The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-27
HAVE CONCLUDED THEIR WORK
LAST ACTS OF THE SOUTHERN
PRESBYTERIANs

Long Debate on "a Change in the
Book of Orders-Greatest Caution
Must BE Exercised in Marriage
CeremOnies-Increas of Crime
Among Younger Members of the
ColOred Race Commented Upon
Adjourned to Meet in Atlanta.
Richmond. Va, May 26-After a discus
sion which lasted for over three hours, the
general assembly of the Presbyterian
Church at ais morning session, recommend
ed a change in the Book of Orders so as
to provide that the ruling elder may de-
liver the charge TO the people at the in
stallation Of a pastor.
Forty-four of the Presbyteries of the
Southern Church had pronounced in favor
Of the change, which was also recommend
ed by the committee on bills and over
lures. The vote in favor of the report of
the committee stood: Ayes n. noes 4S, alb
sent rs, excused from voting 2.
There was an interesting discussion on
the report of the committee on the Bible
Cause, which report contained a reference
to the difference In prices charged by the
American Bible Society, and its competi
tors. 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
he sweatshop principles followed by other
CORPORATIONS.
The assembly concurred in the action of
the committee on overtures recommending
the change in the baptismal formula from
the words Into the name Of TO lin
the name Of"
Care in Marrying.
The report of the same committee rec
ommending ministers TO exercise the
greatest caution in performing marriage
ceremonies where a doubt exists as to
the consent of the parents of either Of
the contracting parties when such parties
are under age, was also adopted
The assembly referred the questions a.
to whether the American Sabbath Union
was enjoined in the work of legislative
reform and continued TO merit the recog-
milton of the churches, to the committee
on the Sabbath.
A protest was received from the minis
terial association of Nashville, Tenn,
against the removal of the committee on
foreign missions from that city to Rich
mond.
A negative answer was returned 10 sew
eral overtures which suggested the inclu-
sion of the English Bible in the list of SUD
iects for the examination of candidates
for the ministry
The assembly then took recess.
The Negro Question.
The report OF the committee on colored
evangeliza ton was considered at length
during the afternoon session. The state
ment contained in it, that crime is on the
increase among the negro population, was
the chief bone of contention. The fear
was voiced that in the present infammable
state of the negro mind, the PRONUNCIATION
of such a statement was i'll advised. II
was, however supported by the chairman,
who, as the result of his investigation,
made the statement that. three-fOurths OF
the crime in the South is committed by ne
groes and the increase of crime, partcu-
larly among the younger members of the
race is alarming. The report was sub
sequently amended so as to read that sta
tistics show the prevalence of crime"
A protest, signed by ten commissioners,
was presented against the action in as
sembly in regard to the division OF the
Presbytery of South Alabama, the conten-
ton being that it practically gives the
synod unlimited power.
A motion to reconsider the vote on the
presiding elder question. disposed of at the
morning session, was defeated by vote OF
81 to 43.
The Closing Session.
The last session of the assembly was
he'd tonight 1t was for the most part
occupied with addresses made upon res
olutions expressing the appreciation Of
commissioners for hospitality and courte-
sizes extended them during their visit.
A resolution, to include Sunday news
papers and excursions in the list Of world
ly amusements. against which the pastoral
letter is to be directed, failed of adoption
many of the commissioners being absent
from the session. and it being deemed in
advisable to reconsider the action of the
full assembly.
The assembly was dissolved by the mod
orator, who, according TO the formula
ordered the election of another assembly,
to convene in Atlanta on the third Thurs
day in May 1900.