Year: 1877

sure tn6G every MEMBER IN Lne Assembly VIII
testify that | have not been talking mem
Der. / wish to endorse most heartily all
that DR.. Hoge and Governor Marye said with
regard to the Executive Committee. l can
not find it in my heart to feel, or tongue to
say anything against that Committee. 1t is
Committee of noble men, and they have
done nobly. And say still further, that il
[ had been on the Committee, would have
done just exactly as they have. DIR. Hoge
expressed the whole case in that one word.
1t was an instance of over confidence; and
now, as a skillful mariner who has been In
the storm for days, his first business is to
take his bearings, so We have been on this
subject, in storm. Now light is breaking
in upon us, and it is right that We should
take our bearings, and, in doing so, we shall
find that we are agreed on almost everything
regarding the necessity of continuing the
great work of the Church. We are agreed
as to the control that the Committee should
exercise over all the publications issued in
the name of the Church. We are agreed as
to the manner of conducting the business,
that it should be done by contract.


We are agreed as to the necessity of keep
ing prominently before the mind of the peO-
pie the missionary part of the work. We
believe the Committee is called to two.fold
work-that of business and benevolence.-
One word in regard to the statement made
in this report seems to have produced false
impression, namely, that the books are in
such condition that it is impossible for US to
obtain a knowledge of the exact statistics
Now, when balance-sheet is made, it ought
to balance to half cent; but the very con-
fdence of the Committee had allowed the
Secretary of the Committee so to mix it up
with his private affairs that this was not done.
The real difference amounts to little or moth
ing; but it does not balance-thst is what
we mean by saying that we cannot give an
exact account of this work. We differ in the
matter and manner of doing business; some
we're in favor of having the disposing of the
books done by contract, just as they now do
the publishing, and the Committee have come
to the conclusion to recommend that course
to the Assembly. As to the question whether
we shall sell the house at once, the Commit
tee proposes that it be sold, unless means
can be got on reasonable time to pay for it,
We believe that, if the house could be paid
for, it would be good thing for the Church
to have it. IF the brethren are willing to
pay for it, we wish to give them the oppor-
tunity of doing so; then they would have
about that endowment which ought to have
been raised. The property would be worth
in good times $50,000 Most of the brethren
shudder at the idea of debt, and justly. We
are overwhelmed with debt in the National
Government-our States and State govern
ment, our county and their county govern
ments, and our cities in their cities capacity.
We ought not to have debt as a Church.
We ought to observe the Apostles rule, ''Owe
no man anything" Still we have concluded
to give the brethren an opportunity to buy
the house, if possible. As TO the suggestion
made by the Executive Committee, recon-
mending the Assembly to devise certain
checks and regulations for the administration
of its affairs, we were in favor of leaving the
matter in the hands of the Executive Com
mittee.


DR.. HOqs wished to make motion that
committee of three of its best business men
90 to Richmond, make a full investigation OF
its affairs, and present their report through
the religious papers. The motion was sec
onded


Mr.. Kennedy said he was in the condition
of a man who was a Calvinist suddenly called
on to advocate the views of John Wesley.
nav say some things not altogether pleasant
to the Executive Committee, but nothing will
be said Intentionally to injure their feelings
nor would 1 say a word to prejudice you
against our unfortunate Secretary. l appeal


TO the brethren of the Synod of Virginia tC
do all to save him. Throw the mantle o.


charity over all his faults, so that all may b'
done for him that is possible under the Law
and the constitution. All that have done


was for the good of the cause and withou


any personal feeling. Although l was some


what harshly used for my connection witt


this matter, yet do not retaliate.


So much for personal matters. Now as t


the report. Before entering directly on tn


discussion, would say a word as to the pei


sonnel of this Standing Committee. 1t


made up of parties representing entirely dii


ferent views on this subject. That is tn
way committees ought always to be made
} Sometimes they are appointed to carry ou
certain line of policy, and hence follow dis
sensions.


was glad to hear from our brother las
night, when he said, "We have to acknow
edge that We reposed too much confidence l
1. one man" That is the truth, and it Is tn
g wrong the Committee have done. 1t wa
manly in him to acknowledge it. He mad
, the amende honorable.


Again: / wish to give a reason pubhcl
for my past action. My Presbytery expec
t it of nae, and must candidly and hOnestl
8 aud in Christian spirit explain it.


= First, We have hear an approximate stat
ment of the condition of the Committee


Well, would have been glad to have had
. full inventory of their condition. Such
n inventory ought to have always been Sc
70 M. We can excuse it now only because Il
is Committee are torn to pieces. l suppo
% the general statement is correct, sufficient
A for our purpose.


~ Mr. Kennedy read a statement from t
D report of the debts of the Committee.
le The Committee did right in assuming t
IN debts of E. T. Baird, whether signed as 81
an retary or not, for that not so signed was c.
:. tainly for material which our Committee
" ceived the benefit of. Although there il


close legal question here, we must assume
SO it will not do for US to bring q shade
ny dishonor on our fair name. There is no
to pute between the Assembly and the Comm
on tee about the way in which the books "