Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-26
OBSERVANCE or THE SABBATH.


b. r. Wexford. Jr. w W. Henry, NJ. NJ.
Gillian and W. c. Preston.
OBSERVANCE or THE SABBATH
The standing Committee on Sabbath re-
ported that the report of the Permanent
Committee, Rev. DR.. Stacy chairman.
was placed in their hands and considered.
The report presents nothing new as com
pared with former years touching the
observance of the Sabbath by our people.
Church members continue for the most
part TO conform faithfully both in their
Views and their practicings. On the other
hand. among the nOn-Christiau people OF
the land. and to some extent within the
pale of the Church. there seems TO be in
cgeasing evidence of a gradual drift to-
ward utter disregard of the Sabbath.
The following recommendations in par
tiCuar are presented for adoption:
That the individuals and households of
our Church, which are faithful and eX-
emplary in he observance of the Sabbath;
be commended and encouraged in their
fidelity and eXhorted To continue stead
fast and unmoveable i'm their testimony
against the dissertation Of the day.
That our people be reminded that the
keeping of the Lords day is of binding
obligation at all times and in all places
That the following ministers and elders
constitute the Committee on the sabbath
for the ensuing year-vz: Rev. James
Stacy, ID. d.. Rev. II. II. Rice, Rev. c. +.
Bridwell. and Mr.. John A. Barry. The
report was unanimously adopted.
DIGNITY or THE ASSEMBLY.
The Committee on the Records of the
Synods of Texas were very humorously
presented and criticised by Chairman
Craig. The report created much laugh
ter but at its close Mr.. Weaver, Of
Texas. moved that IT should be recon-
mitted. as contrary to the dignity of the
body. 1t was submitted, he said in a
spirit of clownishness, such as ought not
TO be permitted to creep into the reports
of body of the dignity of the General
Assembly The motion was voted down,
being supported only by Mr. Weaver ana
four other members. The report was
then adopted. after being amended in
some few particulars
Mr.. Craig explained that he had merely
read extracts from the report; he had
replied TO questions addressed to him,
somewhat humorously perhaps, and per
haps there was no humOr in a General
Assembly He read from the records OF
the synod to show that some of the state
ments which had excited the laughter
of the commissioners were part of the
minutes of the synod. Several of the
commissioners from Texas spoke, depre-
eating the tone and criticisms of the COM
mittee submitting the report.
THE HYMN-BOOK QUESTION.
The special order Of the day. the report
of the Committee on Overtures. was
taken up. The hymn-book question was
the first matter considered. The COM
mittee recommended that the assembly
decline to consider the issue of new
mn-book, in response TO an overture
from Louisville. and a motion was made
to reject the recommendation. This
motion was discussed al some length, and
it was developed that number of over
lures on the same subject had been re-
ferred TO the Ad Interim committee on
the HymnBook.
This committee has acquired certain
copyrights and plates. No report has
been or will be submitted to the assem-
bly, until the material for a hymn-book
has been cOllated. The wisdom and
economy of undertaking the publication
OF a hymn-boOk formed the basis OF the
discussion, which was interrupted by the
arrival of the hour for the Introduction
of Rev. Or. John Fox, the representative
Of the American Bible Society.
WORK OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.
Rev. DR.. r. II. Law was called to the
chair. and introduced the speaker. DR..
Fox extended the greetings of the society.
and announced that the Northern Assem-
bly, had. during it's sittings in assembly.
followed the example of this Southern
Assembly, and recommended that every
synod in its jurisdiction appoint commit
tee to advance the objects for which the
American Bible Society stands. He spoke
briefly OF the history Of the organization.
and its relation 10 the auxiliary societies.
The Virginia Bible Society was esteemed
as the best Of all these auXiliaries. There
are large areas, North and South, which
have not yet been covered.
In conclusion, DIR. Fox paid tender
and affcctiOnate tribute to the memory
of the late DR.. Hoge.
on motion of DR.. Nall, the matter of
the address was referred TO the Standing
Committee on the Bible
An invitation from the Hollywood Me-
mortal Association TO attend the services
on Sunday and the exercises on Tuesday
was received and acknowledged with
thanks.
HYMN-BOOK QUESTION.
The discussion OF the hymn book ques-
ton was again resumed. DR.. Woodrow
asked what was the need for doing any
thing with regard 10 a new hymn book?
had not been universally adopted. These
hooks were not defective in any particu-
lar. and there was no need TO try 10 sup
plant them where they have been estab-
lished. The assembly, he said. had no
authorlty TO recommend new book. and
wanted none, and its recommendation
really amounted 10 nothing
Dr. Green, speaking for the commit
tee said Il was not for that body to
answer the question propounded by Pro-
lessor woodrow. They should have been
asked a year ago. The committee ola
moi feel warranted TO arrest the work
on the new hymn-book at the simple re-
nuest OF Louisville Presbytery when
twentv-six presbyteries favored the con-
tlnuation OF the work
The recommendation OF the committee
was adopted with very Few clSsehliehts'
POWER OF A MODERATOR.
The assembly also adopted the recon-
incubation OF the committee. that IN
cases OF emergency the moderator can
al, a meeting Of a presbytefy without
,no concurrence OF two ministers or two
elders.
THE answer that the authority to COM
,ot, the care of the Church TO deacons
res,des in the session was adopted with
Dut debate. A., o,,a
,,,ra from the Prcsbytery OF Athens. that
- "a M warrant for the observance |
1890, t,r,r.r, on THIRD PAGEl