Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-26
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
CONTINUES TO LEGIsLATE ON I'M
PORTANT QUESTIONS.
tRy Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.)

(Ry Telegraph to Virginian-Pilot.)
Richmond, Va, May 25.-At the
morning session OF the Presbyterian
General Assembly. the following. offered
by DR.. Kerr. of this city, was docketed
for further discussions:
The General Assembly takes occa-
sion TO express its strongest condem-
nation OF the lawlesS spirit abroad in
the land, manifesting Itself in many
ways, but notably in scenes of mob
violence and the taking of human life
IN cases of supposed or proven crime,
without due process of law, involving;
the awful danger of inflicting death
upon an innocent person, while the real
criminal goes free; tending also to
cheaper human life. TO unsettlc the
social order. and TO weaken or destroy
that reverence for law and cons titutcd
authority which the scriptures require
all to uphold.
we. therefore, urge all our people
ana ministers, in all scrlptural ways,
to do their utmost toward cultivaling
and maintaining that order and revcr-
ence for authority which are enjoinc,r
by the word of God"
RECORDS FROM TEXAS.
The Standing Committee on publica-
ton recommended the approval of the
publication of reports. which was done.
The Committee on the Records OF the
Synod of Texas were very humorously
presented and criticised by Chairman
Craig. The report created much laugh
ter. but ut It's close Mr.. Weaver of
Texas. moved that it should be recon-
mitted as contrary to the dignity of the
body. 1T was submitted, lie said in a
| spirit of clownishness. such as ought
not to he permitted to creep into the
report of n body of the dignity OF the
General Assembly. The motion was vo-
ted down. being supported only by Mr.
| Weaver and four other members The
| report was then adopted, after being
| amended in some few particulars.
| The Assembly adopted the recommen-
| cations of the Committee on Overtures
that In cases Of emergency, the A1odera-
tor can call a meeting of Presbytery
| without the concurrence OF two minis
| ters or two elders.
OBSERVANCE OF HOLY DAYS.
| The reply of the committee to the
overture from the Presbytery of Ath-
ems, that there is no warrant for the
observance of Christmas aid Easter as
holy days, was adopted unanimously.
| The Assembly concurred in the rec
| ommendation OF the committee. that
| alternates may take the place of prin-
| cipals, or vice versa, after church
| court has been constituted, and one or
| other has taken part in the proceed
| ings.
DANCING AND CARD PLAYING
The recommendation that in view of
the former deliverances on the subject.
the Assembly should not issue Il pas
toral on the subject of dancing, card
playing and theatre going, and the
| growth of ungodliness, was met with
an amendment proposed by MIR. Aud,
| OF Florida. He cited cases where
ruin and trouble" had come as a re-
suit Of dancing. and he urged the AS
| semhly to issue n new address on the
| subject, in answer to the overture of
| Fayetteville Presbytery.
After a long debate, the pending
question was called. and Mr. Auld's
motion to amend the amendment in
accordance with the suggestions of Mr..
| Price so as 10 include structures upon
the neglect of private prayer and pub
| lie worship. and the patronage of the
| sunday newspaper, but this was de-
clarcd to be out of order by the Mode
| rator
LYNCHING RESOLUTION ADOPTED
Dr. kerr's lynchlng resolution WAS
adopted after being amended by the
addition OF the following words:
While expressing our adherence OF
| the crimes which have led to these
! Irregularities"
The afternoon session of the Assem-
| bly, was occupied with the further con-
| sideration of the report of the Commit
| tee on Overtures. The Assembly re-
! fused to concur in the recommendation
| that the reports on statistics and svs-
tematlc beneficence should embrace
| the same amounts