laws of the
land are, as rule, the safest and only
guides to be followed in such cases. But
the assembly cannot forbear 10 express
the opinion that in the cases described in
the overture the greatest prudence and
caution should be exercised by the min
lister; that he should exert his influence.
as far as he can properly and prudently
do so, TO prevent such marriages. and
only consent TO perform the ceremony in
those cases where he is satisfied from
all the circumstances that the best in
terest of all the parties Gncluding the
parent or parents) will be subserved by
hts doing
SEVERAL MATTERS DECLINED.
The assembly declined to recommend
the amendment TO the form of govern
ment as to the resignation of ministers.
The assembly also declined to change
the Book Of Church Order in regard to
the ordination of ministers.
The assembly further declined TO recon-
mend the amendment suggested by the
Central Mississippi Presbytery. that
ruling elders may deliver the charge TO
the minister upon his installation
The General Assembly's Executive Com
mttee on Summer School reported that
effort has been made 10 organize and pro-
vide for such a school. 1t has. however,
been found impracticable to obtain the
services of any of the professors OF the
theological institutions on the terms of
fered. The committee recommends that
unless the assembly will appropriate 800
for the establishment Of such q school
the work shall be given up.
AND YOUNG PEO-
PIES SOCIETIES.
The report OF Sabbath-schools and
young peoples societies was received and
adopted. The paper gives the following
statistics. The reports of 1850
Sunday schools are summarized, with an
enrolment OF 1908 officers and teachers.
and 1857 scholars, showing an increase
Of s schools, is officers and teachers. and
La scholars. The contributions amount
ed to sii,S27, showing decrease of Sl,15s
For other objects s24,s99 was contributed,
1880 less than last year
Reports have been summarized from
wenty-eight presbyteries, showing S3l
'ouns peoples societies. with a member |
snip of 1892, contributing $gs7S.9S. Special
mention Is made of the organization of !
The Covenanters' societies.
me committee recommends that the re- |
luest OF Professor j. Lewis Howe for the |
appointment by the assembly of a trustee |
o represent the Church in the United So \
'iety of Christian Endeavor be declined. |
There was considerable debate over the !
recommendation, the majority OF the !
speakers taking the ground that the ap-
continent of trustee as requested would |
the assembly. The position |
occupied by women in the Society of
christian Endeavor was unscriptural
The recommendation was adopted with
)aly three dissentients.
STRONG AND EMPHATIC CRITICISM.
When the adoption of the report as a
Whole was moved. an amendment was
proposed by Judge Edmondson. that the
interest OF the elders should be invoked in
he Sabbath schools. and more active
versight be given ii. The schools. IL
vas asserted, needed more attention than
; given them, and this point was en-
hasized by an allusion TO the conditions
Richmond. where there are 1,l00 more
ommunicants than scholars in the Sun
ay school, a fact which, 1t was main
aimed. argued poorly for the future of
The great danger Of the MULTIPLICATION
the young peoples societies, and the
fhcial recognition OF them by the as
emily was forciby pointed out by Judge
ones. OF Georgia. The tendency of the
ocieties, he said. was 10 become too self