May 28, 9 o'clock A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. The committee to which had been referred the appeal of Mr. William Vance from the judgment of the church session of Cross Creek, and the judgment of the Presbytery of Washington (Penn.) by which judgment Mr. Vance had been excluded from church privileges on account of his being married to the sister of his deceased wife, reported, and their report was read, and the consideration and discussion of it was postponed, to take into consideration the following resolutions, which, after a full discussion, were adopted by the Assembly as their decision in the case, viz. Resolved, 1. That, in the opinion of this General Assembly, the marriage of a man to the sister of his deceased wife, and all similar connexions, are highly inexpedient, unfriendly to domestic purity, and exceedingly offensive to a large portion of our churches. 2 That it be, and it hereby is earnestly enjoined upon the ministers, elders and churches of our communion, to take every proper occasion to impress the sentiments contained in the foregoing resolution, on the public mind, and by all suitable means to discourage connexions so unfavourable in their influence on the peace and edification of the church. 3. That while the Assembly adopt the opinion, and would enforce the injunction above expressed, they are by no means prepared to decide that such marriages as that in question, are so plainly prohibited in scripture, and so undoubtedly incestuous, as necessarily to infer the exclusion of those who contract them from church privileges; they therefore refer the case of Mr. Vance back again to the session of the church of Cross Creek, agreeably to former decisions of the General Assembly in similar cases, to be disposed of in such manner as the said session may think most conducive to the interests of religion. The report of the committee on Free Masonry was read, and after some discussion, the farther consideration of it was deferred till the afternoon. The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of Philadelphia, reported, and the book was approved to page 60. The following extract from the minutes of the Directors of the Theological Seminary was received and read. "The committee appointed on the subject of a monthly publication of donations, reported, that it be recommended to the Assembly to direct their treasurer to publish these donations on the plan recommended by the Board at their meeting last fall; and to enjoin on agents in transmitting money to the treasurer to accompany it with a particular list, as far as practicable, of the names of the donors from whom the money has been collected. This report was adopted "The minute of last Fall, is as follows: "Resolved, "That the treasurer of the General Assembly be requested to publish monthly, in some paper in Philadelphia, which has extensive circulation, and in which it can be done free of expense, all the monies that he receives for the Theological Seminary, particularizing, as far as it can be done, the individuals, congregations, or associations, from which the donations come, and the particular fund to which it is to be appropriated.' The foregoing recommendation and resolution of the Directors of the Theological Seminary were adopted by the Assembly. The following resolution was submitted to the Assembly, and adopted, viz. Whereas, the real estate of this General Assembly in the state of New Jersey, appertaining to the Theological Seminary at Princeton, is at present secured to the Assembly, by the constituting of certain individuals trustees of such property: And whereas there is manifest inconvenience, if not hazard, in holding said property by such an expedient: Resolved, That the Board of Directors, if they judge it expedient, endeavour to obtain an act of incorporation from the Legislature of said state; as a measure of prudence and safety, and that they be instructed to endeavour to procure an act similar to that obtained in the state of Pennsylvania and report the charter to the Assembly for adoption. Adjourned till 4 o'clock P. M. Concluded with prayer. Four o'clock, P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. Resolved, That the permanent clerk be directed to furnish the Trustees of the Assembly with a copy of the resolution on the subject of publishing a list of donations made to the Theological Seminary. The consideration of the report of the committee to which the reference of the Synod of Pittsburg on the subject of Free Masonry had been referred, was resumed. After a discussion of considerable length, the previous question having been called for, was taken, and determined in the negative; and the subject was indefinitely postponed. The consideration of the report of the committee to which had been referred the question of validity of ordination in the case of a Baptist elder, was resumed, and the report being read, was adopted, and is as follows, viz. It is not among the principles or usages of the Presbyterian church, to consider the ordina tion of ministers by other Protestant churches as invalid; on the contrary, the Presbyterian church has always considered the ordinations of most other Protestant churches as valid in themselves, and not to be repeated, when those who have received them, become members of the Presbyterian church. Nor is it perceived that there is any sufficient reason why the ordinations in the Baptist church should not be considered as valid, and be sustained as such. But while the Presbyterian church can act as has now been stated in regard to ordinations, it is among those principles and usages which she regards as most sacred and important, to secure for her churches both a pious and a learned ministry, and she cannot admit of any usage, or exercise any apparent liberality, inconsistent with security in this essential particular. On the whole, therefore, the committee recommend the following resolution : Resolved, that when applications are made by ministers of the Baptist or any other protestant denomination, to be connected with the Presbyterian church, the Presbytery to which the applications are made, shall require all the qualifications, both in regard to piety and learning, which are required of candidates for licensure or ordination of those who have originally belonged to the Presbyterian church; and shall require the applicants from other denominations to continue their study and preparation till they are found on trial and examination to be qualified in learning and ability to teach in the manner required by our standards; but that when found to be thus qualified, it shall not be necessary to re-ordain the said applicants, but only to instal them when they are called to settle in Presbyterian congregations. The following resolution was submitted to the Assembly, and adopted, viz. Resolved, That the Assembly assume the payment of $2,150, due for the professor's house, together with $850 for out-houses, fences, and a well; and that the Board of Trustees of the General Assembly be, and they hereby are authorized and instructed, to borrow on the best terms in their power, the sum of 3,000 dollars, for the purpose of discharging the debt; and for providing means for completing the improvements above-mentioned. The committee appointed to examine the records of the Synod of Kentucky, reported, and the book was approved to page 31, with the following exceptions, viz. That the records generally are kept in a careless manner, and that in page 10 it is recorded, that the members of the West Lexington Presbytery voted in approbation of their own proceedings, which is deemed to be irregular. The following resolution was submitted to the Assembly, and adopted, viz. Resolved, That Drs. Miller and Ely, and Mr. Engles, be a committee to consider and report to the next Assembly, whether any, and if any, what farther measures ought to be adopted to promote comfort and order in conducting the business of the Assembly. An appeal from the Synod of Geneva, in the case of Mr. Spicer, was made the order of the day for to-morrow morning. Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. May 29, 9 o'clock, A. M. The Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. Mr. Obadiah Woodruff obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly after this forenoon, and Dr. Porter and Mr. Hyde after this day. Dr. Ely, of the committee in the Synod of Philadelphia, for the publication of the Confession of Faith, desired instructions concerning certain notes appended to the revised form of government, and citations of scripture texts appended to the old form-whereupon the Assem. bly Resolved, That said committee be, and they hereby are instructed, to append to the form as ratified by this Assembly, the quotations of scripture passages contained in the old form, so far as that form remains unchanged; and to omit the note attached to the title of the sixteenth chapter of the revised form of government, as sent down to the Presbyteries. The committee on the commissioners' fund reported, and their report being read, was recommitted to correct some mistakes. Resolved, That the memorial of Mr. Gilkinson, that had been reported by the judicial committee, be taken up by the Assembly immediately after the order of the day has been finished. ft being the order of the day, the Assembly proceeded to consider the appeal of Mr.Jabez Spicer, from the decision of the Synod of Geneva, by which Mr. Spicer had been deposed from the gospel ministry. The documents on the subject were read, and the parties were heard. After a considerable discussion, the following resolution was adopted, viz. Resolved, That the appeal of Mr. Spicer be sustained, on the ground that the sentence pronounced upon him was disproportioned to his crime; it not appearing substantiated that he was guilty of more than a single act of prevarication: while, therefore, the Assembly express their entire disapprobation of the conduct of Mr. Spicer, as unbecoming a christian, and christian minister, they reverse the sentence of deposition passed upon him by the Presbytery, and direct, that after suitable admonitions and acknowledgements, he be restored to the ministerial office. The committee on the commissioners' fund reported, and their report being read was adopted. Mr. Harris obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly. 4 o'clock, P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. It being the order of the day, the Assembly proceeded to consider the appeal of the Presby tery of Onondaga from a decision of the Synod of Geneva, in which the Synod decided, that one of the charges, upon which the Presbytery of Onondaga had founded the deposition of Mr. Jabez Spicer from the gospel ministry, had not been proved. The documents were read, and the parties heard. After sonie discussion it was moved and seconded, that the appeal be sustained. The ques tion being taken on this motion, it was decided in the negative, and the appeal, therefore, was not sustained. Mr. Kollock obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly. An appeal from the Synod of Kentucky by the Presbytery of Transylvania in the case of Mr. Janes Gilkinson, was laid before the Assembly by the judicial committee. The documents were read. Messrs. Osborn and Southard obtained leave of absence during the remaining sessions of this Assembly. Adjourned till half after 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. May 30, half after 8 o'clock, A. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The business left unfinished yesterday was resumed, viz. the hearing of the appeal of the Presbytery of Transylvania, from a decision of the Synod of Kentucky in the case of Mr. James Gilkinson, who had been excluded from church privileges, and who had appealed to the aforesaid Presbytery, which affirmed the decision of the session which had excluded Mr. Gilkinson from the privileges of the church. After the parties had been fully heard, and after considerable discussion, it was moved and seconded, that the appeal be sustained; and the question being taken on this motion, it was determined in the affirmative, and the appeal therefore was sustained, and the decision of the Synod in the case was reversed. It having been stated to the Assembly by the trustees that there were several vacancies in their Board, and that it was important that those vacancies should be filled, it was agreed that the standing rule on the subject, requiring that two days should intervene between the time at which the election had been determined on, and the day appointed for holding the election, be suspended for the present year, and the rule was accordingly suspended. Resolved, That the election for trustees be the order of the day for this afternoon. An appeal of Mr. Benjamin Bell from a decision of the Presbytery of Geneva, and also an ap peal of Mr Bell from the decision of the Synod of Geneva, were laid before the Assembly by the Judicial Committee. These appeals were both dismissed, on account of the judicatories, from whose decisions they had been taken, not having received due notice from Mr. Bell that he designed to prosecute them before this Assembly. An appeal of James Atwater from a decision of the Synod of Geneva, was brought before the Assembly by the Judicial Committee. After the documents in the case had been read, the Assembly adjourned till half past 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. Half past 3 o'clock, P. M. the Assembly met, and was constituted by prayer. The minutes of the last session were read. It being the order of the day for this afternoon, an election of Trustees of the Assembly was held; and Rev. Ezra S. Ely, D. D. and Messrs. Andrew Bayard and John W. Thompson, were chosen in the place of Dr. Wilson and Mr. Markoe, who had resigned, and Mr. Hazlett, who had removed to New Orleans. Resolved, That no further election of Trustees be held this year. The Board of Education reported, and their report being read, was accepted, and is as fol. lows, viz. The Board of Education report to the General Assembly, that very little has been done by them, during the past year, for the accomplishment of the design of their appointment. By a variety of circumstances they have been hindered from prosecuting those measures which they had contemplated for collecting funds. Shortly after the organization of this board, an address was published, and extensively circulated, designed to impress the minds of members of our church with the vast importance of providing for the education of pious youth for the gospel ministry, and giving information that this board would, in due time, send forth agents to organize auxiliary societies, and to collect monies. Although the board have not acted on this plan, they have not lost sight of it; and they hope that hereafter they may be able to ob tain and commission agents for the purposes contemplated in their publication. C It will appear from the small number of reports from auxiliary societies, that the information which the General Assembly expected would be received from this board, in regard to what is doing in the education of pious youth within our bounds, cannot be presented. The Presbyterian Education Society have received twenty-five beneficiaries in addition to the thirty-three reported last year, so that in connexion with their different auxiliaries, they have at present under their patronage fifty-eight. The receipts of this society and its branches last year were 2,310 dollars. "The Education Society of Philadelphia" reported, that since their organization, seventeen beneficiaries have been assisted by them; and that they have at present seven entirely dependent on their funds, besides five others whom they have assisted in part. This society has expended, in the last year, for the support of their beneficiaries, $1392 75, The Presbytery of Redstone have reported, that they have formed a society auxiliary to this board, and that they have two beneficiaries pursuing their academical studies. The Presbytery of Miami have three beneficiaries, on whom they have expended the last sear 180 dollars, which has nearly exhausted their funds. The Presbytery of Missouri have two beneficiaries under their care, but unable to support more than one. They ask assistance from this board. No other reports have been received from auxiliary societies. The term of service of the following managers expires during the present sessions of the Assembly, viz. Ministers.-Charles Coffin, D.D. Francis Ilerron, Joseph Caldwell, D.D. Ashbel Green, D.D. J. J. Janeway, D. D. Elders-John Lincklaen, Zachariah Lewis, John M'Mullin, Wm. Maxwell. Were all the auxiliary societies to report in season, it would enable this board to exhibit a better view of what is doing in our church in the great business of educating our youth for the gospel ministry. It is therefore respectfully requested that this Assembly would direct all the societies to forward their reports by the 15th of May annually. The board believe that the Assembly can assist them in procuring agents. They therefore request the Assembly to inquire who would probably be willing to undertake agencies in different parts of the church, for the purpose of organizing auxiliary societies and collecting monies, on condition of receiving a reasonable compensation out of the monies collected by them; and to communicate the names of the individuals to this board, that they may commission as many as they may deem proper. By order of the Board, JOHN W. SCOTT, Rec. Sec'ry. ROBT. RALSTON, President. The following members of the Board of Education whose terms of service, agreeably to the constitution, had expired, were re-elected, viz. Rev. Charles Coffin, D. D. Rev. Francis Herron, Rev. Joseph Caldwell, D. D. Rev. Ashbel Green, D). D. and Rev. Jacob J Janeway, 1). D. ministers, and Msrs. Join Lincklaen, Zachariah Lewis, John M'Mullin, and William Maxwell, elders. Resolved, That the Societ es auxiliary to the Board of Education, be directed, and they hereby are directed, to forward their reports to the Board, by the 15th of May annually. Resolved, That it is inexpedient, on account of want of time, to act on the part of the report of the Board of Education which relates to the appointment of Agents. The unfinished business of the forenoon was resumed, viz. the consideration of the appeal of Mr. James Atwater from the decision of the Synod of Geneva, affirming a decision by which Mr. Atwater had been excommunicated by the church at Genoa. The parties were fully heard, and the following resolution, after some discussion, was adopted, viz. Resolved, That the appeal of Mr. Atwater be sustained, and it hereby is sustained; and that Mr. Atwater have liberty, as a member of the Presbyterian church in regular standing, to connect himself with any church which may be disposed to receive him. The judicial committee brought before the Assembly an appeal of Mr. Joseph Sheldon, from a decision of the Synod of Geneva, affirming a decision which excommunicated Mr. Sheldon from church privileges. The documents were read, and the parties were heard. It was moved and seconded that the appeal of Mr Sheldon be sustained, and the question being taken on this motion, it was determined in the affirmative, and it was accordingly sustained. Dr. Green, and Rev. George S. Woodhull, were appointed a committee to appoint agents to solicit donations for the Theological Seminary. Dr. Alexander, and Rev. Symmes C. Henry, were appointed a committee to dispose of the interest money in the hands of the trustees of the college of New Jersey, subject to the dis. posal of this Assembly The committee to which the code of rules for the government of the several judicatories had been referred, reported the following rules, which were adopted, viz. General Rules for Judicatories. 1. The moderator shall take the chair precisely at the hour to which the Judicatory stands adjourned, shall immediately call the members to order; and, on the appearance of a quorum, shall open the session with prayer. 2. If a quorum be assembled at the hour appointed, and the moderator be absent, the last moderator present shall be requested to take his place, without delay. 3. If a quorum be not assembled at the hour appointed, any two members shall be compe tent to adjourn from time to time, that an opportunity may be given for a quorum to assem ble. 4. After calling the roll, and marking the absentees, the minutes of the last sitting shall be read, and, if requisite, corrected. 5. It shall be the duty of the moderator, at all times to preserve order; and to endeavour to conduct all business before the judicatory to a speedy and proper result. 6. It shall be the duty of the clerk, as soon as possible after the commencement of the sessions of every judicatory, to form a complete roll of the members present, and put the same into the hands of the moderator: and it shall also be the duty of the clerk, whenever any additional members take their seats, to add their names, in their proper places, to the said roll. 7. It shall be the duty of the clerk immediately to file all papers, in the order in which they have been read, with proper endorsements, and to keep them in perfect order. 8. It shall be the duty of the moderator carefully to keep notes of the several articles of business which may be assigned to particular days, and to call them up at the time appointed. 9. The moderator may speak to points of order in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the judicatory by any two members. 10. Business left unfinished at the last sitting, is, ordinarily to be taken up first. 11. A motion made must be seconded, and afterwards repeated by the moderator, or read aloud, before it is debated; and every motion shall be reduced to writing, if the moderator or any member require it. 12. Any member who shall have made a motion, shall have liberty to withdraw it, with the consent of his second, before any debate has taken place thereon; but not afterwards, without the leave of the judicatory. 13. On questions of order, adjournment, postponement, commitment, or the previous ques. tion, no member shall speak more than once: on all other questions, each member may speak twice, but not oftener, without express leave of the judicatory. 14 When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received unless to amend it, to commit it, to postpone it, for the previous question, or to adjourn. 15. An amendment may be moved on any motion, and shall be decided before the original motion. 16. If a motion under debate contains several parts, any two members may have it divided, and a question taken on each part. 17. The previous question shall be in this form-" Shall the main question be now put?" and until it is decided, shall preclude all amendment and further debate on the main question. 18. If the previous question be decided in the affirmative, the debate on the main question may proceed: if in the negative, the effect shall be to arrest the discussion, and to produce an indefinite postponement. 19. A question shall not be again called up. or reconsidered at the same sessions of the judicatory at which it has been decided, unless by the consent of two thirds of the members who were present at the decision; and unless the motion to reconsider be made and seconded by persons who voted with the majority. 20. A subject which has been indefinitely postponed, either by the operation of the previous question, or by a direct motion for indefinite postponement, shall not be again called up during the same sessions of the judicatory, unless by the consent of three-fourths of the members who were present at the decision 21. Every member when speaking, shall address himself to the moderator, and shall treat his fellow-members, and especially the moderator, with decorum and respect. 22. Without express permission, no member of judicatory, while business is going on, shall engage in private conversation; nor shall members address one another, nor any person present, but through the moderator. 23. No speaker shall be interrupted. unless he be out of order, or for the purpose of correcting mistakes or misrepresentations. 24. It is indispensable that members of ecclesiastical judicatories maintain great gravity and dignity while judicially convened; that they attend closely, in their speeches, to the subject under consideration, and avoid prolix and desultory harangues and when they deviate from the subject, it is the privilege of any member, and the duty of the moderator, to call them to order. 25. No member, in the course of debate, shall be allowed to indulge in personal reflections, 26. If more than one member rise to speak at the same time, the member who is most dis tant from the moderator's chair, shall speak first. |