Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-27
CHURCH LEGISLATION.
WORK OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
(By Telegraph to virginian-pilot.)

-
Richmond, Va. May 26-After a dis
cussion which lasted for over three
hours, the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church. at its morning
session. recommended a change in the
BOOK OF order so as to provide that
the ruling elder may deliver the charge
to the people at the installation of a
pastor. Forty-four OF the Prcsbyteries
of the Southern Church had pronounced
in favor of the change, which was also
recommended by the Committee on
Bills and Ovcrtures. The vote in favor
of the report Of the committee stood:
Ayes. az noes. 43; absent, 49,; excused
from voting, ..
BIBLE CAUSE.
There was an interesting discussion
on the report of the Committee on
bible Cause. which report contained
reference to the difference in prices
charged by the American Bible Socie-
ty and it's competitors. The difference
was said to be due to some extent to
the better quality of the books of the
society, and in part to the fact that
the society has carefully avoided the
swea t-shop principles followed by other
corporate
BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE
The Assembly concurred in the action
or the Committee ON Overturcs recon-
1nending the change in the baptsmal
formula, from the words Into the name
Of" to "in the name Of"
The report of the same committee re-
commencing ministers To exercise the
greatest caution in performing mar
1iaSc ceremonies where a doubt exists
as to the consent of the parents or
either of the contracting parties when
such parties are under age, was also
adopted.
The assembly referred the questions
the American Sabbath Union was en-
Joined in the work of legislative re-
form. and continued to merit the rec
osnitlon of the churches 20 committee
on Sabbath.
a protest was received from the Min
isterial Association OF Nashville, Tenn.
against the removal of the committee
on Foreign Missions from that city to
Richmond
negative answer was returned to
several overtures. which suggested the
inclusion of the English Bible in tine
list of eubjects for the examination of
candidates for the ministry.
The assembly then took Il recess
COLORED CHARACTERIZATION.
The report of the Committee on Col
orcd Evangeization was considered ut
length during The afternoon session.
crime is on the increase among the
negro population was the chief bone OF
contention. The fear was voiced that
In the present inflammable state of the
negro mind, the PRONUNCIATION of such
statement was ill-advised. 1t was,
however. supported by the chairman
who, rs the result of his investigation,
made the statement that three-fourths
OF the crime in the South is committed
by negroes and the increase OF crime
particularly among the younger mem
bers of the race, is alarming. The re-
port was subsequently amended 30 as to
read that statistics show the preva-
lence of crime"
a protest, signed by ten commission.
ers. was presented against the action of
the Assembly in regard to the division
or the Presbytery of South Alabama,
the contention being that it practical
~ gives the Synod unlimited power.
n motion to reconsider the vote on
the presiding elder question, dspos-
cd OF at the morning session. was de-
1eated by vote of II to 49,
THE ASSEMBLY ADJOURNs.
The last session of the Assembly was
held o-night. II was for the most mart
occupied with addresses made upon
resolutions expressing the appreciation
of commissioners for hospitality and
courtesies extended to them during
their visit
resolution to include Sunday news
papers and excursions i'm the list of
worldly amusements against which tba
pastoral letter Is to be directed failed
adoption, many of the commissioners
being absent from the session, and IL
being deemed inadvisabe to reconsider
the action of the full Assembly
The Assembly was dissolved by the
Moderator who. according 10 the for
mula. ordered the election OF another
Assembly to convene in Atlanta, Ga.
on the third Thursday in May. 1900