The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-30
Last Session of South
ern Presbyterians.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES,
Change of the Book Of Order-Amerfs
Fan Bible socIety-Change I'm Baptis-
mai Formula-Cautioned EDjolned I'm
performing Marriage Ceremony-Ke>
port ON Colored Observation-Disclosures
anve Answers TO Several Questions.
Sunday Newspaper Escape Cen.ure.


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 the order so as to provide that
the ruling elder may deliver the charge
10 the people at the installation Of a
pastor. Forty-four of the p~resbyteries
OF the southern church had pronounced
ID OF the change, which was also
recommended by the comittee on bills
and overtures. The vote in favor of
the report stood-ayes, II; noes, 40, alb
SENT ~; excused from voting, 2.
Inere was an interesting discussion
on the report of the committee on Bible
cause, which report contained a refer
ence to n difference in prices charged
by the American Bible Society 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 sweatshop prin-
! clples followed by other corporations.
The assembly concurred in the action
of the committee on overtures recon-
mending the change in the baptismal
formula, from h words Unto the name
Of to Gin the name Of"
! The report of the same committee
recommending 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 par
ties are under age, was also adopted.
The assembly referred the questions
whether the American Sabbath Union
was engaged in the work of legisla-
tive reform and continued to merit the
recognition of the churches, to the COM
mittee IN 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.
A negative answer was returned to
several ovGrtures which suggested the
inclusion of the English Bible in the
list of subjects for the examination of
candidates for the ministry.
The report of the committee on COL
ored evangelization was considered at
length during the afternoon session.
! 1uO SCdCCILcuC COuldlutU III lLyIudI
; crime was on the increase among the
negro population was the chief bone of
J contention. The fear was voiced that
in the present inf1ammable state of the
negro mind, the PRONUNCIATION of such
a statement was ill advised. 1t 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 negroes and the increase of crime,
particularly among the younger mem
bers of the race, is alarming. The re-
port was subsequently amended so as
to read statistics show, the prevalence
of crime"
A protest, signed by ten, commission
ers, was presented against the action
Of the assembly in regard to the divis-
ion of the presbytery of South Ala
bama, the contention 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 defeat
ed by a vote of 81 to 43.
The last session of the assembly was
held tonight. 1t was for the most part
occupied with addresses made upon res
| olutions expressing the appreciation of
commissioners for hospitality and cour-
tesies extended to them during their
visit.
A resolution to include Sunday news
papers and excursions in the list of
worldly amusements against which the
! pastoral letter is to be directed, failed
| of adoption, many of the commission
ers being absent from the session, and
it being deemed inadvisable to recon
slider the action of the full assembly.
The assembly was dissolved by the
moderator, who according to the formu-
La, ordered the election of another as
| senhly to Y in Atlanta. Ga. on