Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-27

was due TO the difference in quality. The
American Bible Society stands for the
absolute integrity OF the Scriptures. and
some other companies do not. The So
cicty publishes the Bible I'm all languages
which rs something the Church could not
90. IT gives, free OF cost. the books for
the missionaries. and 10 any man, woman.
OF child who asks for IT, He moved the
striking out OF the report all comparisons
oVtWeen the books of the society and
other companies. The amendment was
nlv. with proposed change in the report
Whlch was adopted by the assembly.
MEMORIAL OF DIR. HOGE.
The following was adopted by rising
vote:
The assembly hereby expresses thanks
TO the ladies OF the Second Presbyterian
church of Richmond for the gift TO the
members of the assembly Of the volume
containing the account of the memorial
services at the forty-hfth anniversary Of
the pastorate OF the Rev Moses ID. HOge
In that church. The members Of the as
sembly will cherish the memory Of this
faithful and able minister OF Christ. with
thankfulness to God for all the able years
OF his ministry in the Second Presbyterian
church. extending beyond half q century.
The report Of the Committee on over
lures was given precedence over the de-
bate on the question Of cOlOred evangeli-
ZatiOn. The assembly concurred i'm the re-
cOmmendatiOn that the Book of order
should not be changed To include the
English Bible in the list Of subjects for
the examination of divinity students, in
reply to Overtures from the Synod Of
Georgia and several presbytcries.
The recommendation Of the committee
i'm reply TO the Presbytery OF Athens, Ca,
that the assembly should not withdraw
its recognition of the American Sabbath
Union. as an organization given over to
legislative reform. on motion Of Dr.
Walden, the matter was referred to the
permanent Committee on Sabbath.
The assembly concurred in the recon-
mendatiOn of the committee that the
greatest caution and prudence should be
exercised by ministers to prevent clan
destine marriages. and only 10 perform
the same when convinced that il Is to
be TO the best interests Of all concerned.
lengthy overture from Rev. w. /.
SynOt, on the baptismal formula accom-
panied by a lengthy argument. was laid
upon the table. the assembly having de-
cided twenty years ago that no overtures
should be received from private persons.
The assembly decided in favor of the
change in the baptismal formula. sub
stituting the words lin the name Of In
stead of into the name Of" fifty-five
of the soventy-seVen presbyteries having
favored it,.
Afternoon Session.
When the assembly reconvened. at 1870
o'clock Colonel Edmondson moved a re-
consideration of the vote BY which the
change was ordered in the Book or Or
der, providing for the deliverauce of tho
charge to the people at the installation
of a pastor by the ruling elder. He was
anxious, he said, that the question should
be settled. but inasmuch as over seventy
members had not voted, he thought the
result was not a fair expression Of the
sentiment Of the assembly. He had noted.
ne said that some Of the best and
strongest men in the body had voted in
the negative. and other representatives.
had expressed the desire to change their
vote.
\ point of order was raised, and the
order for the day was given precedence,
the motion Of Colonel Edmondson going
TO the docket
CRIME AMONG NEGROES.
The report Of the Committee on COlored
CHARACTERIZATION. an abstract of which APP
peared in yesterdays Dispatch, was pre-
scented.
Replying to the question how the statis-
tics of crime this year compared with
those of former years. the chairman
stated that three quarters Of the crime
committed in the South was done by
negroes. A significant fact was that the
ratio of crime increased, as far as the
younger generation is concerned. The ne
grOes under 20 years of age committed
eix fQl qri az ha al i or
\ protest was made against the state
ment made in the report that crime is on
the increase. In the present inhammable
state Of mind Of the negro it was argued
that il was i'll advised to make such
statement a motion was made to strike
out this part of the report.
The chairman said he had carefully ex-
amined the statistics. and the report was
an exact statement of fact.
After some discussion, the report was
amended so as TO read that Statistics
show the prevalence of crime" The re-
port was adopted.
The report of the Standing Committee
on Publication was read ana adopted.
1t states that the collections last year
were between and 6 per cent. larger
than heretofore, and this fact will en-
able the committee TO enlarge the scope
DIR. ROGER MARTINS PROTEST.
Or. Martin presented a protest against
the division Of the Presbytery of South
Alabama by the Synod of Alabama, which
action Of the synod was sustained by the
assembly. 1t was received and admitted
TO record without answer.
Mr.. McLain offered a resolution, pro-
viding for a roll TO be kept in the churches
of those members who neglect to attend
the services and ordinances. 1t was laid
upon the table.
RULING ELDER QUESTION.
Colonel Edmondson called his motion
to reconsider the ruling elder question
from the table
\ motion was made to lay IL on the
table. and the question not being debata-
BILE under these circumstances. the amend
ment was put and carried, by vote Of
81 TO 43.
The Hymn Book Committee reported
progress and asked that expense of bust
ncss-meetings through the year be borne
by the assembly. The report was adopted.
The assembly adjourned until S15.
Impressive scenes at Closing Session
At the last session Of the assembly the
report of the Committee on the Minutes
Of the Texas Synod was reconsidered, and
all criticism contained therein was Or
dered To be eXpunged The criticism
which had excited the heartest laughter
Of the commissioners when II was de-
Iivered was explained by Chairman Craig.
who said he had but quoted from the
minutes.
An effort was made by Mr. Price 10
reintroduce the addenda he proposed on
Thursday TO the reply TO the overture
from Fayetteville PTesbytery touching
worldly amusements, so as to include. be-
sides dancing. card-playing. and theatre
going. such things as Sunday excursions,
Sunday newspapers, ana the like. The
notion TO reconsider was lost its adj
disability being questioned by Judge
lanes Or. Woodrow, DIR. Nall, and