The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-26

Lexington, Va, May 22-The second
days session of the Presbyterian gen
eral assembly began this morning at 10
o'clock after the members had attended
special exercises in Lee Memorial
Chapel at Washington and Lee Uni
Versity. where addresses were made by
President Denny, Of the University,
and DR.. Theron Rice. of Atlanta. on be-
half of the assembly.
The opening prayer of the assembly
was by DR.. Hyde, of Fort WORTH.
DR.. Thorton Weeling. of Lexington,
presented Moderator Hopkins with a
gavel sent by Rev. P. F. Price. mis-
sionary in China.
The moderator then the
standing committees. The chairmen are
as follows:
Bills and overtures. w. T. Hall: jul
dicial committee, James P. Smith; edu-
cation. T. E. Converse; publication and
ministerial relief, Henry Moore; For
eign correspondence. r. A. Webb; for
eign evangelization, I. H. Rice; theo-
logical ~SeminarieS, d. A. Planck; Sab
bath schools and young peoples socie-
ties, j. H. Patton; home and school,
w. D. Morton; beneficence, w. H.
Perkins: narrative. j. T. Caldwell;Bible
cause. A. D.. Mcclure; church and
Christian endeavor, j. H. Bridges; h
Sabbath. w. V. Frierson; Auditing, w.
Pipes; devotional exercises, Thornton
Whaling; leave Of absence. L. r.
Walker.
The ad interim committee of home
missions made a report through DR.. S.
L. Morris, secretary. DIR. d. E. Lilly,
secretary of the executive Ommitte on
| colored eVangelization, submitted the
annual report of that committee. The
remaining time of the morning session
was consumed in reading a large num-
Der of bills and OvertureS of Importance
from various synods. ~presbyteries and
churches. which were all referred to the
proper committees for consideration, to
be reported back to the assembly for
final action.
The annual report of the secretary,
DR.. joseph E. Lumpkin. of Memphis,
for the executive committee on educa-
ton for the ministry. was then read.
The committee reported that they a
~endeaVored to raise $50, 900, but only
$50, 291 were receiVed-the largest sum,
however, contributed for several years.
They enrolled us beneficIarieS, as COM
pared with 162 last year. The sum paid
them was 81, 459. The balance on hand
is 1868. The increased enrolment en-
49, ~ AiobN RlAoA III
the near future more men would offer
themselves for the ministry The lack
Of a sufficient number of ministers ade-
q~uately equipped is perhaps the most
serious impeachment in the way of the
progress of the church. Important as
are other causes. they necessarily de-
pend very largely upon this one. In or
der to do the work that ought to be
done at home and abroad, there must
f be a larger supply Of minister's.
The records Of the svnods of Louis
F lana, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and
North Carolina, We're then given out to
E the assembly for consideration.
The committee or the Goth century
fund submitted a report which was re-
f ferred to a committee for further con-
: sfderation-
The treasury's report of the assembly
showed that the total funds collected
O were $2,830, Xpens $3.50. leaving q
: balance on hand Of 1878.
The report of the permanent commit
tee on Sabbath observance followed
q Sixteen ~preSbyteries reported success
attending the efforts for a better obser.
q vance of the Sabbath day and recon-
mended that popular meetings be held
The report said a hOneful reaction was
? assured and asked the assembly TO ap.
point an evening for the consideration
. of this subject. Encouraging reports
l were read from the boards of the va.
riOuS theological seminaries within the
bounds of the assembly and all were re
i. ferred to the committed on theological
seminaries. The reports consumed tn,
major EOrti0n of the afternoon. After
the chairmen Of the various standing
committees had the mem,
bers Of each respective committee ant
the places Of rIeeting, the assembly ad,
jOuTned in order to permit the commit
: tees to organize SO as to take steps Il
: get to work On the many papers anC
tODlcS for their c0nCi6pr3t inn
y The assembly in lieu of q night SEES
l sion held a popular meeting. Rev. j. w
5 Wallace. Of Bristol, Tenn, presided al
Rev. DR.. A. T.. Phillips, of Richmond
Va. and Rev. DR.. r. A. Webb, o
: Clarksville, Tenn. addressed the meet
g ing in the interest of the Sabbatl
schools. This meeting was largely at
tended by visitors.
The standing committees are now en-
. gagged in arranging for the laboriou
tasks before them prior to submittin;
action for consideration of the assem-
a bly,.
The synods Of the Tennessee, Ala
bama. Missouri, and Fort Worth, Re,
;. River. BraZOs and Maryland Presby
teries asking that an organic uniol
; between the Presbyterian and Dutcl
= Reformed churches be considered. Tn
y matter was referred to the foreign cor
r~eSpondence committee.
orr Whit IN