The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-29

5VV East BROAD.
can do is TO suggest TO the Synod either
to continue the committee and enlarge It,
or to appoint a new committee to report
to the next meeting OF tho Synod or to
send the overture to the General AS
semby without recommendation as
to It's action, and request the Assem-
bly, to refer IT to an ad o.,erim com
mlttec for report
(SlgnedD
+. ]. BROOKE.
G. W. FINLEY,
G. W. PAINTER.
X. KEMPER,
Committee
This is one OF the most important ques-
tons now before the church, and the
lack OF unanlmity in the committee on
the question will call forth much heated
discussion before final decision Is
reached. ti
Committee On Bills.
Here was presented the report OF the
Committee on Bills and Ove1tures, which
read as follows:
An overture from the Synod Of vir-
ginia to- the General Assembly OF the
Presbyterian Church in the United States,
to meet in Fort Worth, Tex, May 1905,
or the subject OF polygamy:
Whereas. The missionaries OF our
church are confronted by polygamous
sentiment sand practices in tile States
and Territories Of our country, North
and South. not only by Mormon citizens,
but also among our Indians. and the tn
habiiants Of our island possessions, and
;,, Ia dr.. md
Y Whereas, Under the light OF the Gospel,
no man can marry second wife while
his first wife Is still living in conjugal
relations with him, without offending the
laws OF Christ. Such relation is pro-
ncunccd criminal by the United States
Supreme Court and other courts. al
though 1t may be justified by heather
custom and law and be entered into in
ignorance Of the truth. yet it cannot be
perpetuated or conniyed at by one who
has become n follower OF Christ, neither
can 1t be justified by His church: there
fore, the Synod of Virginia solemnly In
vokes the General Assembly to- make the
following dcliverancc without delay, to-
wit:
J.. That no church under its care shall
be- allowed 10 tolerate the polygamous
or concubinous relation on the part of
any OF It's members, whether in Christian
or in heather lands
g. That when any man in polygamous
r!ations offers for membership, every
wife except tho one first married. II
alive and faithful, shall be repudiated.
g. That If the so-called wife or wives
thus repudiated or their children. or both
be dependant, then the church shall kind
ly assist him in their support. II need
be-
Converts from heathenism should be
treated very tendcrly in this most pain
full situa ton. and yet they should be
dealt with In all fidelity; and when
man Is called to separate from all but
his first and only wife, he should be
enjoIned to make provision for those
from whom he Is separated to the full
extent of his ability (see Moore's Di-
gest, p. 500
4. In like manner any woman in poly
Famous or polynndrous relation shall
abandon the same as a condition of
Christian communion and church mem
Lership
K $. That the Committee on Home and
Foreign Missions IRE hereby enjoined and
ordered to promptly end firmly enforce
this rule.
Opposed. No action.
Cannot Be Settled.
Rev. DR.. II. Fleming, In speaking on
this question, said II is one that cannot
be settled by the Church in this land,
but must be left 10 those missionaries
on the field, as they have deeper and
wider and more intimate acquant:l:e
with the question than any at home
AL the end of Ills speech the order of
the day was called, which was the report
on home missions, and this discussion
went over as unfinished business. Rev.
j. j.. Booker, uperintendent of home
MISSIONS presented his report. which told
in very encouraging way Of the work
OF this committee. sa
Following is the financial statement:
Receipts.
Balance from last wear. ....,.....,Sl,i1s.Sl
From Hresbyterlcs and church
eS .,...-......,.....,...... 7,5lS.S5
From cvangelIstic fields ........... .322 %
From individuals. .................. 1910
SlN,5s6.25
Disbursements.
Paid cvangelists .............,... Sc, 400 90
Salary of superintendent and treas
! urcr .,..', '.....,,........,...... 10000
by four returned checks........,.. 500
,.'''I',.'.....,......,.. 7Si.72
Balance in bank Observation-Disclosures, 1,S27,5l
s1059e.25
The Synod asked last year that $4,000
be given for this cause, The amount that
hns been raised Is s9,l77,94. Addresses on
this subject were made by Rev. DR.. AL
fred Jones, Rev. George Fl. Gilmer, and
Mr., Charles prOSkOWetZ. This ended tha