The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-31
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
Closes After a Ten Days
Session.
SPEECHES WERE LIMITED
ORA. t. Phillips Reelected superin
tendent of Schools and Young Peo-
pies societies-Comnittee to
Visit President.
SPEECHES WERE LIMITED

Especial to The Times Dispntch)
LlAlNGTON. VA, May S0.--The forty
third General Assembly OF the Southern
PRESBYTERIAN Church adjourned this
evening at 2 O'Clock, with the singing
OF "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" after
session OF ten days. At the opening OF
this mornings session there was consid-
cradle business on the docket to DO con-
sidered, but rs the commissioners were
anxious to complete their abors to-day,
speeches were limited to FIVE minutes.
except to chalrmen OF committees, who
were given ten minutes Tho AS
Hembly has been a hard working body
and much legislation Of Importance to
the Church was enacted
The report Of the standing committee
on Sabbath-schools and Young Peoples
Series, showed 2146 Sabbnth4schools,
with 20,50 officers and teachers and 49,.
6l3 scholars: Ss7 Young Peoples Socie-
ties with 2577l members. 1t was recon-
mended that parents be exhorted to tho
home training of their children in the
foundations Of faith: that church SEES
sions be urged to provide normal train
Ing for teachers; that Sabbath-school
day be observed the first Sunday in Oc-
tobcr and that during the next year
united and vigorous attempt be made to
plant Sabbath-school in every church
and In every community In the bounds OF
the Assembly.
DIR. PHILLIPS RE- ELECTED.
DR.. A. l.. Phillips, of Richmond, was
reelected Superintendent of Schools and
Young Peoples Societies. position that
he has held with great ability and 3effici-
ency for the past two years. In reply
to a communication from the General Sy-s
nod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, asking the Assembly to appoint
q committee of conference to meet with
similar committees from other various
bodies looking to organic union OF all
the Presbyterian Churches In the Unit
cd States, the Assembly adopted q reso-
luton declining to appoint the commits
sion asked for, because there Is no evl-
dence in sight to justify the Assembly
in hoping that the object proposed may
be gained in this way.
The Committee on Colored Evangelical
ton gave statistics showing that there
are flfty-four colored ministers In the
field and eight candidates for the minis
try and eighty-f1ve churches. Stillman
Institute was endorsed for the training
Of the colorod ministry. DR.. D. Clay
Evans was reelected secretary with the
following committees: Drs. p. Fl. Sholl,
L. s. Handy. +. a. Bryan. n. Z. An.
derson, j. G. Snedicor, John Van Lear,
]. w. Stage, A.. A: Little D. Clay Lilly.
and Messrs j. II Miller, r. D. Johnson,
T, W. Coleman. 5
GRATITUDE EXPRESSED.
A resolution was adopted expressing
grateful appreciation to Mr.. Robert
Whyte. elder In the Regent Square Pres
byterian Church, III London England. for
Invaluable service rendered to our Afri-
can mission representative In London.
The Committee on the Narrative OF
State OF Religion made their report which
was adopted and ordered to be inserted
In the appendix. 1t was also ordered to
be read from the pulpits OF all the
churches and published In the church
papers.
The standing Committee Of Publication
made lengthy report Approval was
expressed of the election OF Mr.. AL Phil
lips to FIJI out the unexpired term OF
DR.. Hazen as secretary; and Of the cleo
ton Of Mr.. NJ. A. Gill as business SUI
perlntendent.
In answer to various overtures from
Presbyteries the committee recommended
that their Sunday school lessons be pub
l!shed In the "Childrens Friend" That
the nssemblys clerk be directed to make
suitable publication OF all special days
and seasons directed by the assembly;
that the selection Of the authorized YER
sion of the Scripture for optional forms
for Sabbath-school exercises be left to
the discretion of the committee: that the
Executive Committee of Publication be
instructed to guard against the publica-
ton of all books, papers and programmes
for use In the Churches which contain
matter not commonly believed and np-
proved by Presbyterians.
There was n considerable discussion OF
this latter recommendation some of the
brethren taking occasion to condemn IN
no uncertain way the growing use OF
special programme and picture cards on
Easter occasions. This was declared to
be contrary to tho standards OF Presby-
terianlsm.
$4,000 FOR PUBLICATIONS.
1t was further recommended that the
Executive Committee after conference
with the Presbyterian authorities be d.
rected to apportion tho sum OF $4,000
among the Presbyteries to be raised for
the publication cause during the coming
year; that the assembly's standing Com
mittees Of Publication and sabbath
Shcool and Young Peoples Societies be
consolidated into onecommittee, TO be call
| ed the Committee of duplication and Sab
| bath-School work. and that the Synods
| and Presbytcries DO requested to make
| q similar change in the interest o. sim
| pllcity and effectiveness OF equalization,
| The following Executive Committee for
| the ensuing year was elected: Rev, j. +.
Smith, D. D., Rev ]. c. Stewart, p. D.,
Rev, q y, Strickler. d. d.. Rev. j. w.
Rosehro. ID, D.. Rev, S, X. VIM, D. D..
Rev. Jere Witherspoon, d. D., Rev. Rus
sell Cecil. p. d. Hon. p, r. Wexford,
Jr,. Mr. NJ, NJ Gillian. Mr.. ]. G. Tins
ley, Mr. ] s Munce, Mr.. George Bryan,
ard Rev. A. l.. Phillips. y, ~
CONGO CRuELTIES.
The following committee was appointed
To visit the President and Congress of