Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-06-15
Tho Meeting Of tho General Assembly Il
'. s.. Richmond, Va.

This body is the highest court of the
Southern Presbyterian church, and rop
resents in one body all tho churches
thereof 1t bears tho title Of "The
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States." Tho diff.
ference in tho titlo of this branch of tho
Presbyterian church and that known as
the Northern Presbyterian church is that
the lattor adds to tho titIo above the
words "of America" These assemblies
meot annually on tho third Thursday in
May. Tho Northern Assemb. y ~ It this
year in Minneapolis and tho Southern
Assembly was in session in Richmond.
This highest court of tho Presbyterian
| church consists of Commissioners from
tho Fresbyteries in the following proper
ton, viz Every Prcsbytory shall DO en-
titled to send one minister and ono ruling
elder; but if Prosbytery consists of
moro than twenty-four ministerial mem-
bers, it shall sond an additional minister
and ruling elder
Tho Assembly in Richmond which
convened May 18th with ninety-nine
ministers and ninoty-nino ruling elders,
besides several othors who have exoou-
tive connection with tho body, such as
tho stated clork, permanent clerk and
! secretaries of tho several committees,
making in all about two hundred and
| fiftoen.
Tho Rov. j. +. Cannon, D. D., of St.
Louis, was elected moderator and Rev.
| Alexander Sprunt and Rov. T. II. Law,
d. D., both of South Carolina, were
| elected clerks.
Tho usual largo numbers of ovortures
from various Prcsbyterios woro read and
acted on and tho many reports of routine
work were duly considered.
This was remarkable assembly for
some reasons. 1t was not disturbed with
a single case of judicial character,
either BY way of complaint, appeal or
| otherwise. When it is remembered that
tho Assembly has jurisdiction in soven-
teen States, consisting of thirteen Sy-
mods and scvonty-sevcn Presbytcries,
with 800 ministers, 1900 churches and
about 235,00 members, this is rathcr re-
markablo. The peace and harmony of
tho body was not onoo disturbed by any
word of indiscrotion or passion. Tho
influence upon all was highly pleasing.
Many courtesies were shown tho AS
rcmbly by tho:r hospitable host. A
moonlight excursion down tho James
Rivor was given by tho ladies of tho
First church, a reception was tendorcd
by tho Covonanters, IAN organization of
boys inaugurated in Richmond for tho
active sympathy of the boys in every
missionary offort,) another reception
was given by tho faculty and students of
Union Theological Seminary in tho olo-
CANT now buildings, occupied for tho
first time, this year. Tho Seminary was
moved year ago from Hampdcn-Sid-
ney, Va, to Richmond, and has a mag
nificent plant, in thoir now homo. They
had an enrolment of about 04 in tho
Seminary tho past year, which is tho
largest number ever enrolled in ono year
in tho history of tho institution.
Threo sessions each day wero held and
careful consideration givcn to all tho in
forests of tho church, for a period of
nino days.
Highly instructive and inspiring meet
ings wore held in tho interest of Home
and Foreign Missions. There was an un-
! usually largo number of missionaries
present, who arc at home on furlough,
after tour of service in tho foreign
field. Interesting debates were pro.
voked on tho subject of church and
christian education, young peoples So
cioty, missions, worldly amusomcnts and
other subjects of moment. Two amend
ments to the Book of Church Or(or wero
adopted, ono touching tho formula of
baptism and the other tho prorogativcs
of ruling elder in tho installation of a
pastor.
Tho Assembly adjourned on Friday
night, May 26th.-A. S. in Rock Hill
Herald.