§1111 ■■■■ ■HHB ■ ■ '■■'.':' §| "i ■F Division \j Section S"cc iti) i ? 01 "Presby+ev-icm ctauY-cVt \y\ ~\V\e. OS.fV G?ev\er<*l assembly, THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRESBYTERIAN DIGEST, 1898-1906. EDITED BY THE REV. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, D.D., LL.D., Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. PHILADELPHIA, PA., PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK. I907. PREFATORY NOTE. This Supplement includes the Acts, Decisions, and Deliverances of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. of a general nature, from 1898 up to and including the Reunion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May, 1906. It also contains the Acts of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church vital to the Reunion. The New Digest authorized by the General Assembly will appear in due time. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS. 912 SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. 1. References PART I. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. II. The Adoption, etc., of the Standards. 913 III. Publication of the Constitution, etc. 1. New Edition of the Constitution, 1904 913 2. Reprinting of the Minutes, 1706 to 1869 913 3. New Digest, Authority for . . . 914 IV. Proof-texts to the Standards. 1. Revision, Proof-texts, 1902 915 V. Historical Documents — Reunions. Reunion ivith the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 1. Appointment of Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union 916 2. Membership, Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union 916 3. Appointment, Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union . . . 917 4. Membership, Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union . . . 917 5. Telegrams announcing appoint- ment of Committees 918 6. Joint-report on Union, 1904 . . 918 Plan of Reunion and Union of the Two Churches 919 1. Basis of Union 919 2. Concurrent Declarations . . . 920 3. Recommendations 921 7. Action of the Buffalo (P.) Gen- eral Assembly, 1904 922 8. Action of the Dallas (C. P.) Gen- eral Assembly, 1904 923 9. Enlargement of the Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union, 1904 923 10. Continuance of the Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union, 1904 " . . .923 11. Telegrams announcing action, 1904 924 12. Appointment and Report of the D Committee of Canvass (P.), Winona Assembly, 1905 . . 924 13. Announcement by the Moderator (P.), Winona Assembly, 1905 . 925 14. Report of the Special Committee on Organic Union (C. P.), Fresno Assembly, 1905 .... 926 15. Adoption of the Report of Can- vass and Announcement by the Moderator (C. P.), Fresno As- sembly, 1905 926 16. Continuance and Enlargement of the Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union, 1905 . 927 17. Continuance and Enlargement of the Committee on Eratemity and Union, 1905 927 18. Telegrams announcing action, 1905 928 19. Action of Winona Assembly (P.), 1905, on the Amendment to the Form of Government, Chapter x, Section 2 ........ 929 20. Joint -report on Reunion and Union, 1906 ........ 929 21. Telegrams announcing action, 1906 936 22. Adoption of the Joint-report and Declaration of the Consumma- tion of Union, 1906 ...'.. 937 xlix 1 SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. 1. Presbyterian General Assembly 937 2. Cumberland Presbyterian Gen- eral Assembly 937 23. Final Adjournment of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church . . 938 24. Keception of the Delegates of the Cumberland General Assembly, Des Moines, 1900 938 25. Announcement bv the Stated Clerk, Des Moines, Iowa, 1906 . 938 26. Special Designation for certain Presbyteries and Synods . . . 939 27. Doctrinal Deliverance (.P.), Des Moines, Iowa, 1906 939 28. Action as to Amendments to Con- stitution (P.), Des Moines, Iowa, 1906 940 1. Telegram 940 2. Text of Action 940 29. Action as to Cumberland Uni- versity 940 30. Continuance of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union 941 PART II. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. The Revision, 1900-1903. 1. The Report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures, 1900 . . 942 2. The Committee on Revision, 1900 942 3. Report of the Committee on Re- vision, 1901 943 4. The Committee on Revision, 1901 943 5. The Secretary of the Committee . 944 6. Report of the Committee on Re- vision, 1902 944 7. Text of the Revision 945 8. Footnotes adopted 945 Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture. The McGiffert Case. 1. Counsel given, either to conform views to the Standards or to peaceably withdraw from the Presbyterian ministry .... 945 2. Unanimous deliverance on The in- errancy of the Holy Scriptures, The infallibility of Jesus Christ, The direct personal institution of the Lord's Supper by our Lord, and Justification by Faith alone 946 3. Dr. McGiffert withdraws and case closed 948 Chapter III. Of God's Eternal Decree (Footnote) 948 Chapter VII. Of Christ the Mediator (Reference) 948 Chapter X. Of Effectual Calling (Footnote) 948 Chapter XL Of Justification. Section 2. — 1. The doctrine of justification by faith and the doctrine of baptism to be maintained in interdenominational intercourse 949 Chapter XVI. Of Good Works. Section vii, Chapter xvi, of the Confession of Faith changed 949 « Chapter XXII. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows. The last clause in Section iii, Chapter xxii, of the Confession of Faith stricken out of the Confession 950 Chapter XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce. Section 1. Deliverances on Polygamy. 1. Action against Brigham H. Rob- erts 950 2. Approval of expulsion of Brig- ham H. Roberts 951 3. Action against Reed Smoot . . 951 4. Petition and action for an Amendment to the Constitu- tion of the United States . . 953 Section 6. Deliverances on Divorce and Remarriage. 1. Appointment, Committee of Con- ference with the Protestant Episcopal and other churches 954 2. Ministers to ascertain if impedi- ments exist 954 3. Uniformity of legislation desir- able 954 THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. li 4. Action of civil authorities and of Inter-Church Conference approved 955 5. Campaign of education ap- proved, previous deliverances reaffirmed 955 6. Cooperation urged as to divorce laws 955 Rules as to remarriage of di- vorced persons 955 a. Scriptural causes only to be recognized 955 b. Rules of other denominations to be given due weight . 956 c. Only innocent parties after lapse of one year to be re- married 956 Chapter XXV. Of the Church. Section vi, Chapter xxv, of the Confession of Faith changed 956 Chapter XXVII. Of the Sacraments. Section 4. 1. Ruling Elders cannot administer the Sacraments 956 Chapter XXVIII. Of Baptism (Reference) 957 Chapter XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper (Reference) 957 Chapter XXXI. Section 2. 1. Determinations of the higher judicatories to be received with reverence 957 Of Synods and Councils. Section 4. 1. Synods are to handle or con- clude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical 957 The New Chapters. The Preamble . Chapter XXXIV. Chapter XXXV. Of the Holy Spirit Of the Love of God and Missions Declaratory Statement. 1. Order as to form and place . . . 959 | 2. Text . . 958 958 959 959 Section 1. PART III. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Chapter I. Preliminary Principles. Deliverance as to the true title of the Church .... 961 Chapter II. Of the Church. Section 4. 1. Appointment of Committee on Church Temporalities . . . 961 2. Laws relating to Religious Corpo- rations compiled and published 961 3. To whom Trustees may resign . . 962 Chapter IX. Of the Church Session. Section 3. 1. Who may moderate sessions of vacant churches 962 Section 6. 1. Persons encouraging the liquor traffic subject to discipline . . 962 2. Amendment as to power over Sabbath-schools, societies, etc. 963 Section 7. 1. Amendment of Chapter ix. by insertion of a new section to be known as Section vii. . . 963 Section 8. 1. Opening and closing prayer not mandatory 963 Section 10. Alterations of the Annual Reports and of the Narrative. 1. Appointment of a Special Com- mittee on the Reports, etc. . . 963 2. Directions as to the Statistics of Membership 964 3. Directions as to the columns for contributions 964 4. Authority for printing direc- tions, etc 965 5. Change of name of the Narrative 966 6. Text of the Narrative .... 966 lii SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. Chapter X. Of the Presbytery. Section 2. 1. Amendments as to Territorial Limits of Presbyteries . . . 966 2. The General Assembly has power to erect a Presbytery and to name its members 966 3. Ministers named by the General Assembly do not need letters of dismissal ; all other minis- ters must have letters .... 966 Section 3. 2. Churches should be represented by Elders at adjourned as well as regular meetings 967 Section 4. 1. Grouped churches located in two Presbyteries must have pas- tors 967 Section 5. 1. Official declaration that a pulpit is vacant to be recommended 968 Section 7. 1. Action taken when quorum is not present can be ratified only by the Presbytery when a quorum is present 968 2. A Presbytery with a minimum of ministers either to be en- larged by Synod or merged into other Presbyteries . . . 969 Section 8. 1. Leave given to erase name of missing minister 969 2. Minister transferred by the Gen- eral Assembly from one Pres- bytery to another 969 3. Presbytery cannot act by Com- mission in other than Judicial business 969 Section 9. I. Rules for the Statistical Reports. 1. No designation after names of ministers without charge . 969 2. H. M. to be inserted after names of Home Mission- aries . . 970 3. All ecclesiastical changes to be immediately reported . 970 II. The Narrative. 1. Name of the Narrative changed, and Committee on Christian Life and Work appointed 970 Section 10. 1. Moderator is not the judge of the necessity of a pro re nata meet- ing 970 Section 11. 1. A session of an ecclesiastical body is the sitting of a single day 971 Chapter XL Of the Synod. Section 1. 1. Clerical Commissioners not con- fined to pastors 971 2. Synods erected since 1898 . . .971 3. Synods and Presbyteries re- ceived and enrolled in 1906 . 974 Section 3. 1. Only ministers can be corre- sponding members 974 2. Standing of a corresponding member must be fully stated . 974 Section 4. 1. Synods cannot appoint Commis- sions in violation of the pro- visions of the Constitution . . 975 2. When a Synod has not members to spare for a Judicial Com- mission a trial should be con- ducted by the Synod as a whole 975 3. Judgment of Synod is final in cases which do not affect the doctrine or Constitution . . . 975 4. Judicial Committee reversed by Judicial Commission in cases in which judgment of Synod is final 975 Protest against above judgment . 976 5. Synod should not assume pri- mary jurisdiction of ministers 977 6. Synods to prepare model char- ters for congregations .... 977 7. Synodical Home Missions . . . 977 Section 5. 1. Sermon must be preached . . . 977 2. Particular sessions to be opened and closed with prayer . . . 977 3. Devotional exercises a substitute for opening prayer 977 Section 6. 1. Records must be full 97S 2. Absentees to be enrolled . . . 978 3. Delegate Synods may omit names of absentees 978 4. Results of final roll-call to be recorded 978 5. Churches not represented must be recorded 878 6. Action taken and Reports adopted must be recorded . . 979 7. Spelling may be variable . • 979 8. A Narrative of the State of Re- ligion should be prepared and recorded 979 9. Judicial cases not included in the ordinary review of rec- ords 980 10. The subject matter of com- plaints must be recorded . . 980 11. Commissions should not be ap- THE FORM OP GOVERNMENT. liii pointed to approve the Min- utes 980 12. Records need not be approved twice 980 13. Certification of previous Minutes to be recorded in new book . 980 14. Regulations as to certification to be complied with 980 15. Compliance urged with regula- tions as to printed records . . 981 16. Translation of printed copy ac- cepted 981 17. After Records have been ap- proved corrections can be made only by recurrence to the judicatory approving . .981 18. The Records must be presented annually 981 Chapter XII. Of the General Assembly. Section 1. i. The Moderator. 1. Mode of election. Standing Rule No. 26 . . . . . 982 2. Limit of time for nominating speeches . . 982 3. Appointment of Chairmen of Standing Committees . . . 982 ii. Standing Orders and Rules. 1. Changes and additions . . . 982 iii. Members of the Assembly. 1. Seating of Commissioners . . 983 2. Advisory members 983 iv. The Stated Clerk. 1. Tenure of office 983 2. Expenses of the Assembly . . 983 3. Audit of Accounts 984 4. Salary 984 5. Printing of Overtures .... 984 6. Notification, etc., of Electing Sections 984 7. Papers for Electing Sections . 984 8. Seating of Commissioners . . 984 9. Reports of Special Committees 984 V. The Permanent Clerk. 1. Mode of election in 1900. No change in tenure of office . 984 2. Report of absentees from Electing Sections .... 985 vi. Standing Committees. 1. Mode of election. Rules adopted in 1900 as amended 985 2. Time of existence of Electing Sections 986 3. Each Presbytery to be repre- sented 986 4. Details of operation of the Plan 986 5. Arrangement of Electing Dis- tricts . • 987 6. Time Allowance of Standing Committees for Reports . . 988 7. Standing Committee on Home Missions to report on Va- cancy and Supply . . . • 988 8. Standing Committee on the Narrative. To report on Special Committee's Report 988 9. Standing Committee on Syn- odical Home Missions con- stituted 988 10. Standing Committee on Fi- nance to report a Budget for the Boards 989 11. Standing Committee on the Presbyterian Brotherhood 1049 vii. Special Committees. 1. Reports to be delivered to the Stated Clerk for printing . 989 2. Expenses of Special Commit- tees 989 Section 4. 1. Judicial Commissions ap- pointed, 1898-1906 . . . . 990 2. One Assembly cannot criticize another 990 Section 5. I. Deliverances on Doctrine. 1. Brief Statement of the Re- formed Faith. Purpose . 990 2. Brief Statement of the Re- formed Faith. Text ... 991 II. Pastoral Deliverances. 1. Deliverance on the Bible and the Public Schools . . . 995- 2. Deliverance on Religious Liberty in the Philippines 995 3. Action against the use of pub- lic funds for sectarian pur- poses 995 4. Deliverance against Modern Unbelief 1091 III. Of Erecting, Changing, and Dismissing Synods, and of the approval of Union Presbyterian Synods in Foreign Lands. 1. Synods erected since 1898 . 995- 2. Legal successor to a Synod designated 996 3. Churches transferred from one Synod to another . . 996 4. Action on the Independent Synod of Mexico .... 996- 5. The" Synod of India dismissed to unite with the Presby- terian Church in India . 997 6. Union Synod in China ap- proved and Synods dis- missed to unite therewith 998 7. Union Presbyterian Church in Korea approved . . - 998 IV. Of Erecting and Changing Presbyteries. 1. Presbyteries erected on Mis- sion Fields 998 2. Presbyteries erected on the Home Field 999 liv SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. 3. Presbyteries transferred from one Presbytery to another 999 4. A Presbytery divided in or- der to form a Synod . . . 999 5. A Presbytery formed out of Churches in two Synods . 999 6. Ministers dismissed to form new Presbyteries .... 999 7. Committee on Home Mis- sions appointed in a new Presbytery . 999 V. To correspond with Foreign Churches, i. Churches in general .... 1000 ii. The World Presbyterian Al- liance. 1. Action as to the Seventh General Council .... 1001 2. The work of the Alliance approved 1001 3. Committee appointed to nom- inate delegates to the Eighth General Council . 1001 4. Change in Basis of Repre- sentation in the General Council of the Alliance . 1001 5. Religious services for the English-speaking people in Europe 1002 6. Committee on European Work appointed .... 1002 7. Reports of the Committee on European Work .... 1002 8. Expenses of the Alliance voted 1003 9. Delegates and Reports of the Alliance 1003 iii. Correspondence with Amer- ican Churches. 1. Comity with Other Denomina- tions. 1. Principles and Rules as to Comity stated. The duty of the Church to the Na- tion emphasized 1004 £. Federation of American Protest- ant Churches. 1. Appointment of Committee on Church Cooperation and Union 1005 2. Communication from the Na- tional Federation . . . 1005 3. Closer relation of all Protest- ant Churches in the U.S. A. approved and Conference authorized 1006 4. Delegates to the Interchurch Conference appointed, etc., Assembly of 1905 .... 1006 5. Report of the Committee on Interchurch Conference on Federation to the Assem- bly of 1906 1007 6. Action of the Assembly on the Plan of Federation . . 1007 7. The Plan of Federation . . 1008 8. Expenses of Delegates . . . 1010 3. Federation and Cooperation of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in America. 1. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union on Presbyterian Federation, 1901 ... 1011 2. Action on Presbyterian Fed- eration of the Assembly of 1904 1012 3. Plan of Cooperation with Churches in the Presby- terian Alliance reaf : firmed . . . . . . 1012 4. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union on Presbyterian Federation, 1905 . . 1012 5. Action of the Assembly of 1905 on the proposed Plan of Presbyterian Federa- tion 1013 6. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union on Presbyterian Federation, 1906 . . . .1013 7. The Articles of Agreement . 1013 8. Action of the Assembly of 1906 on the Articles of Agreement 1015 4- Closer Relations and Coopera- tion with Particular Denomi- nations. The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. 1. Action of the Assembly of 1899 1016 2. Closer relations desired be- tween the Churches. Ac- tion of the Buffalo Assem- bly, 1904 1016 3. Action of the Mobile Assem- bly, 1904 1016 4. Committee of Conference ap- pointed by the Mobile As- sembly, 1904 . . .1017 5. Informal Conference at Pitts- burgh, Pa. ; 1905 .... 1017 The Reformed Church in the U. S. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, on relations with the Reformed Church, U. S. . .1017 Work among the Hungarians in the U. S. 1. Committee on Hungarian Work appointed .... 1018 2. Report of Committee on Hungarian Work, 1903 . 1018 3. Report of Committee on Hungarian Work, 1904 . 1019 4. Cooperation as to Hungarian Religious Work urged. Committee of Conference appointed 1020 VI. Powers of General Superin- tendence. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. lv ]. The Boards and Permanent Committees. i. General Matters. 1. Rule as to Members of the Boards, etc 1021 2. Salaried Executive Officers to be approved 1022 3. The Charters of the Boards and the rights of the As- sembly 1022 4. Budget for the Boards at each Assembly 1025 5. Report on the Administrative and Legal Status of the Boards received through the Reunion of 1906 . . . 1025 ii. The Separate Boards, i. Board of Home Missions. 1. Regulations for the distri- bution of Home Mission Funds 1026 2. Presbytery of Cimarron as- signed to Home Mission Board 1026 3. College assigned to Home Mission Board 1026 4. Associate Secretaries ap- proved . . . . 1026 5. Centennial of Home Mission Work 1027 6. Regulations for the conduct of Synodical Home Mis- sion Work 1027 7. Plan of Sustentation for Min- isters in active service approved 1027 8. The Reports of the Special Committee o n \V o r k among the Immigrants, 1903-04 ....... 1028 9. The Board of Home Mis- sions the unifying agency of Work among the Immi- grants 1028 10. The conference between the Board of Home Missions and the Self-supporting Synods . . 1028 11. Action of the Assembly on Work among the Immi- grants 1029 12. Plan of Evangelistic Work by the Board of Home Missions 1030 13. Relations of the Boards of Home Missions and Pub- lication in Sabbath-school Missionary Work .... 1031 ii. Board of Foreign Missions. 1. Questions authorized for lay candidates 1031 2. Conditions for engagement in new work 1031 3. Plan and Rules of Comity on the Foreign Field .... 1031 4. Action as to the theological qualifications of mission- aries 1032 5. Union Educational Institu- tions to teach views in harmony with the Stand- ards . . 1033 6. Approval of Salaried Execu- tive Officers 1033 7. Ecumenical Missionarv Con- ference of 1900 approved 1033 8. Action as to the Centennial of Chinese Missions . . 1034 iii. Board of Education. 1. Directions as to applications of candidates seeking aid . 1034 2. Discretion allowed as to ap- plication of rules in certain cases 1034 3. Board to cooperate with Syn- odical Education Commit- tees 1035 4. Action authorized for the re- turn of a legacy 10o5 5. Directions as to Work for Foreign Immigrants . . . 1035 iv. Board of Publication. 1. Rule as to the employment of colporteurs 1035 2. Directions as to the invest- ment of funds 1035 3. Approval of Salaried Execu- tive Officers 1035 4. Relations of the Boards of Home Missions and Pub- lication in Sabbath-school Missionary Work .... 1036 5. Board given authority to make administrative changes 1036 6. Directions as to work among foreign-speaking peoples . 1036 7. Directions as to a Depart- ment of Young People's Work ; • • • 103(3 v. Board of Church Erection. 1. Rules for grants for church buildings 1037 2. Directions as to the manse funds 1038 3. Board authorized to amend its charter . . . . . . . 1038 4. Churches desiring aid to con- sult with the Board before building .... . . 1038 5. Mortgage upon a church re- leased 1038 vi. Board of Relief. 1. Amendments to rules . . . 1039 2. By-law as to Investments approved 1039 3. Closing of Westminster House approved .... 1039 4. Additional Endowment ap- proved 1040 5. Apportionment upon the churches approved . . . 1040 Ivi SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. 6. Churches to give reasons for failure to make offerings . 1040 vii. The Freedmen's Board. 1. Salaried Executive Officer approved 1040 2. Debt of the Board liquidated 1040 viii. The College Board. 1. The College Endowment Commission established . 1041 2. Name of the Board changed and sphere enlarged . . . 1041 3. Constitution of the Board, 1904 1041 4. Transfer of property to the College Board ordered . . 1042 5. Christian Basis of Education approved 1042 6. Salaried officer confirmed . 1042 ix. Committee on Systematic Be- neficence. 1. Appropriations voted . . . 1043 x. Permanent Committee on Tem- perance. 1. Board of Publication in- structed to print literature 1043 2. Pages in Assembly Herald . 1043 3. Interdenominational Confer- ence approved 1043 4. Temperance missionaries au- thorized 1043 5. Appointment of Advisory members authorized ■ . . 1043 6. Petitions to U. S. Govern- ment 1043 xi. The Assembly Herald. 1. Establishment of the (new) Assembly Herald . . . 1043 2. New Committee of Manage- ment appointed 1044 xii. Committee on Evangelistic Work. 1. Action of the Assembly of 1901 1044 2. Committees appointed, 1901, 1906 1045 3. Employment of evangelists authorized 1045 4. Powers of the Committee . . 1045 5. Presbyteries and Synods to cooperate 1045 6. Primary responsibility upon pastors and Sessions. Com- mittee to pass upon quali- fications of evangelists . . 1045 7. Pastors to be sought with special evangelistic gifts . 1046 8. Interdenominational evan- gelistic movements ap- 1046 proved 9. The Evangelistic Committee and the Board of Home Missions 1046 xiii. Permanent Committee on Young People's Work . 1046 xiv. Ministerial Sustentation Fund. 1. Report of Committee on Sus- tentation, 1903 1046 2. Plan of Sustentation for Min- isters approved 1046 3. Membership of the Commit- tee, 1906 1047 xv. The Permanent Committee on Christian Work among Seamen and Soldiers. 1. Action of the Assemblv, 1906 . . . _ 1047 xvi. The Presbyterian Brother- hood. 1. Committee appointed on Men's Societies 104S 2. Organization of the Brother- hood authorized .... 1048 3. Constitution of the Brother- hood approved ... . 1049 II. The Theological Seminaries. i. General Matters. 1. Conference of the Seminaries requested on certain mat- ters 1050 2. Action of the Conference of the Seminaries 1050 3. Aid to students 1050 4. Rules as to the Seminaries to be listed in the Minutes . 1050 5. Instruction in Sabbath- school work recommended 1051 6. Seminary Reports to be fuller 1051 7. Examinations on the Stand- ards to be held 1051 8. Instruction to be given on the work of the Boards . . . 1051 9. Instruction urged in the Eng- lish Bible 1051 10. Instruction in Missions ad- vised 1052 11. Courses for Evangelists rec- ommended 1052 12. Uniform usage as to the De- gree of Bachelor of Arts recommended 1052 13. Students passing from one Seminary to another must present satisfactory testi- monials 1052 14. Elections of Directors . . . 1052 15. Elections of Professors . . . 1052 ii. The Separate Institutions. i. Princeton Theological Seminary. 1. Changes in the Plan of the Seminary 1053 2. Act of the New Jersey Legis- lature "... 1054 3. An Ordinance respecting the Degree of Bachelor of Di- vinity or Theology . . ■ 1055 ii. Western Theological Seminary. 1. Amendments to the Plan of the Seminary 1055 2. Action as to certain property interests 1056 THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. h iii. Theological Seminary of Ken- tucky. 1. Act consenting to the consoli- dation of Danville and Louisville Theological Seminaries 1056 2. Agreement for consolidation of the Presbyterian The- ological Seminaries at Danville and Louisville, creating the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky 1060 3. Action of the Assembly of 1902 1064 4. Approval of the Constitution of the Seminary .... 1064 iv. McCormick Theological Semi- nary. 1. Amendments to the Constitu- tion approved 1064 v. Omaha Theological Seminary. 1. Changes in the Constitution approved 1064 vi. Lebanon Theological Seminary 1065 IV. Affiliated Organizations. American Bible Society. 1. Presbyterial Committees to be appointed 1065 American Tract Society. 1. Presbyterial Committees to be appointed 1065 Section 7. 1. Deliverance against Biennial or Triennial Assemblies . . 1066 Section 8. 1. One Assembly cannot control another as to place of meet- ing 1067 2. Emergency Committee to pro- vide new place of meeting appointed 1067 Chapter XIII. Of Electing and Ordaining Ruling Elders and Deacons. Section 2. A congregation has the right to elect Elders as to it may seem best 1067 Section 4. Ordination of a Ruling Elder not invalidated by failure to read the Confession 1068 Section 6. 1. To whom an Elder or Deacon should resign 1068 Chapter XIV. Of Licensing Candidates or Probationers to Preach the Gospel. Section 3. 1. Constitutional Rule No. 3 . . 1069 2. Form of application for can- didates 1069 3. Presbyteries to exercise vigi- lance as to candidates . . . 1070 4. College graduation to be in- sisted upon 1070 5. Duties of Committees on Edu- cation stated 1070 Sections 4 and 5. 1. Presbytery has discretion as to the Latin Exegesis .... 1070 2. Lecture and sermon may be heard by Committee .... 1071 Section 6. 1. Amendment as to Limitation of Time of Licensure of candi- dates 1071 2. Theological course to be taken in approved Institutions . . 1071 Section 7. 1. Local Evangelist must be for- mally licensed prior to ordi- nation 1071 Chapter XV. Of the Election and Ordination of Bishops or Pastors and Evangelists. Section 9. 1. Clause added as to salaries • . 1071 Section 10. 1. Candidates, except those for for- eign fields, to be ordained by the Presbytery in which they are to labor 1072 Section 11. 1. The licensing and ordaining of a candidate at the same meet- ing not commended .... 1072 Section 14. 1. Licentiate when ordained ceases to be a member of a local church 1072 Section 16. 1. New Section 16 added, as to Ministers from other De- nominations 1073 2. Reception of Ministers from the Presbyterian Church South 1073 Chapter XVII. Of Resigning a Pastoral Charge. 1. New Section 2 added, as to Pastor Emeritus 1073 Iviii SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. Chapter XVIII. Of Missions (Reference) 1073 Chapter XIX. Of Moderators (Reference) 1073 Chapter XX. Of Clerks (Reference) 1074 Chapter XXI. Of Vacant Congregations Assembling for Public Worship. . . 1075 Sections 2-4. 1. Three sections added to Chap- ter XXI 1074 2. Vacant church defined .... 1074 3. Synodical Missionary cannot act in vacant churches inde- pendently of Presbytery . . 1075 4 Declaration that a pulpit is vacant commended . . 5. Committee on Vacancy and Supply appointed 1075 6. Final Report of Committee, 1905 1075 Plan of Vacancy and Supply . 1075 7. Recommendation as to preach- in": of Secretaries 1077 Chapter XXII. Of Commissioners to the General Assembly 2 1. Commissioners seated upon peti- tion of a majority of Presby- tery " 1077 Commissioner enrolled who was present at place of meeting, but absent from the Assembly through illness 1077 Chapter XXIII. Of the Organizations of the Church: Their Rights and Duties. 1. Text of New Chapter 1078 I 2. Societies organized under Chap- ter XXIII 1078 Chapter XXIV. Of Amendments. 1. Renumbering of Chapter ordered 1078 Section 1. 1. Amendments to the Adminis- trative Standards 1079 The Form of Government . . . 1079 The Book of Discipline . . . 1079 The Directory for Worship . . . 1079 Section 2. 1. Amendments to the Doctrinal Standards 1079 The Confession of Fiith . . . .1079 2. Return of the written votes of the Presbyteries on Revision 1079 3. Appointment of Committee of Canvass 1080 4. Summary of the State of the Vote on Revision 1080 5. Report of the Committee of Canvass, and Enactments by the General Assembly . . 1080 6. Resolution of Enactment for the whole Revision .... 1080 | 7. Declaration by the Moderator 1081 8. Necessary changes committed to the Permanent Committee on the Constitution .... 1081 9. Action as to the vote of Foreign Presbyteries ...•■.. 1081 10. The Reunion and Union with the Cumberland Presbvte- rian Church . 1081 Section 3. 1. Appointment of Committee on Revision 1082 2. Member withdraws because of transfer to another Synod . 1082 Section 6. 1. Amendments declared inopera- tive because of prior agree- ment as to Reunion . . . 1082 2. Amendments sent down a sec- ond time 1082 3. Declaration as to adoption of Overtures 1083 PART IV. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. Chapter I. Of Discipline: Section 3. 1. Entire separation from the liquor traffic urged .... 10S5 2. Persons encouraging the liquor traffic subject to discipline . 1085 3. Educational institutions urged to prohibit the use of liquor 1085 Its Nature, Ends, and Subjects 4 Deliverance against the license system 1085 Section 5a. [New Section, adopted 1902.] 1. Distinction between judicial and non-judicial cases estab- lished 1085 THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. lix Chapter III. Of Charges and Specifications. Section 15. 1. Synod may not order trial on other than original charges . . 108G Chapter IV. Of Process: General Rcles Pertaining to all Cases. Section 18. 1. Teachings of Dr. A. C. McGif- fert referred to the Presby- tery of New York as the body having primary respon- sibility 108G Section 19. 1. Judicial Suspension may not be without formal trial .... 1086 Section 26. 1. Section 20 amended as to eligi- bility of counsel 1087 Section 29. 1. Presbytery cannot be required to furnish Synod Record of Case 1087 2. No time specified for furnish- ing Record of Case .... 1087 Chapter VI. General Rules Pertaining to the Trial of a Minister, Elder, or Deacon. Section 44. 1. Deposition carries with it removal from the Roll 1087 Chapter VII. Of Cases AVithoct Process. Section 49. 1. Reserve Roll for non-resident members only 1088 2. Title of Reserve changed to Suspended Roll 1088 Section 51. 1. Ministers cannot be required to seek demission 1089 2. Demission allowable only after a year's probation 1089 Section 58. Names of absentee ministers erased from the Roll 1090 Chapter VIII. Of Evidence. Section 68. 1. Case referred back because of alleged new evidence . 1090 Chapter IX. I. Of General Review and Control. Section 72. Proceedings must be correctly re- corded 1090 Section 74. 1. Amended by omission of words in last clause 1091 2. A judicial decision cannot be reversed by review of records 1091 Section 76. 1. Primary inquiry in certain cases belongs to Synod . . ■ 1091 III. Of Complaints. Section 83. 1. Amended so as to apply to administrative cases .... 1092 2. Complaints must go to the next superior judicatory ■ • 1092 3. Memorials cannot be regarded as complaints 1092 4. Complaint cannot be taken against discretion of a judi- catory 1092 5. Complaints dismissed and no 1093 reason given Section 84. 1. Notice must be served . . . . 1093 2. Committee on Time of Notice of Complaint and Appeal appointed • • 1093 3. Report of Committee. Notice to be given within ten days after action. Judicatories to provide for counsel .... 1093 Section 85. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative cases . • • 1094 Section 87. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative cases . • • 1094 2. A complaint in a non-judicial case may be referred to a Committee 1°95 Section 88. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative cases .... 1095 Section 89. 1. Amended by striking out the words, "in cases non-judicial" 1095 lx SYLLABUS TO THE SUPPLEMENT. 2. Judicatories to provide for the appointment of Counsel . . 1095 Section 91. 1. Amended by substituting com- plaint for appeal 1095 Section 93. 1. This Section stricken out as unnecessary 1096 IV. Of Appeals. Section 94. 1. Amended as to method of hear- ing judicatory appealed from 1096 2. Appeal withdrawn for the peace of the Church ...... 1096 3. Final judgments subject to re- versal only by appeal . . . 1096 4. Memorials not proper in a ju- dicial case 1097 5. Complaint in a judicial case sustained, but no action taken because original party did not appeal 1097 Section 95. 1. Amended by striking out the words " or complaint" . . .1097 2. Appeal cannot be taken against discretion of a judicatory . . 1098 3. Appeal cannot be taken against obedience to the instructions of an Assembly 1098 4. Appeal cannot be taken in a case adjudicated by the As- sembly . 1098 5. Dismissed because no question of doctrine or constitution involved 1098 6. Dismissed because appeal pend- ing before Synod 1098 Section 96. 1. Appeal dismissed because no sufficient evidence that speci- fications were filed .... 1098 Dissent entered from judgment 1099 Section 99. 1. Amended by striking out pro- vision for hearing members of judicatory appealed from 1100 Section 99 (4). I. Judgments appealed from and affirmed 1100 II. Judgments reversed, modified, or remanded 1100 a. Bose Case. 1. Synod instructed to inquire into constitutionality of its action " . . . 1100 2. Judgment reversed because unconstitutional. Obedi- ence to orders of Synod by Presbytery made the case res adjudicata 1100 3. Protest in the Bose Case . .1102 6. Marsh Case. 1. Case remanded to Synod with orders to affirm the judg- ment of Presbytery . . .1102 c. McCullough Case. 1. Case referred to Synod with orders to try 1103 d. The ^\ T arszawiak Case. 1. Judgment reversed and case remanded because the Synod had no right to in- struct for retrial. Synod could not act while appeal was pending 1103 2. One Assembly has no right to interpret judgment of another Assembly. Case terminated without fur- ther trial 1104 e. The Williamsport Case. 1. Case remanded with instruc- tions to Synod to remit to Presbytery for reconsidera- tion and action 1105 2. Without sustaining appeal case remanded to Synod with instructions to Pres- bytery to modify its plan of settlement 1105 3. Appeal cannot be taken against obedience to in- structions of the Assembly 1105 4. Appeal dismissed and ap- pellants advised to organ- ize a separate church . 1105 /. Other cases remanded, etc. 1106 Section 101. 1. Records must be sent up . . . 1106 Chapter X. Of Dissents and Protests. Section 105. 1. Protest against "separate" Presbyteries 1106 2. Protest against Union with the Cumberland Presbvterian Church " " : ■ nf)7 3. Answer to the Protest on Union 1107 4. Other Dissents and Protests entered 1108 Section 107. 1. Amendment providing for pro- tests as to Judicial Commis- sions 1108 Chapter XII. Of Removals and Limitations of Time. Section 114. 1. Session instructed to give letter of dismission 1109 2. Letter cannot be given to sus- pended member unless re- pentant 1109 3. Form authorized for letters of dismissal 1109 4. Removal notices of members authorized 1109 THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. Chapter XIII. Of Judicial Commissions. lxi Section 118. 1. Judicial Commission must be organized in accordance with the provisions of the Book of Discipline 1110 2. Judicial Committee appointed as Judicial Commission . .1110 3. Judicial Commissions ap- pointed, 1898-1906 .... 1110 PART V. THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. Chapter I. On the Sanctification op the Lord's Day. Section 1. 1. The religious rights of cadets at the L T . S. Xaval Academy asserted 1111 Section 2. 1. The Committee on Sabbath Ob- servance 1111 2. Methods for Sabbath Observ- ance commended 1111 3. Action as to Sabbath-closing of Public Expositions . . . .1112 4. Discontinuance of Sunday ex- cursions urged 1113 5. Political conferences on Sunday condemned 1113 6. Employers of labor to secure minimum of Sunday labor . 1113 7. Sabbath-school lesson to be pre- pared on Sabbath Observ- ance 1113 8. Sabbath Observance Commit- tees to be organized in Pres- byteries and Synods . . . .1113 Section 6. 1. Instruction in the Shorter Cat- echism emphasized . . . .111-1 Chapter V. Of Public Prayer. Section 4. 1. Appointment of Committee on Forms and Services .... 1114 2. Names of Members of the Com- mittee 1114 3. Reports of the Committee . .1115 4. Action of the Assembly of 1905 1115 5. Action of the Assembly of 1906 1115 Chapter VI. Of the Worship of God by Offerings. 1. Amended by the insertion of a new section 1117 2. Dutv of the Churches to the Boards 1117 3. Duty of Presbytery as to system- atic giving 1117 4. Duty of Sessions as to offerings .1117 5. Subscription blanks, etc., to be furnished free 1118 Chapter IX. Of the Administration of the Lord's Supper. 1. The kind of wine left to the de- termination of Session .... 1118 2. Ruling Elders cannot administer the Sacraments 1118 Chapter XIV. Of the Burial of the Dead. 1. Funerals on the Lord's Day disapproved 1118 PART I. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. II. THE ADOPTION, ETC., OF THE STANDARDS. [See Preamble to Declaratory Statement, p. 959 ; also Concurrent Declaration No. 1, p. 892; and Confession of Faith, *p. 932, seq.~] III. PUBLICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, ETC. 1. New Edition of the Constitution, 1904. a. The Permanent Committee on Editions of the Constitution respect- fully report that the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, during the past year, and under the supervision of the Committee, issued a new edition of the Constitution, with the amendments of and additions to the Confession of Faith inserted in their proper places, and also with the Declaratory Statement at the end of the Confession. — 1904, p. 25. b. Overture No. 68, from the Presbytery of Wellsborough, is as follows : "Shall the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly be authorized and instructed to prepare a Preface to the Constitution of the Church, in which shall be placed matter of a historical nature which shall plainly and briefly set forth the origin of the Westminster Standards, their adoption by the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., and the particulars in which they have been amended from time to time ; the Preface con- templated to be somewhat similar to, and to take the place of, the Historical Summary now printed in the editions of the Constitution." It is recommended that the Stated Clerk be instructed as desired. — 1905, p. 83. 2. Reprinting of the Minutes, 1706 to 1869. The Special Committee on the Reprinting of the Minutes presented its Report, which was adopted, and is as follows : The Special Committee on the Reprinting of the Minutes, consisting of the Stated and Permanent Clerks, respectfully reports that the work entrusted to its members some years past has been completed by the publi- cation of a new edition of the volume entitled Records of the Presbyterian Church with the addition of a long-needed Index. Previously the Com- mittee had supervised the republication of the Minutes of the Old and New School General Assemblies. As a result of the work done, the Records of the Supreme Judicatories of the Presbyterian Church in the 58 913 914 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. U. S. A., from 1706 to 1869, with accompanying statistics and full indexes, have now been issued in nine volumes, as follows : a. Records of the Presbyterian Church, viz., Minutes of the General Presbytery, 1706 to 1716 ; Minutes of the General Synod, 1717 to 1758 ; Minutes of the Synod of New York, 1745 to 1758 ; Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, 1758 to 1788. One vol., 8vo. b. Minutes of the General Assembly, 1789 to 1837. Two vols., 8vo. c. Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., 1838 to 1869. (Old School.) Four vols., 8vo. d. Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., 1838 to 1869. (New School.) Two vols., 8vo. The Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work met the entire expense of printing and publishing the above Records and Minutes, and has named moderate prices for them, as follows: The Records, $1 ; the volumes of the Minutes, $1.25 each. The cost, therefore, of the entire set is $11.00. The Committee has also edited and the Board issued, as a part of the Records of the Presbyterian Church, the important historical document entitled The Minutes of the Convention of Delegates from the Synods of New York and Philadelphia, and from the Associations of Connecticut, held annually from 1766 to 1775 inclusive. As stated last year, this Convention was proposed by the General Synod of this Church "in order to secure a general agreement for measures which may be adopted to pre- serve our religious liberties against all encroachments, and to bless the benighted heathen on our borders with the glorious light of the Gospel." The following recommendations are offered for adoption : 1. That the thanks of the General Assembly are hereby tendered to the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work for the printing and publishing of the entire series of the Records and Minutes of the Supreme Judicatories of this Church from 1706 to 1869. 2. That the Committee on the Reprinting of the Minutes be continued with directions to inquire as to the existence of other early documents which may be of value in connection with the Records of the Church. The Committee is also authorized to distribute twenty-five copies of the Minutes of the Convention of Delegates, held from 1766 to 1775, to the libraries of theological seminaries and colleges. — 1904, pp. 25-27. 3. New Digest, Authority for. The Special Committee on the Digest would respectfully report to the General Assembly of 1899, as follows : The General Assembly of 1898 (Minutes, p. 22) directed the Com- mittee to take steps with reference to a plan for another edition of the Digest, to be issued in due time. The Committee, after due consideration, believe that it is both feasible and wise to gather into one volume what may be called the permanent administrative documents of the Church, such as the Plans and Charters of the Theological Seminaries, the Plans and Charters of the Missionary and Benevolent Boards, the Charter of the Trustees, etc. This disposition of these documents would reduce the size of the Digest, and make it as a volume less costly and more readily handled. The Committee also believe that the work of gathering material for the Digest should be carried on steadily from year to year, and in the office of the Stated Clerk of the Assembly. The Digest, if pre- HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 915 pared by this method, would be ready for publication at any time that the Assembly might deem advisable. The Committee, therefore, recom- mend the passage of the following resolutions: Resolved, 1. That the Committee on the Digest be authorized to gather into a separate volume the permanent historical and administrative documents of the Church. Resolved, 2. That the Committee be authorized to employ the office force of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly upon the preparation of material for a future Digest, from year to year, as may be required. — 1899, p. 18 ; 1906, p. 167. IV. PROOF-TEXTS TO THE STANDARDS. 1. Revision, Proof-texts, 1902. The Supplementary Report on Proof-texts of the Special Committee on Revision was taken up, adopted, and is as follows : The Committee on the Revision of the Credal Statements of the Church considered the matter of proof-texts for the proposed new chapters of the Confession, and herewith submits to the General Assembly the result of its deliberations for such use as in the future may appear to be wise. It is recommended that the proof-texts of the proposed new chapters of the Confession of Faith, selected by the Revision Committee of 1892, be retained, but with the following additions and omissious : In Sect, i, on the chapter "Of the Work of the Holy Spirit," we recommend the omission of John xiv. 16, 17, Matthew xii. 31, 32, and the addition of the 3d verse of Ephesians iv to the 4th and 30th verses as given. In Sect, ii no change. In Sect, iii the omission of Acts xxiv. 25. In Sect, iv the omission of John xiv. 16, 17, Ephesians iii. 16 and iv. 30, aud under No. 2 the addition of Romans v. 5 and Ephesians iii. 16, and that the reference under No. 2 begin with Ephe- sians i. 13. In Sect, v the omission of Ephesians iii. 10, of 1 Timothy iii. 15, Ephesians iv. 3, 4, Joel ii. 28, and the addition under No. 1 of Colossians i. 18 and Ephesians iv. 15, 16. As to the proposed new chapter "Of the Love of God and Missions," we recommend no change in the proof-texts of Sect, i ; in Sect, ii that in place of John iii. 11, probably a misprint, John iii. 16 be substituted, and that the following omissions be made : Luke xix. 41, 42, Mark xi. 1-15, and Acts xvi. 14, and under No. 3 we would add to John iv. 14, verses 9-14, same chapter; to Hebrews ii. 4 we would add the third verse also ; in Sect, iii we recommend the omission of Proverbs i. 24-26 ; in Sect, iv no change. — 1904, p. 150. [See for Text of New Chapters of the Confession, p. 958 of this Supple- ment] 916 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS— REUNIONS. REUNION WITH THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 1. Appointment of Committee (P.*) on Church Cooperation and Union. In reply to Overtures Nos. 89-93, 101-105, 136, and 157, relating to closer cooperation or union with sister denominations, said Overtures coming from the Presbyteries of Dayton, Denver, Indianapolis, Mattoon, Southern Dakota, Bismarck, Fargo, Minnewaukon, Mouse River, Pem- bina and Redstone, and from the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, we recommend the adoption of the following reso- lution : Whereas, The Presbyterian Church holds Christian fellowship with all who confess and obey Jesus Christ as their Divine Saviour and Lord, and acknowledges the duty of all Churches that recognize Him as the only Head of the Church Universal to work together in harmony and love for the extension of His kingdom and the good of the world ; and Whereas, This Assembly earnestly desires to commend and promote this Christian cooperation, and also practically to advance the cause of Church Union by confederation, and, where possible, by consolidation among the Churches of the Reformed Faith, which are most nearly akin in doctrine and organization ; therefore be it Resolved, 1. That a Committee of seven, four ministers and three elders, be appointed by the Moderator to consider the whole subject of cooperation, confederation, and consolidation with other Churches. Resolved, 2. That Overtures Nos. 89-93, 101-105, 136, and 157 be placed in the hands of this Committee ; and that they be instructed to enter into correspondence with any Churches of the Reformed family with whom, in the judgment of the Committee, such correspondence would be likely to promote closer relations ; and also to confer with the Congregational Church in regard to the practical improvement of the plan of comity referred to in some of the Overtures. Resolved, 3. That this Committee shall report to the next Assembly such plans and measures as seem to them wise, proper, and profitable for the advancement of fraternal relations, for the increase of harmonious work, and, if God shall open the way, and incline the hearts of the Churches thereto, for the reunion of those who hold the same faith and order in the service of Christ. Adopted. — P., 1903, p. 90. 2. Membership, Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union. a. On Church Cooperation and Union. — Ministers — W. H. Roberts, D.D., W. N. Page, D.D., John R. Davies, D.D., Wilton Merle Smith, D.D., Reuben H. Hartley, D.D. Elders— EUsha H. Perkins, Reuben Tyler, E. S. Wells.— P., 1903, p. 169. *The letter P. under this head at the end of extracts from the Minutes and else- where stands for the Presbyterian General Assembly, and the letters C. P., for the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 917 b. That the number of the Committee ■ on Cooperation, Confederation, and Consolidation among Christian Churches be increased to ten, the Moderator, the Rev. Douglass P. Putnam, D.D., and the Rev. Charles A. Dickey, D.D., to be the members added. Adopted. — P., 1903, p. 147. 3. Appointment, Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union. " We, your Committee on Overtures, beg leave to report as follows : That your committee has carefully considered all memorials and reso- lutions on the subject of Organic Union that have been submitted to us. We note with pleasure a manifest tendency toward closer cooperation in Christian work among all Protestant denominations, and particularly a disposition among ecclesiastical families which are allied in doctrine and polity, to set aside their minor points of difference and to emphasize only things essential. This tendency is in accord with the spirit of the Master and with the history and traditions of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, and is certainly calculated to advance the kingdom of God among men. It is a matter for devout prayer by the whole Church, that this tendency may continue in its growth toward closer affiliation and organic union among the members of the Presbyterian household in the United States until there shall be such a removal of the differences in doctrine, polity, and social conditions as will insure the consummation and realization of a glorious and united Presbyterianism in the United States. " We therefore recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of the following resolutions : " Resolved, 1. That a Committee of Nine, on Presbyterian Fraternity and Union, be appointed by this Assembly, to confer with such like com- mittees as may be appointed by other Presbyterian bodies, in regard to the desirability and practicability of closer affiliation and organic union among the members of the Presbyterian family in the United States ; and if, in any particular case, after conference and investigation, union shall seem to be desirable and practicable, to suggest suitable measures for its accomplishment, and to report such basis of union as may be mutually agreed upon to the next General Assembly. " Resolved, 2. That the foregoing resolution be reported immediately to the Presbyterian bodies now in session, and in due course to all other Presbyterian bodies in the United States." Adopted. — C. P., 1903, pp. 47, 48. 4. Appointment of Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union. Reports were made as to election of members to constitute the Assem- bly's Committee on Presbyterian Fraternity and Union, as follows : Chosen by the Commissioners from the Synods of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee : The Rev. Ira Landrith, of Nashville, Tennessee, and Elder E. E. Beard, of Lebanon, Tennessee. Chosen by the Commissioners from the Synods of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri: The Rev. B. P. Fullerton, D.D., St. Louis, Mo., and Judge W. E. Settle, of Frankfort, Kentucky. 918 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Chosen by the Commissioners from the Synods of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific, and Pennsylvania, the Rev. D. E, Bushnell, D.D., Alton, Illinois, and Pres. A. E. Turner, of Waynesburg, Pa. It was determined that there should be an enlargement of said Com- mittee, and, on motion, Rev. W. J. Darby, D.D., and B. G. Mitchell, D.D., were added to the Committee. — C. P., 1903, pp. 74, 75. 5. Telegrams Announcing Appointment of Committees. Nashville, Tenn.. May 27, 1903. To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. : The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to-day adopted the following resolution, and after the vote the Assembly joined in singing the Doxology, and was led in a prayer of thanksgiving for unanimity of action : Resolved, That a Committee of nine on Presbyterian fraternity and union be appointed by this Assembly, to confer with such like Committees as may be appointed by other Presbyterian bodies in regard to the desir- ability and practicability of closer affiliation and organic union among the members of the Presbyterian family in the United States ; and if in any particular case, after conference and investigation, union shall seem to be desirable and practicable, to suggest suitable measures for its accomplish- ment, and to report such basis of union as may be mutually agreed upon to the next General Assembly. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Clerk. C. P., 1903, p. 56 ; P., 1903, p. 122. Los Angeles, Cal., May 27, 1903. To the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn. : The General Assembly at Los Angeles receives with cordial congratu- lations your message announcing appointment of Committee on Presby- terian fraternity and union, and has appointed a similar Committee for the same great purposes. R. F. Coyle, Moderator. Wm. H. Roberts, Slated Clerk. P., 1903, p. 122 ; C. P., 1903, p. 63. 6. Joint-report on Union, 1904. The Committee on Church Cooperation and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Committee on Fraternity and Union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, after a free and full interchange of views, with continued supplications for Divine guid- ance, earnestly recommend to their respective General Assemblies for their consideration, and, if they deem proper, for their adoption, the accompanying papers, viz. : HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 919 I. Plan of Reunion and Union of the two Churches. II. Concurrent Declarations to be adopted by the respective General Assemblies meeting in 1904. III. Recommendations. I. PLAN OF REUNION AND UNION OF THE TWO CHURCHES. We believe that the union of Christian Churches of substantially similar faith and polity would be to the glory of God, the good of mankind, and the strengthening of Christian testimony at home and abroad We believe that the manifest providential developments and leadings in the two Churches since their separation, together with present condi- tions of agreement and fellowship, have been and are such as to justify their reunion. Therefore we cordially recommend to our respective General Assem- blies that the reunion of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church be accomplished as soon as the necessary steps can be taken, upon the basis hereinafter set forth. BASIS OF UNION. 1. The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, whose General Assembly met in the Immanuel Church, Los Angeles, California, May 21, 1903, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, whose General Assembly met in the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee, May 21, 1903, shall be united as one Church, under the name and style of The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, possessing all the legal and corporate rights and powers which the separate Churches now possess. 2. The union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowl- edged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 3. Each of the Assemblies shall submit the foregoing Basis of Union to its Presbyteries, which shall be required to meet on or before April 30, 1905, to express their approval or dissapproval of the same by a cate- gorical answer to this question : Do you approve of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the following basis : The Union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice ? Each Presbytery shall, before the 10th day of May, 1905, forward to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly with which it is connected a statement of its vote on the said Basis of Union. 92 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 4. The report of the vote of the Presbyteries shall be submitted by the respective Stated Clerks to the General Assemblies meeting in 1905, and if the General Assemblies shall then find and declare that the foregoing Basis of Union has been approved by the constitutional majority of the Presbyteries connected with each branch of the Church, then the same shall be of binding force, and both Assemblies shall take action accord- ingly. II. CONCURRENT DECLARATIONS. As there are matters pertaining to the interests of the Church which will manifestly require adjustment when the reunion shall have been accomplished, and conceruing which it is highly desirable that there shall be a previous good understanding, the two Assemblies agree to adopt the following Concurrent Declarations, as in their judgment proper and equitable arrangements and agreements : 1. In adopting the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, as a Basis of Union, it is mutually recognized that such agreement now exists between the systems of doctrine contained in the Confessions of Faith of the two Churches as to warrant this union — a union honoring alike to both. Mutual acknowledgment also is made of the teaching and defense of essential evangelical doctrine held in common by these Churches, and of the Divine favor and blessing that have made this common faith and ser- vice effectual. It is also recognized that liberty of belief exists by virtue of the pro- visions of the Declaratory Statement, which is part of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and which states that "the ordination vow of ministers, ruling elders, and deacons, as set forth in the Form of Government, requires the reception and adoption of the Confession of Faith only as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures." This liberty is specifically secured by the Declaratory Statement as to Chap, iii and Chap, x, Sec. iii, of the Confession of Faith. It is recognized, also, that the doctrinal de- liverance contained in the Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, adopted in 1902 by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, "for a better understanding of our doctrinal beliefs," reveals a doctrinal agreement favorable to reunion. 2. All the ministers and churches included in the two denominations shall be admitted to the same standing in the united Church which they may have held in their respective connections up to the consummation of the reunion. 3. The boundaries of the several Presbyteries and Synods shall be adjusted by the General Assembly of the United Church. 4. The official records of the two Churches during the period of separa- tion shall be preserved and held as making up the history of the one Church. 5. As soon as practicable after the union shall have been effected the General Assembly shall reconstruct and consolidate the several per- manent Committees and Boards which now beloug to the two Assemblies, so as to represent with impartiality the views and wishes of the two bodies constituting the reunited Church. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 921 6. The institutions of learning, together with the endowment and other property, real and personal, owned by them, which are now under the control of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, shall remain in charge of and be controlled by the Boards of Trustees, or other managers res- pectively, now in charge of such institutions, endowment, and property, or by their successors similarly appointed or elected ; and no greater control of such institutions, their property or affairs, shall be exercised by the General Assembly, or other ecclesiastical court or body, of the reunited Church, than is now exercised by the General Assembly, or other ecclesi- astical court or body, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Provided, that the governing Board of any of said institutions of learning shall be at liberty to enter into such special arrangement or agreement with the ecclesiastical body controlling it as may enable said institution to preserve its integrity and maintain its present policy. And also provided, that nothing in this declaration shall affect the relationship or control of any of the institutions of learning now connected with the General Assembly, or other ecclesiastical court or body, of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 7. The corporate rights now held by the two General Assemblies and by their Boards and Committees shall be consolidated and applied for their several objects as defined and permitted by law. 8. It should be regarded as the duty of all our judicatories, ministers, and people to study the things which make for peace, to guard against all needless and offensive references to the causes which have divided us, and to avoid the revival of past issues. III. RECOMMENDATIONS. 1. It is recommended that such a change be made in the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as will allow additional or separate Presbyteries and Synods to be organized in exceptional cases, wholly or in part, within the territorial bounds of existing Presbyteries or Synods respectively, for a particular race or nationality, if desired by such race or nation- ality. 2. The foregoing Basis of Union and eight Concurrent Declarations shall be submitted to the respective General Assemblies of 1904, and the above recommendation, numbered 1, shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America meeting in 1904 ; and this entire Plan of Union shall be operative when said Basis of Union, Concurrent Declarations, and Recommendation num- bered 1 shall have been adopted in their entirety, and where necessary by Presbyterial action. 3. That the blessing of the great Head of the Church may rest upon the results of our efforts for Reunion and Union, it is earnestly recom- mended to the congregations throughout both branches of the Church that they observe Sabbath, September 18, 1904, as a day of fervent and united prayer to Almighty God, that He would grant unto us all " the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord," and in the new relation now contemplated enable us to keep "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 922 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. For the Cumberland Presby- terian Committee : Wm. Henry Black, R. M. Tinnon, Daniel E. Bushnell, W. J. Darby, Ira Landrith, b. p. fullerton, Samuel Moore Templeton, B. G. Mitchell, E. E. Beard, Warner Ellmore Settle, M. B. Templeton, A. E. Turner. For the Committee of the Presby- terian Church in the U. S. A. : Wm. Henry Roberts, Chas. A. Dickey, Wm. K Page, Wilton Merle Smith, Reuben Haines Hartley, Douglas P. Putnam, E. S. Wells, Reuben Tyler, Robert F. Coyle. P., 1904, pp. 135-137; C. P., 1904, pp. 61a-65a. [Note.— For Dissent from the above Report, Protests against action of Assembly, and Answer to Protest, see P., 1904, pp. 140, 157, and 175.] 7. Action of the Buffalo (P.) General Assembly, 1904. Resolved, 1. That the Joint-report on Union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church be and hereby is adopted. Resolved, 2. That the following Basis of Union be sent down to the Presbyteries, which shall be required to meet on or before April 30, 1905, to express their approval or disapproval of the same by a direct answer in the affirmative or negative to this question : Do you approve of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the following basis : The union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doc- trinal and ecclesiastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Each Presbytery shall, before the 10th day of May, 1905, forward to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly a statement of its vote on the said Basis of Union. Resolved, 3. That the Report of the vote of the Presbyteries shall be submitted by the Stated Clerk to the General Assembly meeting in 1905, and if said Assembly shall find and declare that the foregoing Basis of Union has been approved by two-thirds of the Presbyteries of this Church, then the necessary steps shall be taken, if the way be clear, to complete the union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Resolved, 4. That the Assembly, in connection with this whole sub- ject of union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, places on record its judgment, that the revision of the Confession of Faith effected in 1903 has not impaired the integrity of the system of doc- trine contained in the Confession and taught in Holy Scripture, but was designed to remove misapprehensions as to the proper interpretation thereof. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 923 Resolved, 5. That in approving the Overture looking to a change in the Form of Government concerning the territorial bounds of Presbyteries and Synods, this Assembly affirms its complete freedom from prejudice against any race and from any desire or purpose to bring about a separa- tion from our Church, or from representation in the General Assembly, of any class or race of Presbyterians ; but, on the other hand, our purpose is to bring together in one Church members of all races and all classes.— P., 1904, p. 119. 8. Action of the Dallas (C. P.) General Assembly, 1904. a. Resolved, 1. That the foregoing Report and Supplemental Report of the Committee on Presbyterian Fraternity and Union, appointed by the General Assembly in 1903, be received and spread upon the Minutes of this General Assembly, and that the included Joint-report on Union be adopted ; and that the Basis of Union be and is recommended to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for their approval or disapproval. Resolved, 2. That the Moderator and the Stated Clerk be instructed to submit the Basis of Union, contained in said report, to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the usual constitutional manner, upon receiving official notification of the adoption of the said Joint-report on Union by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.— C. P., 1904, p. 30. b. On the proposition to submit and recommend the Plan of Union and Reunion to the Presbyteries, 236 votes were cast, of which two-thirds, or 158 votes, were necessary to carry the measure. As will be seen from the foregoing exhibit, the total of affirmative votes was 162, and the total negative vote was 74, therefore the Moderator announced that the measure had been carried by four votes more than was required by the Constitution.— C. P., 1904, p. 48. [Note.— The Constitution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Article 60, reads: " Upon the recommendation of the General Assembly, at a stated meeting, by a two- thirds vote of the members thereof voting thereon, the Confession of Faith, Catechism, Constitution, and Rules of Discipline may be amended or changed when a majority of the Presbyteries, upon the same being transmitted for their action, shall approve thereof."] 9. Enlargement of the Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union, 1904. The Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, as thus enlarged, is as follows: Ministers — William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., Chairman; Robert F. Coyle, D.D., LL.D., W. N. Page, D.D., Wilton Merle Smith, D.D., Charles A. Dickey, D.D., LL.D., D. P. Putnam, D.D., Reuben H. Hartley, D.D., J. Addison Henry, D.D.. Francis L. Patton, D.D., LL.D., James D. Moffat, D.D., LL.D.*, S. J. Niccolls, DD., LL.D., John De Witt, D.D., LL.D. Ruling Elders— Reuben Tyler, E. S. Wells, Louis H. Severance, H. C. Gara.— P., 1904, p. 145. 10. Continuance of the Committee (C. P.) on Fraternity and Union, 1904. 1. That the Committee on Fraternity and Union, as at present con- stituted, be continued under the authority heretofore conferred. 924 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. That in the event of favorable action by the constituted authorities, concerning the proposed union between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., the said committee is further empowered to confer and advise with the several Boards and institutions of the Church, with a view to such protection of all corporate and property rights as may need attention, under the law, as the result of the consummation of said Union. — Adopted. C. P., 1904, p. 68. 11. Telegrams Announcing Action, 1904. Dallas, Texas, May 25, 1904. To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., Buffalo, N. Y. : The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to-night adopted Plan of Reunion and Union by constitutional majority of two-thirds. C. P., 1904, p. 50. Warren E. Settle, Moderator. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Clerk. Buffalo, N. ¥., May 27, 1904. General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas : The report of the Joint-Committee on Reunion was adopted to-day by a great majority. J. Addison Henry, Moderator. W. H. Roberts, Stated Clerk. P., 1904, p. 148. 12. Appointment and Report of the Committee of Canvass (P.), Winona Assembly, 1905. a. Under the resolution adopted by the Assembly of 1904, a two-thirds vote of the Presbyteries is required for the adoption of the Overture, viz., No. 161. In the action of the Assembly of 1904, on the subject of reunion and union with the Cumberland Church, there is no direction as to the method by which the Assembly shall find and declare that said basis of union has been approved by the required majority of the Presbyteries. There is simply the direction that the Stated Clerk shall report the vote. Further, the law of the Assembly of 1891, on the canvass of the answers of the Presbyteries to Overtures sent down by Assemblies, does not spe- cifically apply to this Overture on Union. It is, however, suggested that a Committee of Canvass, consisting of three ministers and two elders, be appointed to report to this Assembly the state of the vote, accompanied by a form of declaration in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Union. The following Resolution was then adopted : Resolved, That the Assembly hereby appoints a Committee of three ministers and two elders to canvass the vote of the Presbyteries on the Overture sent down to them by the Assembly of 1904 on the subject of HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 925 the Reunion and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ; and that said Committee report to this Assembly the state of the vote, accompanied by a form of declaration in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Union, and also report such other action as may be necessary, said Committee to be appointed by the Moderator. — 1905, p. 43. b. The Report as a whole was adopted. It is as follows : Your Committee appointed to canvass and report the vote of the Pres- byteries on Overture No. 8, sent down by the last General Assembly, on the subject of the Reunion and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, accompanied by a form of declaration in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Union, and also to report what further action may be necessary, do respectfully report : 1. We have canvassed the vote as reported by the Stated Clerk, and find that out of a total of 241 Presbyteries, 194 Presbyteries, or more than the two-thirds majority required, have voted in the affirmative ; 39 have voted in the negative ; 2 have taken no action ; 1 has given condi- tional assent, and from 5 no answer has been received. [Annexed hereto is an alphabetical list, marked A, showing the name and action of each Presbytery.] 2. We recommend accordingly for adoption by the Assembly the following form of declaration in accordance with the terms of Union (see Minutes, 1904, p. 136) : This Assembly, having received and duly examined the vote of its Presbyteries on the Basis of Union of the Presbyterian Church in U. S. A. and Cumberland Presbyterian Church, does hereby find and declare that more than the required two-thirds majority of its Presbyteries have approved the Basis of Union submitted to them by the Assembly of 1904, to wit: "The Union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice"; and that the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. has complied with all the requirements of the Plan of Union adopted by the Assembly of 1904 [see Joint-report, Minutes of 1904, p. 135 et seq.~\, and this Assembly declares its readiness to take action accordingly. — P., 1905, p. 67. 13. Announcement by the Moderator (P.), Winona Assembly, 1905. The Moderator made the following formal and official declaration, to wit : " I hereby declare that Overture No. 8, sent down by the Assembly of 1904 to the Presbyteries, in the form set forth at pages 119 and 136 in the Minutes of said Assembly, has been adopted by more than the required two-thirds vote in the affirmative, and accordingly constitutes the basis of the proposed union between our Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, according to the Plan adopted by the Assembly of 1904."— Minutes, 1905, p. 67. 926 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 14. Report of the Special Committee on Organic Union (C. P.), Fresno Assembly, 1905. There being one hundred and fourteen (114) Presbyteries in the Church, we find and declare that more than a constitutional majority of the whole number of Presbyteries in the Church have voted in favor of the Reunion and Union, and we therefore recommend that you adopt the following Preamble and Resolutions : Whereas, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., which met in 1903, and the General Assembly of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, which convened in the same year, each appointed a Committee looking to a union of the said two Churches, and, Whereas, Said Committees, after conferring with each other, agreed upon a plan, or basis, of reunion and union of said Churches, and, by a joint-report, presented the same to their respective General Assemblies which convened in 1904, and recommended its adoption, and, Whereas, The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of 1904, by the constitutional two-thirds vote, adopted said joint- report, including the plan, or basis, of Union therein contained, and recommended and submitted said basis of Union to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for their approval or disapproval ; and, Whereas, Each one of the one hundred and fourteen (114) Presby- teries of the Church, except Florida, did before the tenth day of May, 1905, forward to the Stated Clerk of this General Assembly a statement of its action on said basis of Union, which statements have been sub- mitted by the Stated Clerk to this Assembly ; and, Whereas, It appears from said statements, or reports, that sixty (60) of said Presbyteries have approved of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, upon the basis set forth in said joint-report, and that fifty-one (51) Presbyteries have voted disapproval of said reunion and union, one ( 1 ) Presbytery approving conditionally, two (2) Presbyteries failing to take any final action on the question ; therefore, Be it Resolved, That this General Assembly does hereby find and declare that a constitutional majority of the Presbyteries of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church have voted approval of the reunion and union of said Churches upon the basis set forth in said joint-report, and does find and declare that said reunion and union has been constitutionally agreed to by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and that the said basis of Union has, for the purposes of the Union, been constitutionally adopted.— C. P., 1905, pp. 38, 39. 15. Adoption of the Report of Canvass and Announcement by the Moderator (C. P.), Fresno Assembly, 1905. The Moderator then announced and declared that the motion to adopt the Majority Report had prevailed, there being 137 votes in the affirma- tive and 110 votes in the negative, and that the Resolution contained therein had constitutionally become the action of the General Assembly. (See pages 37-39.)— C. P., 1905, p. 56. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 927 16. Continuance and Enlargement of the Committee (P.) on Church Cooperation and Union, 1905. a. And your Committee recommends the following further action : Resolved, That this whole matter be now recommitted to the Assem- bly's Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, for conference with the Committee on Fraternity and Union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, or other similar Committee, appointed or to be appointed. That such Committee be increased in number to twenty-one, and that the Moderator report to this Assembly the names of the additional mem- bers. That it be the duty of such Committee to ascertain what steps are necessary to complete the Union, and to report with its recommendations to the 118th General Assembly, when convened in 1906, the particular details whereby organic union may be so effected as to assure to the united Church all the legal and corporate rights and powers which the separate Churches now possess " (see ^j 2 of Basis, Minutes, 1904, p. 136), and whereby the corporate rights now held by the two General Assemblies and by their Boards and Committees may be consolidated and applied for their several objects, as defined and permitted by law" (see Seventh Concurrent Declaration, Minutes, 1904, p. 138). Resolved, further, That the said Committee be and it hereby is authorized to confer with the Trustees of the General Assembly, if and when necessary, in order to safeguard the corporate or property rights of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. upon and after the completion of the proposed Union ; and the Trustees of the General Assembly are hereby directed, if so requested to confer, to comply with such request. Resolved, further, That the Stated Clerk communicate the purport of the aforesaid Declaration, when adopted, to the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, now in session at Fresno, Cal. Adopted.— P., 1905, pp. 67, 68. b. As additional members of the Special Committee on Church Cooperation and Union: Minister — Robert Mackenzie, D.D. Ruling Elders — Hon. George H. Shields, Judge William M. Lanuing, Judge John A. Mcllvaine, and H. W. Jessup, Esq.— P., 1905, p. 182. 17. Continuance and Enlargement of the Committee on Fraternity and Union, 1905. As the special order, the Assembly took up the following resolutions, offered by Dr. W. H. Black : Resolved, 1. That the Committee on Fraternity and Union be con- tinued, and that nine new members be added thereto, making twenty-one in all, said added members to be appointed by the Moderator and his Council. 2. That said Committee on Fraternity and Union be instructed to confer with the Committee on Cooperation and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and with the various Boards, Committees, organizations, and institutions of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, with reference to the adjusting of the details of union with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. On motion of Dr. Black, the foregoing resolutions were adopted and 928 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. the Moderator afterward announced the name of the following persons as having been chosen by the Moderator and his Council to serve as addi- tional members of the Committee on Fraternity and Union: Revs. \Y. M. Crawford, S. D. Logan, R. W. Binkley, J. A. McDonald, R. L. Phelps, J. H. Miller, and Elders W. B. Young, T. W. Keller, and J. H. Zarecor. — C. P., 1905, p. 74. 18. Telegrams Announcing Action, 1905. Winona Lake, Inch, May 22, 1905. Stated Clerk, General Assembly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Fresno, Cal. : Official announcement is hereby made that the Overture for Union and Reunion between our respective Churches has been adopted by more than the required two-thirds vote of the Presbyteries in the affirmative, that all the conditions of the Plan of Union have been complied with by this Church, and that the further steps necessary to complete the Union have been referred to the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union to report to the next Assembly. Wm. Henry Roberts, Stated Clerk. P., 1905, p. 77; C. P., 1905, p. 45. Winona Lake, Indiana, May 23, 1905. To the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Fresno, California : The General Assembly in session at Winona Lake, Indiana, cordially reciprocates your fraternal greeting. We have taken every step now possible toward completing organic union and without a dissenting vote. The voice of our Church is " Come, and welcome." May you reach a like unity is our earnest prayer. James D. Moffat, Moderator. Wm. H. Roberts, Stated Clerk. P., 1905, p, 126 ; C. P., 1905, p. 46. Fresno, Cal, May 24, 1905. General Assembly Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., Winona Lake, Ind. : The Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly, acknowledging and replying to your telegram, have to announce that we find and declare that a constitutional majority of our Presbyteries have voted approval of the basis of reunion and union, and we pray the peace and blessings of God upon the reunion. J. B. Hail, Moderator. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Clerk. C. P., 1905, p. 92 ; P., 1905, p. 145. Fresno, Cal., May 24, 1905. Stated Clerk Presbyterian Assembly, Winona Lake, Ind. : Our Committee on Fraternity and Union receives an addition of nine members, with instructions to consider all further steps necessary to con- HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 929 summate the union and confer with your Committee, and report at next meeting of our Assembly a year hence. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Clerk C. P., 1905, p. 74 ; P., 1905, p. 149. 19. Action of Winona Assembly (P.), 1905, on the Amendment to the Form of Government, Chapter x, Section 2. a. The Committee of Canvass on Overture No. 6, on the Territorial limits of Presbyteries, presented the following Report, which was adopted : The total number of Presbyteries is 241, and the Provision of Chapter 24 of the Form of Government, Section 1, requires that a majority of all the Presbyteries approve in writing of amendments or alterations of the Form of Government. A majority of the Presbyteries is 121, and inas- much as 188 Presbyteries have voted in the affirmative the Overture has been adopted, and it is the duty of the Moderator to make due declaration of the fact in the following terms, viz. : I hereby declare that Overture No. 6, sent down by the Assembly of 1904 to the Presbyteries, being an amendment to Form of Government, Chapter x, Section 2, and found in the Minutes of the Assembly of 1904, pages 146, 147, has been constitutionally adopted as an amendment- to the Form of Government, and is now a part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.— P., 1905, p. 60. b. In compliance wherewith the Moderator made the following formal and official declaration : " I hereby declare that Overture No. 6, sent down by the Assembly of 1904 to the Presbyteries, as an amendment to Form of Government, Chapter x, Section 2, and found in the Minutes of the Assembly of 1904, pages 146, 147, has been constitutionally adopted, and is now a part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America."— P., 1905, p. 60. Winona Lake, Ind., May 23d, 1905. Stated Clerk, General Assembly, Fresno : Separate Presbyteries overture has been adopted, and on Monday morning was declared to be the law of the Church. Wm. H. Roberts, Stated Clerk. C. P., 1905, p. 47. 20. Joint-report on Reunion and Union, 1906. The Committee on Church Cooperation and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. and the Committee on Fraternity and Union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, earnestly recommend to their respective General Assemblies for adoption the following Preamble and Resolutions : We recommend that the General Assembly of each one of the two Churches which shall convene in May, 1906, adopt the following pream- ble and resolutions : Whereas, The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church have from time to time since their separation made efforts looking toward reunion of the latter with the former Church ; and, 930 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Whereas, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America which met in 1903, and the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church which convened in the same year, each appointed a Committee having in view a reunion and union of the said two Churches ; and, Whereas, Said Committees, after conferring with each other, agreed upon a plan and basis of reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and by a joint-report presented the same to their respective General Assem- blies which convened in 1904, and recommended its adoption ; and, Whereas, The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1904, by the constitutional two-thirds vote, adopted said report, including the plan and basis of reunion and union therein contained, and recommended and submitted said basis of reunion and union to the Pres- byteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for their approval or disapproval (Minutes, pages 30, 48, and 62a), as provided in the follow- ing resolutions : Resolved, 1. That the foregoing Report and Supplemental Report of the Committee on Presbyterian Fraternity and Union, appointed by the General Assembly in 1903, be received and spread upon the Minutes of this General Assembly, and that the included Joint-report on Union be adopted ; and that the Basis of Union be and is recommended to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for their approval or disapproval. Resolved, 2. That the Moderator and the Stated Clerk be instructed to submit the Basis of Union, contained in said report, to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the usual constitutional manner, upon receiving official notification of the adoption of the said Joint-re- port on Union by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. The Plan or Basis of Union referred to in said resolutions is defined in Article I, Section 2, of the Joint T report on Reunion and Union, and was submitted to the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as provided in Section 3, in the following words : " Do you approve of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the following basis : The union shall be effected on the doc- trinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Tes- taments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?" ; and, Whereas, Each one of the one hundred and fourteen (114) Presby- teries of the said Church, except the Presbytery of Florida, did, before the 10th day of May, 1905, forward to the Stated Clerk of said General Assembly a' statement of its action on said basis of reunion and union, which statements were submitted by the Stated Clerk to that Assembly ; and, Whereas, Said General Assembly adopted the following resolution : Be it Resolved, That this General Assembly does hereby find and de- clare that a constitutional majority of the Presbyteries of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church have voted approval of the reunion and union of said Churches upon the basis set forth in said joint-report, and does find HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 931 and declare that said reunion and union has been constitutionally agreed to by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and that the said basis of union has, for the purposes of the union, been constitutionally adopted (Minutes, 1905, pages 39 and 56) ; and, Whereas, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, at its sessions in 1904, also duly adopted said joint-report, including the plan and basis of reunion and union therein contained, and did submit the basis of reunion and union to the Presby- teries of that Church for their approval or disapproval (Minutes of 1904, page 130), in the following words : " Do you approve of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the following basis : The union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and eccle- siastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice ?" ; and, Whereas, Two hundred and thirty-six (236) of the two hundred and forty-one (241) Presbyteries of that Church did each, before the 10th day of May, 1905, forward to the Stated Clerk of that Assembly a state- ment of its action on said basis of reunion and union, which statements were submitted by said Stated Clerk to the General Assembly of the said Presbyterian Church which convened on the 18th day of May, 1905 ; and, Whereas, That Assembly did adopt the following declaration, to wit : " This Assembly, having received and duly examined the vote of its Pres- byteries on the basis of union of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, does hereby find and declare that more than the required two-thirds majority of its Presbyteries have approved the basis of union submitted to them by the Assembly of 1904, to wit : ' The union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and of its other doctrinal and eccle- siastical Standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired "Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice'; and that the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America has complied with all of the requirements of the plan of union adopted by the Assembly of 1904 (see joint-report, Minutes of 1904, page 135 seq.), and this Assembly declares its readiness to take action accordingly " ; and, Wliereas, The Moderator of said Assembly made the following dec- laration, to wit : " I hereby declare that Overture No. 8, sent down by the Assembly of 1904 to the Presbyteries, in the form set forth at pages 119 and 136 in the Minutes of said Assembly, has been adopted by more than the required two-thirds vote in the affirmative, and accordingly constitutes the basis of the proposed union between our Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, according to the plan adopted by the Assembly of 1904 " (Minutes of 1905, page 67) ; and, Whereas, Official notice has been given to each Assembly of the action taken by the other Assembly, as hereinbefore recited, which notice has been officially acknowledged ; Now, therefore, be it Resolved, 1. That the effect of the above-recited actions is : 932 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. (a) That the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, and its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards, have been adopted by the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, in accordance with its Constitution and in conformity with said plan and basis of reunion and union. (b) That said joint-report, including the plan and basis of reunion and union, concurrent declarations, and recommendations therein contained, have been adopted by the constituted authorities and in conformity with the organic law of both of said Churches. (c) That the reunion and union provided for in said joint-report and in the basis of reunion and union has been agreed to by the constituted authorities and in accordance with the organic law of both of said Churches, and is binding and will become fully effective and operative when and as hereinafter declared. Be it further Resolved, 2. That immediately after the declaration herein- after provided for shall have been made, said Confession of Faith and other doctrinal and ecclesiastical Standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall become effective and operative as to all of the ministers, elders, deacons, officers, particular churches, judica- tories, boards, committees, and all other ecclesiastical organizations, institu- tions, and agencies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 3. That after the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, meeting in 1906, shall have adjourned sine die as a separate Assembly, the One Hundred and Nineteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, which shall be com- posed of representatives from all the Presbyteries of the reunited Church, shall, upon the dissolution of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America, meeting in 1906, be required by its Moderator to meet on the third Thursday of May, 1907, at 11 o'clock, A. M., as provided for by the Form of Government of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America. When said Assembly convenes it shall, until a new Moderator is chosen, be presided over by the Moderator of the Assembly of 1906 of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America; and it is recommended that the opening ser- mon be preached by the Moderator of the General Assembly of 1906 of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall make up the roll of the Assembly of 1907, with the assistance of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of 1906 of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 4. That all of the Presbyteries now constituting the Presbyteries of the two Churches, as they shall exist at the time for electing commissioners to the General Assembly of 1907, shall elect commissioners to that Assem- bly on the basis of one minister and one elder for every twenty-four ministers or moiety thereof, as provided in the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 5. That all Boards, Committees, Trustees, and other ecclesiastical agen- cies now required to make report to the General Assembly of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church be and they are hereby directed to report here- after to the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 6. Resolved, That in order to carry out the intent of Concurrent Declara- tions 5 and 7, to wit : HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 933 (5) "As soon as practicable after the union shall have been effected the General Assembly shall reconstruct and consolidate the several per- manent Committees and Boards which now belong to the two Assemblies, so as to represent, with impartiality, the views and wishes of the two bodies constituting the reunited Church." (7) "The corporate rights now held by the two General Assemblies and by their Boards and Committees shall be consolidated and applied for their several objects, as defined and permitted by law." (Minutes, 1904, pp. 137, 138.) The Boards, Committees, Trustees, and other ecclesiastical or corporate agencies connected with either General Assembly, all of which have been hereinbefore directed to report hereafter to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America or are in duty bound to report to said General Assembly, be and they are authorized and empowered if, and when, so directed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to proceed accord- ing to law to orderly dissolution, in order that the funds, property, and other assets by them, or any of them, now severally held be turned over to such appropriate corporate agencies, whether Boards or Committees, as may be permanently continued by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ; and such agencies, so per- manently continued, are intended to be substituted Trustees, to succeed to the administration of such trust funds, as well as thereafter to receive and distribute the benevolent offerings of all the churches and congregations now belonging to either Church. 7. Resolved, That the benevolent and missionary Boards connected with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the Boards now connected with the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, after the consummation of the reunion and union, are authorized and directed to confer with each other with a view to carry- ing on their work in harmony with each other during the year 1906-7, full report to be made by each of the above Boards to the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America of 1907. 8. Whereas, Upon the declaration of the reunion and union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the Synods, Presbyteries, Sessions, ministers, and congregations, now connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, will have been received into and become incorporated with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ; therefore, Resolved, (a) That the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, with the assistance of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, shall be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to place the names of the Synods and Presbyteries connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the time of the completion of the reunion and union on the roll of the Synods and the Presbyteries of the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America of 1906, to wit : I. Synod of Alabama : Presbyteries of Birmingham, Florida, McGready, Robert Donnell, Springville, and Talladega. II. Synod of Arkansas: Presbyteries of Arkansas, Bartholomew, Burrow, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Morrillton, Mound Prairie, and White River. 934 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. III. Synod of Illinois : Presbyteries of Chicago, Decatur, Ewing, Foster, Illinois, Lincoln, Mt. Yernon, Rushville, Sangamon, and Van- dalia. IV. Synod of Indiana : Presbyteries of Indiana, Morgan, and Wabash. V. Synod of Indianola : Presbyteries of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Greer, Oklahoma, and Washita. VI. Synod of Iowa : Presbyteries of Colesburg, Iowa, and West Iowa. VII. Synod of Kansas: Presbyteries of Fort Scott, Kansas City, Nebraska, Rocky Mountain, and Wichita. VIII. Synod of Kentucky : Presbyteries of Cumberland, Leiteh- field, Logan, Louisville, Mayfield, Owensboro, and Princeton. IX. Synod of Mississippi : Presbyteries of Bell, Mississippi, New Hope, Oxford, and Yazoo. X. Synod of Missouri : Presbyteries of Chillicothe, Kirksville, Lexington, McGee, Neosho, New Lebanon, Ozark, Platte, St. Louis, Salt River, Springfield, West Plains, and West Prairie. XL Synod of Ohio : Presbyteries of Athens, Columbus, and Miami. XII. Synod of Oregon : Presbyteries of Portland, Walla Walla, and Willamette. XIII. Synod of Pacific : Presbyteries of California, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare. XIV. Synod of Pennsylvania : Presbyteries of Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, Pittsburgh, and Union. XV. Synod of Tennessee : Presbyteries of Chattanooga, Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, East Tennessee, Elk, Knoxville, Lebanon, and McMinville. XVI. Synod of Texas : Presbyteries of Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Bacon, Bonham, Brownwood, Corsicana, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Greenville, Gregory, Louisiana, Marshall, Red River, San Antonio, San Jacinto, Snyder, Texas, Waco, and Weatherford. XVII. Synod of AVest Tennessee : Presbyteries of Hopewell, Madison, Memphis, and Obion. (b) That official correspondence with said Synods and Presbyteries shall be conducted by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, with the assistance of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church of 1906. (c) That the list of churches and ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as existing at the time of the reunion and union, and certified to by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, be printed by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in the Minutes of the latter Church for 1906. 9. Resolved, That after the completion of the reunion and union, the Boards and Committees now connected with the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church be entered in the list of the Boards and Committees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and that under their appropriate names, with their members and officers, they be published in the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America for 1906. 10. Resolved, That the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumber- HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 935 land Presbyterian Church for 1906 be published and distributed as usual, and that the Stated Clerk and Treasurer of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 1906 be and is hereby continued in office to complete his duties, including the statement of his financial accounts ; final report to be made by him to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America of 1907. 11. Resolved, That the respective General Assemblies hereby recom- mend to the One Hundred and Nineteenth General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America, that when steps shall be taken to adjust the boundaries of the several Presbyteries and Synods, and to define and name the same, preference be given, as far as possible, to the names now used by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for its Presbyteries and Synods in the South and Southwest ; that, conversely, preference be given, as far as possible, to the names now used by the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in the North and Northwest ; and that in the border territory great care be taken to pre- serve any names that embody associations dear to either Church. 12. Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall grant to its Board of Education a measure of discretion in the application of the rules of said Board to candidates who may be recommended for aid by Presbyteries previously in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, until said Presbyteries, with their candidates, have fully adjusted themselves to the new conditions brought about by the reunion and union of the two Churches. This action shall be construed as extending to the students in the theological depart- ment of Cumberland University, according to the provisions of Concurrent Declaration No. 6. 13. Whereas, The Committee on Fraternity and Union of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church have called attention to the responsibility which its Church has felt in the matter of aiding the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Colored — its Educational Society having been charged by its General Assembly from year to year with certain duties in relation to said Church — in order that this responsibility may be duly recognized by the reunited Church toward that particular denomination of colored people ; therefore, Resolved, That the Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Educational Society of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, both of which, after the completion of the reunion and union, will be agencies of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, are hereby authorized and directed to con- sider what may be done by the reunited Church for the further evangel- ization and education of the colored people in the South and Southwest ; report to be made to the One Hundred and Nineteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, meeting in 1907. 14. When this joint-report, including its recitals and resolutions, shall have been adopted by the General Assembly of each of said Churches, and official telegraphic notice of such adoption has been received by each Assembly from the other, the Moderator of each Assembly is empowered and directed, in behalf of his General Assembly and Church, to declare and pub- licly announce in open session of said Assembly, and have it so recorded on its minutes, the full consummation of the reunion and union of said Churches in the following words : " The joint-report of the two Committees on Reunion 936 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. and Union, and the recitals and resolutions therein contained and recom- mended, for adoption, having been adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and official notice of such adoption having been received by each of the said General Assem- blies from the other ; I do solemnly declare and here publicly announce that the basis of reunion and union is now in full force and effect, and that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is now reunited with the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America as one Church, and that the official records of the two Churches during the period of separation shall be preserved and held as making up the history of the one Church." And when said declaration shall have been publicly made in the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, no business in that General Assembly shall be in order, except a motion to adjourn sine die as a separate Assembly. In behalf of the Cumberland In behalf of the Presbyterian Presbyterian Committee : Committee : Wm. H. Black, Chairman. Wm. H. Roberts, Chairman. P., 1906, pp. 142-150 ; C. P., pp. 64-72. 21. Telegrams announcing action, 1906. Decatur, III., May 23, 1906. To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., Des Moines, Iowa : The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has just adopted the joint-report of the Committee on Reunion and Union of the Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and it respectfully awaits notification of the same action on the part of your venerable body. Ira Landrith, Moderator. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Cleric— C. P., 1906, p. 117. Des Moines, Iowa, May 24, 1906. To the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Decatur, III. : The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America has adopted the Joint-report on Reunion and Union, and has made the Declaration of Union contained in Resolution fourteen. Hunter Corbett, Moderator. William H. Roberts, Stated Clerk.— P., 1906, p. 151. Decatur, III., May 24, 1906. To the Stated Clerk, Presbyterian General Assembly, Des Moines, Iowa : Our Assembly made the Declaration and adjourned at one o'clock. Fifteen will come in our delegation. J. M. Hubbert, Stated Clerk. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 937 22. Adoption of the Joint-report and Declaration of the consummation of Union, 1906. 1. Presbyterian General Assembly. The Special Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, through its Chairman, Rev. W. H. Roberts, D.D., presented its Report, which was accepted. Part V. of the Report, being the Joint-report on Reunion and Union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with all its recitals and resolu- tions, was adopted with only two dissenting votes. Rev- William Laurie, D.D., one of the dissentients, asked that his name be recorded as voting in the negative. Upon the adoption of said Part V., the Joint-report on Reunion and Union, with all its recitals and resolutions, the Moderator, as required by the terms of Resolution 14 of said Report, made the following declara- tion, to wit : " The joint-report of the two Committees on Reunion and Union, and the recitals and resolutions therein contained and recommended for adop- tion, having been adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and official notice of such adoption having been received by each of the said General Assemblies from the other ; I do solemnly declare and here publicly announce that the basis of reunion and union is now in full force and effect, and that the Cumber- laud Presbyterian Church is now reunited with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as one Church, and that the official records of the two Churches during the period of separation shall be preserved and held as making up the history of the one Church." — P. Minutes, 1906, pp. 123, 171. 2. Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly. a. After the reading of the foregoing Report, Dr. S. M. Templeton offered the following Resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That the foregoing Report of the Committee on Fraternity and Union be accepted, and that the Joint-report on Reunion and Union, contained in said Report, be adopted. — C. P., 1906, p. 72. b. The Moderator then declared that the Resolution offered by Dr. Templeton had been carried, and that thereby the Report of the Com- mittee on Fraternity and Union has been accepted, and that the Joint- report on Reunion and Union, contained therein, had been adopted. — C. P., 1906, p. 77. c. In terms contained in Resolution fourteen of the Joint-report on Reunion and Union, Moderator Landrith then made the following Declaration : The joint-report of the two Committees on Reunion and Union and the recitals and resolutions therein contained and recommended for adoption, having been adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the General Assembly of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, and official notice of such adoption having been received by enrh of the said General Assemblies from the other ; I do solemnly declare and here publicly announce that the basis of reunion and union is now in full force and effect, and that the Cumberland Presbvterian 938 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Church is now reunited with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as one Church, and that the official records of the two Churches during the period of separation shall be preserved and held as making up the history of the one Church, — C. P., 1906, p. 115. 23. Final adjournment of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The following resolution was then presented by Dr. J. S. Grider : Resolved, That this General Assembly do now adjourn sine die, as a separate General Assembly, to meet in and as part of the one hundred and nineteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, on the third Thursday of May, 1907, at 11 o'clock a.m., at the place chosen by the one hundred and eighteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Elder D. M. Prendergast moved the adoption of the foregoing resolu- tion, the motion was seconded by Rev. D. C. DeWitt, and the resolution was adopted by the Assembly viva voce. — C. P., 1906, p. 115. Moderator Dr. Laudrith then said: I now declare this General Assem- bly adjourned sine die, as a separate Assembly, to meet in and as a part of the One Hundred and Nineteenth General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America, on the third Thursday of May, 1907, at eleven o'clock a.m., at the place chosen by the One Hun- dred and Eighteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America of 1906.— C. P., 1906, p. 116. 24. Reception of the Delegates of the Cumberland General Assembly, Des Moines, 1906. Rev. W. H. Roberts, D.D., introduced to the Moderator and the Assem- bly the members of the Delegation, as follows : Rev. Ira Landrith, D.D., Moderator; Rev. J. M. Hubbert, D.D., Stated Clerk; Rev. W. J. Darby, D.D., Rev. J. Frank Smith, Rev. L. C. Kirkes, Rev. W. J. Fisher, Rev. Prof. W. P. Bone, Rev. J. E. Aubrey, Rev. U. C. Howard, Rev. W. L. Darby, Rev. George S. Davis, Rev. J. D. Boone. Elders — Hon. E. E. Beard, S. F. Stahl, and T. A. White. Addresses were delivered by the following members of the Delegation : Rev. Ira Landrith, LL.D., Rev. J. M. Hubbert, D.D., Rev. W. J. Darby, D.D., Rev. J. F. Smith, Rev. W. J. Fisher, and Hon. E. E. Beard. The Moderator repeated verbatim the formal Declaration of Reunion and Union made yesterday, and responded to the addresses of the mem- bers of the Delagation. After a cordial handclasp by the two Moderators, Drs. Corbett and Landrith, Dr. Corbett led the Assembly in a prayer of thanksgiving. — P., 1906, p. 171. 25. Announcement by the Stated Clerk, Des Moines, la., 1906. The Stated Clerk made formal announcement as follows : In the name of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and of the General Assembly of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, I make announcement that the following Synods and Presbyteries, with their ministers and churches, have been received into and have become incorporated with the Presbyterian Church in the HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 939 United States of America, and their names are therefore placed upon the Roll of this General Assembly, to wit: (See this Digest, p. 933.) — P., 1906, p. 152. 26, Special Designation for certain Presbyteries and Synods. The Stated Clerk was authorized, in making up the Roll of the Presby- teries and Synods, where two of the same name occurred, to append the letter " A " to those formerly connected with the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.— P., 1906, p. 172. 27. Doctrinal Deliverance (P.), Des Moines, la., 1906. The following deliverance was adopted : The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, having added to its Rolls the Synods and Presbyteries and churches and ministers lately subject to the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and constituting said Church ; and earnestly desiring to retain in the membership of each particular church every one in connection therewith prior to the consummation of the reunion ; and being apprehensive that some of them may be reluctant to acquiesce in what has now been effected, because of certain misappre- hensions which should be removed if possible, now solemnly declares : 1. That in the Presbyterian Church no acceptance of the doctrines of the Church is required of any communicant, beyond a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Son of God and Saviour of the World, and a sincere acceptance of Him as Lord and Master. 2. That ministers, ruling elders, and deacons, in expressing approval of the Westminster Confession of Faith as revised in 1903, are required to assent only to the system of doctrine contained therein, and not to every particular statement in it ; and inasmuch as the two Assemblies meeting in 1904 did declare that there was then a sufficient agreement between the systems of doctrine contained in the Confessions of the two Churches to warrant the union of the Churches, therefore the change of doctrinal Standards resulting from the union involves no change of belief on the part of any who were ministers, ruling elders, or deacons in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. Further, this Assembly specifically declares that, since the revision of 1903, by which the Confession of Faith was amended, by change of its text, by a declaratory statement and by addi- tions, it is no longer allowable to interpret our system of doctrine in any fatalistic sense ; nor are we willing to admit that such fatalistic interpre- tation was ever warranted, whatever misapprehension may have existed in the mind of any person. 3. In view of the fact that reunion involves no change whatever in the relations of communicants, ruling elders, and deacons to their own particular churches ; and, except in a few instances, none in their relations to their Presbyteries and Synods ; and brings all into a General Assem- bly differing from their former Assembly only in size and its representation of a larger Church ; this Assembly expresses the hope that all who have thus far opposed reunion may soon realize that they can engage heartily in the chief work that our Lord requires of us — the evangelization of the world — as never before, and with a prospect of a greater efficiency because they lay aside personal preferences in the interest of the union of Presby- terians in a great forward movement. — P., 1906, p. 210. 940 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 28. Action as to amendments to Constitution (P.), Des Moines, la., 1906. 1 . Telegram. Des Moines, Iowa, May 18, 1906. Rev. J. M. Hubbert, D.D., Stated Clerk, General Assembly, Decatur, III.: The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, in session at Des Moines, la., May 18, 1906, has adopted a resolution adjudging and solemnly declaring that by virtue of the adoption of the basis of reunion and union, the amendments of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, adopted in 1905, upon the consummation of union will be forthwith no longer in force nor operative in the reunited Church as any part of its ecclesiastical Standards, until and unless resub- mitted to all the Presbyteries of the reunited Church ; this resolution spe- cifically makes an exception of the amendment to Chap, x, Sec. ii, Form of Government, which was a condition of the union. Wm. H. Roberts, Stated Clerk. P., 1906, p. 16 ; C. P., 1906, p. 33. 2. Text of Action. The Special Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, presented a Special Report, which was adopted, and is as follows : Whereas, in 1904-5, the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America adopted certain amendments to its Form of Government and Book of Discipline, with reference to judicial commissions, etc. ; and, Whereas, The said Church had previously entered into a solemn agree- ment with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for reunion and union, on a doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis, specifically defined and conditioned, and had provided that said basis should be binding upon the fulfillment of said conditions ; and, Whereas, Said conditions have been fulfilled, and said basis has be- come binding, Now, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America hereby adjudges and solemnly declares that, by virtue of said prior agreement fixing the basis of reunion and union as afore- said, under which organic union is now to be consummated, the amend- ments above referred to and not contemplated as a part of said basis, upon the consummation of union will be forthwith no longer in force, nor will they be operative in the reunited Church as any part of its eccle- siastical Standards, until and unless resubmitted to the Presbyteries of the reunited Church ; and all the Presbyteries and Synods of the Church are enjoined in all cases hereafter arising, to act under the standards as they existed on May 27, 1904, except as amended in respect to Chap, x, Sec. ii, Form of Government, in relation to the erection of separate Presby- teries and Synods for different races and nationalities. The Stated Clerk was authorized to communicate this action to the Stated Clerk of the General Assemblv of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.— P., 1906, pp. 15, 16; C. P.', 1906, p. 46. 29. Action as to Cumberland University. The Committee on Church Cooperation and Union presented the follow- ing supplementary Report, which was adopted : Whrreas, Some discussion has arisen in regard to the relations that may HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. 941 be hereafter established between the Theological Department of Cum- berland University and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. ; therefore, Resolved, That the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. and the Committee on Fraternity and Union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church recommend to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. of 1906, that it recommend to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. of 1907, that in accordance with the provisions of Con- current Declaration No. 6 (see Minutes, 1904, page 138), it adopt the following paper as a settlement of the matter, viz. : Upon the Trustees of Cumberland University so changing their charter, as amended in 1903, as to use the words " Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A." instead of " Cumberland Presbyterian Church," then the charter of said University, as amended in 1903, shall be accepted as the law defining the relations of the Theological Department of said University to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.; and thereafter it is to be a Theological School of the said Church, and its faculty and students entitled to full and equal recognition with those of all other Theological Schools of said Church ; and said Theological Department shall not be separated from Cumberland University without the consent of the Trustees of said Cumberland University. The Trustees shall require the Professors hereafter elected in the Theo- logical Department, before assuming their duties, to adopt the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures. At least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Trustees of Cumberland University shall be at all times members of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. — P., 1906, p. 172. 30. Continuance of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union. a. The Committee, in closing its Report, places on record its gratifica- tion over the increasing acknowledgment in all Churches of the Presby- terian family, of the spiritual unity of the universal Church of Jesus Christ and the obligations of Christian brotherhood. The historic posi- tion of our own Church from its establishment has been clear as to Church Unity. We have always maintained that the visible Church, which also is Catholic or Universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children ; and is the King- dom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God. Expressing the hope that there may be increasing acknowledgment by all Christians of the true nature of the Church Universal and action in accordance therewith, your Committee respectfully asks to be continued, with a view to rendering further service to the great Head of the Church, in the real- ization of His desire for His people "that all may be one." — P., 1906, p. 151. Adopted, p. 123. b. The Moderator was authorized to appoint three additional members upon the special Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, to be chosen from those formerly in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He announced as the appointees the following : Ministers — Win, H. Black, D.D., and Wm. J. Darby, D.D. Elder— Hon. E. E. Beard.— P., 1906, p. 233. 942 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. PART II. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. THE REVISION, 1900-1903. 1. The Report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures, 1900. Your Committee deem these Overtures of such nature and number as to justify some action on the part of the Assembly. But the Overtures are of such variety and suggest so many paths of process, that they hardly furnish sufficient data to justify a distinct trial of any one of the plans proposed. To enter at once either upon the revision of our present Creed, or upon the construction of a new Creed, or upon the preparation of a sup- plemental Creed, or of an explanatory statement, would be to commit ourselves to undertaking some one of the proposed methods of credal change, without sufficient knowledge of the mind of the Church to war- rant reasonable expectation of approval. On the other hand, to decline all action would be to ignore a condition that seems to demand attention, and which involves a wide misrepresenta- tion, and, therefore, misapprehension of our doctrinal position. We therefore recommend : 1. That a Committee of fifteen, eight ministers and seven elders, be now appointed by the Moderator to consider the whole matter of a restate- ment of the doctrines most surely believed among us, and which are sub- stantially embodied in our Confession of Faith. 2. That this Committee be enjoined diligently to pursue their inquiries, seeking light and knowledge from every available source, and to report to the next Assembly what specific action, if any, should be taken by the Church. 3. That to further the work of the Committee the Presbyteries be and are hereby invited by the Assembly to take action on this subject at their approaching fall meetings, and through the Assembly's Stated Clerk to report said action to the Committee, whether suggesting revisional, sup- plemental, or substitutional changes, or no change at all. On motion duly made and carried the Moderator was added to the Committee on Revision, and appointed its Chairman. — 1900, p. 99. 2. The Committee on Revision, 1900. The Moderator announced the Committee on the Revision of the Con- fession of Faith, as follows: Ministers — Chas. A. Dickey, D.D., Herrick Johnson, D.D., Samuel J. Niccolls, D.D., Daniel W. Fisher, D.D., William McKibbin, D.D., George B. Stewart, D.D., Stephen W. Dana, D.D., Samuel P. Sprecher, D.D., Benjamin B. Warfield, D.D.* Elders — Gen. Benjamin Harrison, Justice John M. Harlan, Daniel R. Noyes, E. W. C. Humphrey, William R. Crabbe, John E. Parsons, and Elisha A. Fraser.— 1900, p. 147. *Dr. Warfield declined to serve and Dr. Henry VanDyke was appointed in his place. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 943 3. Report of the Committee on Revision, 1901. After the patient consideration given to this important subject, thus re- corded, and after a protracted, but harmonious, discussion of the subject in all its bearings, and in its possible issues, it was determined to submit to the General Assembly to convene in Philadelphia, May 16, 1901, the following findings and recommendations, viz. : I. That the returns indicate that the Church desires some change in its credal statement. II. That the returns indicate that no change is desired which would in any way impair the integrity of the system of doctrine contained in the Confession of Faith. III. These returns indicate that it is the mind of the Church that the Confession shall be interpreted throughout in harmony with the teaching of Scripture that God is not willing that anyone should perish, nor is it the decree of God, but the wickedness of their own hearts, which shuts some men out from the salvation freely and lovingly offered in Christ Jesus to all sinners. IV. These returns indicate that a plurality of the Presbyteries desire that changes should be made by some new statement of present doctrine. V. The returns also indicate a desire on the part of many Presbyteries for some revision of the present Confession, especially in Chap, iii ; Chap. x, Sec. iii ; Chap, xvi, Sec. vii ; Chap, xxii, Sec. iii ; Chap, xxv, Sec. vi ; with additional statements concerning the love of God for all men, Mis- sions, and the Holy Spirit. a. In view of these facts we recommend that a Committee as provided for by the Form of Government, Chap, xxiii, Sec. iii, be appointed by this Assembly. b. We recommend that this Committee be instructed to prepare and to submit to the next General Assembly, for such disposition as may be judged to be wise, a brief statement of the Reformed Faith, expressed as far as possible in untechnical terms. The said statement is to be prepared with a view to its being employed to give information and a better under- standing of our doctrinal beliefs, and not with a view to its becoming a substitute for, or an alternative of, our Confession of Faith. c. We further recommend that this Committee be instructed to prepare amendments of Chap, iii ; Chap, x, Sec. iii ; Chap, xvi, Sec. vii ; Chap, xxii, Sec. iii ; and Chap, xxv, Sec. vi, of our Confession of Faith, either by modification of the text or by Declaratory Statement, but so far as possible by Declaratory Statement, so as more clearly to express the mind of the Church, with additional statements concerning the love of God for all men, Missions, and the Holy Spirit. It being understood that the re- vision shall in no way impair the integrity of the system of doctrine set forth in our Confession and taught in the Holy Scripture. — 1901, pp. 105, 106. 4. The Committee on Revision, 1901. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That the Committee on Revision be composed of twenty-one members, that the Moderator be a member and Chairman of the Commit- tee. The members areas follows : Ministers — Henry Collin Minton, D.D., Charles A. Dickev, D.D., Herrick Johnson, D.D., Samuel J. Niccolls, D.D., Daniel W." Fisher, D.D., William McKibbin, D.D., George B. 944 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Stewart, D.D., Samuel P. Spreeber, D.D., Henrv VanDyke, D.D., John DeWitt, D.D., LL.D., J. Ross Stevenson, D.D., D. W. Moffatt, D.D., S. B. McCorraiek, D.D. Elder* — Justice John M. Harlan, Daniel R. Noyes, E. W. C. Humphrey, William R. Crabhe, John E. Parsons, Elisha A. Fraser, Hon. John W. Foster, Charles T. Thompson. — 1901, pp. 106, 182. 5. The Secretary of the Committee. On motion duly adopted the Rev. William H. Roberts, D.D., Stated ( !lerk of the General Assembly, was appointed Secretary of the Revision Committee.— 1900, p. 153 ; 1901, p. 106. 6. Report of the Committee on Revision, 1902. The Order of the Day, the Report of the Special Committee on the Revision of the Confession of Faith, was taken up. The following resolu- tions were adopted, with two dissenting votes : Resolved, 1. That so much of the Report as relates to the eleven Over- tures be adopted, with a view to the sending of the Overtures to the Presbyteries in due form. Resolved, 2. That the Brief Statement be adopted and printed with the approval of the Assembly, for use in the Church, to instruct the people and to give a better understanding of our doctrinal beliefs. The Report was then adopted as a whole, and is (in part) as follows : The Committee has taken the utmost care that all its work, in substance and in form, should be within the scope of the instructions of the Assem- bly appointing it. In analyzing these instructions it at once found that the work assigned it was twofold ; in the first place, it was to prepare " a brief statement of the Reformed Faith," to be submitted to this Assembly, "for such disposition as may be judged to be wise." The other part of its work was the preparation and submission to this Assembly of certain revisions of the Confession of Faith, in certain specified parts of it, and concerning certain specified subjects, by the method of textual modification or- of Declaratory Statement, or of additional statements, undoubtedly with a view to their subsequent adoption or rejection by the Presbyteries and by the General Assembly, by Constitutional process and in due form, as provided for in the Form of Government, Chap, xxiii, Sec. iv. In addressing itself to this second part of its work, the Committee has not been unmindful that its instructions gave distinct preference to the method of declaratory statement ; however, the Committee was constrained to believe that it had some discretion in this matter, first, because the very language of its instructions left the question an open one for the Commit- tee ; and secondly, because of the qualifying clause "so as more clearly to express the mind of the Church." Accordingly, it will be seen that this part of our Report includes all the methods named. We recommend "Additional statements concerning the love of God for all men, Missions, and the Holy Spirit," in the form of new chapters to be added to the Con- fession ; we recommend a Declaratory Statement in reference to Chap, iii and Chap, x. Sec. iii ; and we recommend textual modifications in Chap. xvi, Sec. vii ; Chap, xxii, Sec. iii, and Chap, xxv, Sec. vi. It is improper to argue now in support of the decision at which the Com- mittee arrived in this particular matter. It is enough to say that after prolonged and serious consideration, in comparison of the different methods THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 945 proposed, the Committee was persuaded that the method agreed upon would most satisfactorily accomplish the end designed, aud at the same time would most nearly meet the mind of the whole Church. I. The Committee, therefore, recommeuds that the General Assembly transmit to the Presbyteries for their action, uuder the Form of Govern- ment, present Chap, xxiii, Sec. iv, the following Overtures. 7. Text of the Revision. For the text of the Revisions and Additions to the Confession of Faith, see under the respective Chapters in this Digest, as follows : Chap, iii, p. 948 ; Chap, x, p. 948 ; Chap, xvi, p. 949 ; Chap, xxii, p. 950 ; Chap, xxv, p. 956 ; Chap, xxxiv, p. 958 ; Chap, xxxv, p. 959 ; and Declaratory State- ment, p. 959.— 1902, pp. 86, 87. 8. Footnotes Adopted. a. The General Assembly of 1902 sent down to the Presbyteries the following Overture : Overture No. 4. — Shall footnotes be appended to Chap, iii and Chap. x, Sec. iii, of the Confession of Faith, reading, " See Declaratory State- ment"?— 1902, p. 89. b. Resolved, That Overture No. 4, having received the affirmative vote of 221 Presbyteries, submitted in writing, the Standing Committee on Editions of the Confession be directed to append footnotes to Chap, iii and to Chap, x, Sec. iii, of the Confession, reading, " See Declaratory Statement," p. 959.— 1903, p. 125. CHAPTER I. OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE. The McGiffert Case. 1. Counsel given, either to conform views to the Standards or to peaceably withdraw from the Presbyterian ministry. The Report as amended was adopted, as follows : The Committee on Bills and Overtures respectfully submits the follow- ing Report on : Overture No. 9 referred to this Committee by the Assembly. This is an Overture from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, calling to the attention of the Assembly a volume of the International Theological Library, en- titled, A History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age, the author of which is the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., a member of the Presbytery of New York, and overturing the General Assembly to adopt such measures in regard thereto as shall be conducive to the Church's purity, peace, and honor, and to the maintenance of the authority of the oracles of God. To this Overture we recommend the following answer : The Assembly recognizes the zeal for pure doctrine represented by the Overture from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, and is itself now as always profoundly concerned for the maintenance of the faith. It enjoins upon all its ministers especial care in these times of doubt, and even denial, of things which the Church holds sacred, to distinguish, as clearly as possible, 60 946 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. from all forms of error, the truth of God as revealed in His Word and interpreted in the Standards of our Church ; and, in particular, constantly to endeavor, whether in preaching or in teaching, by the spoken or written word, to present the positive truth so distinctly and so attractively that men shall understand it and be drawn toward it ; and that especially the Scriptures, which are the Word of God, may be everywhere accepted and believed as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. The Assembly, indeed, desires the fullest and freest investigation and inquiry on the part of reverent Christian students into the foundations of the Christian faith, but it deprecates everything which, whether in its sub- stance or in the form of its expression, needlessly disturbs the faith of Christian people. The General Assembly deplores the renewal of controversy occasioned by the publication of this book at a time when our recent divisions were scarcely healed. It sympathizes with the widespread belief that the utter- ances of Dr. McGiffert are inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture, as interpreted by the Presbyterian Church and by evangelical Christendom, and the Assembly stamps with its emphatic disapproval all utterances in the book called to its attention by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, not in accord with the Standards of our Church. But the Church needs peace : the union of all its forces ; the coopera- tion of all its members ; a spirit of brotherhood and mutual confidence, so that it may address itself with intense zeal and no waste of energy to its great pressing and practical work of saving the souls of men. The Assembly, therefore, in the spirit of kindness, no less than in de- votion to the truth, counsels Dr. McGiffert to reconsider the questionable views set forth in his book, and if he cannot conform his views to the Standards of our Church, then peaceably to withdraw from the Presby- terian ministry. — 1898, p. 107. 2. Unanimous deliverance on The inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, The infallibility of Jesus Christ, The direct personal institution of the Lord's Supper by our Lord, and Justification try Faith alone. The first part of the Report was unanimously adopted by a rising vote, and is as follows : In reference to Overtures Nos. 131-139 inclusive, and Overture No. 223, respecting the teachings of the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., and also in reference to Communication No. 140, being the reply of the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., to the deliverance of the Assembly of 1898, the Com- mittee on Bills and Overtures would report as follows : Inasmuch as the General Assembly of 1898, "in the spirit of kindness no less than in devotion to the truth," counseled Dr. McGiffert to reconsider questionable views set forth in a book entitled A History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age, and in the event of his failure to conform his views to the Standards of our Church to peaceably withdraw from the Presbyterian ministry, and inasmuch as the General Assembly of 1899 has received a communication from the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., in which he says, " The action of the Assembly, as well as the Overture from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, upon which that action was based, make it evident that many of my positions, together with the spirit and purpose of my book as a whole, have been seriously misapprehended. Such misapprehension I sincerely regret, and I wish here emphatically to repudiate the false constructions THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 947 that have been placed upon my book in many quarters. So far as my views are concerned, they have been and remain, as I believe, in accord with the faith of the Presbyterian Church and evangelical Christendom in all vital and essential matters" ; the Assembly, therefore, note the repudi- ation by Dr. McGiffert of the interpretation placed upon his utterances in said book as being not in accord with the Standards of our Church, and his assertion of devotion to the truth and his concern for the welfare of the Church, and while accepting the same as sincere, the Assembly, neverthe- less, reassert the deliverance of 1898, condemning the statements of said book as being such as to justify the interpretation so repudiated. And in regard to fundamental doctrines of our Church involved in this matter, this Assembly solemnly declare : 1. It is a fundamental doctrine of the Word of God and the Confession of Faith, that the Holy Spirit did so control the inspired writers in their composition of the Holy Scriptures as to make their statements absolutely truthful, i. e., free from error when interpreted in their natural and intended sense. All seeming discrepancies and contradictions in the Bible are to be referred to the limitations upon human knowledge. To hold that the Holy Scriptures are in any respect historically inaccurate is to oppose the teach- ing of the Confession, Chap, i, Sec. iv, which declares that "the authority of the Holy Scriptures, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth wholly upon God the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God." 2. It is a fundamental doctrine of the Word of God and the Confession of Faith that "The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin. So that two whole perfect and distinct natures, the Godhead and the man- hood, were inseparably joined together in one person without conversion, composition, or confusion." It is also a fundamental doctrine that "the Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure ; having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell" (Confession, Chap, viii, Sees, ii and iii). These doctrines of the Confession forbid any teaching respecting the Lord Jesus which would attribute to Him, in any particular, liability to error. 3. It is also a fundamental doctrine of the Word of God and the Con- fession of Faith that "our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein He was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of His body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in His Church unto the end of the world," and further that " the Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed His minis- ters to declare His Word of Institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, etc." (Confession, Chap, xxix, Sees, i and iii). No teaching which declares that the Lord's Supper was instituted in any other manner than by the direct personal act of the Lord Jesus, is in har- mony with the truth of the Holy Scripture, or loyal to the person of Jesus Christ. 4. It is also a fundamental doctrine of the Word of God and the Con- fession of Faith that God justifies men "by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ to them, they receiving and resting upon Him and His righteousness by faith, which faith they have not in themselves ; it is the Gift of God. Faith, thus receiving and resting in Christ and His 948 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification " (Confession, Chap, xi, Sees, i and ii). Any teaching which in any way modifies or belittles the essential act and exclusive necessity of faith, in human salvation, is mischievous, and dishonoring to the Word and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This Assembly enjoins upon all Sessions and Presbyteries loyally to defend and protect these fundamental doctrines of this Confessional Church. —1899, p. 96. 3. Dr. McGiffert withdraws and case closed. Judicial Case No. 8, being the appeal of George W. F. Birch, D.D., vs. final judgment of the Presbytery of New York. Your Committee finds said appeal regular, but inasmuch as the case raises difficult technical questions as to procedure (because, through the course that has been taken, the situation created is unique, and should not become a precedent), and also inasmuch as Rev. Dr. McGiffert has withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America; therefore, be it Resolved, That without entering upon the constitutional questions in- volved, and without any prejudice whatever to the appellant while enter- taining the appeal as regular, this General Assembly deems it best, con- sidering the peace and prosperity of the Church, that the appellant be given leave to withdraw his appeal. — 1900, p. 82. Resolved, That the desire of Rev. Dr. George W. F. Birch, appellant, be granted, and the case be and is hereby closed. — 1900, p. 85. CHAPTER III. OF GOD'S ETERNAL DECREE* [*See Declaratory Statement, this Digest, p. 960, and Sect. 8, p. 945.] CHAPTER VIII. OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR. [See for unanimous Deliverance upon the infallibility of Christ, this Digest, p. 947.] CHAPTER X. OF EFFECTUAL CALLING. III.* Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who worketh, when, and where, and how He pleaseth. [* See Declaratory Statement, this Digest, p. 960, and Sect. 8, p. 945.] THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 949 CHAPTER XL OF JUSTIFICATION. SECTION II. 1. The doctrine of justification by faith and the doctrine of baptism to be maintained in interdenominational intercourse. Overture No. 16, from the Presbytery of Aberdeen, requesting the Assembly's judgment ou the following questions: 1. In our interdenomi- national intercourse are we to consider and treat a Church as one of the evangelical Churches if it denies the historic Protestant principle of jus- tification by faith alone ; or, if it insists that baptism is essential for sal- vation ? 2. Is it expedient for Presbyterian Young People's Societies to affiliate in formal union with Young People's Societies of Churches which hold the aforenamed views ? It is recommended that these questions be answered as follows : 1. The doctrine of justification by faith alone was a distinguishing and cardinal principle of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, and is accepted as a fundamental doctrine of the Evangelical Alliance. In all the relations of life we are to maintain this great article of the Christian faith, and do nothing that can fairly be regarded as a repudia- tion of it. The application in interdenominational intercourse of its general obligations belongs, as occasion may arise, to those who in the providence of God are called to apply it. — 1899, p. 54. 2. The doctrine of our Church regarding baptism is adequately set forth in the Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms. In accordance with this doctrine as there set forth, all interdenominational intercourse ought to be regulated. Adopted. — 1899, p. 54. [Note. — See also unanimous Deliverance upon justifying faith, this Digest, p. 947.] CHAPTER XVI. OF GOOD WORKS. Sec. vii, Chap, xvi of the Confession of Faith is changed so as to read: VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and in themselves praise- worthy and useful, and although the neglect of such things is sinful and displeasing unto God ; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner, according to His Word, nor to a right end, the glory of God ; they come short of what God requires and do not make any man meet to receive the grace of God. — 1903, p. 125. [See for previous form of the Section, this Digest, p. 86.] 950 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER XXII. OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS. The last clause in Sec. iii, Chap, xxii of the Confession of Faith has been stricken out of the Confession. " Yet it is a sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority." — 1903, p. 125. [See for previous form of the Section, this Digest, p. 91.] CHAPTER XXIV. OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. SECTION I. Deliverances on Polygamy. 1. Action against Brigham H. Roberts. Whereas, The election of Brigham H. Roberts, of Utah, an avowed polygamist, to the House of Representatives of the Fifty-sixth Congress, has called the attention of the country to the fact that the Mormon leaders are still living in polygamous relations in violation of their oaths and pledges, and in defiance of the public sentiment and laws of the country, as well as in defiance of the laws and Constitution of the State of Utah ; and, Whereas, The teaching and practice of polygamy is demoralizing to society, and destructive to the fundamental principles upon which our free institutions and our Christian civilization rest ; and, Whereas, In view of the past history of the contest over the practice of polygamy, the House of Representatives cannot permit the said Brigham H. Roberts to have a voice in its councils without in effect sanctioning the practice of polygamy ; and, Whereas, The polygamous element is the dominant power in Utah, making it impossible to exterminate polygamous cohabitation without the assistance of the National Government : This General Assembly, representing 228 Presbyteries, over 7000 ministers, and 7700 churches, with one million communicants and about five million adherents, do hereby most respectfully and most earnestly call upon every Representative in the Fifty-sixth Congress to use his utmost endeavor and to exhaust all honorable means to secure the prompt expulsion of the said Brigham H. Roberts, of Utah, from the House of Representatives, in accordance with the provision of the National Constitu- tion in Article 1, Section 5, paragraph 2, which reads as follows : " Each house [of Congress] may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two- thirds, expel a member." This Assembly do also hereby most respectfully and most earnestly call upon every member of the Senate and the House of Representatives to use his utmost endeavor and to exhaust all honorable means to secure action by the Fifty-sixth Congress proposing an amendment to the National Constitution, and submitting the same to the Legislatures of the THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 951 several States, defining legal marriage to be monogamic, and making polygamy and polygamous cohabitation, under whatsoever guise or pre- tense, a crime against the United States, punishable by severe penalties, including disfranchisement and disqualification to vote, or to hold any office of honor or emolument under the United States, or in any State or Territory thereof. This Assembly also urge upon every qualified voter in our various local churches throughout the land to use his utmost endeavor and to exhaust all honorable means to make known to the Representative of his district and Senators of his State, the earnest desire of their constituents for the expulsion of the said Brigham H. Roberts, and the adoption of a Consti- tutional amendment which will effectually put a stop to the practice of polygamy within the borders of our beloved land, and to assure the said Senators and Representatives of the moral support and hearty cooperation of every good citizen, in their efforts to deliver the nation from the disgrace and curse of polygamy. — 1899, p. 100. 2. Approval of expulsion of Brigham H. Roberts. Resolved, 1. That this Assembly recognize with profound gratitude and appreciation the action of the House of Representatives of our National Congress in excluding from its membership Brigham H. Roberts, the polygamist, whom the voters of Utah elected in defiance of the moral sense of the American people, and in direct violation of the pledge made when Statehood was granted them. — 1900, p. 109. 3. Action against Reed Smoot. a. This Assembly, in agreement with the spirit of the Assembly of 1899 (Minutes, p. 100), 1900 (Minutes, p. 108), and 1901 (Minutes, p. 50) ? relative to the aggressions, crimes, and menace of the Mormon hierarchy, presents the following Memorial to the People and Congress of the United States : Whereas, The hierarchy, known as " The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," persists in the act of encouragement and practice of the crimes of polygamy and polygamous cohabitation, in disregard of their own pledges and oaths to the contrary, in contempt of the ethical convic- tions of the American people, and in defiance of the laws of the State of Utah and of the United States ; and, Whereas, This hierarchy recently, January 20, 1903, through the Utah State Legislature, has had elected to the United States Senate a high ecclesiastic, one of its chief authorities, the apostle Reed Smoot, in direct violation of its pledge to the Nation to refrain from interfering in a flairs of State ; and, Whereas, This apostle Senator Reed Smoot is a direct representative of polygamy, born of the system, and in cordial sympathy with it as a divine institution, revealed as a law of primary obligation and made mandatory by the most solemn sanctions, and encourages its perpetuation and practice by his personal influence as an apostle ; and, Whereas, In thus doing this apostle Senator aids and abets criminals, menaces the American home, is unfaithful to the laws of the United States, pays his first allegiance to the First Presidency and apostleate to which he belongs, and is a reproach to the honor and dignity of the American Senate ; therefore, 952 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Resolved, That this Assembly most respectfully but earnestly calls upon the people of the United States to use their utmost endeavor, employing all honorable means, to secure the expulsion of apostle Reed Smoot from the halls of the National Senate, and urges the Senate itself and each member thereof to exhaust all legal means to this end, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution. b. Be it Resolved, That this Assembly most respectfully but earnestly calls upon the people of the United States to use their utmost endeavor, employing all honorable means, to secure the expulsion of Apostle Reed Smoot from the halls of the National Senate, and urges the Senate itself and each member thereof to exhaust all legal means to this end, in accord- ance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution. — 1904, p. 186. c. The following paper was adopted : Whereas, The Hierarchy of the Mormon Church claims to be " the only legal government that can exist in any part of the universe (and that) all other governments are illegal and unauthorized," asserting as a part of their inspired teachings that " the day will come when the United States Government will be uprooted or brought under subjection to the Mormon power"; and, Whereas, They have already gained absolute political control of three States, with the confident hope of controlling two others at an early day; and, Whereas, The Hierarchy is living in violation of the laws and Consti- tution of the State of Utah, has announced its purpose to continue in dis- obedience to the civil authority, and has proclaimed the Mormon Church a polygamous community by confirming at their annual Conference in April the score of polygamous Prophets, Seers, and Revelators ; and, Whereas, Apostle Reed Smoot, now a member of the United States Senate, has by his public vote in the Mormon Conference sustained again and again this treasonable organization ; therefore, Resolved, That this General Assembly unite with other Christian and patriotic bodies in requesting the Senate of the United States, in the exercise of its Constitutional powers or prerogatives, to purge itself of all complicity with the crimes of the Mormon Hierarchy by expelling the Apostle Senator Reed Smoot from membership in the Senate. — 1905, p. 95. d. The following Resolutions were adopted : Wliereas, The Mormon Hierarchy claims the right and authority to make constitutions, presidents, and kings, also asserts that there is no lawful or authorized government but the government of the Mormon priesthood ; and, Whereas, Its teachers, claiming inspiration, declare that the government of the United States and all other governments must be uprooted ; and. Whereas, Reed Smoot, claiming to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, with all authority, is living in harmony with this teaching, and in harmony with the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, Joseph F. Smith, and other apostles, who have sworn that they were violating the law of God and of the State of Utah ; and, Whereas, These violators of law are a treasonable organization ; there- fore, Resolved, That as citizens of this government we earnestly petition the Senate of the United States to declare his seat vacant, and thus help remove this treasonable menace to our free institutions. Rexolved, That we urge all of our ministers to inform themselves of the THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 953 treasonable teachings of the Mormon Hierarchy in reference to civil gov- ernments and citizen rights. Resolved, That a copy of this action of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, in session at Des Moines, Iowa, be transmitted to the Senate and to the President of the United States.— 1906, p. 163. 4. Petitions and action for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. a. Resolved, That this General Assembly hereby reaffirms the action of the last two Assemblies (see Minutes of 1899, p. 100, and Minutes of 1900, p. 108) so far as these actions endorse the movement for the proposed anti- polygamy amendment to the Constitution of the United States. We earn- estly urge upon Congress the importance of prompt action in this matter, so that such an amendment may be submitted to the States before the Mor- mons gain the balance of political power in any additional States of the Union.— 1901, p. 50. b. Resolved, That this Assembly also calls upon the people and Con- gress of the United States, in both Houses, and each member of each House, to employ and exhaust all legal and honorable means to secure such an amendment of the Federal Constitution as shall define legal mar- riage as monogamic, and make polygamy and polygamous cohabitations under every guise and pretense a crime against the United States, punish- able by adequate penalties, including the disfranchisement and disqualifi- cation to vote or hold office under the United States, or in any State or Territory under their jurisdiction. — 1903, p. 149; 1904, p. 86. c. Paper No. 286, requesting a deliverance from this Assembly approv- ing, in the name of our Church, the joint resolution proposing an amend- ment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting polygamy within the United States, being a joint resolution introduced in the United States Senate May 9, 1906. The following action is recommended : 1. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America has heretofore repeatedly expressed its abhorrence of polygamy, and has appealed to patriotic Christian men and women of our land to use their united influence to secure the enactment of whatever laws may seem most wise and most efficient tor the utter obliteration of this vice, as an organized system or as an individual practice, and did more partic- ularly in 1881 (see Minutes, pp. 549 and 550) urge our own members, without respect to party lines, zealously to exert their influence in every lawful method for the enactment of an amendment to the national Con- stitution that shall forever forbid the existence of polygamy in the nation : Now this Assembly records its gratification and satisfaction in the proposed submission to the Legislatures of the several States of a new Article, to be known as Article 16 of the Constitution of the United States, prohibiting polygamy and polygamous cohabitation within the United States, and reiter- ates its former counsel to all the members of our Church to exert their influence in their several localities to secure the ratification of such amend- ment, if said joint resolution proposing said amendment be adopted by the Senate and House of Representatives. 2. We recommend that a copy of this action be officially laid before the President of the United States and the presiding officers of the two Houses of Congress, as conveying the sentiment and desire of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. — 1906, p. 93. 954 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION VI. Deliverances on Divorce and Remarriage. 1. Appointment, Committee of Conference with the Protestant Episcopal and other Churches. Papers Nos. 30 and 31, with regard to Divorce and Remarriage. One of these is a communication from the Committee of the General Conven- tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, making request for the appoint- ment of a similar Committee to confer upon the subject of divorce and remarriage. There have also been placed in our hands Overtures Nos. 32-34, from the Presbyteries of Baltimore, Washington, and Mattoon, on the same subject. We recommend the adoption of the following resolu- tions : Resolved, 1. That in response to the fraternal request of the Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church, this General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America appoints a Committee of nine persons, five ministers and four elders, to confer with the Commit- tee of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and with similar Committees that may be created by other Churches, with a view of securing some con- certed opinion and action by the Churches of America relative to divorce and remarriage, and so to affect public opinion that uniform legislation may be enacted by the State that will conserve the family institution, and preserve the sanctity of the marriage bond. Resolved, 2. Relative to that part of the Overtures from the Presby- teries of Washington and Baltimore, which ask that constitutional steps be taken to amend Chap, xxiv, Sec. vi of the Confession of Faith, so that the clause "and such wilful desertion as can in no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrates" be stricken out ; the Committee rec- ommends that since the General Assembly has authorized the appoint- ment of a Committee to confer with the Committees of other Churches in America on this subject, looking to some concerted action, it would not be advisable to take up the question of altering our own Constitution until this Committee has reported. — 1902, p. 126. 2. Ministers to ascertain if impediments exist. Resolved, 3. That this General Assembly, viewing with sad apprehen- sion the many perils to family life in our time, the growing ease and fre- quency of divorces upon grounds trivial and unscriptural, urges upon all our people the promotion of a wider reverence for the marriage bond ; and requires of all our ministers that they instruct their people in public and private of the sacredness of this divine institution, and that they exercise due diligence before the celebration of a marriage to ascertain that there exist no impediments thereto, as defined in our Confession of Faith. — 1902, p. 126. 3. Uniformity of legislation desirable. Resolved, 1. That this General Assembly approves the action of its Committee, in conference with the representatives of other Churches, as submitted in the foregoing Report. Resolved, 2. That this General Assembly favors every lawful endeavor to correct the evils of lax legislation regarding the subjects of divorce THE CONFESSION OP FAITH. 955 and remarriage, and to secure such uniformity of legislation thereon as may best promote the purity of society. 4. Action of civil authorities and of Inter-Church Conference approved. Resolved, 3. That this Assembly rejoices in the commendable action of the President, of Congress, and of judges, Federal and State, who strive to execute the best existing laws, and to secure the best conditions. Resolved, 4. That the Appeal of the Inter-Church Conference is approved and commended. — 1905, p. 76. 5. Campaign of education approved. Previous deliverances reaffirmed. Resolved, 1. That this General Assembly rejoices in the greatly awak- ened interest on the part of the Churches and the public in the important subject of Marriage and Divorce, and heartily approves of the campaign of education for the influencing of public opinion proposed by the Inter- Church Conference on Federation, as the most effectual way to meet and overcome the divorce evil, to guard the sanctity of the marriage relation, to preserve the family, and to secure the highest welfare of the State. Resolved, 2. That this Geueral Assembly hereby reaffirms the deliver- ances upon Divorce, and Remarriage after Divorce, adopted by previous General Assemblies. — 1906, p. 229. 6. Cooperation urged as to Divorce laws. 1. The General Assembly again enjoins all ministers under its care and authority to refuse to perform the marriage ceremony in the cases of divorced persons, except as such persons have been divorced upon grounds and for causes recognized as Scriptural in the Standards of our Church. 2. The appeal and address affixed to the Report of this Special Com- mittee on Divorce and Marriage is hereby endorsed by this General Assembly, and commended to the consideration of all our ministers and congregations. The Stated Clerk is instructed to issue it in such form and to such extent as may seem desirable and expedient, and it is requested that it be read by pastors from their pulpits on some appro- priate Sabbath. 3. The Stated Clerk is hereby instructed to call the special attention of Presbyteries to the action of the General Assembly regarding the mar- riage of divorced persons, and to request the Presbyteries to exercise such needful oversight and discipline as may be required to secure the enforce- ment of existing laws and obedience to the injunctions of the General Assembly. 4. The Committee on Marriage and Divorce is hereby continued, and instructed to cooperate with the representatives of other Churches in endeavoring to obtain such ecclesiastical unity, such compliance with the laws now in force, and such State or National legislation, as may shield both Church and State from existing and impending perils. — 1904, p. 75. 7. Rules as to remarriage of divorced persons, a. Scriptural causes only to be recognized. Resolved, 3. That this General Assembly hereby enjoins all ministers under its care and authority to refuse to perform the marriage ceremony in the cases of divorced persons, except as such persons have been 956 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. divorced upon grounds and for causes recognized as Scriptural in the Standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. — 1903, pp. 89, 140. b- Rules of other denominations to be given due weight. 5. That, recognizing the comity 'which should exist between Churches represented in the Inter-Church Conference, acknowledging, as they do, the law of Christ alone as supreme, we advise each minister under the authority of this Assembly to refuse to unite in marriage any member of any such Church whose marriage is known to such minister to be prohib- ited bv the laws of the Church in which such person holds membership, unless such minister believes that in the peculiar circumstances of a given case his refusal would do injustice to an innocent person who has been divorced for Scriptural reasons. — 1904, p. 75. c Only innocent parties after lapse of one year to be remarried. Resolved, 1. That this Assembly repeats the action taken last year at Buffalo, and enjoins its Presbyteries, its ministers, elders, and members, to adhere strictly to our Standards regarding marriage, divorce, and remar- riage. Resolved, 2. That we approve the action of the Inter-Church Confer- ence, and recommend "that ministers should refuse to marry divorced persons, except the innocent party in a case where the divorce has been granted on Scriptural grounds, nor then until assured that a period of one year has elapsed from the date of the decision allowing the divorce." — 1905, p. 76. CHAPTER XXV. OF THE CHURCH. Sec. vi, Chap, xxv of the Confession of Faith is changed so as to read : " VI. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church, and the claim of any man to be the vicar of Christ and the head of the Church, is unscriptural, without warrant in fact, and is a usurpation dishonoring to the Lord Jesus Christ."— 1903, p. 126. [Note. — See for previous form of this Section, this Digest, p. 101.] CHAPTER XXVII. OF THE SACRAMENTS. SECTION IV. Ruling Elders cannot administer the sacraments. Overture No. 243, from the Presbytery of Winnebago, asking that Ruling Elders be authorized to administer the sacraments when necessary. It is recommended that the request be not granted. — 1906, p. 196. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 957 CHAPTER XXVIII. OF BAPTISM. SECTION V. [Note. — See Deliverance, under Chap, xi, Sec. ii, p. 949.] CHAPTER XXIX. OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. [Note. — See for unanimous Deliverance upon the personal institution of the Supper by our Lord, this Digest, p. 947.] CHAPTER XXXI. OF SYNODS AND COUNCILS. SECTION II. 1. Determinations of the higher judicatories to be received with reverence. Synod of New Mexico, Exception to records. That in the judgment of your Committee, if it is not disrespectful, it surely is not wise nor for the edification of the Church for any judicatory of the Church to spread upon its Minutes imputations of unfair and unjust dealings on the part of a superior judicatory, as appears on pages 40 and 41 of the Minutes of this Synod, with respect to the actions of this General Assembly. — 1900, p. 156. SECTION IV. 1. Synods are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical. The Records of the Synod of Indian Territory were approved with the following exceptions: 1. That the Stated Clerk was authorized to commission delegates to the American Anti-Saloon League. 2. That the Synod pledged affiliation with the Oklahoma Anti-Saloon League. For the reasou that it is not our custom to appoint delegates except to ecclesiastical bodies, or to have affiliation with non-ecclesiastical bodies. In taking this action the Assemtly intends no reflection upon the Synod. The Records of the Synod of New Mexico were approved with the following exception : That the Synod elected delegates to a convention having no ecclesias- tical status or any connection with any church. 958 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. THE NEW CHAPTERS. THE PREAMBLE. "JYIiereas, It is desirable to express more fully the doctrine of the Church concerning the Holy Spirit, Missions, and the Love of God for all men, the following chapters are added to the Confession of Faith.'' — 1903, p. 126. CHAPTER XXXIV. OF THE HOLY SPIRLT. " I. The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and equal in power and glory, is, together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshiped throughout all ages. " II. He is the Lord and Giver of life, everywhere present in nature, and is the source of all good thoughts, pure desires, and holy counsels in meu. By Him the Prophets were moved to speak the Word of God, and all writers of the Holy Scriptures inspired to record infallibly the mind and will of God. The dispensation of the Gospel is especially committed to Him. He prepares the way for it, accompanies it with His persuasive power, and urges its message upon the reason and conscience of men, so that they who reject its merciful offer are not only without excuse, but are also guilty of resisting the Holy Spirit. "III. The Holy Spirit, whom the Father is ever willing to give to all who ask Him, is the only efficient agent in the application of redemption. He convicts men of sin, moves them to repentance, regenerates them by His grace, and persuades and enables them to embrace Jesus Christ by faith. He unites all believers to Christ, dwells in them as their Com- forter and Sanctifier, gives to them the spirit of Adoption and Prayer, and performs all those gracious offices by which they are sanctified and sealed unto the day of redemption. " IV. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all believers being vitally united to Christ, who is the Head, are thus united one to another in the Church, which is His body. He calls and anoiuts ministers for their holy office, qualifies all other officers in the Church for their special work, and imparts various gifts and graces to its members. He gives efficacy to the Word and to the ordinances of the Gospel. By Him the Church will be preserved, increased until it shall cover the earth, purified, and at last made perfectly holy in the presence of God." — 1903, p. 126. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 959 CHAPTER XXXV. OF THE LOVE OF GOD AND MISSIONS. " I. God, in infinite and perfect love, having provided in the covenant of grace, through the mediation and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, a way of life and salvation, sufficient for and adapted to the whole lost race of man, doth freely offer this salvation to all men in the Gospel. " II. In the Gospel God declares his love for the world and His desire that all men should he saved, reveals fully and clearly the only way of salvation ; promises eternal life to all who truly repent and helieve in Christ ; invites and commands all to embrace the offered mercy ; and by His Spirit accompanying the Word pleads with men to accept His gracious invitation. " III. It is the duty and privilege of every one who hears the Gospel immediately to accept its merciful provisions ; and they who continue in impenitence and unbelief incur aggravated guilt and perish by their own fault. " IV. Since there is no other way of salvation than that revealed in the Gospel, and since in the divinely established and ordinary method of grace faith cometh by hearing the Word of God, Christ hath commissioned His Church to go into all the world and to make disciples of all nations. All believers are, therefore, under obligation to sustain the ordinances of religion where they are already established, and to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal efforts to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the whole earth." — 1903, p. 127. DECLARA TOR Y ST A TE3IENT 1. Order as to form and place. That the Standing Committee on Editions of the Confession be directed .... to print the Preamble and the two Sections of the Declaratory Statement as one document, after the new Chaps, xxxiv and xxxv, at the end of the Confession of Faith. — 1903, p. 125. 2. Text. While the ordination vow of ministers, ruling elders, and deacons, as set forth in the Form of Government, requires the reception and adoption of the Confession of Faith only as containing the System of Doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures, nevertheless, seeing that the desire has been formally expressed for a disavowal by the Church of certain inferences drawn from statements in the Confession of Faith, and also for a declara- tion of certain aspects of revealed truth which appear at the present time to call for more explicit statement, therefore the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America does authoritatively declare as follows : First, With reference to Chap, iii of the Confession of Faith : That con- 960 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. cemiug those who are saved in Christ, the doctrine of God's eternal decree is held in harmony with the doctrine of His love to all mankind, His gift of His Son to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, and His readi- ness to bestow His saving grace on all who seek it. That concerning those who perish, the doctrine of God's eternal decree is held in harmony with the doctrine that God desires not the death of any sinner, but has pro- vided in Christ a salvation sufficient for all, adapted to all, and freely offered in the Gospel to all ; that men are fully responsible for their treat- ment of God's gracious offer ; that His decree hinders no man from accept- ing that offer ; and that no man is condemned except on the ground of his sin. Second, With reference to Chap, x, Sec. iii of the Confession of Faith : That it is not to be regarded as teaching that any who die in infancy are lost. We believe that all dying in infancy are included in the election of grace, and are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when and where and how He pleases. — 1903, pp. 124, 125. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. I. 961 PART III. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY PRINCIPLES. SECTION I. 1. Deliverance as to the true title of the Church. 1. Synod of Wisconsin, exception to Records. On p. 9, Articles of Incorporation, the title of the Presbyterian Church should read : " The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America." The same error in the use of the preposition "of" occurs also in the certificate of incor- poration. — 1904, p. 221. CHAPTER II. OF THE CHURCH. SECTION IV. 1. Appointment of Committee on Church Temporalities. Overtures received from 32 Presbyteries asking " that some proper in- quiry be made into the general prevalent methods of managing the tem- poral affairs of our churches by means of Boards of Trustees, and that if these methods are found to be defective or injurious that some means shall be taken to amend them." Referred to a Sub-Committee of two ministers and three Elders to report to the next General Assembly. — 1892, pp. 52, 85, 214. [Note. — The results secured by the work of the Committee on Church Temporal- ities appear in (1) The Compilation of Laws referred to below, and (2) Section vii, Chapter ix, Form of Government, for which see this Supplement, p. 963.] 2. Laws relating to Religious Corporations compiled and published. a. The Committee on Church Temporalities reported in 1893 that it was "impressed by the fact that there never had been any satisfactory collation of the various State laws bearing on the matter referred to them. The Committee was, therefore, empowered to have made a satisfactory col- lation and digest of the laws of the various States connected with the management of church property." — 1893, p. 90. b. The compilation of the laws of all the States and Territories, bear- ing upon the subject, which the Committee was directed to have prepared, 61 962 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. has now been completed by the Rev. W. H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., and published by the Board of Publication in accordance with the directions of the General Assembly of 1894, under the title, "Laws Relating to Religious Corporations." The Committee takes pleasure in saying that this volume has been prepared with remarkable care and accuracy, and contains an Index, Syllabus of Laws, List of Collections of Statutes, and a most valuable Introduction discussing briefly some of the legal aspects of the subject referred to the Committee, together constituting a standard book of reference for our judicatories and churches. — 1896, p. 183. 3. To whom Trustees may resign. As to Trustees, they may resign either to the Board of Trustees or to the congregation itself, in accordance with custom or the civil law apply- ing to the corporation in any particular State. — 1901, p. 63. CHAPTER IX. OF THE CHURCH SESSION. SECTION III. 1. Who may moderate Sessions of vacant churches. Overture No. 47, from the Presbytery of Albany, inquiring whether a Syuodical Superintendent, in the exercise of his office toward the feeble churches, has the right, by virtue of his appointment by Synod, to act as Moderator in the meetings of Sessions of other Presbyteries than that to which he belongs, but within the bounds of the appointing Synod ; also asking the Assembly to interpret the privileges and prerogatives of a Syuodical Superintendent. Your Committee recommend the following reply: (1) The Synodical Superintendent has no right, ex officio, to act as Moderator of the Sessions of vacant churches (see Form of Govern- ment, Chapter ix, Section 4); (2) that the Moderator of a vacant church should be of the same Presbytery as the church (see Digest, p. 163); (3) that when the Session of a vacant church meets and no Moderator from the same Presbytery is present and the Synodical Superintendent is present, a ruling elder should ordinarily preside ; (4) that the Synodical Superintendent in this matter occupies the same position as any other minister. — 1901, p. 65. SECTION VI. 1. Persons encouraging the liquor traffic subject to discipline. Overtures Nos. 185 to 196, from the Presbytery of Buffalo and others, asking for a clear and specific deliverance upon the duty of the Session of a church when, in spite of timely and official admonition by a Session, members of said church persist in renting property for, signing petitions, endorsing bonds, and in other ways encouraging the traffic in intoxicating liquors. The Committee unanimously recommend that persons continuing in the renting of property, signing petitions, and endorsing bonds for the encouragement of the liquor traffic are subject to discipline, if such con- duct is persisted in after timely admonition. — 1906, p. 194. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. IX. 963 2. Amendment as to power over Sabbath-schools, Societies, etc. Chapter ix, Section vi, amended by the insertion after the words "spir- itual interests of the congregation " of the words following, to wit : To supervise the Sabbath-school and the various societies or agencies of the congregation. — 1902, p. 163. [See also Form of Gov., Chap, xxiii, this Supplement.] SECTION VII. 1. Amendment of Chapter ix by insertion of a new Section to be known as Section vii. VII. Subject to the provisions of the Directory for Worship, the Session shall have and exercise exclusive authority over the worship of the congregation, including the musical service ; and shall determine the times and places of preaching the Word and all other religious services. They shall also have exclusive authority over the uses to which the church buildings may be put, but may temporarily delegate the determination of such uses to the body having management of the temporal affairs of the church, subject to the superior authority and direction of the Session. — 1898, p. 97. [Note. — For action as to Trustees and Laws for Keligious Corporations, see under Chapter ii, p. 961.] SECTION VIII. 1. Opening and closing prayer not mandatory. Overture No. 12, from the Presbytery of Cincinnati, asks that the opening and closing of meetings of Church Sessions with prayer be made mandatory. The Assembly answered the Overture in the negative. — 1899, p. 108. SECTION X. Alterations of the Annual Reports and of the Narrative. 1. Appointment of a Special Committee on the Reports, etc. 1. It was ordered, That a Committee of five ministers and two elders be appointed to consider the advisability of refraining the Statistical Tables in the Minutes. — 1905, p. 182. 2. Wliereas, The reports submitted to the Committee on Narrative are incomplete and seem to show serious defects in the method of submitting Sessional reports to Presbytery! and Presbyterial reports to the Assembly, we recommend that the Assembly appoint a Committee to consult and co- operate with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly in investigating the whole matter of the Narrative of the State of Religion, and that the Committee present its findings and recommendations to the Assembly of 1906.— 1905, p. 212. 964 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. Directions as to the Statistics of Membership. In view of the conclusions reached by the Committee it is recommended that the Assembly adopt the following resolutions with reference to (1) the statistics of membership and (2) the method of reporting contribu- tions to the funds : Resolved, 1. That the columns in the Statistical Reports of the Churches and Presbyteries for membership be changed as recommended by the Committee on Statistical Tables and the Narrative. Resolved, 2. That a column to be entitled " Temperance " be inserted in the Statistical Reports of the Presbyteries to the General Assembly, and that there be only one column headed " Home Missions." Resolved, 3. That the following explanation of the statistics of mem- bership, to be prefixed to the Annual Report of the Churches to Presby- tery, be and is hereby adopted, viz.: The statistics of membership are to be reported as follows : 1. Additions. — In the additions to church membership, distinguish between those by Examination, those by Certificate, and those by Restora- tion. The column headed "Restored" is to include all those who have been reinstated, whether from the Suspended Roll or on restoration after full judicial process. 2. Losses. — In the losses, distinguish between those dismissed, those placed upon the Suspended Roll, and those deceased. The column headed " Dismissed, etc.," is to include the members dismissed to other churches, also those erased from the roll under Section 52, Book of Dis- cipline, and also those excommunicated. The column headed "Suspended Roll " is to include the number of non-resident members whose cases were acted upon during the year by the Session under Sections 49 and 50, Book of Discipline; also those suspended after fall judicial process. 3. Baptisms. — In the baptisms, distinguish between the persons bap- tized upon confession and those baptized as infants. 4. Balancing of Returns. — Compare your report of communicants with that of the previous year and adjust the return so that it will bal- ance. For example : Total members previous year, 205. Additions, "Examination" 22, " Certificate" 16, " Restored " 5, total 43. Losses, "Dismissed," etc., 12, "Suspended Roll" 18, "Deceased" 6, total 36. Gain, 7. Net total this year, 212. 5. Sabbath-school Membership. — To include officers, teachers, and schol- ars in all Sabbath-schools connected with the congregation, not including the "Cradle Roll" nor the "Home Department."— 1906, pp. 218, 219. 3. Directions as to the columns for Contributions. Resolved, 4. That the following explanation of the method of filling the columns for funds contributed, to be prefixed to the Annual Report of the Churches to Presbytery, be adopted, viz.: Funds. — The columns for the Funds Contributed are to be filled as follows : 1. Home Missions. — To include all moneys paid to the Board, all moneys paid for Presbyterial and Synodical Home Missions and Susten- tation, also all moneys paid to any general Home Mission object ; includ- ing contributions of societies, value of boxes, etc. 2. Foreign Missions. — To include all moneys paid for the spread of the Gospel in foreign fields, whether given to the Board or other agencies ; FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. IX. 965 including contributions of societies, etc., and gifts to institutions connected with the board. 3. Education. — To include all moneys paid for the education of can- didates for the ministry, whether to the Board or other agencies, and also gifts to Theological Seminaries. 4. Sabbath-school Work. — To include all moneys paid to the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work for its missionary operations, and to other Sabbath-school organizations. The contributions for the support of the Home Sabbath-school are to be placed in the column headed " Congregational." 5. Church Erection.— To include all moneys paid for church erection outside of the congregation, whether through the Board or otherwise. 6. Relief Fund. — To include all moneys paid for the support of dis- abled ministers and missionaries, and in aid of their families, whether to the Board or otherwise ; including contributions of societies, etc. 7. Freedmen. — To include all moneys paid for the evangelization and education of Freedmen, whether through the Board or otherwise ; in- cluding contributions of societies, etc., and gifts to institutions connected with the Board. 8. Colleges. — To include all moneys paid to Colleges, Academies, and Schools, whether to the Board or otherwise. Contributions to the institu- tions connected with Foreign Missions and Freedmen are to be placed under those heads. 9. General Assembly, etc. — To include all moneys given for ecclesiasti- cal expenses, whether for Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly. Give both dollars and cents in this column. 10. Congregational. — To include all moneys collected in or by the con- gregation for expenses — the salary of the minister, the support of the church Sabbath-schools, the relief of the poor, building and repairing edifices, the liquidation of debts, and other purposes. Moneys received from any other church or Board for the salary of the minister or other expenses should not be included. 11. Temperance. — To include all moneys given to the Permanent Com- mittee on Temperance or to other Temperance agencies. 12. Bible Society. — To include all moneys paid to the American Bible Society or to other Bible agencies. 13. Miscellaneous. — To include all moneys paid to Tract Societies, Christian Endeavor, Young Men's Christian Associations, Hospitals, and general benevolence. Individual Gifts. — If the donors do not object, the direct gifts of individuals to any of the Boards or to the causes they represent, should be reported with other gifts under the proper head. Individual gifts for religious and charitable causes not included in the regular schedule should be placed under the head " Miscellaneous." — 1906, pp. 219, 220. 4. Authority for printing Directions, etc. Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be directed and authorized, so far as necessary, to print the above explanations as to Statistics of Membership and Funds in the Minutes of the Assembly, and upon the Annual Re- ports of Churches to Presbyteries and of Presbyteries to the General Assembly.— 1906, p. 223. 966 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 5. Change of Name of the Narrative. 1. That the Narrative of the State of Religion be hereafter known as the Narrative of Christian Life and Work. — 1906, p. 222. 6. Text of the Narrative. [Note. — The text of the Narrative as modified and approved by the General Assembly of 1906 differs in some details only from the text which appears on page 213 of this Digest. Copies of the amended Narrative can be had from the Stated Clerk of the Assembly on application. Its text appears in the Minutes for 1906, pp. 223-225.] CHAPTER X. OF THE PRESBYTERY. SECTION II. 1. Amendments as to Territorial Limits of Presbyteries. Amended by adding to it the following words : " But in exceptional cases a Presbytery may be organized within the boundaries of existing Presbyteries, in the interests of ministers and churches speaking other than the English language, or of those of a par- ticular race ; but in no case without their consent ; and the same rule shall apply to Synods."— 1905, p. 60. 2. The General Assembly has power to erect a Presbytery and to name its members. Overture No. 54, from the Presbytery of Central Washington, asking whether the Presbytery of Central Washington is legally constituted, and whether the ministers who compose it should have had letters from the Presbyteries to which they belonged before the erection of the new Presbytery ? Your Committee recommend, that it be the judgment of this Assem- bly that the Enabling Act of the Assembly of 1901 (see Minutes, p. 89), in which the boundaries of the Presbytery of Central Washington were clearly defined, a Convener appointed, and a Home Mission Committee named to have charge of the business until the Presbytery had been con- vened, was the legal erection of the Presbytery, and that the ministers within the boundary described are members of the Presbytery by virtue of the aforesaid action of the General Assembly (see Digest, 1898, p. 302).— 1902, p. 123. 3. Ministers named by the General Assembly do not need letters of dis- missal. All other ministers must have letters. The Committee on the Records of the Synod of Central and Southern China reported answers to certain questions propounded to the Assembly by the Synod, as follows : FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. X. 907 The General Assembly answers the questions propounded by the Synod of Central and Southern China, Minutes of Synod for 1900, p. 14, as follows : Question 1. — When a new Presbytery is erected by order of General Assembly, in addition to the names of ministers designated in the order of the Assembly, what other names may be added to the roll at the time of organization? Answer. — Presbytery should first be organized with those designated by the Assembly, then any other ministers who have letters of dismission for the purpose may be received. Question 2. — Should the roll include all ministers residing within the bounds of the Presbytery at the time of its erection ? Answered in first reply. Question 3. — Are ministers residing within the bounds of a Presbytery at the time of its erection ipso facto members of the new Presbytery, or must they first receive letters from the Presbyteries with which they were previously connected ? Answer. — They must first receive letters of dis- missal. Question 4- — If a minister residing within the bounds of a new Pres- bytery at the time of its erection continues to labor within its bounds, but is unwilling to connect himself with the said Presbytery, what action, if' any, should be taken by Presbytery in regard to his case ? Answer. — Every Presbytery has oversight of the work within its own bounds. If a minister of another Presbytery refuses to connect himself with the Pres- bytery within whose bounds he labors the Presbytery may refuse him permission to continue his labors within their bounds and may complain to the Presbytery of which he is a member, in case he continues his labors without such permission. — 1901, p. 167. [Note. — For the names of Presbyteries erected by the General Assembly, see Chapter xii, Section v, Form of Government.] SECTION III. 2. Churches should be represented by elders at adjourned as well as regular meetings. Overture No. 91, from the Presbytery of Pueblo, as follows : Can Presbytery, at an adjourned meeting, enroll and seat as a presbyter an elder whose credentials show that he was not elected or appointed to rep- resent his church at the regular meeting, either as principal or alternate ? Ansiver. — The adjourned meeting is a continuation of the stated meeting. The Session should represent itself at the stated meeting ; but if it have failed to do so, it then ought to represent itself at the adjourned meeting, and its representative should be enrolled as such. — 1905, p. 208. SECTION IV. 1. Grouped Churches located in two Presbyteries must have pastors. Overture No. 234, from the Presbytery of Pueblo, asking the General Assembly to answer the following question, as to the interpretation of a deliverance of the General Assembly of 1874 with reference to grouped churches : Shall the decision of the General Assembly of 1874, p. 82, concerning two churches in two Presbyteries, united under one pastoral charge, be interpreted so as to apply to groupings mutually made by 968 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. the Presbyteries or by the Home Mission Committees, in which the min- ister is not an installed pastor to any of the churches, but a Stated Supply for each — i.e., must a pastoral relation, rather than a Stated Supply rela- tion, be constituted before this decision is operative ? The Committee is unanimously of the opinion, and recommends the Assembly to declare, that the deliverance of the General Assembly of 1874 does not apply to congregations served by Stated Supplies. — 1906, p. 195. SECTION V. 1. Official declaration that a pulpit is vacant to be commended. a. The Committee on the Records of the Synod of New York report recommending that they be approved with the exception of a statement on p. 35, viz.: That the declaring of a pulpit vacant is not fitting in cases of ordinary dissolution of a pastoral relation. — 1901, p. 166. b. Overture No. 59, from the Synod of New York, asking "whether the form or ceremony of declaring a pulpit vacant is a part of a judicial act, or is to be observed in every case of the dissolution of a pastoral relation." The Committee recommends the following answer : 1. That declaring a pulpit vacant is not necessarily a part of a judicial process. 2. The custom of appointing a member of the Presbytery to declare the pulpit vacant upon the dissolution of a pastoral relation is to be com- mended, in that it magnifies the sacredness and importance of the pastoral relation, but there is no reason why Presbyteries may not exercise their own judgment in each case, as provided in Form of Government, Chap. x, Section viii, "to order whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the churches under their care." — 1902, p. 123. SECTION VII. 1. Action taken when quorum is not present can be ratified only by the Presbytery when a quorum is present. The Presbytery of Bismarck is given an unconditional and unlimited authority to receive and dismiss members, presumably (as appears from other statements in the Records) in the absence of a quorum. The Assem- bly declares such a bestowment of power to have been unwise and inexpedi- ent, if not unconstitutional (Digest, 1898, pp. 187, 189, 4). Further, the proceedings of said Presbytery under date of October 6, 1896, when there was no quorum, are legalized by Synod. The Assembly declares that for a Synod to legalize the entire proceedings of a Presbytery had without a quorum is in direct conflict with the Constitutional requirement of a quorum, and that the proper body to ratify and confirm any irregular and informal proceedings of a Presbytery when no quorum was present, is the Presbytery itself, at a subsequent meeting when there was a quorum (Digest, 1898, pp. 239, 240, 2 and 3). The ^Presbytery of Bismarck is therefore directed at its next regular meeting to review the proceedings of its meeting of October 6, 1896, and to adopt or reject the same in whole or in part, as they may see fit. And the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly is requested to notify the clerk of said Presbytery accordingly, and the Synod to take note hereof (Synod of 1896, North Dakota). — 1898, p. 139. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. X. 969 2. A Presbytery with a minimum of ministers either to be enlarged by Synod or merged into other Presbyteries. The Records show that authority was conferred upon the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Bismarck, iu the absence of a quorum, to receive aud to dismiss members, wbich tbe Assembly herewith directs the Synod to recall as an unconstitutional conferment of power. And, in view of the fact that the Presbytery had by the last Statistical Report only the minimum of ministers essential to its existence, and in view of the further facts disclosed by the Synod's Minutes, viz., that this Presbytery has chronic difficulty in securing a quorum, and has applied in vain to Synod for an enlargement of its bounds, therefore the Synod is hereby directed t > so readjust the bounds of this Presbytery as that it shall be either en- larged in membership or merged into other Presbyteries (Synod of North Dakota).— 1898, p. 139. SECTION VIII. 1. Leave given to erase name of missing minister. Overture No. 236, from the Presbytery of New Albany, asking leave to erase the name of a missing minister from its Roll. " Whereas the whereabouts of the Rev. George V. Dickey, a member of this Presbytery, have been unknown to us for several years, and whereas we are unable to get into communication with him, we respectfully overture the Assembly, asking leave to erase his name from our Roll, without prejudice to his ministerial standing." It is recommended that the Overture be answered in the affirmative, and that the name above given be erased from the Roll.— 1906, p. 195. 2. Minister transferred by the General Assembly from one Presbytery to another. A communication from the Rev. H. R. Marsh, M. D., a commissioner to this Genera] Assembly from the Presbytery of Yukon, has been re- ferred to us. In this communication, for reasons therein stated, Dr. Marsh requests that he be transferred, by action of the General Assembly, from the Presbytery of Yukon to the Presbytery of Bloomington. We recommend that this request be granted, and the necessary instructions to make this effective be given to the Presbyteries involved. Adopted. — 1 905, p. 208. 3. Presbytery cannot act by Commission in other than Judicial business. Overture No. 58, from the Presbytery of Buffalo, asking whether Pres- bytery has the power to act by Commission in other than Judicial busi- ness. The Committee recommends that it be answered in the negative. — 1904, p. 177. SECTION IX. I. Rules for the Statistical Reports. 1. No designation after names of ministers without charge. Overture No. 65, from the Presbytery of Syracuse, is as follows : " The Presbytery of Syracuse hereby respectfully overtures the General Assembly to amend the rules for the preparation of the Statistical Report, 970 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. so that Rule 4 shall read : ' Place after the name of every minister an abbreviation denoting his occupation, except that the names of ministers without charge shall be inserted without any designation whatever.' " It is recommended that Rule 4 be so changed. — 1905, p. 82. 2. H. M. to be inserted after names of Home Missionaries. Overture No. 51, from the Presbytery of Pendleton, on Abbreviations after Ministers' Names in the Statistical Reports of Presbyteries, proposes that the initials H.M. be used for a minister in charge of a Home Mission church, but not installed as pastor, and H.M. P. for a minister installed as pastor of a Home Mission church. We recommend that the former part of the proposal be approved, the initials H.M. seeming appropriate, after the analogy of the initials F.M. forforeign missionaries, but that the latter part be not approved, there appearing no adequate reason for distinguish- ing between pastors of home mission churches and pastors of other churches.— 1905, p. 82. 3. All ecclesiastical changes to be immediately reported. Resolved, 1. That all ecclesiastical changes shall be reported immedi- ately upon their occurrence, by the Stated Clerk of Presbytery, to the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, who shall issue supplements and numbers of the Minutes at regular intervals containing lists of such changes, etc. These lists shall be furnished, without extra charge, to the Chairmen of Presbyterial and Sy nodical Committees, to the Clerks of Presbyteries and Synods, and upon request to unemployed ministers and to the Clerks of Sessions of vacant congregations. — 1901, p. 143 ; also, 1902, p. 176. II. The Narrative. 1. Name of the Narrative changed, and Committee on Christian Life and Work appointed. It is recommended that the following resolutions be adopted : 1. That the Narrative of the State of Religion be hereafter known as the Narrative of Christian Life and Work. 2. That a special Committee on Christian Life and Work is hereby ap- pointed to consist of eleven members, of whom two shall be the Moderator for the time being and the Stated Clerk ; the other nine members to be appointed by the Moderator. Of the nine members to be appointed one- third shall be changed each year. The duties of the Committee shall be to consider and report upon the Narratives of Christian Life and Work from the Presbyteries, annually prepared for the Assembly, and also to report from their own knowledge upon any related matters connected with the general spiritual condition of the Church. The Committee shall not report upon any matters within the jurisdiction of other Committees or of the Boards and agencies of the Church. The Stated Clerk of the Assem- bly shall be the Secretary.— 1906, p. 222. SECTION X. 1. Moderator is not the judge of the necessity of a pro re nata meeting. Judicial Case No. 11. — The Judicial Commission, to whom this case has been submitted, respectfully report as follows : FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XI. 971 The Presbytery of Philadelphia North, on January 19, 1897, took the following action, viz.: "Resolved, That it is the sense of the Presbytery, that in the case of a request, signed and presented, as permitted in Chapter x, Section x, of the Form of Government, for a special meeting of Presbytery, the Mod- erator is to be the judge as to whether the emergency is such as to re- quire the holding of such meeting." Against this action Rev. W. H. Pumphrey complained to the Synod of Pennsylvania. The Synod decided that, though a question in Church polity, as well as a Constitutional question, was involved, no action was necessary. Against this action of Synod Rev. W. H. Pumphrey complained to the General Assembly. After a due hearing of the parties, and full compliance with the re- quirements of the Book of Discipline, the Commission hud as follows : That the complaint is sustained upon the ground that a Constitutional question is involved ; that the requirements of Chapter x, Section x, of the Form of Government are mandatory and not discretionary ; and that the case be remanded to Synod, with the injunction that they reconsider this action, and record their decision agreeably to the requirements of our Constitution. — 1898, p. 133. SECTION XI. 1. A session of an ecclesiastical body is the sitting of a single day. Overture No. 227, from the Synod of Minnesota, asks the General Assembly to define what constitutes a session of an ecclesiastical body. The following answer is recommended : A single session of a judicatory is understood to be a single sitting, or the sitting of a single day when continued, even though interrupted by a recess or recesses. — 1899, p. 111. CHAPTER XI. OF THE SYNOD. SECTION I. 1. Clerical commissioners not confined to pastors. Your Judicial Commission to which was referred the complaint of the Rev. Charles S. Lane (and others) against the action of the Synod of New York, in the case of the complaint of the Rev. Charles S. Lane and six others against the Presbytery of Westchester in electing as Commis- sioners to the Synod of New York two ministers who at the time of their election were without pastoral charge ; voted not to sustain for the follow- ing reasons, viz., inasmuch as there was in the findings of the Judicial Commission no point of Constitution or law to adjudicate, the action of the Commission was final. — 1899, p. 95. 2. Synods erected since 1898. (1) Synod of West Virginia. The following overtures from the Synod of Pennsylvania, dated October, 1903, have been placed in our hands : 972 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. First, "That the Synod of Pennsylvania respectfully overtures the General Assembly of 1904 to erect a new Synod to be called the Synod of West Virginia, with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the State of West Virginia." — 1904, p. 179. Second, " That tbe Synod of Pennsylvania respectfully overtures the General Assembly of 1904 to erect a third Presbytery in the State of West Virgiuia, to constitute a part of the new Synod of West Virginia, to be called the Presbytery of Wheeling ; and in order to the erection of the said Presbytery of Wheeling, that the General Assembly divide the Presbytery of Washington, in the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the State line ; and those ministers and churches within tbe State of West Virgiuia now belonging to the Presbytery of Washington, and as many other ministers and churches and so much territory adjacent as the General Assembly may deem wise, be placed in the said Presbytery of Wheeling." In accordance with these overtures, we recommend : First, That the Presbytery of Washington be and hereby is divided on the State line, and that those ministers and churches which now belong to the Presbytery of Washington, that are in the State of West Virginia, constitute the Presbytery of Wheeling. Second, That the Synod of West Virginia be and hereby is erected, to consist of the Presbyteries of Wheeling, Grafton, and Parkersburg. Third, That the Presbytery of Wheeling, as so defined, shall meet on the 6th day of June, 1904, at 8 p.m., in the Third Presbyterian Church of Wheeling. The Kev. Charles H. McDonald is hereby appointed Moderator (or, in case of his absence or inability to act, then the oldest minister in commission), to convene the Presbytery, preach the opening sermon, and preside until the Presbytery shall be regularly organized. Fourth, That the Synod of West Virginia be directed to meet in the First Presbyterian Church of Parkersburg, W. Va., on the eighteenth day of October, 1904, at 7.30 p.m. Rev. J. H. Flanagan, D.D., is hereby appointed Moderator (or, in case of his absence or inability to act, then the oldest minister in commission), to convene the Synod, preach the opening sermon, and preside until the Synod shall be regularly organized. —1904, p. 181. (2) Synod of West Kwantung. Overture No. 70, from the Presbytery of Manila, asking the Assembly to erect the Synod of West Kwantung : " The Presbytery of Manila, on advice received from the Synod of Central and Southern China, voted to join with the Presbyteries of Canton and Hainan in the following overture : " The Presbyteries of Canton, Hainan, and Manila respectfully ask 'Hat the Assembly constitute them the Synod of West Kwantung, in order to greater convenience of meeting and transacting of business and the more adequate oversight of the Church within their bounds." The following action is recommended, in accordance with the consent and advice of the Synod of Central and Southern China : Be it enacted, 1. That a new Synod be and is hereby erected, to be called the Synod of West Kwantung. 2. That the territory covered by this Synod be the same as that now covered by the Presbyteries of Canton, Hainan, and Manila. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XI. 973 3. That said three Presbyteries, together with the ministers and churches now constituting them, without disturbing their Presbyterial re- lations, be and hereby are transferred from the Synod of Central and Southern China to this new Synod of West Kwantung. 4. That the Synod of West Kwantung be directed to meet at Canton, China, on the 15th day of September, 1905, at 7.30 o'clock p.m.; and that Rev. Henry V. Noyes, D.D., the senior missionary, forty-one years resident in China, be appointed to convene the Synod, preach the opening sermon, and preside until the Synod shall have been duly organized. Adopted.— 1905, p. 206. (3) Synod of Florida. Overture No. 250, from the Presbytery of South Florida, and Over- ture No. 280, from the Presbytery of East Florida, asking the General Assembly to erect a Synod of Florida, by so readjusting the lines of the Presbyteries of South Florida and East Florida as to constitute three Presbyteries, the new Presbytery to be known as West Florida, and also to detach from the Synod of New Jersey the Presbytery of Havana, and to annex it to the new Synod of Florida ; the new boundaries of the several Presbyteries are explicitly defined in the overture. The Com- mittee recommend that the requests in the overtures be granted ; that the new Synod of Florida be erected ; that the boundaries of the several Presbyteries in the Synod of Florida be as requested in the overture, and that the Presbytery of Havana be detached from the Synod of New Jersey and annexed to the new Synod of Florida. Boundaries of the Synod. — The Synod of Florida includes and is composed of the Presbyteries of East Florida, South Florida, West Flor- ida, and Havana. The boundary lines of the Synod shall be coterminous with the boundary lines of the State of Florida and of the Republic of Cuba. Boundaries of Presbyteries. — 1. The Presbytery of South Flor- ida includes, with the ministers and churches, the territory bounded on the north by the northern border of Pasco, Polk, and Orange counties, in- cluding all the territory of these counties ; on the east by the eastern border of Orange, Osceolo, De Soto, and Lee counties, including all the territory of these counties ; on the south by the southern border of Lee county ; on the west by the boundaries of the State back to the place of beginning. 2. The Presbytery of West Florida includes, with the ministers and churches, the territory bounded as follows: On the south by the south- ern border of Hernando, Sumter, and Lake counties, including all the territory of those counties ; on the east by the eastern border of Lake, Marion, Alachua, Bradford, and Baker counties, including all the terri- tory of those counties ; on the north and west by the boundary lines of the State of Florida, around to the place of beginning. 3. The Presbytery of East Florida includes all of that part of the State of Florida, with the ministers and churches, not included in the Presbyteries of West and of South Florida, being the counties on the Atlantic seaboard. Meetings. — The Presbytery of West Florida is directed to meet in Dunnellon, Florida, on Tuesday, October 10, 1905, at 7.30 p.m., the Rev. George P. Beard (or some other minister in case of his absence) to 974 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. convene the Presbytery, preach the opening sermon, and preside until the Presbytery shall be regularly organized. The Synod of Florida is directed to meet in Eustis, Florida, on Tues- day, November 7, 1905, at 7.30 p.m., the Rev. Joseph K. Wight (or some other minister in case of his absence) to convene the Synod, preach the opening sermon, and preside until the Synod shall be regularly organ- ized.— 1906, p. 196. 3. Synods and Presbyteries received and enrolled in 1906. a. Whereas, Upon the declaration of the reunion and union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the Synods, Presbyteries, Sessions, ministers, and congregations now connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, will have been received into and become incorporated with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ; therefore, Resolved, (a) That the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, with the assistance of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, shall be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to place the names of the Synods and Presbyteries connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the time of the completion of the reunion and union on the Roll of the Synods and the Presbyteries of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in 1906.— 1906, p. 147. b. The Stated Clerk made formal announcement as follows : In the name of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and of the General Assembly of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, I make announcement that the following Synods and Presbyteries, with their ministers and churches, have been received into and have become incorporated with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and their names are therefore placed upon the Roll of this General Assembly. — 1906, p. 152. [Note. — See, for List of Synods and Presbyteries, this Digest, p. 933, and Minutes of 1906, p. 152.] SECTION III. 1. Only ministers can be corresponding members. 1. On pages 103 and 110 the names of certain laymen are recorded as having been invited to sit as corresponding members. Our Form of Government does not provide for the seating in our judicatories as corresponding members of persons other than ministers. — 1905, p. 213. 2. Standing of a corresponding member must be fully stated. 1. That the ecclesiastical standing of Rev. W. L. Lingle, accorded a seat as a corresponding member, is insufficiently indicated (p. 11). — 1905, p. 212. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XI. 975 SECTION IV. 1. Synods cannot appoint Commissions in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. The Records of the Synod of Colorado were approved, with the follow- ing exception, viz.: The appointment of a Commission of twelve to act upon the matter of the reappointment of the Synodical Sabbath-school mis- sionary, such Commission to convene at a time specified by the Clerk of the Presbytery of Gunnison (see pp. 65, 83). It is the opinion of your Committee that inasmuch as judicial questions were involved, this action is irregular for the following reasons : First, It violates the principle that original jurisdiction in relation to ministers pertains to the Presbytery (see Book of Discipline, Sect. 18). Second, It is contrary to the pro- vision that Commissions shall sit at the same time and place as the Synods appointing them (see Book of Discipline, Sect. 119 J. — 1904, p. 220. 2. When a Synod has not members to spare for a Judicial Commission a trial should be conducted by the Synod as a whole. It appearing that an appeal to Synod from the Presbytery of Pembina was found in order, but not issued because of an insufficiency of members present to spare for a Judicial Commission, it is the judgment of the Assem- bly that the Synod erred in not according the appellant the speedy trial to which he was entitled by the Synod as a whole, and is reminded that the appellant has not thereby lost any of his rights (see Book of Discipline, Sees. 118, 119).— 1898, p. 139. 3. Judgment of Synod is final in cases which do not affect the doctrine or Constitution. a. An appeal of the Prosecuting Committee from the Synod of Nebraska, in the case of J. Scott Woods. The Judicial Committee recommended that, as the case involved no question of Constitutional law or of doctrine requiring the action of the General Assembly, the appeal be dismissed. — 1899, p. 74. b. Appeal and complaint of N. N. McCullough vs. the Synod of Balti- more.— 1900, p. 100. c. Appeal of Owen Riedy vs. the Synod of Texas. — 1901, p. 44. d. Complaint and appeal of Robert J. Todd and others vs. the Synod of New York.— 1904, p. 84. e. Appeal of J. J. Simeon against the Synod of India. This is an ap- peal from the Synod's decision that approved of an election of elders and deacons as held in one of the churches under the direction of the Presby- tery of Allahabad. As it is evident from the records that this case did not affect the doctrine or Constitution of the Church, the decision of the Synod of India must be held to be final (Form of Gov., Chap, xi, Sec. iv). We therefore recommend the dismissal of the appeal. — 1904, p. 84. f. Appeal of Rev. Donald Stewart, of Canada, against the Synod of Indiana.— 1904, p. 84. 4. Judicial Committee reversed by Judicial Commission in cases in which judgment of Synod is final. a. The Judicial CornmitteeL. presented the following Report, which was accepted : 976 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. The Judicial Committee would respectfully report : Judicial Case No. 3, being the appeal and complaint of James G. Patterson, D.D., vs. the Synod of New York, and recommend (1) that the appeal and complaint be found in order ; (2) that they be referred to a Judicial Commission. Adopted. — 1900, p. 82. Judicial Case No. 3. — The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly to whom was referred the appeal and complaint of Rev. J. G. Patterson, D.D., against the Synod of New York, for having dismissed his appeal, and for having refused to sustain his complaint against the Presbytery of New York, having examined the papers sub- mitted and heard the parties, took action as follows : In view of the provision of the Form of Government, Chap, xi, Sec. iv, that the decision of Synod on appeals and complaints and refer- ences which do not affect the doctrine or Constitution of the Church is final, and inasmuch as no question of doctrine or constitution is, in the judgment of the Commission, involved in this case, therefore the Commission determines that the appeal and complaint of Rev. J. G. Patterson, D.D., vs. the Synod of New York be and are hereby dismissed. — 1900, p. lotf. b. The Judicial Committee, through its Chairman, Rev. John W. Dinsmore, D.D., presented a Report, which was adopted, and is as follows : Judicial Case No. 7, entitled the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America vs. Mrs. Sarah R. Clinton. We find this case in order, and that it raises questions affecting the Constitution of the Church, and recommend that it be referred to a Judicial Commission to be tried and issued in accordance with the provisions of the Book of Discipline. — 1901, p. 45. The Commission on Judicial Case No. 7 reported its finding in the case, which was entered upon record and is as follows : Judicial Case No. 7. — The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America vs. Mrs. Sarah R. Clinton, being an appeal from the final judgment of the Synod of Ohio. Your Commission finds that the appeal does not properly come before us for adjudication because it does not present any question of Constitutional law or doctrine, and therefore the same is hereby dismissed. — 1901, p. 140. Protest against above judgment. A protest against the decision in Judicial Case No. 7 was presented and ordered to be put on record. The protest is as follows : The Judicial Committee, by its Chairman, reported this case in order, as involving questions of Constitutional law or doctrine, and recommended that it be assigned to a Judicial Commission for trial. The Commission in the case found that it does not properly come before them for adjudica- tion, because it does not present any question of Constitutional law or doctrine, and therefore dismissed the case. The point here presented is one of great importance, in view of the movement to appoint a Perma- nent Judicial Commission. Shall the Assembly retain the right to decide beforehand the questions at issue, as far as it may see fit to do so. and then refer the case to a Judicial Commission, with instructions to issue and try the case, or shall a Judicial Commission, by virtue of its appoint- ment, become a law unto itself, a semi-independent body, with liberty to disregard the action taken and the instructions given by the Assembly? As we regard the finding and judgment of the Judicial Commission in FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAR XI. 977 this case as a disregard of the action taken and instructions given by the Assembly, we file our protest. — 1901, p. 169. E. W. C. Humphrey, D. S. Kennedy. 5. Synod should not assume primary jurisdiction of ministers. Synod of Atlantic. Exception. That it is stated, without explanation, that Rev. R. A. Collingham's name was by vote dropped from the roll. From such record it would appear that Synod assumed a Presbyterial function. Your Committee therefore submits that the cause of such action, and also the Constitutional authority and method of procedure in the case, should be made matters of record. — 1900, p. 155. 6. Synods to prepare model charters for congregations. It was Resolved, That the several Synods be and they are hereby recommended to consider and examine, and if deemed advisable and practicable, to prepare, adopt, and set forth for use in each respective State and Territory such form of charter of Presbyterian churches and such provisions to be inserted in wills and also in deeds of land to Presby- terian churches as will safeguard and secure the property of our churches to this denomination, and also be in accordance with the Form of Govern- ment of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. — 1897, p. 82. 7. Synodical Home Missions. [See under Chap, xii, Sec. v, Form of Government, Home Missions.] SECTION V. 1. Sermon must be preached. Synod of Indian Territory. Exception. The Synod was opened with a popular meeting, when two addresses were delivered, instead of a sermon by the Moderator or his substitute, as prescribed in the Form of Govern- ment.— 1900, p. 155. 2. Particular sessions to be opened and closed with prayer. Synod of India. There is no record that its opening session was con- stituted with prayer. — 1898, p. 138. Synod of Minnesota. Two sessions were opened without prayer. — 1899, p. 131. Synod of Montana, There is no record of the opening and closing of the sessions with prayer. — 1898, p. 138. Substantially the same exceptions, Synod of Kansas, 1898, p. 131 * Synod of California, 1904, p. 220 ; and Synod of Atlantic, 1905, p. 212. Synod of North Dakota. Clerk failed to record closing with prayer. —1903, p. 167. Also Synod of Oregon.— 1903, p. 167 ; see also p. 963. 3. Devotional exercises a substitute for opening prayer. Overture No. 248, from the Synod of Minnesota, on approving Synod- ical Records. The following answer is recommended : The Assembly orders that when an ecclesiastical court has been opened by devotional exercises this shall be a sufficient substitute for an opening prayer. — 1900, p. 73. 62 978 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION VI. REVIEW OF AND EXCEPTIONS TO RECORDS. 1. Records must be full. a. Synod of North Dakota. The Records are not properly kept, in that they are frequently deficient in fullness of record and in perspicuity, have lead-pencil entries and unfilled blanks, the Reports of Committees are entered by the clumsy device of pasting the original manuscripts in the book, and often neither the name of the Committee nor of its Chair- man is attached to a report.— 1898, p. 138. Also, 1906, p. 234. b. Synod of Texas. The names of newly arrived members and of members appointed on certain Committees are recorded without any titles or designations to determine whether they were ministers or ruling elders. Many of the acts of Synod are not recorded clearly and intelligibly. — 1905, p. 213. c. Synod of Oregon. On page 251 it is recorded that at the morning session Synod heard a report on judicial business ; on page 252 it appears that it had been in executive session, but there is nothing to show where said session began. — 1906, p. 235. Many of the benevolent Boards are indicated by initials, when they should be written in full. — 1906, p. 235. 2. Absentees to be enrolled. a. Synod of Texas. Absentees are not recorded. — 1898, p. 140. b. Synod of Illinois. From the Report of the Mileage Committee it appears that a considerable number of duly accredited delegates were not present at the last session of Synod. Yet no mention is made of the names of absentees, nor does it appear that excuses for non-attendance are ever asked for. — 1899, p. 130. c. Synod of New York. Names of absentees are not given. — 1899, p. 131. d. Synod of Kansas. Absentees are not recorded. — 1899, p. 131. 3. Delegate Synods may omit names of absentees, a. We recommend that Overtures Nos. 36, 89, 90, from the Synod of Illinois, Schuyler Presbytery, etc., asking that delegated Synods be allowed to omit from their Records the names of absentees, be answered in the affirmative. — 1904, p. 180. 4. Results of final roll-call to be recorded. a. Synod of North Dakota (1896, 1897). The result of the final roll- 'call previous to adjournment is not recorded. — 1898, p. 139. b. Synod of Indian Territory. There was no final roll-call prior to adjournment, that the names of absentees unexcused might be recorded, if any such there should be. — 1900, p. 155. 5. Churches not represented must be recorded. a. Synod of North Dakota. There is no record of the churches that are unrepresented, nor, in most cases, of the respective churches which the elders represent. — 1898, p. 138. b. Synod of New Mexico. The particular churches not represented are not recorded. — 1900, p. 155. c. Synod of Indian Territory. Same exception. — 1901, p. 165. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XI. 979 6. Action taken and Reports adopted must be recorded. a. Synod of Texas. Although committees were appointed to examine Records of the Presbyteries, there is nothing to show that Reports were rendered by these committees. — 1898, p. 140. On p. 463 is written a Resolution without a record of the action taken thereon.— 1898, p. 140. b. Synod of Indian Territory. Reports of Committees were adopted but not recorded. The Treasurer's Report was presented, and without being accepted was referred to the Auditing Committee ; the Auditing Committee found " the books and vouchers correct," yet did not recommend the adoption of the Report. While there is no Minute of the Report of the " Treasurer of the Davidson Fund," yet the Auditing Committee reports upon the said Treasurer's " books and vouchers," and finds them correct, but does not recommend their approval. The Auditing Committee's Report recommends the adoption of the Treasurer's recommendation of an apportionment of two and one-half cents per member, whereas the Treasurer's Report does not show any recommendation at all upon this matter. — 1901, p. 165. c. Synod of Texas. The Committee on the Records of Trinity Presby- tery reported, recommending their approval with an exception, and Synod adopted the Reports without recording the exception or explaining it in any way. The exception should be placed on record in the Min- utes.— 1901, p. 167. d. Synod of Nebraska. Exception is taken to the Records of the Presbytery of Niobrara, without recording the exceptions. — 1902, p. 169. e. Synod of Texas. The Report of the Committee on Bills and Over- tures was presented, but no record is made of reception or adoption. — 1902, p. 169. f. Synod of Minnesota. The Report of the Committee on Aid for Colleges is not recorded. — 1904, p. 221. g. Synod of Catawba. The Records fail to show that the Minutes of the last day's session were approved by the Synod. — 1906, p. 234. They do not show the nature of the report made on the Minutes of Yadkin Presbytery, pages 9 and 17.— 1906, p. 234. 7. Spelling may be variable. Synod of Atlantic. Orthography is not always the proper subject of exception. — 1902, p. 169. 8. A Narrative of the State of Religion should be prepared and recorded. a. Synod of Washington. It does not appear that a Narrative of the State of Religion was prepared, and none was presented by the Committee appointed for that purpose. — 1902, p. 169. b. Synod of North Dakota. There is no record of a Narrative of the State of Religion.— 1898, p. 139. c Synod of Texas. The resolution proposed to abolish the Committee on Narrative. The Synod should secure an annual Narrative of the State of Religion within its bounds. Adopted. — 1898, p. 140. d. Synod of Indian Territory. The Narrative of the State of Religion, though adopted, is not in the record. — 1901, p. 165. 980 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 9. Judicial cases not included in ordinary review of records. a. Synod of Ohio. With the exception of the action taken by the Synod in the case of Wm. J. Massey. — 1898, p. 140. b. Synod of New York. Except in so far as relates to judicial cases before this Assembly. — 1899, p. 131. c. Synod of Pennsylvania. With the exception of the decision in the case of the Church of the Covenant, Williamsport, Pa., acted upon by a Judicial Commission of this Assembly. — 1900, p. 156 ; see also p. 154. d. Synod of Pennsylvania. The approval of the Eecord in Judicial Case I\ T o. 1 is conditioned upon the action of this Assembly on the appeal taken from the Synod's action and now before the Assembly. — 1901, p. 166. 10. The subject matter of complaints must be recorded. a. Synod of Illinois. There is no intimation given as regards the sub- ject matter of grievance. Your committee is unable to form any opinion as to whether such action was taken upon constitutional grounds. — 1899, p. 130. b. Synod of Atlantic. That the record of the judicial case of appeal and complaint from McClelland Presbytery is incomplete, in that it no- where indicates the nature of the appeal and complaint or the contents of specifications referred to as " specifications 1-9 " and " 1—3," and the Com- mittee recommends that the Synod be instructed to so correct the Minutes that they shall clearly reveal the nature of the case and the findings of the judicatory.— 1905, p. 212. 11. Commissions should not be appointed to approve the Minutes. Synod of Texas. Upon the last day of the sessions of the Synod a Com- mission was appointed to " read, correct, and approve the Minutes." The Minutes of the preceding days had already been approved. After ad- journment the Commission performed their duties, according to the attesta- tion of the Temporary Clerk. The propriety of this mode of procedure is questioned. — 1898, p. 140. 12. Records need not be approved twice. Synod of Pennsylvania. The exception to the Records of the Presby- tery of Butler, because "the engrossed records lack approval by Pres- bytery," is not well taken. — 1901, p. 166. 13. Certification of previous Minutes to be recorded in new Book. Synod of Texas. As these Records are in a new book and the old book not present in the house and no attestation by the clerk that the previous Minutes up to this date had been examined and approved by the Assem- bly, the Committee are without voucher to that fact. We think this omission should be supplied to complete the Record. — 1901, p. 167. 14. Regulations as to certification to be complied with, a. Synod of Illinois. It is permitted by the General Assembly that printed Minutes of Synod may be presented to the General Assembly. But it is directed that in such cases blank pages be appended to the printed Minutes. The Minutes of Synod fail to comply with this direction. — 1899, p. 130. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XI. 981 b. Synod of New Mexico. There are no blank pages for the recording of the General Assembly's certificate of approval. — 1900, p. 156. c. Synods of Montana and South Dakota. The regulation as to certi- fication should be complied with. — 1904, p. 221. 14. Compliance urged with regulations as to printed records. Synod of North Dakota. Synod is urged to have its Records for 1896 and 1897 printed in accordance with its own conditional decision, and in conformity with the terms prescribed by the General Assembly for printed Minutes.— 1898, p. 140. 15. Translation of printed copy accepted. Synod of North China. That the translation presented to the Assem- bly in lieu of the printed copy of the Minutes be accepted and approved. That the Synod be requested hereafter to transmit to the Assembly a printed copy of the Minutes in the native tongue, together with a trans- lation thereof— 1904, p. 220. 16. After records have been approved corrections can be made only by recurrence to the judicatory approving. a. A request from the Synod of New York for permission to amend its Records. It is recommended that the request be granted. — 1900, p. 82. b. Synod of New Mexico. After the General Assembly had passed upon the Minutes of said Synod of 1898, approving them without excep- tion, the Synod appointed a Committee to compare the printed copy with the written Record, who reported that " many minor differences had been discovered." The Record fails to state the importance of these "many minor differences," but shows that the Synod then adopted the written record, which was not approved by the General Assembly, instead of the printed record which had been so approved. This shows that the Synod did not in 1898 send an exact transcript of its Minutes to the General Assembly, and for that year their Record does not contain the certificate of approval by the General Assembly. Further, the Synod is not competent to change its Record after it has been approved by the General Assembly, without permission of the Assembly. — 1900, p. 155. c. Synod of Atlantic. In the matter of the request for the correction of a manifest error in the Records approved by the last General Assembly, it is recommended that the request be granted. — 1902, p. 169. 17. The Records must be presented annually. a. Synod of North Dakota. The Records were not presented last year for examination. — 1898, p. 138. b. Synod of Utah. No Records presented to the General Assembly for two years.— 1898, p. 138. c. Synod of Indian Territory. Minutes not presented, and the Synod was directed to send them to the next Assembly. — 1899, p. 130. d. Synods of Central and Southern China and North Dakota. Records not in the possession of the Committees. — 1902, p. 168. Also, Synods of Baltimore and Catawba, 1903, p. 166 ; and Synods of Central and Southern China and Utah, 1904, p. 221. 982 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER XII. OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SECTION I. I. THE MODERATOR. 1. Mode of election. Standing Rule No. 26. Where there is only one nominee for Moderator, the election may be made by acclamation. Where there are more than one, the election shall be by ballot in the following manner : After the nominations are made each Section shall choose a Chairman and a Secretary, and the Chairman shall appoint two Tellers. Each Commissioner shall write the name of his choice on a ticket to be provided in advance by the Stated Clerk. The Tellers shall collect the tickets and count them under the supervision of the Chairman. The result will be recorded by the Secretary on tickets in duplicate, one of which shall be handed to the Stated Clerk, with the number of the Section written thereon. The other shall be retained by the Secretary. When the reports of the ballots have been issued from all the Sections, the Stated Clerk shall read each aloud, giving the number of the Section and the vote as cast. Tellers appointed by the Stated Clerk shall take and tabulate the votes as read. The Moderator will then announce the vote as tabulated. If no one has received a majority of the whole vote, another vote shall be taken in the same manner. When one has received a majority, the Moderator shall announce the result and declare him to be elected.— 1904, p. 96. 2. Limit of time for nominating speeches. Whereas, The time allotted for the election of Moderator is limited, and cannot be extended without delaying the formation of the Standing Committees and retarding the business of the Assembly ; therefore, Resolved, That speeches nominating candidates for Moderator shall be limited to ten minutes ; only one speech, and that not to exceed five minutes, shall be made in seconding the nomination of a candidate. — 1906, p. 38. 3. Appointment of Chairmen of Standing Committees. The Moderator shall, as soon as possible after his election, appoint a member of each Standing Committee, who shall be the Chairman thereof. [See for further details, Standing Rule No. 5, this Supplement, p. 985.] II. STANDING ORDERS AND RULES. 1. Changes and additions. 5. See under Standing Committees, p. 985. 6. Former Rule No. 5 was renumbered six (6) after the insertion of New Rule No. 5, and all other numbers up to 21 put forward one number. 7. See for Change, this Supplement, p. 988. 23. All Reports of Special Committees shall be delivered to the Stated Clerk thirty days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, and shall be printed by him and delivered to Commissioners in bound form on the second day of the session. — 1897, p. 144. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. I. 983 24. Upon the original appointment of any salaried executive officer of any of the Benevolent and Missionary Boards of the Church, such appointment shall be subject to the approval of the General Assembly. — 1898, p. 132. 25. The Moderator, with the Stated and Permanent Clerks, should an emergency requiring action at any time arise, are authorized to provide a new place of meeting for the General Assembly. 26. The Moderator shall be elected in the following manner. [See Rule, this Supplement, p. 982.] 27. Hereafter all overtures from Presbyteries and Synods which are to come before the General Assembly shall be in the hands of the Stated Clerk at least two weeks before the meeting of the Assembly, and by him shall be printed in convenient form for distribution on the floor of the Assembly. The distribution to be made not later than the second day of the Assembly. III. MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 1. Seating of Commissioners. Each Commissioner shall be assigned to his seat in advance of the meeting of the Assembly by the Committee of Arrangements, under the supervision and direction of the Stated Clerk. [See Standing Rule No. 5, this Supplement, p. 985.] 2. Advisory Members. Standing Rule No. 15, amended as follows: That after the phrase "through the organization of union Presbyteries" there be inserted the phrase " or when missions exist without Presbyterial organization." — 1902, p. 14. [See for Rule, this Digest, p. 264.] IV. THE STATED CLERK. 1. Tenure of Office. a. Your Committee would report on the resolution referred to them, that at this time it is inexpedient to make any change in the tenure of the offices of the Stated and Permanent Clerks. — 1900, p. 82. b. Your Committee has had submitted to it 139 papers, most of them in the form of overtures, relating to a change in the salaries of the Stated and Permanent Clerks and to a limitation of the terms of office of said Clerks. The Committee, having carefully examined and arranged all of these papers, has to report that only forty-three Presbyteries are in favor of any such action, so far as reported, while ninety have expressed them- selves as in opposition thereto. After careful consideration of the matter, the Committee unanimously recommends that the Assembly take no action thereon. — 1901, p. 89. [Note. — The office of Stated Clerk was established by the General Synod in 1750, and has never been a Term-service office.] 2. Expenses of the Assembly. a. Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be authorized to pay the usual bills and salaries.— 1898, p. 143, and other years to 1906, p. 232. b. Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be authorized to contract for the usual printing of the Reports of the Special Committees, Manuals, Lists of Commissioners, Lists of Overtures, and all blanks connected with the current work of the General Assembly. — 1906, p. 233. 984 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. c. Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be authorized to expend, from time to time during the ensuiDg year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the ordinary expenses of maintaining and operating his office, said expenditure to be subject to the audit of the Trustees of the General Assembly.— 1906, p. 209. d. The General Assembly is responsible only for the expenses of its Commissioners aud officers in connection with its annual meeting. — 1901, p. 172. 3. Audit of accounts. That as the annual report of the Treasurer of the Trustees of the General Assembly is audited and certified to by Committees of the said Trustees, in addition to being certified to by certified accountants, before beiug presented to the General Assembly, that in like manner the annual report of the Stated Clerk as Treasurer of the General Assembly be audited and certified to by a Committee of the Trustees of the General Assembly, in addition to being certified to by certified accountants, before being presented to the General Assembly ; and that the Trustees of the General Assembly be requested by the General Assembly to perform such work of auditing through their Committee. — 1906, p. 209. 4. Salary. a. That in view of the growth of the Church and the consequent increased labors of the Stated Clerk that his salary be increased from $3000 to $4000 per annum, commencing April 1, 1899.— 1899, p. 135. b. On motion of the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the sum of one thousand dollars was added to the salary of the Stated Clerk. — 1904, p. 154. 5. Printing of Overtures. [See Standing Rule No. 27, this Supplement, p. 983.] 6. Notification, etc., of Electing Sections. [See Details of operation of the Plan, this Supplement, p. 986.] 7. Papers for Electing Sections. The Stated Clerk shall designate one Commissioner in each Section to receive any necessary papers for the Section. [See Standing Rule No. 5, this Supplement, p. 985.] 8. Seating of Commissioners. [See this Supplement, p. 986.] 9. Reports of Special Committees. [See Standing Rule No. 23, this Supplement, p. 982.] V. THE PERMANENT CLERK. 1. Mode of Election in 1900. No change in tenure of office. The Committee on the election of a Permanent Clerk would report that seven names were presented to your Committee as suitable candidates for the office of Permanent Clerk. Your Committee recommend : FOEM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. I. 985 1. That all these names be voted on by the Assembly, and that to each candidate one nominating speech be permitted, not over five minutes in length. 2. That a ballot be taken on the seven names proposed, and, if there be no election, the names of the three having the lowest number of votes then be dropped and a second ballot taken ; then if there be no election, the names of the two having the lowest number of votes be dropped, and the final ballot be taken on the two names remaining. Your Committee also would report on the resolution referred to them, that at this time it is inexpedient to make any change in the tenure of the offices of Stated and Permanent Clerks. — 1900, p. 81. 2. Report of Absentees from Electing Sections. After the election of a Moderator the Permanent Clerk shall report absentees from the first roll-call. Vacancies in the electing sections may then be filled by the Assembly. [See Standing Rule No. 5, this Sup- plement, p. 985.] VI. STANDING COMMITTEES. 1. Mode of Election. Rules adopted in 1900 as amended. 5. For the purpose only of electiug Standing Committees, the General Assembly shall be divided into twenty-two Electing Sections of, as nearly as practicable, equal size, by combining the smaller Synods and dividing the larger by Presbyteries where necessary. The Standing Committees, except those on Mileage and Finance, shall be numbered consecutively; the Electing Sections shall be numbered in like manner. The Standing Committees shall each consist of twenty-three members, including the Chairman, except the Committees on Mileage and Finance, which shall each consist of twelve elders. Eleven members of the Com- mittees on Mileage and Finance and eleven ministers and eleven elders of the other Committees shall be chosen by the Electing Sections as herein provided. The Moderator shall, as soon as possible after his election, appoint a member of each Standing Committee, who shall be the Chair- man thereof; provided that he shall not appoint more than one member and Chairman from the same Electing Section, and that he shall always appoint the retiring Moderator as a member and Chairman of the Com- mittee on Bills and Overtures. If the Moderator shall appoint as a member and Chairman of any Standing Committee any one chosen by any Electing Section as a member of that or any other Standing Committee, the appointment of the Mod- erator shall take precedence, and the Electing Section shall choose another member to fill the vacancy on the Committee caused by the Moderator's appointment. On odd-numbered years each odd-numbered section shall elect one minister for each odd-numbered Committee, and one elder for each even- numbered Committee, and one elder for the Mileage Committee. On the same year, each even-numbered section shall elect one minister for each even-numbered Committee, and one elder for each odd-numbered Committee, and one elder for the Finance Committee. On the even-numbered years this order shall be reversed. After the election of a Moderator, the Permanent Clerk shall report absentees from the first roll-call. Vacancies in the Electing Sections 986 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. may then be filled by the Assembly. The Stated Clerk shall designate one Commissioner in each Section to receive any necessary papers for the Section. The members of each Electing Section shall be seated together in a compact body. Accordingly each Commissioner shall be assigned to his seat in advance of the meeting of the Assembly by the Committee of Arrangements, under the supervision and direction of the Stated Clerk, and shall occupy such pew or seat from the beginning of the first session until the end of the second day. The Electing Sections shall meet at the places assigned them for the purpose of selecting members of the Standing Committees at the close of the second session of the first day, provided the Assembly adjourns at or before five o'clock ; otherwise, the Assembly shall take a recess promptly at eleven o'clock of the second day and the Electing Sections shall meet for that purpose at that time. Reports from the sections shall be handed to the Stated Clerk as soon as the Electing Sections adjourn. The quorum of an Electing Section shall be the same in number as the quorum of the Assembly, viz., four- teen.— 1900, p. 131 ; 1901, p. 164; 1903, p. 90; 1904, p. 96. 2. Time of existence of Electing Sections. The Electing Sections can and should have no existence until the organization of the Assembly. — 1901, p. 164. 3. Each Presbytery to be represented. We must remind the Assembly that in order fairly to carry out the plan, each Presbytery must be represented on some Standing Committee. —1901, p. 164. 4. Details of operation of the Plan. a. The Stated Clerk was authorized to give notice to the Commissioners from the Presbyteries of their places in the Electing Districts. He was also authorized to assign their places in Electing Districts to new Presbyteries which may be erected during the intervals of the meetings of the Assembly, and to attend to other details connected with the operation of the plan. b. The Stated Clerk presented a Report on details of operation of the plan adopted by the Assembly of 1900 for the election of Standing Com- mittees, which was adopted, and is as follows : The Stated Clerk was appointed by the last Assembly to attend to the details of the operation of the plan (see Minutes, 1900, p. 158). To put the plan into operation the provisions of the same as adopted by the Assembly of 1900 have been printed in the Manual of this General Assembly, pp. 100-102. The numbers of the Electing Districts have also been printed in connection with the names of Synods or Presbyteries as they appear in the list of Commissioners of this Assembly. Further, notice was sent by mail to each Commissioner, specifying the Electing District or Section with which he was connected, and indicating the Committees for which said Section was empowered to elect members. In order to secure prompt organization of and action by the Electing Districts, the following list of persons to receive papers is respectfully sub- mitted for the approval of the Assembly. — 1901, p. 16; 1903. p. 14, etc. c. The Clerk would further report that he has appointed the place of FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. I. 987 meetings for the Sections, which will be read immediately afteraction upon this Report.— 1901, p. 17. d. Your Committee are disposed to congratulate the Assembly on the smoothness with which the new plan for electing the Standing Committees was put into operation. The Committees have been doing their usual work in the usual way, and the Assembly's energy and efficiency are at least not inferior to previous Assemblies. The faithful preparations of the Stated Clerk in notifying each Commissioner of the number of his Elect- ing Section, and of the Committeemen to be chosen, are still indispensable. We must remind the Assembly that in order fairly to carry out the plan, each Presbytery must be represented on some Standing Committee. The Electing Sections can and should have no existence until the organization of the Assembly.— 1901, p. 164. 5. Arrangement of Electing Districts.* a. It was Ordered, That a Committee be appointed by the Moderator, consisting of one member from each Synod, to arrange the electing districts called for by the Plan just adopted.— 1900, p. 131. b. The Committee on Electing Districts for Standing Committees pre- sented its Report, which was accepted and adopted, and is as follows : The language of the Overture seems somewhat indefinite on one point. It requires that the General Assembly shall be divided into twenty-two Districts, leaving other possible interpretations. We understand this language to mean that the Presbyterian Church represented by this Assem- bly shall be divided into Districts for the purpose mentioned, according to its Synods and Presbyteries. The Overture itself recognizes the impossi- bility of making the Districts precisely equal in the number, either of communicants, ministers, or Commissioners to this Assembly ; but we have endeavored to secure a division as near equality as possible. As a basis of representation we have assumed that of this Assembly. If every Pres- bytery were represented by its rightful number there would be here to-day 666 Commissioners, which allows thirty for each one of the twenty-two Districts, with a small fraction remaining. We have, therefore, endeav- ored to arrange the Districts so that each one, as nearly as possible, should be represented in this Assembly by thirty Commissioners. — 1900, p. 156. c. The Stated Clerk was authorized to assign their places in Electing Districts to new Presbyteries. — 1900, p. 158. d. In order more nearly to equalize the Electing Sections, we recom- mend the following transfers in the Sections as at present constituted. —1901, p. 164. e. The following, presented by the Stated Clerk, with reference to the assignment of new Presbyteries to their appropriate electing districts, was referred to the Stated Clerk and the Committee on Administrative Agencies with power : The Stated Clerk respectfully draws attention to the fact that he is re- quired by the Standing Rules of the General Assembly having to do with the election of the members of Standing Committees, to assign their places in electing districts to new Presbyteries which may be erected during the intervals of the meetings of the Assembly. He submits to the Assembly two important questions connected with the electing districts, to one of which he has no authoritative relation under the Rules. * " Electing Districts" are composed of Presbyteries ; " Electing Sections," of Com- missioners. 988 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 1. The fact that 114 Presbyteries have just been added to the Roll of the General Assembly, and should be assigned to their appropriate electing districts. 2. There is considerable inequality in the size of certain of the electing districts, for instance, electing district No. 13 having but twenty-six Com- missioners and electing district No. 19 having forty Commissioners. This inequality should be adjusted. — 1906, p. 230. 6. Time Allowance of Standing Committees for Reports. Amendment to No. 7 of the Standing Rules and Orders : 7. That the Standing Committee on Home and Foreign Missions have each two hours, and those on Education, Publication, Church Erection, Ministerial Relief, Freedmen, Temperance, and Colleges have each one and a half hours ; that the Chairman of the Standing Committees on Home Missions and Foreign Missions be allowed only one-half hour for the presenting of his Report and such remarks as he may wish to make, and that the Chairman of other Committees be allowed twenty minutes for the same purpose; that the Secretary or other official representative of the cause be allowed one-half hour for his address or statement, and that the remainder of the time allotted be assigned to Commissioners and to agents from the field. This Rule to be altered only by direct vote of the Assem- bly. It shall be the duty of the Stated Clerk to communicate this Rule to the Chairmen of the Standing Committees upon their appointment. — 1905, p. 110. 7. Standing Committee on Home Missions to report on Vacancy and Supply. The Board of Home Missions and each of the self-supporting Synods through the Board, shall present an Annual Report to the General Assem- bly on Vacancy and Supply, and these Reports shall be referred to the Standing Committee on Home Missions. — 1905, p. 109. 8. Standing Committee on the Narrative. To report on Special Committee's Report. The Committee further recommends, in connection with the Annual Narrative of Christian Life and Work, that the Standing Committee on the Narrative hereafter consider and report upon the Report of the Special Committee on the same subject. — 1906, pp. 225, 226. 9. Standing Committee on Synodical Home Missions constituted. Overtures Nos. 178 to 183, from the Synods of Baltimore and five others, asking that a Standing Committee of the General Assembly be erected, to which shall be referred for consideration and report the annual reports of the so-called self-sustaining Synods as to the Home Mission work by them conducted. We recommend that such a Standing Com- mittee be constituted, to be known as the Committee on Synodical Home Missions, to consider and report on the Home Mission work of the self-sus- taining Synods ; that such Synods be and they hereby are directed to make annual reports to the Assembly through the Stated Clerk, and the Stated Clerk is authorized and directed to make the appropriate corrections and changes thereby necessitated in the Manual and Rules. — 1906, p. 86. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. I. 989 10. Standing Committee on Finance to Report a Budget for the Boards. The following, presented by the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, was adopted : Resolved, That it be one of the duties of the Standing Committee on Finance to report to the General Assembly with which it is connected, the total receipts and disbursements of each of the Boards and Permanent Committees of the Church, with a view to the presentation to the Assem- bly of the financial side of the entire benevolent and missionary work ; and said Committee is further charged with the duty of considering and reporting upon to its Assembly, the appropriations asked for by each of the benevolent and missionary Boards, with the purpose of ascertaining what the entire financial demand will be upon the Church in any given year. The Finance Committee shall make, in connection with these new duties assigned it, such recommendations as to it may seem proper. — 1906, p. 212. VII. SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 1. Reports to be delivered to the Stated Clerk for printing. All Reports of Special Committees shall be delivered to the Stated Clerk thirty days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly, and shall be printed by him and delivered to Commissioners in bound form on the second day of the sessions. — 1897, p. 144. 2. Expenses of Special Committees. a. Your Committee, when seeking for the authority for the expenditure of money for the expenses of the various special Committees of the Gen- eral Assembly, which expenditure in the aggregate during the past year has amounted to $4274.47, were informed by the Stated Clerk that the only authority he knew of was the "custom of the past years," and the creation of the Committees by the Assembly, While such authority may be sufficient warrant for what the Stated Clerk has heretofore done under it, we believe that hereafter, for his protection, the General Assembly ought to give the Stated Clerk, as Treasurer, positive direction for all ex- penditures for every such Committea Therefore, it is recommended, That the General Assembly, whenever it creates or continues for another year a special Committee, definitely state whether the expenses of said Committee are to be paid by the General Assembly ; and when they are, that said expenses be limited to the actual traveling expenses of the members of the Committee incurred by attend- ance upon the regular meetings of the Committee ; and that if any print- ing is to be done, authority be given to pay for the same. In this con- nection the Committee desires to urge upon the Assembly the importance of restricting the number and size of these special Committees. — 1906, p. 209. b. That the Stated Clerk be authorized to pay the actual traveling and entertainment expenses of the members of Special Committees appointed or continued by this General Assembly, incurred by attendance upon the regular meetings of the Committees, said expenses to be kept within as low a limit as possible, and that he be also authorized to contract for the printing of their Reports to the Assembly and pay the bills for the same. —1906, p. 209. 990 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION IV. Judicial Commissions Appointed, 1898-1906 Backus Case.— 1898, pp. 48, 94; 1899, p. 51. Bercovitz Case.— 1899, pp. 61, 127. Boss Case.— 1901, pp. 77, 100, 170. Clinton Case.— 1901, pp. 88, 100, 140, 169. Dayton Case.— 1901, pp. 78, 148. Fleming Case.— 1902, pp. 75, 83, 114, 143. Lane Case. — 1899, pp. 51, 73, 95. MacCullough Case.— 1898, pp. 48, 94. Marsh Case.— 1905, pp. 86, 163. Massey Case. — 1898, p. 95. Patterson Case.— 1900, pp. 98, 108, 136. Pumphrey Case. — 1898, p. 95. Richter Case.— 1903, pp. 72, 79, 91. Riedy Case.— 1899, pp. 91, 127; 1903, pp. 71, 80, 133. Taylor Case.— 1899, p. 127. Warszawiak Case. — 1899, p. 51. Williamsport Case.— 1900, pp. 100, 107, 154 ; 1902, pp. 74, 83, 151. Woods Case.— 1898, pp. 48, 94. [See also, under Synods, this Supplement, p. 975.] 2. One Assembly cannot criticize another. Paper No. 96, being a Memorial from the Presbytery of Baltimore, in which protest is made against the action of the last Assembly in dropping from the Committee on Cooperation and Union the names of [two members] . It is manifestly improper for this Assembly to take action in criticism of a past Assembly, and it is believed the purpose of the Memorial will be served by its being read in presence of this Assembly, and by our making record of our conviction that no reflection was intended upon the zeal and faithfulness of these much-beloved brethren. — Minutes, 1905, p. 86. SECTION V. I. DELIVERANCES ON DOCTRINE. 1. Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith.— Purpose. * Concerning the Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith which the Committee was directed to prepare and to submit to this Assembly, we beg to say that this has been by far the most difficult task assigned to us, and that it has occupied the greater part of the thirty days in which the Committee has been actually in session. The Assembly's instructions were explicit, and yet they left room for difference of view. Apart from the direction that it should be "brief" and "expressed as far as possible in untechuical terms," the Committee was given to understand the kind of statement required only by the Assembly's instructions that it was "to be prepared with a view to its being employed to give information and a better understanding of our doctrinal beliefs, and not with a view to its becoming a substitute for, or an alternative of, our Confession of Faith." These instructions are both positive and negative. * See for Committee, this Digest, p. 944. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP, XII, SECT. V. 991 The Committee's understanding of the work thus enjoined upon it found expression in the following resolution which appears in its records, namely : "Resolved, That it is the sense of this Committee that the Brief State- ment of the Reformed Faith which the Assembly has ordered us to prepare should be made with the view to inform aud enlighten the people in regard to the significance and religious meaning of the Reformed Faith, and not with the view of becoming a test of orthodoxy for minis- ters, elders, and deacons." The conception of the design of the statement to be prepared, as thus presented, has influenced our action, and, as far as it could be so, con- trolled our conclusions. In this work few precedents were within reach. We were not to prepare a new Confession of Faith, or merely a condensed compendium of our doctrine, or a new standard of orthodoxy ; much less a standard of new orthodoxy. The enjoined brevity made necessary the delicate task of selection. We could not include in such a statement everything we hold to be true, nor, on the other hand, could we confine ourselves to doctrines distinctively our own. Indeed, many of our most fundamental and vital doctrines we hold in common with the whole evangelical Church ; and, moreover, what is peculiar to our own faith is susceptible neither of being stated nor of being known except in the light of what we thus hold in common with other communions. Nor could we forget that the intellect is not the only organ of religious perception and knowledge. We must avoid reduplicating in principle, even though it be in reduced compass, what we unquestionably already have. The three confessional formulae which we have received from the past, and which we hold in veneration, address themselves, primarily and predomi- nantly, to the logical faculty, and in a way that is preeminently successful ; certainly, then, it was not simply another symbol framed on the same organizing principles and destined to be inferior to them, both in precision of statement and in systematic excellence, which the Assembly had in mind, or which the present condition of the Church calls for. Accordingly we have endeavored to introduce in some degree into our work a different principle of expression and so to bring out more plainly the evangelical aspects of our faith. We have aimed to connect truth with life, and to give to our doctrinal elements a personal reference. We have tried to make the Statement not intellectual only, but also devotional in its conception and form. We would not have it first of all theological, although we have constantly endeavored to preserve intact the substance of the truth as we hold it. There has been neither desire nor disposition to disobey the Assembly's injunction that we should "in no way impair the integrity of the system of doctrine set forth in our Confession and taught in the Holy Scripture." — 1902, p. 91. 2. Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith.— Text. Article I. Of God. We believe in the ever-living God, who is a Spirit, and the Father of our spirits ; infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being and perfec- tions ; the Lord Almighty, most just in all His ways, most glorious in holiness, unsearchable in wisdom and plenteous in mercy, full of love and compassion, and abundant in goodness and truth. We worship Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in one Godhead, one in sub- stance and equal in power and glory. — 1902, p. 93. 992 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Article II. Of Revelation. We believe that God is revealed in nature, in history, and in the heart of man ; that He has made gracious and clearer revelatious of Himself to Men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit ; and that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. We gratefully receive the Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration, to be the faithful record of God's gracious revelations and the sure witness to Christ, as the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life. Article III. Of the Eternal Purpose. We believe that the eternal, wise, holy, and loving purpose of God embraces all events, so that while the freedom of man is not taken away nor is God the author of sin, yet in His providence He makes all things work together in the fulfillment of His sovereign design and the manifes- tation of His glory ; wherefore, humbly acknowledging the mystery of this truth, we trust in His protecting care and set our hearts to do His will. Article IV. Of the Creation. We believe that God is the creator, upholder, and governor of all things ; that He is above all His works and in them all ; and that He made man in His own image, meet for fellowship with Him, free and able to choose between good and evil, and forever responsible to his Maker and Lord. Article V. Of the Sin of Man. We believe that our first parents, being tempted, chose evil, and so fell away from God and came under the power of sin, the penalty of which is eternal death ; and we confess that, by reason of this disobedience, we and all men are born with a sinful nature, that we have broken God's law, and that no man can be saved but by His grace. Article VI. Of the Grace of God. We believe that God, out of His great love for the world, has given His only begotten Son to be the Saviour of sinners, and in the Gospel freely offers His all-sufficient salvation to all men. And we praise Him for the unspeakable grace wherein He has provided a way of eternal life for all mankind. Article VII. Of Election. We believe that God, from the beginning, in His own good pleasure, gave to His Son a people, an innumerable multitude, chosen in Christ unto holiness, service, and salvation ; we believe that all who come to years of discretion can receive this salvation only through faith and repentance ; and we believe that all who die in infancy, and all others given by the Father to the Son who are beyond the reach of the outward means of grace, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when and where and how He pleases. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 993 Article VIII. Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in and confess the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man, who, being the Eternal Son of God, for us men and for our salvation became truly man, being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary, without sin ; unto us He has revealed the Father, by His Word and Spirit making known the perfect will of God; for us He fulfilled all righteousness and satisfied eternal justice, offering Himself a perfect sacrifice upon the cross to take away the sin of the world ; for us He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where He ever intercedes for us ; in our hearts, joined to Him by faith, He abides forever as the indwelling Christ ; over us, and over all for us, He rules : wherefore, unto Him we render love, obedience, and adoration as our Prophet, Priest, and King forever. Article IX. Of Faith and Repentance. We believe that God pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous solely on the ground of the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ, received by faith alone ; and that this saving faith is always accompanied by repentance, wherein we confess and forsake our sins with full purpose of, and endeavor after, a new obedience to God. Article X. Of the Holy Spirit. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who moves everywhere upon the hearts of men, to restrain them from evil and to incite them unto good, and whom the Father is ever willing to give unto all who ask Him. We believe that He has spoken by holy men of God in making known His truth to men for their salvation ; that, through our exalted Saviour, He was sent forth in power to convict the world of sin, to enlighten men's minds in the knowledge of Christ, and to persuade and enable them to obey the call of the Gospel ; and that He abides with the Church, dwelling in every believer as the spirit of truth, of holiness, and of comfort. Article XL Of the New Birth and the New Life. We believe that the Holy Spirit only is the author and source of the new birth ; we rejoice in the new life, wherein He is given unto us as the seal of sonsbip in Christ, and keeps loving fellowship with us, helps us in our infirmities, purges us from our faults, and ever continues His trans- forming work in us until we are perfected in the likeness of Christ, in the glory of the life to come. Article XII. Of the Resurrection and the Life to Come. We believe that in the life to come the spirits of the just, at death made free from sin, enjoy immediate communion with God and the vision of His glory ; and we confidently look for the general resurrection in the last day, when the bodies of those who sleep in Christ shall be fashioned in the likeness of the. glorious body of their Lord, with whom they shall live and reign forever. 63 994 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Article XIII. Of the Law of God. We believe that the law of God, revealed in the Ten Commandments, and more clearly disclosed in the words of Christ, is forever established in truth and equity, so that no human work shall abide except it be built on this foundation. We believe that God requires of every man to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God ; and that only through this harmony with the will of God shall be fulfilled that brother- hood of man wherein the kingdom of God is to be made manifest. Article XIV. Of the Church and the Sacraments. We believe in the Holy Catholic Church, of which Christ is the only Head. We believe that the Church Invisible consists of all the redeemed, and that the Church Visible embraces all who profess the true religion together with their children. We receive to our communion all who con- fess and obey Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, and we hold fellow- ship with all believers in Him. We receive the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, alone divinely established and committed to the Church, together with the AVord, as means of grace ; made effectual only by the Holy Spirit, and always to be used by Christians with prayer and praise to God. Article XV. Of the Last Judgment. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again in glorious majesty to judge the world and to make a final separation between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked shall receive the eternal award of their sins, and the Lord will manifest the glory of His mercy in the salvation of His people and their entrance upon the full enjoymeut of eternal life. Article XVI. Of Christian Service and the Final Triumph. We believe that it is our duty, as servants and friends of Christ, to do good unto all men, to maintain the public and private worship of God, to hallow the Lord's Day, to preserve the sanctity of the family, to uphold the just authority of the State, and so to live in all honesty, purity, and charity, that our lives shall testify of Christ. We joyfully receive the word of Christ, bidding His people go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, and declare unto them that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, and that He will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We confidently trust that by His power and grace, all His enemies and ours shall be finally overcome, and the kingdoms of this world shall be made the kingdom of our God and of His Christ. In this faith we abide ; in this service we labor ; and in this hope we pray, Even so, come, Lord Jesus. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 995 II. PASTORAL DELIVERANCES. 1. Deliverance on the Bible and the Public Schools. a. This Assembly expresses its regret that confusion should have been introduced into the practice regarding the use of the Bible in our public schools, by reason of the inconsistent decisions by the Courts and the varying interpretations given by school authorities in different places of practically the same constitutional and statutory provisions, and the Assembly advises the officers and people of the Churches of the [Presby- terian] Alliance in this country, that they should seek to exert a prudent Christian influence upon public sentiment in their respective localities upon this subject. — 1904, p. 180. b. This Assembly expresses its judgment that moral instruction and ethical training are necessary for good citizenship, and should have a place in our Public School System, and that this is possible without in- culcating any denominational tenets; and further, expresses its judgment that the Bible is the very best instrument to impart this moral instruction and training, in connection with our public schools. — 1904, p. 180. 2. Deliverance on Religious Liberty in the Philippines. 1. That we rejoice in the provisions of the Constitution of the United States of America which are designed to aid in the promotion of religious liberty. 2. That we understand that the relation of the Federal Government of the United States to religious work in the Philippine Islands and Porto Rico is and ought to be one of absolute impartiality between different religious denominations, and of helpfulness in establishing full religious liberty, limited, however, by the qualification that no religious practices should be tolerated which are recognized by the general consent of the Christian world in modern times as proper matters for prohibitory legisla- tion.— 1904, p. 181. 3. Action against the use of public funds for sectarian purposes. In view of the increasing sentiment in this country against the use of public funds for sectarian purposes, either in State or nation, and in view of the present pending legislation on this subject in Congress, therefore be it Resolved, 1. That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in session May 26, 1906, at Des Moines, Iowa, most earnestly and respect- fully petitions the Congress of the United States to refuse any appropria- tions of public moneys for sectarian purposes. — 1906, pp. 211, 212. III. OF ERECTING, CHANGING, AND DISMISSING SYNODS, AND OF THE APPROVAL OF UNION PRESBYTERIAN SYNODS IN FOREIGN LANDS. 1. Synods erected since 1898. [Note this Supplement, p.^971, for names, etc., of new Synods, viz., Florida, West Kwantung, and West Virginia.] 996 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. Legal successor to a Synod designated. The Committee recommend the passage of the following act by the General Assembly : It is enacted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., in session at Winona Lake, Ind., on May 28, 1898, that the Synod of Central and Southern China be and hereby is declared to be the legal successor of the Synod of China, and that all the records, papers, and other legal documents connected with the said Synod of China be and hereby are transferred to the care, custody, and official control of the said Synod of Central and Southern China. — 1898, p. 133. 3. Churches transferred from one Synod to another. a. That the request of the Synod of Indian Territory, that the First Presbyterian Church of Mena, Ark., in the Presbytery of Choctaw, of said Synod, be transferred to the Presbytery of Ozark, Synod of Missouri, be granted. The Committee states that while no formal action of the Synod of Missouri on the subject was presented to it, yet satisfactory evidence was presented to show that some action approving of the pro- posed change had been adopted. — 1901, p. 90. b. " The Synod of Colorado begs leave to call the attention of the next General Assembly to the fact that by the action of the last General Assembly, as recorded on page 177 of the published Minutes, there are certain sections of the State of Wyoming which belong to the two Synods of Colorado and Utah respectively, and to three Presbyteries, Wyom- ing, Utah, and Kendall. The Synod of Colorado overtures the General Assembly to take such action as will properly locate the churches of Evanston and Cokeville." Your Committee recommend that the churches of Evanston and Coke- ville be transferred to and placed under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming, in the Synod of Colorado, since they are geographically within the bounds of that Presbytery.— 1905, p. 205. c. The Committee has had before it Overture No. 54, from the Synod of Washington, with the certificate of the concurrence of the Synod of Oregon therein, on the boundaries of said Synods ; and also Overture No. 214, from the Presbytery of Puget Sound, asking for the creation of a new Presbytery, containing churches some of which now belong to the Synod of Washington and some to the Synod of Oregon. The Gen- eral Assembly adopts the following Enabling Act, to wit : Be it enacted, 1. That the boundaries of the Synods of Oregon and Washington be changed by taking from the former and adding to the latter the part of the Synod of Oregon, as at present constituted, which lies within the boundaries of the State of Washington. — 1901, p. 89. 4. Action on the Independent Synod of Mexico. Overtures Nos. 56, 57, and 223, from the Presbyteries of Zacatecas, Gulf of Mexico, and City of Mexico, located in the Republic of Mexico, and at present in connection with the Synod of Pennsylvania, asking that these three Presbyteries be allowed to unite with the Presbytery of Mexico, at present in correspondence with the Presbyterian Church of the United States (known as the Southern Presbyterian Church), and together constitute themselves into an independent Synod of Mexico ; it FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 997 being understood that this proposition is unanimously favored by the Board of Foreign Missions, and that it is in entire harmony with the settled policy of the Foreign Board concerning missions in foreign lands, which policy has been already approved by the General Assembly. It is also to be understood that the Board of Foreign Missions will still continue its supervision over the missions in Mexico. It is further understood that corresponding relations will be continued between the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the proposed Synod of Mexico. The petition also gives assurance that the Standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall be adopted as the Standards of the Synod of Mexico, and that the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall be the Form of Government of the Synod of Mexico. Your Committee therefore recommends that the petition of the Pres- byteries of Zacatecas, City of Mexico, and Gulf of Mexico, be granted. We also recommend that the Moderator of this General Assembly appoint a Commission of not less than five, who shall represent the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America at the organization of the Synod of Mexico, at such time and place as may suit the convenience of all concerned. This Commission shall pro- vide for its own expenses. — 1901, p. 118. 5. The Synod of India dismissed to unite with the Presbyterian Church in India. a. Overtures Nos. 28 to 32, from the Synod of India, and from the Presbyteries of Lodiana, Furrukhabad, Lahore, and Allahabad, asking that permission be granted the Synod to unite with the Presbyterian Church in India. These overtures contemplate the establishment of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in India, by the represen- tatives of the following Churches : 1, The Presbyterian Church of Ire- land ; 2, The Established Church of Scotland ; 3, The Presbyterian Church in England ; 4, The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ; 5, The Gopalgunge Presbyterian Mission in Bengal ; 6, The United Free Church of Scotland ; 7, The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church ; 8, The Presbyterian Church in Canada ; and 9, The Reformed Dutch Church, now united with the South India Synod. Of these churches the proposed union has been approved by the Pres- byterian Church of Ireland, the Established Church of Scotland condi- tionally, the Gopalgunge Mission, and the South India United Church ; and in the Minutes of our General Assembly for 1903, page 170, "it was ordered that record be made of the Assembly's approval of the union of the Presbyterian Church in India." The Committee recommends that the request be granted and that the Assembly enact as follows : That the Synod of India, with its component Presbyteries, be dismissed to unite with the Presbyterian Church in India, said dismission to take effect when the Synod is received into the Presbyterian Church in India. — 1904, p. 178. b. A letter has been received from the Stated Clerk of the late Synod of India, stating that the said Synod, with its Presbyteries, was received into the Presbyterian Church of India, December 19, 1904. The action of the Assembly of 1904, directing the dismission of this Synod to the Presbyterian Church of India has, therefore, been completed. — 1905, p. 214. 998 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 6. Union Synod in China approved and Synods dismissed to unite therewith. a. This Assembly heartily approves of the movement toward the union of the Presbyterian bodies in China, provided only it can be consummated under conditions acceptable to our Board of Foreign Missions and to this- Assembly.— 1904, p. 220. In the two matters of Overtures Nos. 260 and 285, from the Synods of West Kwang Tung and Central and Southern China, requesting to be set aside that they may unite with the Union Synod of China, the Committee recommends the adoption of the following : Resolved, 1. Tbat the General Assembly, completing its action of 1904, approves the formation of the Union Synod of China, in which the various Presbyterian bodies in China propose to unite, for the purpose of forming the " Presbyterian Church in China." While the Assembly regrets the consequent separation from the mother Church of the beloved and faithful brethren who under God have built up the kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Empire of China, it can but offer its heartiest congratulations to the new Church and its prayers and best wishes for God's richest blessings on the Presbyterian Church of China. Resolved, 2. That in accordance with the request of Overture No. 260 the Synod of West Kwang Tung, with the exception of the Presbytery of Manila, be set aside to unite with the Union Synod of China. Resolved, 3. That the Presbytery of Manila, on the consummation of this union, be transferred to the Synod of Kansas. Resolved, 4. That the Synod of Central and Southern China be set aside to unite with the Union Synod of China as requested. Resolved, 5. That the Synod of North China, from which no formal overture has been received, be granted permission to unite with said Union Synod of China, in case it so desires. — 1906, p. 102. 7. Union Presbyterian Church in Korea approved. 8. That the Assembly record its approval of the plan to organize in Korea a Union Presbyterian Church, in conjunction with the missionaries and Korean Christians connected with the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. (commonly known as the Southern Presbyterian Church ), the Pres- byterian Church of Canada, and the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and that the missionaries of our Church in Korea be and hereby are authorized to unite with the missionaries and Korean Christians of any or all of the other Churches named in all necessary steps to this end. — 1905, p. 124. IV. OF ERECTING AND CHANGING PRESBYTERIES. 1. Presbyteries erected on Mission Fields. a. Presbytery of Nanking, on overture from the Presbytery of Shang- hai, attached to the Synod of Central and Southern China. — 1899, p. 109. b. Presbytery of Yukon, on petition from six ministers. Ordered "to meet in such place and at such time as may suit their convenience as said Presbytery ; the Kev. S. Hall Young to act as Moderator, until a Mod- FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 999 erator be elected, or in his absence the oldest minister present ; the Pres- bytery to be enrolled in the Synod of Washington." c. Presbytery of Manila. Connected with the Synod of Central and Southern China.— 1903, p. 120. d. Presbytery of Havana. Placed within the jurisdiction of the Synod of New Jersey.— 1904, p. 178. 2. Presbyteries erected on the Home Field. a. Wheeling, constituted out of the ministers and churches in the Pres- bytery of Washington, located in the State of West Virginia. — 1904, p. 181. [Note. — See Synod of West Virginia, this Supplement, p. 971.] b. West Florida.— 1906, p. 196. [Note.— See Synod of Florida, p. 973.] 3. Presbyteries transferred from one Synod to another. a. That the Presbytery of Manila (Synod of West Kwang Tung) be transferred to the Synod of Kansas. — 1906, p. 102. b. That the Presbytery of Havana be detached from the Synod of New Jersey and annexed to the Synod of Florida. — 1906, p. 196. 4. A Presbytery divided in order to form a Synod. That the Presbytery of Washington be and hereby is divided on the State line, and that those ministers which now belong to the Presbytery of Washington, that are in the State of West Virginia, constitute the Pres- bytery of Wheeling.— 1904, p. 181. 5. A Presbytery formed out of Churches in two Synods. That a new Presbytery be and is hereby erected, embracing ministers and churches in the three counties of Kittitas, Yakima, and Klikitat, in the State of Washington, to be known as the Presbytery of Central Washington.— 1901, p. 89. [Note. — Certain of the churches were in the Synod of Oregon prior to Assembly action. See this Supplement, p. 996.] 6. Ministers dismissed to form new Presbyteries. [Note.— See this Supplement, pp. 966, 967.] 7. Committee on Home Missions appointed in a new Presbytery. 4. That to care for the home mission work within the bounds of the new Presbytery (Central Washington), until it can be legally coustituted, the following are appointed a Committee on Home Missions : Rev. James M. Thompson, Chairman ; Ministers — David Blythe and Frank L. Hay- den, D.D. ; Elders — W. CT Dudley and Hugh Sinclair. Adopted. — 1901, p. 89. 1000 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. V. TO CORRESPOND WITH FOREIGN CHURCHES. I. CHURCHES IN GENERAL. Names, etc., of churches in correspondence. [The following churches have been in correspondence with the General As- sembly since 1897, either by delegates, letters, or telegrams. Brief reference is made in each case to the form of correspondence. The details of move- ments for Federation, etc., will be found in this Supplement, p. 1005.] Australia, Presbyterian Church of — letter, 1906, pp. 231, 257. Bulgaria, Evangelical Church of, 1904, p. 104. Canada, Presbyterian Church in, 1904, p. 163. Cumberland Presbyterian Church. [See this Supplement, pp. 916-941.] England, Presbyterian Church in — letters, 1905, p. 213 ; 1906, pp. 87, 152, 198, 256. Evangelical Lutheran Church — delegates, 1900, pp. 145, 146 ; 1905, pp. 11, 162 ; 1906, pp. 11, 154, 198, 199 ; letters, 1900, pp. 145, 179, 180. France, Free Evangelical Churches of — delegate, 1904, pp. 11, 104; 1905, pp. 11, 149. Hungary, Reformed Church in — letters, 1901, pp. 195, 196; 1904, pp. 98, 187, 203 ; deputation, 1904, p. 203. India, Presbyterian Church of — delegates, 1906, p. 199. Ireland, Presbyterian Church in — delegates, 1906, p. 198 ; letters, 1905, p. 213 ; 1906, p. 253. Methodist Episcopal Church— delegates, 1900, pp. 24, 29, 55 ; 1902, pp. 142, 144, 171 ; 1906, pp. 154, 198, 199; letter, 1902, p. 192; tele- grams, 1900, pp. 24, 26 ; 1904, pp. 46, 56. Mexico, Presbyterian Church in — delegates, 1902, p. 144; 1903, p. 11 ; 1906, pp. 11, 154, 198, 199 ; telegram, 1905, p. 85. Moravian Synod, 1903, p. 150. Presbyterian Church in the U. S.— telegrams, 1899, pp, 32, 36 ; 1900, p. 45; 1901, p. 20; 1902, p. 43; 1903, pp. 43, 44; 1904, p. 50; 1905, p. 70 ; 1906, p. 33. Protestant Episcopal Church — letter, 1902, pp. 47, 125. Reformed (Dutch) Church in America — delegates, 1899, p. 118 ; 1900, pp. 145, 146; 1901, p. 11 ; 1902, pp. 143, 144, 171 ; 1906, pp. 11, 154, 198, 199; letters, 1898, pp. 118, 153; 1900, pp, 145, 178; 1901, p. 193 ; 1902, p. 191 ; 1904, p. 187. Reformed Episcopal Church— delegates, 1899, pp. 90, 94, 118 ; 1902, pp. 143, 144, 171 ; letters, 1901, pp. 169, 194 ; telegram, 1906, p. 37. Reformed (German) Church in the U. S. — delegates, 1899, pp. 11, 20, 21, 90, 118 ; 1900, pp. 145, 179 ; 1904, p. 104 ; 1906, pp. 11, 154, 198, 199 ; telegrams, 1905, pp. 108, 126 ; 1906, p. 81. Virginia Classis — telegram, 1906, p. 85. Reformed Presbvterian Church, General Svnod — letter, 1902, p. 192. Scotland, Church of— letter, 1905, p. 213 ; delegate, 1906, p. 198. Scotland, United Free Church of— letters, 1901, pp. 171, 172. United Brethren — telegram, 1901, p. 42. United Presbyterian Church— delegates, 1900, p. 146; 1904, p. 187 ; telegrams, 1900, pp. 135, 166 ; 1901, pp. 119, 149 ; 1906, p. 185. Waldensian Church — delegate, 1904, p. 205 ; 1905, p. 162 ; corres- pondence, 1906, pp. 87, 152, 200. Wales, Presbyterian Church of— letters, 1905, p. 213 ; 1906, pp. 87, 152, 198, 255. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1001 II. THE WORLD PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE. 1. Action as to the Seventh General Council. The General Assembly hear with pleasure of the continued work of the Alliance of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System, and especially of its marked influence in the interests of international arbitration. We cordially reiterate our interest in the plan and purpose of this Alliance, and call the attention of our people to the Seventh General Council to be held in Washington, D. C., September 27 to Oc- tober 6, 1899, prayiug that its influence may be blessed to the more inti- mate fellowship and cooperation of the Churches thus affiliated, and to the more evident emphasis in the whole Church of Christ of the Master's prayer, "That they all may be one."— 1899, p. 54; 1900, pp. 145, 146. 2. The Work of the Alliance approved. We recommend that this General Assembly express its gratification at the far-reaching and valuable work of the Alliance in uniting the Pres- byterian family of Churches throughout the world in a closer bond of sympathy, loyalty, and service. — 1902, p. 173. 3. Committee appointed to nominate delegates to the Eighth General Council. a. That in anticipation of the meeting of the Eighth General Council of the Alliance in Liverpool, England, in the summer of 1904, the fol- lowing persons be appointed, in pursuance of precedents in this matter, as delegates from this Church to that Council, and that they constitute a Committee to nominate the full list of representatives in that Council, to be reported to the General Assembly of 1903, viz. : The Moderator of this Assembly ; the Stated Clerk, Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D. ; the Permanent Clerk, Rev. William B. Noble, D.D. ; Rev. Henry Collin Minton, D.D., the retiring Moderator of this Assembly, with the Rev. David R. Kerr, D.D, the Rev. James D. Moffat, D.D., Gen. Ralph E. Prime, and Hon. William M. Lanning. — 1902, p. 74. b. The Committee further states that the appointment of delegates was made on the basis of the comparative strength of the several Synods, care being taken to secure the representation of every portion of the Church. The Committee recommends that its appointments, both of principals and alternates, herewith submitted, be confirmed, and also that, in accord- ance with past usage, the Moderator for the time being with the Stated and Permanent Clerks be the Committee to fill vacancies in the delega- tion.— 1903, p. 162. [Note.— See, for List of Delegates, Minutes, 1903, pp. 161, 162.] 4. Change in Basis of representation in the General Council of the Alliance. It was felt that inasmuch as the expenses had been adjusted in the past in proportion to representation, that it was wise to adhere to the same rule in the present. A change, however, has been made in the representation in the General Council. The number of delegates assigned to the West- ern Section by the Liverpool Council is 190. After careful thought the 1002 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Commission has increased the number of representatives in the Council of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., which means also an increase in its share of the expenses of the Alliance. It is hoped that the new adjustment of expenses and representation will meet general approval. It is as follows : [—1906, p. 253.] Members. Annual Payment. Presbyterian Church in Canada 19 $380 Presbyterian Church in U. S. A 81 1620 Presbyterian Church in U. S 19 380 Reformed Church in America 11 220 Reformed Church in U. S 21 420 Cumberland Presbyterian Church 16 320 United Presbyterian Church 16 320 Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod 2 40 Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church . . 2 40 Presbyterian Church of Brazil 2 40 Reformed Presbyterian Synod 2 40 Presbyterian Church, Mexico 2 40 5. Religious services for the English-speaking people in Europe. That we most heartily commend the effort to supply religious services according to the faith and order of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System for the English-speaking people of the continent of Europe, and that our Board of Foreign Missions be authorized to co- operate with the Alliance to this end. — 1900, p. 146 ; 1901, p. 169. 6. Committee on European Work appointed. a. That in reply to the request printed in this Report, a Com- mittee be appointed by this Assembly, to be known as a Committee of Correspondence on work on the European Continent, such a Committee be appointed to consist of three ministers and four elders. — 1902, p. 74 ; 1903, p. 112. b. Committee : Joseph W. Cochran, D.D., S. S. Palmer, D.D., Camp- bell Coyle, Edward D. Emerson, Edward C. Stringer. — 1903, 169. 7. Reports of the Committee on European Work. a. In conclusion your Committee would recommend : 1. The continuance of this work, either under the direction of a Special Committee of the General Assembly or one of the Missionary Boards of the Church. 2. That an effort be made to organize a preaching station for this summer at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, if the way be clear. 3. That those to whom this work is entrusted be instructed to make diligent inquiries as to the needs of Evangelical Protestantism, to learn the attitude of Reformed and Lutheran pastors to the proposed work, and to present a Report, gleaned, if possible, from actual experience upon the field, to the next General Assembly. — 1904, p. 117. b. Your Committee, created in 1903, in response to the request of the Alliance of the Reformed Churches, looking toward the establishing of summer preaching stations for American tourists, has been compelled this FORM OF GOVERNMENT CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1003 year to centre its efforts upon the developing of a very interesting work at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. Under instructions from the General Assembly, your Chairman began services on the first Sunday of July, 1904, in the Hotel Imperial, Frank- fort. Your Committee has been in correspondence and personal conference with the Rev. Dr. William H. Roberts, American Secretary of the Alliance, and the Rev. James I. Good, D.D., Chairman of the Committee of the Alliance on Work on the European Continent. As reported last year, Dr. Good has been interested in opening preaching stations in be- half of the Reformed Churches at several points in Europe. He suc- ceeded last summer in inaugurating an encouraging work at The Hague. The attitude of the Reformed and Lutheran pastors to the work of your Committee is heartily sympathetic. The attitude of the Established Church in Germany to the independent Protestant bodies is, however, precisely similar to the attitude of the Anglican Church to the Noncon- formist bodies of England. In conclusion your Committee would recommend : 1. That the work at Frankfort be commended to the liberality of our churches and individual givers. 2. That the Committee be continued, with power to fill vacancies and with authority to take steps looking toward a continuous and organized work in behalf of the American colonies in the cities of Europe, report to be made to the next Assembly. — 1905, pp. 137, 138. c. Your Committee was given authority " to take steps looking toward a continuous and organized work in behalf of the American Colonies in the cities of Europe," report to be made to this Assembly. The isolated and meagrely supported American churches and preaching stations at Paris, Berlin, Leipsic, Frankfort, and The Hague must depend for a con- siderable portion of their support upon unrelated and often haphazard methods of solicitation and appeal. Will not the time soon come when the American Church will seriously address herself to the merging of these independent interests into one well-sustained and thoroughly equipped enterprise? The Free Church of Scotland has forty-five preaching stations in Europe and spends seventy-five thousand dollars a year upon them. And yet American tourists and colonists far outnumber the Scotch in the countries of Europe. English-speaking services at The Hague were carried on last summer by the Reformed Church in America, with an attendance of from forty to fifty-two. The Rev. Dr. James I. Good expects to open these services this year also from June to October inclusive. — 1906, pp. 169, 170. 8. Expenses of the Alliance voted. That the Stated Clerk be authorized to pay the sum of $1620 to the World Presbyterian Alliance. — 1906, p. 209. See also, for payments of $765 per annum, 1899, p. 135; 1900, p. 129; 1901, p. 130; 1902, p. 147 ; 1903, p. 88 ; 1904, p. 154 ; and 1905, p. 161. 9. Delegates and Reports of the Alliance. Delegates.— 1899, p. 11; 1900, pp. 11, 146; 1901, pp. 11, 169; 1902, pp. 11, 144; 1903, pp. 11, 140; 1904, pp. 11, 187; 1905, pp. 11, 162; 1906, pp. 11, 199. 1004 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Reports Received.— 1899, p. 154; 1900, p. 47; 1901, p. 168; 1902, pp. 49, 73 ; 1903, p. 88 ; 1904, p. 180 ; 1905, p. 85 ; 1906, p. 92. Reports, Text of.— 1899, p. 152; 1900, p. 177; 1901, p. 188; 1902, p. 186; 1903, p. 181 ; 1904, p. 232; 1905, p. 230; 1906, p. 250. III. CORRESPONDENCE WITH AMERICAN CHURCHES. I. COMITY WITH OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 1. Principles and rules as to Comity stated. The duty of the Church to the Nation emphasized. In connection with this whole subject it is necessary to emphasize the double need under which every Christian denomination rests of withhold- ing from hasty entrance upon fields seemingly occupied in an adequate manner by another denomination ; and also of declining to allow undue claims of monopoly or prior right made by another denomination or its agents. A Christian denomination is under obligation to provide for the spiritual welfare of its own members wherever they may be providentially located, and this obligation is enforced by that right fundamental to the liberties of the Protestant Churches, the right of private judgment. To deny or to minimize the fostering care of a denomination to its scattered members in spiritually destitute regions, on the plea that another denomi- nation can do the work as well or better, is, in the opinion of the Com- mittee, an effort to shift the burden of proper responsibility upon other shoulders, and may in some cases come to look like an attempt to compel on the part of weak churches a change of religious allegiance. The first course named, if taken, may be significant of denominational indolence or weakness, the second may become a serious encroachment on religious liberty. The American Presbyterian Church has always been able to care for its own people — has cared for them persistently — and by its tradi- tions, its history, its intimate relations to and its vital connections with every step in the development of the United States of America, has an enduring spiritual responsibility for every part of the nation's territory from Maine to Alaska, and from Canada to Mexico and Porto Rico. There is no part of our country that is not a portion of its spiritual heritage, and its absence from or weakness in any region means serious spiritual loss to individuals, to communities, and to the nation. Our Church, while invari- ably cherishing a spirit of true fraternity toward all other Christian de- nominations, is under supreme obligations to prove faithful to duty in the Home Mission field. It is clear to your Committee that any rules of Comity proposed for adoption must be framed with a view to the principles and facts just stated. It is also clear that the work of the self-supporting Synods, the constitu- tional rights of Presbyteries and Synods, the Assembly's power of superin- tendence of the concerns of the whole Church, must be kept in view, as well as the work, rights, and rules of the Assembly's Board of Home Mis- sions. In the complex system of management of mission work, which by the provisions of the Constitution and the force of providential circum- stances exists to-day in our Church, there is only one way to secure effi- cient and satisfactory results, coextensive with the nationwide field of work. While there must be due recognition of the constitutional authority of all Church courts, and of the requirements of Christian charity, there must also be continued recognition of the supreme authority of the General FORM OP GOVERNMENT, CIIAr. XII, SECT. V. 1005 Assembly, and of the existence and authority of the Board of Home Mis- sions as an agency of the General Assembly. Your Committee, after due consideration of all the interests involved, recommends the adoption of the following resolutions : Resolved, 1. That the General Assembly recognizes that God in His Providence has laid upon the Presbyterian Church the obligation of carry- ing forward the work of evangelization in every portion of the territory of the United States of America. Resolved, 2. That the work of evangelization under the direction of our Church judicatories, and especially of the General Assembly, should be conducted always with due regard to the obligations resting upon the Church, the constitutional rights of Church judicatories, the unity of the Church and of the work, and the requirements of Christian courtesy toward the agencies of other Christian denominations. Resolved, 3. That the Plan of Cooperation with the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in America adopted by the Assembly of 1897, be and is hereby reaffirmed as the rule of conduct for all the field work of the Boards of Home Missions, the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, and the Board of Missions for Freedmen, in their relations to the work of similar Boards or Committees of the above-named Churches. Resolved, 4. That the Board of Home Missions be authorized to arrange for Comity upon its field of work with any agency or organization authori- tatively representing any one of the Protestant and non-Presbyterian denominations, subject, however, to the provisions of the Constitution of this Church as to the pow T ers of Presbyteries, Synods, and the General Assembly ; and it is recommended that all Presbyteries and Synods con- tinue cordially to cooperate with each other and with the Board of Home Missions, that the work may be efficiently and successfully conducted. Resolved, 5. That present Comity relations with the Congregational Churches can be improved only by the cultivation of greater Christian charity, larger forbearance, and mutual good understanding on the part of the w T orkers on the field in both denominations ; that there are no rules, heretofore laid down or to be laid down, that can, in all cases, guide in that courteous Christian conduct which is becoming in brethren and dis- ciples of our common Lord. Resolved, 6. That the specific local application and working out of the rules of Comity heretofore laid down or approved by the General Assem- bly be referred, with large discretionary powers, to the Home Mission Committees of the Presbyteries and the Synodical Superintendents of Home Missions, and where necessary to the Synodical Home Missionary Committees in the self-supporting Synods. — 1904, p. 124. II. FEDERATION OF AMERICAN PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 1. Appointment of Committee on Church Cooperation and Union. [Note. — See this Supplement, p. 916, Item 1.] 2. Communication from the National Federation. A communication was received by your Committee from the Executive Board of the National Federation of Churches and Christian Workers in relation to a Federation of Protestant Churches in the United States. The National Federation is a voluntary organization composed of repre- sentatives from several of the Protestant Churches. The suggestion made 1006 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. is that a Conference of representatives accredited by the governing bodies or other authorized agencies of the Protestant denominations, meet in New York City, in November, 1905, to organize, if deemed advisable, such a Federation.— 1904, pp. 127, 128. [See Letters of the National Federation, Minutes, 1906, pp. 258-260.] 3. Closer relation of all Protestant Churches in the U. S. A. approved and Conference authorized. Resolved, 1. That this General Assembly is in hearty sympathy with all movements which seek to bring into closer relations the several Protes- tant Churches of the U. S. A., believing that they are largely one in spirit, devoted to one Lord, and hold in common essential evangelical doctrine. Resolved, 2. That the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union is hereby authorized, if the way be clear, to appoint fifty representatives to a national conference of the Protestant denominations, to meet in New York City, in November, 1 905, to organize, if deemed advisable, a National Federation, and to consider such other matters as may properly come before the Conference. It is understood that the organization, if formed, shall have power only to advise the constituent bodies represented, and that its basis shall be one of cooperative work and effort, not one of creedal state- ment or governmental form. Resolved, 3. That the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union shall report any action taken by it to the next General Assembly. — 1904, p. 128. 4. Delegates to the Interchurch Conference appointed, etc., Assembly of 1905. The General Assembly of 1904 authorized the Committee [on Church Cooperation and Union] to appoint fifty representatives to a General Con- ference of the Protestant Christian Churches of the U. S. A., to meet in New York City in November, 1905, the purpose of the Conference being " to organize, if deemed advisable, a National Federation, and to consider such other matters as may properly come before the Conference." The Committee would report in this connection, first of all, that this movement has gone forward with the cordial support of a large number of the Christian Churches of the U. S. A. Eighteen different denominations have chosen delegates. Lutheran and other bodies, holding their national meetings before the opening of the Conference, will be asked to join in its deliberations, and the " Commission on Christian Unity " of the Protestant Episcopal Church has been invited to be present in its official capacity. The " Interchurch Conference on Federation " is assured. For the first time in the history of the Christian Church in America delegates representing Churches whose aggregate church membership is over seven- teen millions will meet together for mutual counsel, with a view to as- certaining whether any plan of federation between them is feasible regard- ing matters of common interest. An Executive Committee for the Conference has been appointed, and the Stated Clerk of this Assembly was tendered and has accepted the posi- tion of Chairman. The place of meeting is Carnegie Hall, New York City, and the date November 15-20, 1905. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1007 Your Committee reaffirms its conviction that this coming Conference is vitally related to the spiritual welfare of the Church and nation. The Protestant Churches of the U. S. A. are largely one in spirit, devoted to one Lord, and hold in common essential evangelical doctrine. The names of the delegates who have been appointed are as follows : [See Minutes, 1905, pp. 112, 113.] 5. Report of the Committee on the Interchurch Conference on Federation to the Assembly of 1906. Your Committee [on Church Cooperation and Union] reports that the Interchurch Conference on Federation met as appointed in Carnegie Hall, New York City, November 15-21, 1905. There were present nearly five hundred delegates from thirty Protestant denominational Churches in the U.S.A., representing 18,000,000 communicants. The Conference was largely attended at all of its sessions, and the papers and addresses were of an exceptionally high order. The Christian Churches of New York City extended to the Conference a kindly welcome, and the Church Clubs and Unions gave to the delegates an elaborate reception on the evening of November 21st. The delegates originally appointed by this Assembly were present with one or two exceptions, but as absent princi- pals were represented by alternates, the full number of delegates was in attendance during most of the sessions. The proceedings have been pub- lished in a volume of seven hundred pages. In connection with this proposed Federation of the Protestant Churches in the U. S. A., the Assembly is reminded that a beginning of an effort in that direction was made by the Assembly of 1887, and was entrusted to the Committee on Church Unity of which the late Rev. Joseph T. Smith, D.D., was Chairman. The proposal was contained in certain Overtures from twelve Presbyteries which are found in the Minutes of 1887, pages 156 to 159, and the Assembly of 1890 approved a resolution contained in the report made to it by the Committee on Church Unity, which reads : " The Assembly declares its approval of the principle of Federation, as a step towards a closer union of the various Christian bodies, and authorizes the Committee to make known this approval in its correspondence." {Minutes, 1890, p. 104.) Federation is no new thing with Presbyterians. The Committee presents to the Assembly a letter from the Interchurch Conference accompanied by a Plan of Federation. The latter was ap- proved by the Conference, and was ordered to be transmitted to the su- preme legislative or advisory bodies of the respective Churches for their consideration and approval. [Note.— See for Letter, Minutes, 1906, pp. 260, 261.] 6. Action of the Assembly on the Plan of Federation. The Committee [Church Cooperation and Union] recommends in con- nection with the Plan of Federation the adoption of the following resolu- tions : Resolved, 1. That the Plan of Federation submitted by the Interchurch Conference on Federation, which met in New York, N. Y., November 15-21, 1906, be and hereby is approved, with the exception of the sentence at the close of Article five (5), which it is desired to omit and which reads : " The question of the representation of local councils shall be referred to the several constituent bodies and to the first meeting 1008 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. of the Federal Council " ; and also with the exception of Article nine (9), paragraph three (3), which in the judgment of the Assembly should read : " The Executive Committee shall consist of at least one minister or layman from each Christian Church in the Federation, together with the President, all ex-Presidents, the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer, the total number of members to be determined by the Federal Council." The Assembly expresses the hope that these amend- ments approved by it will be adopted by the Federal Council. The Assem- bly is opposed to the representation of local councils in the Federal Council, and is convinced that the Executive Committee should be en- larged. Resolved, 2. That the Plan of Federation is approved, upon the distinct understanding on the part of this General Assembly that the proposed Federation is to be composed only of Churches holding to historical and evangelical Christianity. Resolved, 3. That the representatives to the Federal Council of 1908 be nominated by the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, report to be made to the General Assembly of 1907. Resolved, 4. That the Assembly hereby authorizes the Executive Com- mittee which made the arrangements for the Interchurch Conference on Federation, to make the arrangements for the meeting of the Federal Council in 1908.— 1906, p. 135. 7. The Plan of Federation. PREAMBLE. WJiereas, in the providence of God, the time has come when it seems fitting more fully to manifest the essential oneness of the Christian Churches of America in Jesus Christ as their Divine Lord and Saviour, and to promote the spirit of fellowship, service, and cooperation among them, the delegates to the Interchurch Conference on Federation, assembled in New York City, do hereby recommend the following Plan of Federation to the Christian bodies represented in this Conference for their approval : PLAN OF FEDERATION. 1. For the prosecution of work that can be better done in union than in separation, a Council is hereby established whose name shall be the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 2. The following Christian bodies shall be entitled to representation in this Federal Council, on their approval of the purpose and plan of the organization : The Baptist Churches of the United States. The Free Baptist General Conference. The Christians (The Christian Connection). The Congregational Churches. The Disciples of Christ. The Evangelical Association. The Evangelical Synod of North America. The Friends. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, General Synod. The Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1009 The Primitive Methodist Church. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church iu America. The Methodist Protestant Church. The African Methodist Episcopal Church. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North America. The Moravian Church. The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist or Presbyterian Church. The Reformed Presbyterian Church. The United Presbyterian Church. The Protestant Episcopal Church. The Reformed Church in America. The Reformed Church in the U. S. The Reformed Episcopal Church. The Seventh Day Baptist Churches. The United Brethren in Christ. The United Evangelical Church. 3. The objects of this Federal Council shall be — I. To express the fellowship and catholic unity of the Christian Church. II. To bring the Christian bodies of America into united service for Christ and the world. III. To encourage devotional fellowship and mutual counsel concern- ing the spiritual life and religious activities of the Churches. IV. To secure a larger combined influence for the Churches of Christ in all matters affecting the moral and social condition of the people, so as to promote the application of the law of Christ in every relation of human life. V. To assist in the organization of local branches of the Federal Coun- cil to promote its aims in their communities. 4. This Federal Council shall have no authority over the constituent bodies adhering to it ; but its province shall be limited to the expression of its counsel and the recommending of a course of action in matters of common interest to the Churches, local Councils, and individual Chris- tians. It has no authority to draw up a common creed or form of govern- ment or of worship, or in any way to limit the full autonomy of the Christian bodies adhering to it. 5. Members of this Federal Council shall be appointed as follows : Each of the Christian bodies adhering to this Federal Council shall be entitled to four members, and shall be further entitled to one member for every 50,000 of its communicants or major fraction thereof. The question of representation of local Councils shall be referred to the several constituent bodies, and to the first meeting of the Federal Council. 6. Any action to be taken by this Federal Council shall be by the general vote of its members. But in case one-third of the members present and voting request it, the vote shall be by the bodies represented, the members of each body voting separately ; and action shall require the vote not only of a majority of the members voting, but also of the bodies represented. 7. Other Christian bodies may be admitted into membership of this 64 1010 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Federal Council on their request, if approved by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting at a session of this Council, and of two-thirds of the bodies represented, the representatives of each body voting separately. 8. The Federal Council shall meet in December, 1908, and thereafter once in every four years. 9. The officers of this Federal Council shall be a President, one Vice- President from each of its constituent bodies, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee, who shall perform the duties usually assigned to such officers. The Corresponding Secretary shall aid in organizing and assisting local Councils and shall represent the Federal Council in its work, under the direction of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of seven ministers and seven laymen, together with the President, all ex-Presidents, the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall have authority to attend to all business of the Federal Council in the intervals of its meetings and to fill any vacancies. All officers shall be chosen at the quadrennial meetings of the Council, and shall hold their office until their successors take office. The President, Vice-Presidents, the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected by the Federal Council on nomination by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be elected by ballot after nomination by a Nominating Committee. 10. This plan of Federation may be altered or amended by a majority vote of the members, followed by a majority vote of the representatives of the several constituent bodies, each body voting separately. 11. The expenses of the Federal Council shall be provided for by the several constituent bodies. This Plan of Federation shall become operative when it shall have been approved by two-thirds of the above bodies to which it shall be pre- sented. It shall be the duty of each delegation to this Conference to present this Plan of Federation to its national body, and ask its consideration and proper action. In case this Plan of Federation is approved by two-thirds of the pro- posed constituent bodies, the Executive Committee of the National Federa- tion of Churches and Christian Workers, which has called this Conference, is requested to call the Federal Council to meet at a fitting place in December, 1908. The above Plan was duly adopted by the Interchurch Conference on Federation, New York, N. Y., November 20, 1905, and ordered to be transmitted to the Churches interested. Wm. H. Roberts, Permanent Chairman; Frank Mason North, Secretary; E. B. Sanford, Corresponding Secretary. — 1906, p. 131. 8. Expenses of Delegates. It was understood that the expenses of Delegates to the Councils of the Alliance, the Interchurch Conference on Federation, and all similar gatherings are not a charge against the funds of the Assembly. — 1905, p. 215. FORM OF GOVERNMENT CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1011 III. FEDERATION AND COOPERATION OF PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES IN AMERICA. 1. Report of the Committee * on Church Cooperation and Union on Presbyterian Federation, 1904. At a meeting, in New York City, on December 9, 1903, tbe subject of a Federation of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches was considered. There were present representatives of the Reformed Church in America, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod, two members of the Committee on Union of the United Presbyterian Church in an unofficial capacity, and a majority of the members of your Committee. The Rev. J. P. Searle, of the Reformed Church in America, was chosen as Chair- man of the Conference on the nomination of the Chairman of your Com- mittee, and the Rev. J. D. Steele, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, was chosen Secretary. A free and friendly interchange of views was had on the subject of the closer relations of the Churches. The Conference continued over into the next day, and the result of the deliberations is con- tained in the following paper, which is submitted to the Assembly for con- sideration, and, if deemed proper, for adoption : Resolved, 1. That this joint conference on the closer cooperation of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System, composed of Com- mittees representing the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod, the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., the Reformed Church in America, and corresponding members from the United Presbyterian Church, after full, frank, and prayerful conference, is unanimously agreed : 1. That some form of union closer and more tangible than any at pres- ent existing between the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian order, is desirable for the furtherance of the work entrusted to them by the Head of the Church. 2. That such closer union is possible : (a) Through the complete consolidation of some of these Churches, and (b) through such federation as shall preserve the identity of the various bodies entering into it, and shall also provide for effective administrative cooperation. Resolved, 2. That the several Committees constituting this joint con- ference, not fully instructed upon this point, be requested to report to the bodies appointing them the above conclusions, and to seek further instruc- tions as to which of the lines indicated shall be pursued in the future con- ferences of these Committees. Resolved, 3. That this joint conference extends the invitation already given by the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod, to the various Churches of the Presbyterian family, to appoint Committees to con- fer with us upon this great question of closer cooperation or unity. In view of the action of the Conference it is recommended that the fol- lowing resolution be adopted: Resolved, That this Assembly approves in general of the idea of a Federation or Federal Union between such Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in the U. S. A. as do not favor at present an organic union of these Churches, and hereby empowers its Committee on Church Coopera- tion and Union to proceed with negotiations having in view such Federa- tion or Federal Union, report to be made to the next Assembly. — 1904, p. 126. * For names of members of the Committee, see this Supplement, p. 1012. 1012 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. Plan of Cooperation with Churches in the Presbyterian Alliance reaffirmed. Resolved, That the Plan of Cooperation with the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in America, adopted by the Assembly of 1897, be and is hereby reaffirmed as the rule of conduct for all the field work of the Boards of Home Missions, the Board of Publication and Sabbath- school Work, and the Board of Missions for Freedmen, in their relations to the work of similar Boards or Committees of the above-named Churches.— 1904, p. 126. [See also, this Digest, p. 311.] 3. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union on Presby- terian Federation, 1905. The Assembly's Committee met from November 29 to December 1, 1904, in the First United Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., with the Committees of six other Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of the U. S. A. These Committees had all been appointed for the purpose of considering the subject of the closer relations of the Churches which they represented. The names of the Churches and the members of the Committees present are : Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod : Rev. J. D. Steele, D.D., Chairman; Rev. Thomas Watters, D.D., Rev. David McKinney, D.D. Reformed Church in America: Rev. Edward B. Coe, D.D., Chair- man; Rev. J. Preston Searle, D.D. Presbyterian Church in the United States : Rev. G. B. Strick- ler, D.D, Chairman; Rev. C. R. Hemphill, D.D., Rev. S. M. Neel, D.D., Rev. J. H. McNeilly, D.D, Rev. W. E. Boggs, D.D, Rev. J. R. Hower- ton, D.D., Rev. J. F. Cannon, D.D., Capt. C. N. Roberts, Hon. Charlton H. Alexander, Mr. T. Harrison. United Presbyterian Church : Rev. T. B. Turnbull, D.D., Chair- man; Rev. J. G. D. Findley, D.D., Rev. A. G. Wallace, D.D., Rev. J. W. Witherspoon, D.D. Cumberland Presbyterian Church : Rev. William H. Black, D.D., Chairman. Reformed Church in the U. S.: Rev. J. H. Prugh, D.D., Chairman; Rev. Cyrus Cort, D.D., Rev. David B. Lady, D.D. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. : Rev. Wm. Henry Roberts, D.D., Chairman; Rev. J. Addison Henry, D.D., Rev. Robert F. Coyle, D.D., Rev. W. N. Page, D.D., Rev. W. J. McCaughan, D.D., Rev. C. A. Dickey, D.D., Rev. D. P. Putnam, D.D., Rev. R. H. Hartley, D.D., Rev. J. D. Moffat, D.D, Mr. Reuben Tyler, Mr. E. S. Wells, Mr. L. H. Severance, Mr. H. C. Gara. The Committee from the Reformed Church in the U. S. was present at the Conference by invitation. The General Synod of that Church meets once in three years, and representation of the Church was made possible through the kindness of Rev. Dr. J. H. Prugh, President of the Synod, and on the understanding that the representatives were present unofficially. After serious and prolonged deliberation, characterized throughout by a thoroughly fraternal spirit, the following paper was adopted by the Con- ference, and is herewith submitted to the Assembly for consideration : [Note. — See for Plan submitted, Minutes, 1905, pp. 127-130.] FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1013 4. Action of the Assembly of 1905 on the proposed Plan of Presbyterian Federation. The Committee on Bills and Overtures presents the following additional Report : There has been referred to the Committee the section of the Report of the Committee on Cooperation and Union numbered IV, on Presbyterian Federation. This section is submitted to the Assembly not for present approval, but for consideration, and this consideration does not bind any future Assembly to the adoption of the proposed Plan of Federation when completed and presented. It is recommended that the section referred be published with the remainder of the Report in the Minutes of the Assembly. The Plan of Federation set forth therein provides for a permanent Council of Reformed Churches in the U. S. A. holding the Presbyterian System, its members being elected according to a simple ratio by the Churches which are party to it, and for submission to this Council by the supreme judicatories represented in it of such matters as they may deem wise. It is recommended that our Committee on Cooperation and Union be continued for the future consideration of the Plan as desired, and the Committee is expected to continue to guard the Plan from usurpation of rights now held by our Assembly or other courts, notably in the provision for the withdrawal of any Church from the Council if it deems wise, as provided in paragraph 16 of the present proposal. Your Committee see in the Plan an effort to express the wish of the Churches of Christ to stand shoulder to shoulder in the one task of advancing the Kingdom of God, which is the duty of each and therefore of all. — 1905, p. 109. 5. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union on Presbyterian Federation, 1906. The Plan of Federation of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches sub- mitted last year was carefully considered in joint conference by the Com- mittees on Closer Relations of the interested Churches at Charlotte, N. C, March 14-16, 1906, as already stated. The deliberations of the seven Committees were characterized by the utmost frankness, cordiality, and courtesy, and extended through three days. It was found advisable to alter the title of the Plan of Federation so that it should read " Articles of Agreement," and to verbally modify the Plan to agree with this change. The powers of the Council which the adoption of the Articles of Agree- ment will establish were made advisory, except as to Articles Nos. 6 and 7. The Articles were all approved by the Conference by a vote of 29 to 2, and as finally adopted are as follows : — 1906, p. 127. 6. The Articles of Agreement. The Reformed Churches in America holding the Presbyterian System, desiring to evince and develop their spiritual unity and to promote closer relations and more effective administrative cooperation among these Churches, hereby adopt the following Articles of Agreement in further- ance of these purposes : 1. For the prosecution of work that can be done better unitedly than separately an Ecclesiastical Council is hereby established, which shall be known by the name and style of " The Council of the Reformed Churches in America holding the Presbyterian System." 1014 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. The Council shall consist of at least four representatives, ministers or ruling elders, from each of the constituent Churches, for each one hundred thousand communicants or fraction thereof up to three hundred thousand ; and where a Church has more than three hundred thousand communicants, then four representatives, ministers or elders, for each additional two hundred thousand communicants or fraction thereof. These persons shall be chosen with their alternates under the direction of their respective supreme judicatories, in such manner as those judicatories shall respectively determine. 3. Every Church entering into this Agreement retains its distinct individuality, its own creed, government, and worship, as well as every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by these Articles expressly and exclusively delegated to the body hereby constituted. 4. The Council shall exercise only such powers as are conferred upon it by these Articles, or such as may hereafter be conferred upon it by the constituent Churches. It shall not interfere with the creed, worship, or government of the Churches, and, in particular, all matters of discipline shall be left to the exclusive and final judgment of the ecclesiastical authorities of the Churches concerned. All acts of the Council affecting the interests of any of the constituent Churches shall have only advisory authority, except in matters covered by Articles 6 and 7. 5. The Council shall promote the cooperation of the constituent Churches in their Foreign Missionary work, and also in their general work in the United States of America, in connection with Home Missions, Work among the Colored People, Church Erection, Sabbath-schools, Publication, and Education. The Council may also advise and recommend in other matters pertaining to the general welfare of the Kingdom of Christ. 6. The Council shall have power to deal with questions which may arise between the constituent Churches, in regard to matters within the jurisdiction of the Council, which the constituted agencies of the Churches concerned have been unable to settle, and which may be brought to the attention of the Council by the supreme judicatories of the parties thereto ; and such differences shall thereupon be determined by the Council or by such agencies as it may appoint. If determined by an agency, such as a Committee or Commission, there shall be the right of appeal to the Council for final decision. The representatives in the Council, of Churches which are parties to questions at issue, shall be excluded from voting upon such questions. Every final decision shall be transmitted by the Council to the supreme judicatories of the Churches concerned, which shall take such steps as are necessary to carry the decision into effect. 7. The Council shall have power to deal with any other matters of interest common to any two or more of the constituent Churches, which may be referred to it by the supreme judicatories of the Churches con- cerned for its action, with such authority in the premises and under such conditions as may be agreed upon by the Churches which make the refer- ence. It may also initiate movements having cooperation in view, sub- ject to the approval of the Churches concerned. 8. The Council shall have power to open and maintain a friendly corre- spondence with the Presbyterian and other Evangelical Churches for the purpose of promoting concert of action in matters of common interest ; but nothing in this Article shall be construed as affecting the present rights of correspondence of the constituent Churches. 9. The Council shall give full faith and credit to the acts, proceedings, FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1015 and records of the duly constituted authorities of the several constituent Churches. 10. The officers of the Council shall be a President, Vice-President, Stated Clerk, Treasurer, and such other subordinate officers as may be necessary. 11. The Council shall meet in regular session at least biennially, and on its own adjournment, at such time and place as may be determined. In conduct of its meetings it shall respect the conscientious views of its con- stituent members. The President shall call special meetings at any time when requested so to do by a majority of the representatives of each of two or more of the constituent bodies ; thirty days' notice of such meetings shall be given to all the members, and only such business may be trans- acted as is specified in the notice. 12. The incidental expenses of the Council shall be met by a fund to be provided by a pro rata apportionment on the basis of the representation of each Church in the Council. The expenses of the representatives shall be paid by their respective Churches. All the expenses involved in the settlement of any question between the Churches shall be borne equally by the Churches concerned. 13. When the representatives of three of the Churches, at a meeting of either the Council or its agencies, request a unit vote by Churches upon a pending motion, the vote shall be so taken. 14. The Council shall have power to make such regulations and by-laws as shall be deemed necessary for the conduct of its business. 15. After this Council shall have been constituted, any Church holding the Reformed Faith and Presbyterian Polity may be received into the Council by a majority of the representatives of the Churches, voting by the unit rule, and upon its adoption of the Articles of Agreement. 16. Any Church in the Council may withdraw therefrom on notice officially given, and on its observance of the same constitutional steps as were followed in its adoption of these Articles. 17. Any amendment to these Articles proposed to the Council shall before its adoption be approved by the Council, and receive the consent of two-thirds of the constituent Churches acting in accordance with their respective Constitutions. When the Council shall have been notified of such consent it shall declare the amendment to be a part of the Articles of Agreement. 18. These Articles of Agreement shall go into effect when any two or more Churches shall adopt the same by proper action, and elect their representatives in the manner herein provided. The above articles were adopted at Charlotte, N. C, March 16, by the Committees on Closer Relations of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (General Synod), the Reformed Church in America, the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the United Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in the United States, the Reformed Church in the United States, and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. J. Preston Searle, Chairman; Wm. H. Roberts, Secretary.— 1906, pp. 126-130. 7. Action of the Assembly of 1906 on the Articles of Agreement. Resolved, 1. That the Articles of Agreement between the Reformed Churches in America holding the Presbyterian System, submitted by the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, and approved by the joint 1016 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. conference of the Committees on Closer Relations of seven Churches of the Presbyterian family, be and hereby are adopted. Resolved, 2. That the Assembly refers to the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union the preparation of a plan for the nomination and election of the representatives of this Church to the Council of the Re- formed Churches in America holding the Presbyterian System, established by the Articles of Agreement, report to be made to the General Assem- bly of 1907.— 1906; p. 130. IV. CLOSER RELATIONS AND COOPERATION WITH PARTICULAR DENOMINA TIONS. 1. The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. 1. Action of the Assembly of 1899- Overtures Nos. 141-204, 215-219, from (67) Presbyteries, on closer union with the Southern Presbyterian Church in the U. S. It is recom- mended that answer be made as follows : Whilst reiterating our confidence in the orthodoxy and Christian character of our Southern brethren, and our fraternal feeling and desires for a closer fellowship and a more effect- ive union with them, we do not deem it wise to take any further action in the matter proposed. — 1899, p. 53. 2. Closer relations desired between the Churches. Action of the Buffalo Assembly, 1904. The following was adopted with one dissenting vote : Whereas, It is known to this Assembly that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, now in session at Mobile, Ala., has before it Overtures from several of its Presbyteries looking to closer relations with this Assembly ; and, Whereas, We earnestly desire to remove all obstacles to such rela- tions, now therefore be it Resolved, (1) That this General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America hereby removes all aspersions and charges of any and every kind made by previous Assemblies, reflecting on the Christian character of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and is ready at any time to confer on the subject of closer relations, whenever such conference shall be agreeable to the General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States. Resolved, (2) That the Moderator and Stated Clerk be instructed immediately to communicate this action to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. — 1904, p. 22. 3. Action of the Mobile Assembly, 1904. The following telegram was received from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, in session at Mobile, Ala. : Mobile, Ala., May 21, 1904. Rev. W. H. Roberts, Stated Clerk, General Assembly : The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States learns with joy of the action of your Assembly in the removal of all aspersions upon the Christian character of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S., and declares its readiness to follow the leading of Providence in the FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1017 matter of closer relations, overtures touching which are now before us for consideration. — 1904, p. 50. S. M. Neel, Moderator. W. A. Alexander, Stated Clerk. 4. Committee of Conference appointed by the Mobile Assembly, 1904. The following telegram was received from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, in session at Mobile, Ala., and was referred to the Special Committee on Church Cooperation and Union : Mobile, Ala., May 26, 1904. Rev. William H. Roberts, D.D., Stated Clerk, General Assembly, Buffalo, N. Y.: The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, wishing to promote closer fraternity in the spirit of love and candor, Resolved to-day to appoint a Committee of nine, who shall be authorized and empowered to confer with similar Committees that may be appointed by other Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, when notified that it is the wish of such other Churches to enter into conference with us. This Committee is to confer on the subject of closer relations with such Churches as may enter the conference with a view to discover, first, the real senti- ment of the Churches on the subject ; second, the leading of God's Provi- dence in the matter ; third, obstacles that may stand in the way of closer fellowship ; fourth, whether and how such obstacles can be removed, and fifth, what may be the nature and form of the relation which shall best secure effective cooperation, by federation or otherwise, and at the same time preserve loyalty to those great principles for which the various Churches have been called to testify. This Committee shall report to the next meet- ing of the General Assembly the result of its conferences. — 1904, p. 141. W. A. Alexander, Stated Clerk. 5. Informal Conference at Pittsburgh, Pa., 1905. The Committee would further report that an informal meeting of two sessions was held, at Pittsburgh, with the Committees on Closer Relations of other Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. The whole subject of the relations of the two Churches was considered in a frank, considerate, and kindly spirit. A large part of the time of the sessions was given to devotional exercises. It was understood that nothing but the fact of this informal and thoroughly fraternal meeting should be reported to the As- sembly. The Committee records its gratification over the brotherly spirit manifested by all the members of the two Committees. — 1905, p. 117. [Note. — See also under Presbyterian Federation, this Supplement, p. 1012.] 2. Reformed Church in the U. S. Report of the Committee on Church Cooperation and Union, on rela- tions with the Reformed Church, U. S. The fellowship between the Reformed Church in the U. S. and the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. has been for one hundred and seventy-five years of a fraternal and mutually helpful nature. Some of our best churches were originally German Reformed, and a considerable 1018 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. number of our ministers are of that blood. The Reformed Church in the U. S., further, is not confined to one section of our country, but is found alike in the North and South, the East and West. Your Committee met in conference with its Committee on Church Federation at Charlotte, N. C, March 16, 1906. While that Committee had no authority to enter upon negotiations with our Committee looking towards Church Union, it was thought to be expedient to adopt a joint resolution expressing the views of the members of both Committees. The following action was therefore unanimously taken, viz. : " Believing that the time has come when the Reformed Church in the United States and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of Amer- ica, two great historic Churches of the Reformation, holding in common the Reformed Theology and the Presbyterian Order, should come into closer relations with each other, in order to carry on more effectively the work committed by Christ to His Church, the Committees of the two Churches in this Conference hereby agree to recommend to our respect- ive General Synod and General Assembly to appoint Committees to con- sider this whole subject of closer relations, either federal or organic, between the Churches." Inasmuch as the General Synod of the Reformed Church in the U. S. does not meet until 1908, it is recommended that this portion of the report of your Committee be printed in the Minutes for information, and that the subject be recommitted to your Committee. — 1905, p. 111. S. Work Among the Hungarians in the U. S. 1. Committee on Hungarian Work appointed. a. "In the matter of Overture No. 44, that a Committee, consisting of Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., as Chairman ; Rev. Arthur S. Hoyt, D.D., of Auburn Seminary ; Rev. Geerhardus Vos, D.D., of Princeton Seminary ; Rev. David R. Breed, D.D., of Western Seminary ; Rev. David S. Schaff, D.D., of Lane Seminary ; Rev. A. C. Zenos, D.D., of McCormick Seminary ; Rev. E. B. Hodge, D.D., Secretary of the Board of Education, and Rev. S. C. Logan D.D., or others whom the Moderator may appoint, be directed to consider the condition of the im- migrants from Hungary holding the Reformed Faith. This Committee shall have power to correspond with the Reformed Church of Hungary, in order to secure the cooperation of that Church in providing a wise and worthy evangelical care of these immigrants. The Committee shall also suggest plans whereby our Board of Education and our Theological Seminaries may prepare young men of foreign blood for work among the people whom they represent, where missions may be established among them in our country." — 1902, p. 134. b. The Committee was increased, by virtue of the authority vested in the Moderator, by the addition of the Rev. Ferdinand von Krug, of Kingston, Pa., and Prof. John H. Finlev, of Princeton University. — 1903, p. 106. 2. Report of Committee on Hungarian Work, 1903. The Special Committee appointed by the last Assembly to consider methods of providing a ministry for Hungarian and other foreign immi- grants holding the Reformed Faith, respectfully reports as follows (in part) : FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1019 Existing Agencies. — The Reformed Clmrch in the United States already has a well-established work among the Hungarians of the Re- formed Faith in this country. The Board of Missions of the Reformed Church has expended considerable sums in the supply of the spiritual destitution of the Magyars, but finds the work in this and allied fields increasing beyond expectation. No action should be taken by this Gen- eral Assembly which would in any way interfere with the work as con- ducted by this historic and vigorous Church, which has been associated with our own Church in the spiritual development of the nation for more than one hundred and fifty years. Whatever is done should be done in harmony with the plan of cooperation in Home Mission Work adopted by all the Churches, both Presbyterian and Reformed, which are in the " Alliance of the Reformed Churches throughout the World holding the Presbyterian System." b. The Home Mission Work of the self-supporting Synods constitutes an important feature of the problem under consideration. Seven of the Synods, viz., New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Ohio, Iudiana, and Illinois, have conducted for several years past home mission work within their bounds by Committees under their own control, and have accomplished considerable results. c. The Board of Home Missions. — The work among the immigrant populations, outside the bounds of the self-supporting Synods, is under the direction of the Board of Home Missions, the one agency of the Church by which, throughout all our history, unity and general efficiency in home missionary work has been secured. The Committee submits (in part) the following recommendations for adoption : 2. That the first duty of the Church, in the present emergency, is a provision of a ministry for the immigrants from Hungary holding the Reformed Faith and the Presbyterian Order. 3. That to secure the performance of this duty, a deputation be appointed, who shall visit Hungary, if the way be clear, to obtain a suit- able person or persons to work among the Magyars in the United States, the expenses to be provided by special contributions, and the deputation to be appointed by the Committee in its discretion. — 1903, p. 112. 3. Report of the Committee on Hungarian Work, 1904. In accordance with directions the Committee has given special attention to the Hungarian situation. A deputation was appointed to visit the Reformed Church of Hungary, in order to ascertain what could be done in the way of securing miuisters for the numerous Hungarian Calvinists in our land. The Rev. Ferdi- nand von Krug, a member of the Committee, and the Rev. Julius Ham- borsky both visited Hungary, and after consultation with representatives of the Hungarian Church and several of the Theological Faculties of the Church, reported that a number of ministers might be secured to supply the fields in the United States, provided the necessary funds were furnished. The expenses connected with the visits of these brethren were borne in part by benevolent laymen of our Church. In relation to the correspondence conducted by authority of the Gen- eral Assembly with the General Convention of the Reformed Evangelical Church of Hungary, we hava to state that a Committee of five was appointed by said General Convention, in April, 1903, to investigate the 1020 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. situation in the United States. The members are Rev. Prof. Joseph Pokoly, of Kolosvar, Chairman ; Rev. Prof. Louis Csiky and Rev. Prof. Bela Sass, Debreczen ; Chief- Judge Aladar Szilassy and Hon. Andrew Gyorgy, Budapest. As is well known, quite a number of churches com- posed of Hungarians are connected with the Reformed Church in the United States, commonly known as the German Reformed Church. Communications from representatives of the General Synod of the Re- formed Church, as well as the Stated Clerk of this General Assembly, were before the Hungarian General Convention. At a meeting of the Convention held in December, 1903, inasmuch as the Committee of five had failed to report, pending the presentation of such Report, the Con- vention empowered its two Presidents, Rt. Hon. Baron Desiderius Banffy, late Prime Minister of Hungary, the secular President, and Rt. Rev. Bartholomew Kun, ecclesiastical President of the Convention, to delegate some one member to go to the United States, with a view to reporting upon the condition of affairs. The two Presidents delegated Count Joseph Degenfeld, Curator-General of the Trans-Tissian Synod, to this duty. Count Degenfeld spent several weeks in the United States during the present year, visited the Hungarian congregations of different States, conferred with the Chairman of this Committee, and held a conference with many of the Hungarian ministers, both Presbyterian and Reformed, at Johnstown, Pa., on April 6, 1904. Count Degenfeld submitted, in all his interviews and conferences, a plan for the establishment of a branch of the Reformed Church of Hungary in the United States, guaranteeing that where $450 per annum was contributed for the salary of a pastor, that an equal amount would be given by the Hungarian Church, to which the latter would add $500 for each congregation to build a church. The financial help was conditioned upon acceptance of a connection with the Hungarian Church. At the conference held at Johnstown, Pa., there being present five Presbyterian and thirteen Reformed Hungarian min- isters, the proposal of Count Degenfeld was rejected by a decisive vote, and it was agreed that a connection with the Hungarian Church was unacceptable and inadvisable. It was also recommended that the work of the two American Churches should remain in statu quo, and that if the Hungarian Reformed Church desired to take further action in the pre- mises, that said Church should enter into direct communication with the American Churches interested. The Committee has secured from competent persons suggestions as to the best methods of procedure in connection with the provision of a ministry for Hungarian Presbyterian Churches. It is their judgment that the entire Hungarian interests of our Church should be concentrated in the hands of one special agency, with authority and means to act immediately when action is decided upon. This agency should act in harmony, in securing and appointing ministers, with the General Conven- tion of the Evangelical Reformed Church in Hungary, whose good will is essential.— 1904, pp. 203, 204. [Note. — The Committee, at its own request, was discharged and the work turned over to the Board of Home Missions.] 4. Cooperation as to Hungarian Religious Work urged. Committee of Conference appointed. Overture No. 242, from the Presbytery of Shenango, urging consid- eration of the needs of Magyar Workers, and Overture No. 273, from FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1021 the Presbytery of New Brunswick, urging harmony and cooperation in Hungarian religious work. It is recommended that the Overture from the Presbytery of New Brunswick be adopted by this Assembly as set- ting forth its action in the premises, as follows : Whereas, There are in the United States Hungarian churches, mis- sions, ministers, educational and publishing agencies connected with three distinct ecclesiastical bodies, the Reformed Church of Hungary, the Re- formed Church in the United States, and the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. ; and, Whereas, These three denominations all hold the same Reformed sys- tem of doctrine, and are governed in accordance with the same Presby- terian polity ; and, Whereas, It is very desirable that this unity should receive practical recognition and that there should be harmony and cooperation in Hun- garian religious work ; therefore, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. hereby declares its assent to the following principles, and its willingness to join in the policy herein below indicated, and invites the governing bodies of the other Churches having similar jurisdiction, or their properly authorized representatives, to take like action. 1. Where any one of the denominations named is regularly carrying on work, neither of the other denominations should inaugurate work intended to draw from the same community or section of a city. 2. The right of congregations to determine their ecclesiastical connec- tion should be recognized, but all attempts to alienate or disrupt congre- gations already affiliated should be forbidden. 3. The full qualifications for the ministry usually required in the respective denominations should be demanded of those to be ordained for the Hungarian work. 4. There should be one well-equipped Hungarian religious newspaper representing all three denominations, and supported by them all. 5. There should be a Committee of Conference and Advice, consisting of nine members, three to be named by the highest judicatory of each of the denominations or its authorized representatives. This Committee may concert measures to promote the religious interests of the Hungarian common to the denominations, and may give counsel concerning any mat- ters of controversy referred to it by the proper authorities of the respect- ive Churches, but it shall have only the power of advice. The Moderator of this Assembly is hereby authorized to appoint three representatives, who may act on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in case similar committees shall be appointed by either of the other bodies. — 1906, p. 181. VI. POWERS OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENCE. I. THE BOARDS AND PERMANENT COMMITTEES. I. GENERAL MATTERS. 1. Rule as to Members of the Boards, etc. Standing Rule No. 15 shall hereafter read as follows : " No salaried person shall serve as a member of a Board who is a salaried executive officer or employe of said Board, or a member of any other Benevolent 1022 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Board of the Church ; and no more than one ruling elder from the same congregation shall serve on a Board at the same time." — Minutes, 1898, p. 132. 2. Salaried Executive Officers to be approved. Hereafter upon the original appointment of any salaried executive officer of any of the benevolent and Missionary Boards of the Church, such appointment shall be subject to the approval of the General Assem- bly.— Minutes, 1898, p. 132. 3. The Charters of the Boards and the rights of the Assembly. The Special Committee on the Charters of the Boards reports to the General Assembly, as follows : The Committee was appointed by the General Assembly of 1898 and is composed of the Moderator and Stated Clerk (see Minutes, pp. 132, 133). It was directed "to confer with the Boards and to procure such changes, if any, which may be required in the Constitutions or Charters of any of the Boards, to secure the full legal right to the Assembly of approval or disapproval of the original appointments of salaried executive officers and to report to the next General Assembly." The Committee conducted its business entirely by correspondence, and are glad to report that the Charters of the Boards, in the judgment of six of the Boards, do secure fully the legal right of the General Assem- bly to approve or disapprove of the original appointments of salaried executive officers. The Boards of Home and Foreign Missions, however, report a doubt as to whether their Charters give the Assembly the legal right just referred to, but acknowledge the authority of the Assembly, and recognize as binding the Rule adopted by the Assembly. The letters of the Boards and of their officers, so far as necessary to make the facts clear, are herewith submitted : The Board of Home Missions. — " Our Charter provides that the Board of Home Missions 'shall generally superintend the whole work of Home Missions in behalf of the Presbyterian Church as the General Assembly may from time to time direct.' " This Charter gives the General Assembly full control of the work of the Board by annual direction of its affairs. The General Assembly also constitutes the Board by the election of all its members. It may be doubted whether under strict construction our Charter as it now stands secures to the General Assembly the full legal right of approval or dis- approval of salaried executive officers. But that it has the full moral right under the Charter there can be no doubt. The right is fully and freely conceded by the Board. " The Board, therefore, does not think it necessary to secure changes in the Charter in order to make it comply with the direction of the Gen- eral Assembly, but the Board is quite willing, under construction of its Charter as it now stands, to report to the next following Assembly for its approval the election of salaried executive officers." The Board of Foreign Missions. — " 1. The Board cordially recognizes the authority of the General Assembly, and understands its relations to the Assembly to be those of an agent appointed by the Assembly to carry out the desires of the Church in the administration of the work of Foreign Missions. In accordance with this understanding the Board has been accustomed to submit each year to the Assembly for its approval the FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1023 records of its transactions during the year, including the election of its executive officers. " 2. The Board accordingly recognizes the rule adopted by the Assem- bly ' that hereafter, upon the original appointment of any salaried execu- tive officer of any of the Benevolent and Missionary Boards of the Church, such appointment shall be subject to the approval of the General Assembly.' " 3. The Board is inclined to the opinion, in view of the advice of counsel, that the full legal right of approval or disapproval of the orig- inal appointment of salaried executive officers can be secured to the General Assembly only by procuring through the Legislature of the State of New York a change in the present Charter of the Board. " 4. Inasmuch as the Board fully and heartily recognizes the author- ity of the General Assembly in this matter ; as the amendment of such a special Charter as that of the Board is attended with much peril ; as the Charter was amended, though with much difficulty, in 1894, in order to give the Assembly the clear legal right to elect the members of the Board and thus to control absolutely the character of the Board, and further, inasmuch as such an amendment as is proposed, by singling out one set of actions would seem to imply that all of the proceedings of the Board are not subject to the cognizance and approval of the Assembly, the Board ventures to suggest that full consideration be given to the ques- tion whether the pressure of necessity is so urgent as to make it expedient to procure from the Legislature of the State of New York any further change in its Charter." The Board of Education. — " At a stated meeting of this Board, held March 27, 1899, the following reply from our Legal Committee was received, and communicated to the Board, and on motion, a copy of said communication, after approval, was ordered transmitted : " By the act of May 12, 1871, incorporating the Board of Education, the General Assembly is vested with full power to control the action of the Board in such manner as shall be deemed most advantageous, within legal limits, and the action proposed being within the power given to the Assembly, there is no requirement for any change in the Charter or Constitution of the Board." The Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work. — " Extract from the minutes of the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, February 28, 1899 : " The Secretary reported (inter alia) : A Remit from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, calling attention to the rule adopted at the last meeting of the Assembly. " The Secretary stated that, after careful consideration, and conference with the President of the Board, he is of the opinion that there is nothing in the Charter of the Trustees of the Board, or in the Constitution of the Board itself, or in the deliverances of the Assembly in reference to the Board, that requires modification in order that full effect may be given to the rule now reported. " The report was approved and adopted." The Board of the Church Erection Fund. — " 1. The Charter from the State, so far as it refers to the management of the Board, simply provides that the management and disposition of the affairs and funds of said corporation shall be vested in^he individuals named in the first section of this act, and their successors in office, who shall remain in office for 1024 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. such period, and be displaced and succeeded by others, to be elected at such time aud in such manner as the said General Assembly shall direct and appoint ; and such election shall be made, and the said funds shall be held and administered, invested, and disposed of, for the purposes afore- said, in conformity with the provisions of the plan adopted by the said General Assembly. " 2. To the inquiry of the Assembly as to whether there is any pro- vision in the Board's charter from the State inconsistent with the rule adopted by the last Assembly, that the original election of an executive officer shall be reported for approval, the Secretary was directed to report in the negative." The Board of Relief. — " There is nothing in the Charter of the Board of Relief requiring any change whatever, in order that the General Assembly may carry out the rule adopted by that body, May 28, 1898." The Board of Missions for Freedmen. — " The Board of Missions for Freedmen replies that no change in its Charter will be required to make this rule of the General Assembly effective or to secure to the Assembly the full legal right of approval or disapproval of salaried executive officers as contemplated in the rule." The Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies. — " There is nothing in the Constitution or Charter of the Board of Aid for Colleges which needs change or amendment in order to secure the full legal right to the Assembly of approval or disapproval of the original appointment of the salaried executive officers. "Nothing in the Articles of Incorporation under the laws of the State of Illinois, adopted October 6, 1883, bears upon the subject except the following from the certificate applying for the incorporation of the Board, a copy of which is attached to the Act of Incorporation (italics mine) : " ' Whereas, The " General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, ' at its annual meeting held at Saratoga Springs in the State of New York, in the month of May, A. D. 1883, did constitute and establish a Board or Commission, under the name, style, and title of " The Presbyterian Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies," the same to be subordinate and subject to the general super- vision and control of the said General Assembly, which said Board was, by said General Assembly, charged and entrusted with the interests of higher education, as connected with the said Presbyterian Church.' " The Committee recommends : 1. That the report be printed in full in the Minxdes. 2. That the original appointments or elections of salaried executive officers of the Boards be forwarded in separate communications by the Boards to the General Assembly next succeeding the appointment or election of such officers, and such reports shall be handed by the Stated Clerk to the proper Standing Committees, who shall report to the Assem- bly either in approval or disapproval. 3. That the Boards of Home and Foreign Missions be advised to reconsider the subject of the legal rights of the General Assembly under their Charters, and if the opinions already expressed be con- firmed, that the said Boards procure amendments to said Charters, securing to the General Assembly complete control of all their affairs. — 1899, pp. 21-25. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1025 4. Budget for the Boards at each Assembly. [Note. — See this Supplement, p. 989, Standing Committee on Fin- ance.] 5. Report on the Administrative and Legal Status of the Boards re- ceived through the Reunion of 1906. The Boards. — In connection with this part of the work of the Com- mittee, we have to state that conferences were held by Sub-committees with the representatives of the Boards of our Church both in New York and Philadelphia. The Boards directly concerned in the arrangements for this Reunion and Union are the Board of Home Missions, the Board of Foreign Missions, the Board of Church Erection, the Board of Publi- cation and Sabbath-school Work, the Board of Relief, and the Board of Education of our own Church ; and the Boards of the Cumberland Church which conduct similar work, the Board of Missions and Church Erection, the Board of Publication, the Board of Ministerial Relief, and the Educational Society. Conferences were arranged, on the initiative of the Joint Committees on Union, between the representatives of the above-named Boards, which were in the highest degree satisfactory both in their conduct and their outcome. The results reached indicate clearly a common purpose on the part of the Boards to carry out at as early a date as possible the arrangements affecting their interests contained in the Plan of Union and also in the directions of the Joint-report of the Committee. The Resolutions dealing with the Boards contained in said Joint-report are Resolutions Nos. two (2), five (5), six (6), seven (7), and nine (9). With reference to the legal consolidation of the Boards, the Committee has to state that no obstacles appear to stand in the way, and submit, in connection with this subject, quotations from the reports of the Confer- ences of two of the Boards of each Church, viz., those having to do with Ministerial Relief and with Education. These are as follows : Ministerial Relief. — " After a careful examination of the provisions of the charters of the two Boards, and the laws of the respective States from which their charters have been obtained, we find that it is perfectly feasible for the Board of Relief of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to transfer all its trusts to the Presbyterian Board of Relief, after proper authority shall have been given to it so to do by the General Assembly of the Reunited Church and the Legislature of the State of Indiana." Education. — " The representatives of the Educational Society of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church reported that they had examined into the feasibility of transferring to the Board of Education of the Presby- terian Church in the U. S. A. the property and trusts belonging to it. In their opinion such transfer was entirely practicable, and it could be accomplished at any time." The other Boards reported substantially in similar terms as to the transfer of property and trusts. — 1906, pp. 137, 138. The counsel of the Boards located in New York advised that partic- ular care be taken in the framing of the resolutions completing the Reunion and Union, so as to make it clear that the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. would continue its existence both ecclesiastically and legally, and that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was reunited with and incorporated into said Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. — 1906, p. 140. 65 1026 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. II. THE SEPARATE AGENCIES. I. BOARD OF HOME MISSIONS. 1. Regulations for the distribution of Home Mission Funds. a. To require of all churches applyiug for aid, that they send to the Presbyterial Committee with their applications for aid two copies of their subscription for pastor's salary, one copy for the Board of Home Missions, and one copy for the Presbyterial Committee, accompanying these with a full list of the membership of the church. — 1896, p. 51. b. 7. That the Synodical plan of distributing Home Mission fuuds adopted last year, having been found to work great hardships to our mis- sionaries in the field, we recommend a return to the rule adopted in 1896 {Minutes, p. 51, resolution 2), viz.: (2) That the Board, at the beginning of the fiscal year, require of each Presbytery, through its Home Mission Committee, a careful, conscientious, and conservative estimate of the least total amount necessary to aid the Home Mission churches within its bounds. This estimate shall give in detail the amount required for each church, answering all other questions required by the Board. The Board shall then communicate to the Pres- byterial Committee the maximum total amount it is able to grant the churches of the Presbytery, and the Presbyterial Committee, after consul- tation with the Board, shall then make final apportionment among the churches, not exceeding in aggregate the amount designated by the Board, and this distribution shall be recognized as final by the Board. 8. That the Board of Home Missions be requested to furnish to the Home Mission Committee of each Synod (the self-supporting Synods excepted), at least one month before each annual Synodical meeting, a full itemized list of the schedules submitted by the several Presbyteries consti- tuting such Synods, along with a corresponding list of the actual appro- priations made by the Board. The Synods will thus be enabled to keep oversight of the missionary work within their bounds. 9. That all applications for aid for the same amount as was received the year before shall be sent back by Presbyteries for revision, to the churches making application, and that the Presbyteries insist that, if possi- ble, a reduction be made in the amount applied for. — 1899, p. 60. 2. Presbytery of Cimarron assigned to Home Mission Soard. As the work of the Freedmen's Board has to do especially with those who are technically called Freedmen in the Southern States, and the terri- tory of the Presbytery of Cimarron is in the newly developed West, we therefore recommend that the Presbytery of Cimarron be instructed to place the needs of the work for the negroes within its bounds on the schedule in its application for aid to the Board of Home Missions. — 1902, p. 124. 3. College assigned to Home Mission Board. That the care of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, be temporarily committed to the Board of Home Missions, with our hearty approval. — 1904, p. 165. 4. Associate Secretaries approved. a. Rev. John Dixon, D.D., 1899, p. 59 ; b. Mr. J. Willis Baer, 1903, p. 78 ; c. Mr. J. Ernest McAfee, 1906, p. 77. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1027 5. Centennial of Home Mission Work. [The General Assembly in 1901, Minutes, p. 49, appointed a Special Committee of thirty-two to arrange for the proper celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of Home Missions. This Anniversary was celebrated by the General Assembly in New York City, May 16-20, 1902, and the Proceedings were published by the Board of Publication and S.S. Work.] 6. Regulations for the conduct of Synodical Home Mission Work, a. The Committee submit the following resolutions for adoption : Whereas, The work of Home Missions, as undertaken by the General Assembly through the Home Board, is national in its character ; and, Whereas, In that work all parts of the Church should have the live- liest interest and should contribute towards its support according to the full measure of their ability ; and, Whereas, Certain Synods by the authority of the General Assembly {Minutes, General Assembly, 1883, p. 20) have entered upon plans of Synodical Sustentation under which they are carrying on the work of Home Missions within their own bounds ; therefore, Resolved, 1. That the Synods now self supporting, or which may here- after become self supporting, be encouraged to continue their work accord- ing to the method found most efficient by them, and that the stronger Synods be stimulated to make increasingly large contributions through the Board for the general work beyond their bounds. Resolved, 2. That in order to preserve and manifest to the Church the unity of the whole work, each Synod having a Plan of Synodical Work shall be required on or before the 31st of March annually to present a full statistical Report to the Board of Home Missions of the Home Mis- sionary work carried on within its bounds ; that this Report shall be in- corporated in the Annual Report of the Board to the General Assembly, and that forms for this purpose shall be prepared by the Board. Resolved, 6. That the Secretary and representatives of the Home Board should cordially cooperate with all our churches, and the churches with them, and that the literature of the Board should be freely circulated everywhere throughout our bounds, whatever the plans in operation by the approval of the General Assembly. — 1898, pp. 26, 27. b. That the work of the self-sustaining Synods, for the first time reported to the Board, and found summarized in its Report, be reported in the future in the same manner, that thereby the entire work of our Church may be exhibited.— 1899, p. 60; 1901, p. 49. c. That all self-supporting Synods be urged to make fuller reports to the Board of their Home Missionary operations and the results of their efforts, for publication with the Annual Report of the Board. — 1906, p. 78. 7. Plan of Sustentation for Ministers in Active Service. a. Resolved, That a Special Committee of ten, five ministers and five elders, be appointed by the Moderator, who shall take into consideration the whole subject of Ministerial Sustentation. This Committee is authorized to consider, among other things, the advisability of the adoption of a gen- eral plan of sustentation ; may correspond with the Board of Home Missions, with the Committees of Sustentation and Home Missions of the several Synods, and with such other bodies or persons as it may deem proper ; and shall report all its proceedings and conclusions to the next Assembly. —1902, p. 20. b. After due consideration of the whole subject of ministerial sustenta- 1028 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. tion as related to ministers in active service, the following general princi- ples are recommended for adoption : 1. That the standard minimum salary of a Presbyterian pastor under any Sustentation Plan should be §800, with a manse. 2. That every church needing aid should be stimulated to contribute the standard minimum salary by such methods as may be deemed appro- priate by the Session. 3. That the Presbytery, where churches are unable of themselves to give the minimum salary, should provide for any deficiency in the salaries of pastors of the churches over which it has jurisdiction, either by offer- ings taken up in its own churches or, when necessary, by application to the Synodical Committee of Sustentation and Home Missions. Where there is no such Synodical Committee the application should be to the Board of Home Missions. 4. That where a Synod has a Committee of Sustentation and Home Missions, said Committee should provide for any deficiency reported by the Presbytery's Committee, and if the resources of Synod are insufficient, that then application for aid should be made to the Board of Home Mis- sions ; the Board to make good the deficiency so far as within its power. 5. That the plans of all the Synods should provide for offerings for the Board of Home Missions. — 1903, p. 165. Work among the Immigrants. 8. The Reports of the Special Committee, 1903-04. [Note. — The General Assembly appointed in 1902 a Committee on the Hungarians and other immigrants. The Reports of the Committee on the Hungarian work, having an international character, will be found on p. 1018 of this Supplement. The Reports, so far as connected with the general features of the Work among the Immi- grants, are printed in part below. For full text of the Reports, see Minutes, 1903, pp. 105-113, and 1904, pp. 201-207.] 9. The Board of Home Missions the unifying agency of "Work among the Immigrants. The widespread work for the foreign immigrant demands the attention of the Church as a whole. And the Committee feels that the one agency which can give general guidance and true unity to the work among the foreign populations is the Board of Home Missions. This Board repre- sents the General Assembly, and therefore the relation to all missionary effort of the Church at large. While, whatever is to be done by the Board should be done with due regard to the work undertaken by the Presbyteries and Synods, the Church as a whole should, through the Board, unify the work, and give to it that efficiency which will otherwise be unattainable. As in the nation so in the Church, there should be not only due provision for local self-government, but also a large measure of general guidance from a central authority. — 1903, p. 111. 10. The Conference between the Board of Home Missions and the Self- supporting Synods. The Board of Home Missions, we were officially informed by the Rev. John Dixon, D.D., Assistant Secretary, who was present with the Com- mittee on November 27, 1903, held a conference with the representatives of the self-supporting Synods, on October 28 and 29, 1903, at the Presby- terian Building, New York City, at which workers from the field were FOBM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1029 also present. As a result of the conference a plan of cooperation was agreed upon between the Board and the Synods for work among the immi- grant populations, one of the resolutions reading as follows: " That it is the sense of this conference that the Home Mission Board should secure suitable persons of the various nationalities to visit, investigate, and report upon this work in the different parts of the country ; and also to organize such work, when requested by the proper ecclesiasti- cal body."— 1904, p. 202. U. Action of the Assembly on Work among the Immigrants. a. Action of the Assembly of 190S. 4. That the Assembly recognizes with great gratitude to God the work already done by Presbyterial and Synodical Committees and by the Board of Home Missions, in prosecuting mission work among our populations speaking foreign tongues, and urges the extension of this work with the heartfelt cooperation of all our agencies. 5. The Assembly learns with gratification of the readiness of the Theo- logical Seminaries of the Church to cooperate in every possible way in the work of fitting men for preaching the Gospel to the people of foreign tongues, and rejoices that at least two of them have already made some special provision in this direction, in addition to the admirable provision already made for German-speaking students at the Newark Theological School and the Theological School at Dubuque. 6. That the Assembly also notes with gratification the work which is being done by certain Presbyteries in providing preparatory education for our foreign-speaking peoples, such as promises to raise up a body of Christians from which ministers and missionaries may be recruited, and the multiplication of similar efforts is urged through the establishment of general training-schools, as the necessities of the case may require and the wisdom of our Presbyteries may devise. 7. That the General Assembly directs the Board of Home Missions to designate an officer to have oversight of mission work among the foreign- speaking peoples in this country in all the Synods directly connected with the Board, and also to cooperate with Synodical or Presbyterial Commit- tees of Home Missions, when such judicatories have their own home mission work. 8. That the Assembly renews its approval of the action of the Board of Education in making provision for aid to candidates who have in view work among the foreign-speaking populations. — 1903, pp. 112, 113. [Note. — See also this Supplement, p. 1034.] b. Action of the Assembly of 190 J^. 1. That the Board of Home Missions continue its general oversight of mission work among the foreign-speaking peoples in the United States ; organizing work among them where it has authority so to do ; seeking for ordained ministers for the fields either in the United States or in Europe ; and presenting to the General Assembly each year a full Report of all the mission work carried on among these peoples either by the Board or by Synods and Presbyteries. In all its work for this cause the Board should give due regard to the rights and powers of the several Church judicatories. * 2. That the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work be and 1030 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. hereby is urged to give increased attention to the work of organizing Sabbath-schools and distributing religious literature among the foreign- speaking peoples, under the same regulations as indicated for the Board of Home Missions in Resolution No. 1. 3. That the Board of Education is authorized to do what it can, in cooperation with the ecclesiastical courts, to develop a more active interest in securing candidates for the ministry among the foreign-speaking peoples, and is also empowered to make the cases of such candidates some- what exceptional, as concerns the rules laid down for the guidance of the Board by the General Assembly. 4. That the Theological Seminaries which are providing facilities for the training of young men of foreign nationalities as workers among their own people, be commended for their efforts in this cause, and be urged to emphasize this form of their work. 5. That in view of the pressing present emergency for laborers in the field, our colleges and seminaries, so far as practicable, be urged to train men from among the foreign populations for service as lay workers and as local evangelists. — 1904, p. 206. 12. Plan of Evangelistic Work by the Board of Home Missions. According to the direction of the General Assembly, the Board of Home Missions and the Evangelistic Committee, in conference concerning the evangelistic work of our Church, have agreed upon the following Report, which is herewith respectfully submitted to the General Assembly : 1. The Evangelistic Committee having made known its purpose of con- fining its future plans and work to campaigns in the larger towns and cities and largely on an interdenominational basis, it is proposed that the Board of Home Missions shall take over within its territory all other evangelistic work and carry it on to the full measure of its ability. It shall also cooperate with the self-supporting Synods in the work of evan- gelization according to their desire and the extent of its ability. 2. The Board of Home Missions will so reorganize its work that pastor- evangelists shall be appointed in all the Presbyteries or groups of Pres- byteries so requesting, who shall give a part of each year to evangelistic services in their Presbyteries and under the direction of the Home Mission Committees. 3. The Board of Home Missions will keep a separate account of the expenses of its evangelistic department, appealing for gifts for its support and supplementing them as may be necessary out of the treasury of the Home Board. 4. This plan shall not take effect until the beginning of the fiscal year 1907 ; until which time the Board shall give itself diligently to the maturing and perfecting in detail whatever plans of reorganization may be necessary to give effect to the above recommendations. — 1906, p. 24. 13. Relations of the Boards of Home Missions and Publication in Sabbath-school Missionary Work. That, after having considered a Report made to them by their repre- sentatives who had had the matter under consideration, the said two Boards respectively adopted the following as the answer which, in their judgment, should be made to Overtures [referred to them by the Assembly] : I. These Boards deem it inexpedient and unadvisable, under the exist- FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1031 ing conditions, that the Missionary Department of the Board of Publica- tion and Sabbath-school Work should be transferred to the Board of Home Missions. II. It is, however, the judgment of these Boards that the work com- mitted to them requires that closer relations and effective cooperation be established between them, and to accomplish this result the Boards ask the General Assembly to approve the following plan of cooperation : (a) That each Board shall appoint three members or officers who shall constitute a Joint Committee, to meet at least twice a year at regular intervals for conference concerning the fields. (b) That in order to bring about effective cooperation upon the fields where missionary work is done, the Home Mission Committee and the Committee on Sabbath-school and Missionary Work of the Presbyteries be instructed by the Presbyteries to confer with reference to the needs of the territory covered by the respective Presbyteries, and with reference to the wise and economical prosecution of missionary work therein. (c) That inasmuch as a vast field of opportunity is opened before our Church in its missionary work among the foreign population of our country, these two Boards be directed to cooperate earnestly in this great work and in every practicable way to combine to carry it forward. — 1905, pp. 210, 211. II. BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. 1. Questions authorized for lay candidates. There being no adequate provision in the present system of examining candidates for appointment as missionaries, by which the religious views of laymen and women can be fully ascertained, it is recommended that the Board of Foreign Missions be authorized to propound to such candidates the following questions : (1) Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice ? (2) Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the System of Doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures ? (3) Do you approve of the Government and Discipline of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America ? (4) Have you any views at variance with these doctrines, or any views of Church Government which would prevent your cordial cooperation with the missionaries of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. ? — 1898, p. 72. 2. Conditions for engagement in new work. That, since through lack of funds in recent years the Board has been obliged seriously to cripple many stations, it be regarded as the first duty of the Church and of the Board to maintain and extend the Missions already established ; but as there is imperative call also for new work, the Church is hereby exhorted to provide additional funds for this purpose, and the Board is authorized to undertake such work wherever sufficient funds in advance of usual current receipts shall be in hand or definitely pledged for the maintenance of such work. — 1900, p. 97. 3. Plan and Rules of Comity on the Foreign Field. a. That the Assembly approves the action of the Board taken in New York on May 15, 1900, regarding comity on the foreign field, said action having been fully recorded in the foregoing Report. — 1900, p. 97. 1032 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. b. The following is the action of the Board referred to : " Believing that the time has come for a yet larger measure of union and cooperation in mission work, the Board would ask the General As- semhly to approve its course in recommending to its Missions in various lands (in line with the General Assembly's action of 1887, 3Iinutes, p. 23, having in view building up independent national churches holding to the Reformed doctrine and the Presbyterian polity) that they encourage as far as practicable the formation of union churches, in which the results of the mission work of all allied evangelical Churches should be gathered, and that they observe everywhere the most generous principles of missionary comity ; and, further, it is voted that the Board now adopt the statement of policy prepared by its Special Committee on Policy and Methods, and submitted to many of the missionaries and approved by them, as follows : " ' In the view of the Board, the object of the Foreign Missionary enter- prise is not to perpetuate on the mission field the denominational distinc- tions of Christendom, but to build up on Scriptural lines, and according to Scriptural principles and methods, the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Where Church union cannot be attained, the Board and Missions will seek such divisions of territory as will leave as large districts as possible to the exclusive care and development of separate agencies. It is believed that in other regards also missionary comity should be given large range : (1) Salaries of native workers should be so adjusted among missions as not to introduce an element of dissatisfaction among the workers of any Mission, or to tempt them away from the Mission with which they are con- nected. (2) Each Mission and the churches connected therewith should recognize the acts of discipline of other Missions and the churches con- nected with them. (3) In cooperative educational work, and especially where the schools of one Mission train helpers for other Missions, the latter should render some compensatory service. (4) Printing establishments' are in many Missions required by the missionary work. Such should not be unnecessarily duplicated. The printing establishment of one Mission should, if possible, be made to serve the needs of all others in the same territory. (5) A hospital invariably opens wide opportunities for evan- gelistic work. Until these are properly utilized, it is not judicious or economical to establish other hospitals, the results of whose establishment will be to multiply further unutilized spiritual opportunities. (6) Fellow- ship and union among native Christians of whatever name should be en- couraged in every possible way, with a view to that unity of all disciples for which our Lord prayed, and to which all mission effort should con- tribute.' "—1900, p. 96. 4. Action as to the theological qualifications of missionaries. On the clear understanding that the phrase "general fitness" includes those matters lying on the borderland of doctrinal belief which, while not affecting doctrinal soundness and therefore not ordinarily coming within the scope of Presbyterian inquiry, may seriously affect a man's fitness for the foreign field, we approve the Board's declaration of policy and methods as to the theological qualifications of missionaries, which is as follows : " The Board reaffirms its adherence to the principle set forth in its action of May 6, 1902, that it has no ecclesiastical functions, and that all ques- tions relating to ministerial standing or soundness in the faith must be au- thoritatively and finally settled by the Church courts. Accordingly, in any case where evidence is brought before the Board tending to show FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1033 doctrinal unsoundness on the part of a ministerial appointee or candidate, it shall be promptly referred for investigation to the Presbytery to which he is responsible. The Board, however, while affirming the principle of the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Church in matters of orthodoxy, does not consider itself precluded thereby from reconsidering at any time the general fitness of an appointee for the arduous and responsible service of the foreign missionary, and of assuring itself by proper and reasonable inquiries of his probable usefulness in the field. The Board directs that this action shall be especially reported to the next General Assembly for approval, modification, or reversal. In order to prevent embarrassing complications and possible disappointments, it is further Resolved, That in the case of a candidate who has not received his training in the Presby- terian Church, or whose educational advantages have not been such as to insure an intelligent acquaintance with the Standards of the Church, action upon his application shall ordinarily be deferred until the candi- date has been examined and licensed by Presbytery." — 1905, pp. 124, 125. 5. Union Educational Institutions to teach views in harmony with the Standards. We note with satisfaction the readiness of the Board to give cordial response to appeals from the Mission stations for endorsement of reason- able union movements, properly conserving essential truth. In particular, we heartily commend and approve the action of the Board, as being in line with established precedents, in endorsing under fitting safeguards the movement for the North China Union Colleges, with the understanding that there shall be no teaching in the Seminary which is inconsistent with those conceptions of Scripture truth that are held by the Presbyterian Church.— 1905, p. 125. 6. Approval of Salaried Executive Officers. a. Rev. A. Woodruff Halsey, D.D., Secretary.— 1899, p. 73. b. Dwight H. Day, Esq., Treasurer, 1906.— p. 107. [Note. — See also this Supplement, p. 1022.] 7. Ecumenical Missionary Conference of 1900 approved. The General Assembly has learned with deep interest and satisfaction that the Protestant Foreign Missionary Societies of Great Britain, the Continent of Europe, and America have resolved to hold an Ecumenical Foreign Missionary Conference in the city of New York in the month of April, 1900, similar in character and aim to the World's Missionary Con- ference held in London in 1888. The opening of a new century would seem to be a fitting time to trace the development of the great foreign missionary enterprise which now circles the globe ; to note the finger of God in the marvelous unfoldings of His providence and grace in connec- tion with it ; to recount the splendid conquests already made among un- evangelized nations, and the agencies so signally blessed of the Holy Spirit by which they have been achieved ; but, above all, to catch the sig- nificance of the trumpet call which summons the Church to a wider occu- pancy of the field and to still grander conquests for Christ by means of the mighty forces already within her reach. It is eminently a time for wise counsel and concerted action. The General Assembly, therefore, 1034 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. warmly commends the contemplated Ecumenical Missionary Conference, and heartily approves the action of the Board of Foreign Missions in joining in the undertaking, looking to the Church for such cooperation and support as may be found necessary. — 1898, p. 72. 8. Action as to the Centennial of Chinese Missions. That the Moderator and the Stated Clerk be authorized to appoint a Committee to represent our Church in the Centennial of Chinese Missions, to serve without expense to the Board ; and that said Committee convey to the brethren who may convene in that celebration our deep sense of God's wonderful providence in opening to Christian effort China's closed doors, in blessing those efforts so abundantly, and in awakening rulers and people to a desire for light and knowledge ; and our confident hope that God will bring that stronghold of heathenism into allegiance with our Saviour and King. — 1906, p. 102. III. BOARD OF EDUCATION. 1. Directions as to applications of candidates seeking aid. a. The Board of Education is hereby directed to prepare a blank, to be signed by the candidate seeking aid from its funds, in which applica- tion shall be set forth the extent of his inability to provide for himself the necessary funds for his education. It shall also contain a pledge from him, that if at any time during his course of study he should wish to abandon the ministry, or if he ceases to adhere to the Standards of the Presbyterian Church, or if he changes his place of study contrary to the direction of the Presbytery, or if he withdraws from connection with the Church, he will refund to the Board of Education all moneys received by him therefrom. This provision shall not apply to those who, by reason of ill health or other providential reasons, are prevented from carrying out their purpose. — 1900, p. 71. b. That the Board of Education be and hereby is authorized to allow those who ask help from it the option of accepting the amount granted as a loan, without interest ; and service upon the part of the borrower, in mis- sion fields either at home or abroad, shall entitle him to a credit of $150 for each year of service. — 1900, p. 70. c. That no student receiving aid from the Board of Education should be granted additional aid, excepting prize scholarships, through any semi- nary without conference with the Board of Education being first sought by the seminary. — 1900, p. 144. d. That the seminaries should be especially careful not to appear to make offers of scholarships to any students preceding a satisfactory in- vestigation of the candidates as to scholarship, health, character, and financial need. — 1900, p. 144. [Note. —Similar instructions were given to the Theological Seminaries, see Minutes, 1900, p. 144.] 2. Discretion allowed as to application of rules in certain cases. a. That the Board of Education be hereby authorized to use a measure of discretion in the application of its rules in the case of candidates of foreign extraction, with the understanding that the exceptions shall be such only as relate to those in preparation for this particular work, and that no vital principle shall be infringed. — 1904, p. 62 . 1906, p. 55. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1035 b. That in case of the consummation of the union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, authority is given the Board to use its discretion in dealing with exceptional cases of Cumberland Presbyterian candidates, and in the application of their rules to persons recommended by Presby- teries now of that connection. — 1906, p. 55. 3. Board to cooperate with Synodical Education Committees. That the Board of Education is authorized and directed to enter into correspondence with the Education Committees of the several Synods, with a view to all possible cooperation with them in the forming and forward- ing of plans for the supply of the religious needs, particularly of Presby- terian students in attendance upon State Universities and Colleges, and the proper presentation to them of the duty and privilege of preaching the Gospel to their fellow-men. — 1906, p. 56. 4. Action authorized for the return of a legacy. That the Board is authorized and directed to pay over to the children of Mrs. Emma L. Mansfield the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1200), which under the will of Rev. M. A. Parkinson was bequeathed to their mother, but which, owing to the occurrence of her death before that of the testator, said Parkinson, had lapsed and come into the possession of the Board as residuary legatee. — 1906, p. 55. 5. Directions as to Work for Foreign Immigrants. [See this Supplement, pp. 1029, 1030.] IV. BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 1. Rule as to the employment of colporteurs. That the Board, in conformity with its general rule, engage no colpor- teurs, especially in the well-organized part of our field, without the recom- mendation of the Presbyteries within whose bounds they are to serve, and that the salaries of such laborers also be recommended in each case by the Presbytery.— 1905, p. 130. 2. Directions as to the investment of funds. That in the case of moneys left or given to it without designation as to the use of such money or as to the securities in which it shall be in- vested, the General Assembly hereby authorizes the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work to apply such moneys, at its discretion, toward the reduction of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage on the Wither- spoon Building. That the General Assembly authorizes the Trustees of the Board, through the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, as requested by them, to invest the funds derived from the estate of the late George W. Farr, according to the provisions of his will, in securities other than those known under the laws of Pennsylvania as " legal " securities. — 1906, p. 109. 3. Approval of Salaried Executive Officers. a. Alexander Henry, D.D., Secretary. — 1905, p. 129. b. James A. Worden, D.B., Superintendent of Sabbath-school Train- ing.— 1906, p. 107. 1036 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 4. Relations of the Boards of Home Missions and Publication in Sab- bath-school Missionary Work. That the Plan of Cooperation between the two Boards be approved, and that all possible efforts be used to make such Plan effective. — 1905, p. 129. [Note.— See for text of the Plan, this Supplement, p. 1030.] 5. Board given authority to make administrative changes. That the request of the Board, of date April 23, 1903, be granted, viz : "Whereas, Experience in the conduct of the affairs of this Board since the reorganization of its administration and work in the year 1887, has shown that certain changes in the line of administration, and the dis- tribution and number of officers of the Board, may be made with ad- vantage to the work, and with economical results, without impairing the general scheme or plan established by the said reorganization ; therefore, " Resolved, That the General Assembly is hereby requested to give to the Board authority to make such changes in the administration of its affairs, and in the number of its officers, and the assignment of duties to them, as, in its judgment, and in view of its experience in managing the work, it may deem best." It is recommended that when action be taken in this matter, that a Report be made to the next General Assembly. — 1903, p. 104. 6. Directions as to work among foreign-speaking peoples. a. That the Board be instructed specifically to endeavor to perfect ar- rangements with other religious bodies for the publication, through the agency of the American Tract Society, if possible, of evangelical religious literature in the foreign languages which are most used in our country, the understanding being that this course will secure the results at present desired.— 1904, p. 102. b. That the Board be instructed to enter directly and before July 1, 1905, into negotiations with the Chairmen of Committees on Foreign Work in Presbyteries which are more immediately concerned with the foreign-speaking population, so that the crying needs of these morally and spiritually destitute peoples may be met in the soonest and wisest and most practical way ; and particularly that the Board initiate a conference with represeutatives of the Presbyteries of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, that the urgent demands of said Presbyteries for an adequate Christian periodical in the Bohemian language may be supplied at the earliest pos- sible moment, by such means as the Board and said Presbyteries may agree upon. — 1905, p. 129. [Note. — See also this Supplement, p. 1029.] 7. Directions as to a Department of Young People's Work. a. There is referred to this Committee a joint request from the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work and the Permanent Committee on Young People's Societies, addressed to this Assembly, viz : " That an additional Department of this Board be created, to be known as a Depart- ment of Young People's Work, and a Secretary or Superintendent be FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1037 employed by the Board for this purpose." "We recommend the following action by this General Assembly : The General Assembly refers the whole matter of the creation of such a Department and the development of such a work to the Board of Pub- lication and Sabbath-school Work, to be carried out in such ways and at such times as it may deem best. — 1906, p. 108. b. That the General Assembly hereby assigns the work of Young People's Societies to the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, and directs that when an additional department of the Board is created it shall be known as the Department of Young People's Work, and one of our strongest and best young men shall be employed by the Board as Superintendent. 3. That when such department is created, then Resolutions 5 and 6 on this work, passed by the General Assembly of 1903 (see Minutes, 1903, p, 63), by which the Permanent Committee on Young People's Societies was created, and its constitution, etc., authorized, shall be rescinded ; and that the Permanent Committee be discharged, and all its powers and effects, assets, and liabilities be turned over to the new Department of Young People's Work of the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, and that all expenses consequent upon such transfer be met by said Board. 4. That the Board of Publication, through its proposed new Depart- ment of Young People's Work, be directed to take up at once and push vigorously all those matters by previous Assemblies committed to the Permanent Committee on Young People's Societies, together with such new matters and methods as in its judgment would tend to develop and strengthen the work of these societies ; and also that the various recom- mendations of past Assemblies pertaining to the Permanent Committee be now ordered to apply to the proposed new Department of Young People's Work of the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work. — 1906, p. 183. V. BOARD OF CHURCH ERECTION. 1. Rules for grants for church buildings. a. That in the case of missions established under the care of the Presby- teries with a view to the organization of a church, the Board, upon appli- cation from the Presbytery, or its proper Committee, may, at its discretion, make a grant for a suitable building, provided the Presbytery as a cor- poration holds title in fee simple to the property, and in other respects the usual conditions are met. — 1898, p. 102. b. That the Board be authorized by the Assembly, as soon as the way be opened, to make grants for the purchase or erection of churches and manses in the territories which have lately come under our national authoritv, taking the title, if necessarv to do so, in its own name. — 1899, p. 107. C. That in making appropriations for work in these new possessions and in Alaska the Board is authorized, for the present at its own discretion, to waive the rule allowing only one-third of the cost of any building, but shall be limited to one-half the cost of the property. — 1899, p. 107. d. That in the case of grants to churches in mining towns and govern- ment reservations, where it is impossible for the organization to obtain a 1038 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. title in fee simple, the Board be permitted at its discretion to advance the money upon the receipt of a bond, conditioned to give a first mortgage whenever said church shall be able to secure a title in fee simple. — 1903, p. 132. e. That the Board be permitted in the newly opened fields and in excep- tional cases, upon distinctively missionary grounds, to grant or loan at its discretion, and for the erection of inexpensive buildings, a sum not exceeding three-fourths of the cost of the building, provided the plan and cost of the proposed building be submitted to the Presbytery and approved by a two-thirds vote before the work is commenced. — 1904, p. 157. f. In view of the recent calamity upon the Pacific Coast, which has destroyed many church buildings and in large measure impoverished con- gregations, your Committee recommends that in making grants or loans to aid in rebuilding these churches, the Board be permitted at its discretion to waive the rule in regard to the proportionate amount of aid to be extended.— 1906, p. 181. g. Your Committee also recommends that in the case of loans to aid in providing manses for our missionaries upon the island of Porto Rico, the Board, in cases where such action seems necessary to secure the needed homes, be permitted to exercise its discretion in regard to the proportion of the entire cost to be advanced. — 1906, p. 181. 2. Directions as to the Manse Funds. a. That the Board has the approval of the General Assembly in its purpose to distinguish the Raynolds Manse Fund from the already exist- ing Manse Fund by using it in the case of churches requiring a larger expenditure in manse building than comes within the scope of the present fund, using it thus at its discretion within the terms of the will. — 1899, p. 107. b. That the Board of Church Erection, in making loans from its Manse Fund, be authorized at its discretion to loan or grant small additional sums to be used in procuring permanent furniture for the manse, provided such furniture be the property of the congregation to which the appro- priation is made, and provided also that the amount appropriated for this purpose shall not increase the total amount loaned in any one case beyond one-half the value of the manse property, and shall be included in the mortgage given by the church. — 1900, p. 125. 3. Board authorized to amend its Charter. That the Board is hereby authorized to apply to the Legislature of the State of New York for such addition to its charter as shall distinctly recognize the Board as a religious corporation under the laws of the State of New York, and also for such additional powers as the Board may deem necessary for the taking and holding by will or conveyance propertv to be used in the erection of any church building or manse. —1904, p. 147. 4. Churches desiring aid to consult with the Board before building. That the Assembly calls the attention of churches contemplating asking for aid to the propriety of consulting with the Board before they are com- mitted to an undue expense in building. — 1905, p. 153. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1039 5. Mortgage upon a Church released. That the Board have permission to release the mortgage of $300 held upon the Presbyterian Church of St. Andrew's Bay, Fla. — 1903, p. 132. 6. Board to be informed promptly as to abandoned buildings. That it be incorporated in the Standing Rules of Presbyteries that the Chairmen of all Presbyterial Committees on Church Erection shall re- port to the Board as early information as possible, in regard to any church which has been dissolved, or which has practically abandoned for religious services its church building. — 1901, p. 58. VI. BOARD OF RELIEF. 1. Amendments to Rules adopted. a. That Rule 7 be amended so that [it] will read : " When such a minister shall certify to the Presbytery the fact and amount of his need, not exceeding 8300 per annum, it shall be the duty of the Stated Clerk to forward the application to the Board, with his en- dorsement thereon as to the years of service such minister has rendered, his field or fields of labor, with the term of service in each, and his need, as determined by his income and circumstances, and also to certify that the same has been reported to the Presbytery and is recorded upon its Minutes." b. That a rule be added as follows : "10. Ministers from other denominations, coming into our Church, or their widows or orphans, shall not be placed upon the roll of this Board as beneficiaries unless said ministers shall have rendered active service in this Church for at least five years." — 1904, p. 48. c. That Rule 16 of the Board be altered [so that it] will read: "Aid may be given to orphans of ministers and lay missionaries, as the General Assembly says, who are under the age at which they are able to earn their own living, and in exceptional cases to orphans who have been from early years chronic invalids, or to those who have become chronic invalids in consequence of their care of aged and infirm parents. The same rule applies, in case of orphans asking for aid, as in the case of other beneficiaries of the Board in regard to recommendations and annual re- newals " {Minutes, General Assembly, 1889, p. 32). — 1906, p. 35. [Note. — The Rules were also amended as to routine matters at the following times : 1898, p. 33 ; 1899, p. 35 ; 1900, p. 41 ; 1903, p. 34.] 2. By-Law as to Investments approved. 4. That Art. 4, Sec. 3, of the By-Laws of this Board, relating to in- vestments of funds be made to read as follows : "All investment of funds which are left to the management of this Board shall be made in such securities as are sanctioned by the laws of Pennsylvania relating to in- vestments by executors and trustees, or in such other good securities as mav be formally authorized by not less than two-thirds of the members of the' Board."— 1900, p. 41 3. Closing of Westminster House approved. 3. The Committee further recommends that the request of the Board of Ministerial Relief to close the Westminster House at Perth Amboy at its earliest convenience, and^to transfer such of the guests as would so desire to the Merriam House at Newton, N. J., be granted. — 1902, p. 148. 1040 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 4. Additional endowment approved. 1. That the Board of Relief is commended to the churches for an ad- ditional endowment to the amount of one million dollars, and that all pastors, ministers in charge of the churches, and church Sessions are urged to further the interests of the Board by special appeals for the Permanent Fund, as well as by annual collections for current needs. 2. That the Board of Relief be authorized to take the necessary steps, and if deemed advisable to appoint Special Representatives, to secure the proposed increase of the Permanent Fund. — 1902, p. 19. [Note. — The General Assembly of 1887 recommended the raising of $1,000,000 for the Board. The Committee in charge consisted of Bev. George P. Hays, I>.I>., Chairman, Rev. George C. Heckman, D.D., Secretary, and Eev. W. H. Roberts, D.D., Treasurer. The Committee raised $606,000 in cash and secured many legacies for the Board.] 5. Apportionment upon the churches approved. a. That, in the matter of provision to meet the needs of the Board an answer be given in the affirmative, and that an immediate apportionment be made among the churches sufficient to meet the needs of the Board, said apportionment to be determined by the Committee on Sustentation. — 1904, p. 104. b. A request was sent to each minister and church Session recommend- ing contributions to the Board of Relief for the year ending March 31, 1905, in accordance with the following Plan : A. Churches paying salaries of $800 and less, to give at least ten cents per communicant. B. Churches paying salaries of $800 to $1200, to give at least fifteen cents per communicant. C. Churches paying salaries of $1200 and upward, to give at least fifteen cents per communicant, and in addition one per cent, on the sal- aries of their ministers. D. Churches hitherto contributing to the Board of Relief sums con- siderably beyond the apportionment above suggested to continue their generous support of the Board. — 1905, p. 131. 6. Churches to give reasons for failing to make offerings. That this Assembly reiterate the action of a previous Assembly, calling on all Presbyteries to require every church that tails to make an offering to this Board to give reasons for such omission, and that these reasons be not sustained unless they be special and providential. — 1906, p. 35. VII. THE FEEEDMEN'S BOARD. 1. Salaried Executive Officer approved, a. Rev. Henry T. McClelland, D.D., Field Secretary.— 1904, p. 55. 2. Debt of the Board liquidated. [Note. — The General Assembly of 1890 initiated a movement by which the debt of $40,000 was promptly discharged. Part of the plan was the adoption of an ap- portionment upon tlir Presbyteries. — Minutes, 1899, p. 157.] FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1041 VIII. THE COLLEGE BOARD. [Formerly the Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies.] 1. The College Endowment Commission established. The Assembly of 1903 created the College Endowment Commission, through which an educational fund of not less than $12,000,000 should be raised within three years. This strong Commission has been at work during the year ; its Report is in your hands, and we assume that every Commissioner has read it. It has been referred by the Assembly to this Committee. Without rehearsing the story of the Commission's work, we turn at once to its conclusions, in which the Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies fully concur. — 1904, p. 107. [Note. — The College Endowment Commission, Rev. Robert F. Coyle, D.D., Chair- man, rendered the Church large service, especially in connection with the reorganiza- tion of the College Board.] 2. Name of the Board changed and sphere enlarged. 1. The Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies to be hereafter named the College Board of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 2. Said Board to be enlarged in sphere of operation and executive force so as the more widely to represent the Church, and so as the more directly and efficiently to promote college interests and objects, especially in the matter of endowment, which was manifestly approved by the General Assembly at its meeting at Los Angeles. 3. The headquarters of the Board to be in New York City. — 1904, p. 108. 3. Constitution of the Board, 1904. We recommend that the Constitution of the reorganized Board shall be as follows : 1. The name of this Board shall be The College Board of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America, and its general work shall be such as is indicated by its title. It may aid academies in its dis- cretion in the matter of current support, but shall not seek endowment for such institutions. 2. The Board shall consist of twenty-four members, one-half of whom shall be, and two-thirds of whom may be, laymen. They shall be divided into three classes, one class to be elected each year by the General Assembly. The Board shall have power to fill vacancies. 3. The officers of the Board shall be a President, Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. 4. The headquarters of the Board shall be at New York, and the Executive Committee of the Board shall be residents in New York or the immediate vicinity. 5. The province of the Board shall be : (a) To awaken interest, diffuse information, and stimulate prayer in behalf of the cause with which it is charged. (6) To cooperate with colleges which come into relations with the Board in securing endowment for them. 66 1042 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. (c) To cooperate with local agencies in determining sites for new colleges. (d) To decide what colleges shall be given annual help for current expenses ; and for this purpose, (e) To secure an annual offering from the churches. 6. The Board shall call au Annual Conference of Presbyterian Colleges to advise the Board and to cooperate in securing the desired results. This Conference may nominate two members of the Board to be elected each year by the Assembly. 7. The funds received by the Board shall be devoted either to the endowment or to the current expenses of colleges, and shall be secured, (a) By special applications for endowment, under the approval and general directions of the Board ; (6) By annual offerings from the churches. 8. (a) Every college hereafter established, as a condition of receiving aid, shall be organically connected with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, or by perpetual charter provision shall have two-thirds of its Board of Control members of this Church. (b) In the case of colleges already established, and not included under the above provisions, appropriations for endowment shall be so made as to revert to the Board whenever these colleges shall pass from Presbyterian control. (c) In all other respects the disbursement of funds by the Board shall be wholly discretionary with the Board, both as to amount and direction, subject always to the control of the General Assembly. (d) The Board shall endeavor to have all gifts for Christian education within our Church either passed through its treasury or reported to it, that its Reports may show from year to year what sums, and from what sources, are given to this cause. 9. It shall be the policy of the Board to limit the number of colleges in any region, so as to secure strong institutions rather than many weak ones, and in carrying out this policy colleges may be consolidated when deemed advisable by the Board. Colleges coming into existence without the approval of the Board, and colleges which refuse to cousolidate when so directed by the Board, may be denied aid from the Board. — 1904, p. 110. 4. Transfer of property to the College Board ordered. That the Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies and the College Board of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America be directed to take the legal steps necessary for the transfer of the former Board, and its property, cash, and securities. — 1904, p. 110. 5. Christian Basis of Education approved. That the Assembly again expresses its hearty approval of the policy of the Board in requiring Bible study as a basis of cooperation, and would suggest in addition a curriculum designed to develop Christian belief and character.— 1906, p. 90. 6. Salaried officer confirmed. Rev. James Stuart Dickson, D.D., Secretary. — 1905, p. 101. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1043 IX. COMMITTEE ON SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE. 1. Appropriations voted for expenses. Appropriation voted each year of a sum not exceeding $1000. — 1898, p. 118; 1906, p. 209. [Note. — See also this Supplement, under Directory for Worship, Chapter VI.] X. PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON TEMPERANCE. 1. Board of Publication instructed to print literature. In view of the lack of contributions to this Committee by the churches, which prevents the successful prosecution of its work, we recommend that the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work be instructed to print gratuitously for the Permanent Committee on Temperance such literature as the Committee may prepare for its use, to the amouut of $500 in value annually.— 1900, p. 138. [Note. — Appropriation also voted in 1905, p. 180, up to $1000.] 2. Pages assigned in The Assembly Herald. That the Publishing Committee of The Assembly Herald be instructed to allot two pages monthly for the use of the Permanent Committee on Temperance, the Permanent Committee to bear its appropriate share of the deficit, if any, incurred in the publication of the Herald. — 1901, p. 151. 3. Interdenominational Conference approved. a. That we direct the Permanent Committee to open correspondence with the officers or judicatories of sister Churches, asking that Temperance Committees be by them appointed, with a view to mutual conference and combined effort against our common foe, the liquor traffic. — 1903, p. 160. b. That the Plan of Federation of Churches on Temperance Work is approved. — 1906, p. 177. 4. Temperance missionaries authorized. That if the funds warrant it we recommend the employment of Tem- perance missionaries, not to exceed five in number, and that two of them shall be colored men, who will labor among their own people. — 1904, p. 190. 5. Appointment of Advisory Members authorized. That the Permanent Committee be permitted to name twenty-four per- sons throughout the various Synods who shall be Advisory Members of the Committee. — 1905, p. 181. 6. Petitions, etc., to the U. S. Government authorized. a. Army Canteens.— 1 899, p. 94; 1900, p. 165. b. Chinese Opium traffic. — 1901, p. 151. c. Hepburn Bill, Interstate Commerce. — 1903, p. 160. d. Oklahoma, Constitution of State of.— 1904, p. 191. e. Sale of Liquor in Government Buildings, etc.— 1898, p. 104; 1902, p. 102 ; 1903, p. 159 ; 1905, p. 180. f. Sale of Liquor in the ..New Territories and the New Hebrides. — 1899, p. 93; 1900, p. 138. 1044 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 7. Presbyteries and Sessions to appoint Committees. That Presbyteries and Sessions, which have not already done so, be uro-ed to appoint Committees on Temperance to cooperate with the work of the Permanent Committee, and to give such place and emphasis, in their own spheres, to this subject, that the people may be instructed and made to appreciate the gravity of existing conditions and the responsi- bilities of Christians.— 1899, p. 93. XI. THE ASSEMBLY HERALD. 1. Establishment of The (new) Assembly Herald, 1898. Resolved, That the General Assembly records its appreciation of the valuable service rendered in the conduct of its missionary publications by the Committee on The Church at Home and Abroad for eleven years with- out compensation ; by the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, which has without remuneration borne the burden of the financial con- duct of the magazine, and by the Rev. William H. Hubbard, who has so untiringly striven to solve the problem of a cheaper and more widely circulated missionary periodical. Resolved, That The Church at Home and Abroad and The Assembly Herald as at present conducted be discontinued on January 1, 1899. Resolved, That in their place the General Assembly do authorize and provide for the publication of a single monthly magazine representing the interests of all the Boards, under the name of The Assembly Herald, the publication to begin with January 1, 1899. Resolved, That the Committee on the magazine be authorized to employ and to fix the salary of a business manager and editor, who shall have independent control under the general supervision of the Committee of all matters pertaining to the production of the magazine, but always in friendly conference with the executive officers of the Boards, and es- pecially where questions of their administrative policy are concerned. — 1898, p. 89. 2. New Committee of Management appointed. 1. That The Assembly Herald be continued as the official representative of the work of the Church, especially as carried on by the eight Boards of the Church. 2. That a Committee of three be appointed as follows : One by the Board of Foreign Missions, one by the Board of Home Missions, and one by the remaining six Boards of the Church, and that this Committee be given entire control of The Assembly Herald in all matters pertaining to its production and editing. 3. That all deficits be met by the Boards as follows : The Board of Foreign Missions to pay one-third, the Board of Home Missions to pay one-third, and the remaining six Boards to pay one-third ; and that all profits be divided among the eight Boards in a like proportion. — 1899, p. 89. [Note. — See also under Temperance, this Supplement, p. 1043.] XII. COMMITTEE ON EVANGELISTIC WORK. [While this Committee is a Special Committee, its work is of such a character as to require some statements concerning it in this volume.] FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1045 1. Action of the Assembly of 1901. Whereas, It is the obligation of the Church as a missionary organiza- tion to carry the message of salvation to every creature ; and, Whereas, To this end, as part of the Forward Movement of the Twentieth Century, evangelistic services, so called, may be made, with the Divine blessing, a powerful and efficient factor, especially in our cities ; therefore, Resolved, That the Moderator be requested and authorized to appoint a Special Committee of twelve, to consist of six ministers and six elders, whose duty it shall be to stimulate the churches in evangelistic work, to consider the methods of such work and of its conduct in relation to the churches, and to report with recommendations to the next General Assembly.— 1901, p. 119. Committees appointed, 1901-1906. The Special Committee on Evangelistic Work was announced by the Moderator and is as follows : Elder — John H. Converse, Chairman. Ministers — George T. Purves, D.D., J. Wilbur Chapman, D.D.; W. J. Chichester, D.D.; S. S. Palmer, D.D.; John Balcom Shaw, D.D.; George P. Wilson, D.D. Elders — John Willis Baer, James I. Buchanan, S. P. Harbison, E. A. K. Hackett, Charles S. Holt.— 1901, p. 170. See also 1902, p. 140; 1903, p. 37; 1904, p. 46; 1905, p. 53; 1906, p. 25. 3. Employment of evangelists authorized. * The General Assembly, having already taken action in connection with the Report of the Special Committee on Evangelistic Work covering all points in [certain] Overtures except two, viz., (1) making the Committee permanent, and (2) authorizing it to employ evangelists, it is recom- mended (1) that no action be taken at this time on making the Com- mittee permanent ; and (2), that the Committee be authorized to employ evangelists, to meet applications from churches, Presbyteries, and Synods, and consistently with the provisions of the resolutions already adopted by this Assembly.— 1902, p. 124. 4. Powers of the Committee. This Committee shall cooperate with the Presbyteries and Synods ; shall have power to name advisory members and to constitute an Executive Committee of not less than five for the transaction of business in the intervals between regular meetings ; and shall report to the next General Assembly. The expenses, except for the attendance of members upon the regular meetings, shall be met by voluntary contributions. — 1902, p. 38 ; 1903, p. 40, etc. 5. Presbyteries and Synods to cooperate. Resolved, 2. That the General Assembly recommend the appointment, or continuance, of Committees on Evangelistic Work in each Presbytery and Synod. Resolved, 3. That the coming year be signalized by aggressive work for the winning of souls, and that the General Assembly recommend to each church, by special services or otherwise, to take definite and system- atic measures to that end, and that Presbyteries be instructed to initiate and direct the work so far as necessary. — 1902, p. 38. 1046 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 6. Primary responsibility upon pastors and Sessions. Committee to pass upon qualifications of evangelists. Resolved, 3. That the General Assembly emphasizes the primary responsibility for evangelistic effort as resting upon pastors and Sessions; at the same time the Assembly again, as heretofore, recommends the use of accredited evangelists, and therefore authorizes the Committee to pass upon the qualifications of evangelists, and to promote their employment so far as their services may be needed, and only such evangelists should be commended to the Church at large as have the proper endorsement and approval of their brethren, and the seal of God's approval upon their ministry.— 1903, p 40. Also 1902, p. 39, etc. 7. Pastors to be sought with special evangelistic gifts. Resolved, 6. That the General Assembly's Committee is hereby directed to seek out pastors with special evangelistic gifts, and to request their several churches and Presbyteries to release them for a portion of the year, in order that they may serve in the field at large, under the direc- tion of the General Assembly's Committee, and in cooperation with the Evangelistic Committees of the Synods and Presbyteries ; the expenses of the work to be provided either by subscription or by collection. The General Assembly's Committee is instructed to use every effort to bring together the churches seeking the assistance of such pastors and the pastors willing to devote their time to the work. The pastors of the churches are requested to bring their needs to the attention of the General Assem- bly's Committee. — 1903, p, 41. 8. Interdenominational evangelistic movements approved. Resolved, That the General Assembly hereby authorizes such coopera- tion with other evangelical denominations as may make it possible to move in a more marked way the cities of our land. The evangelistic movement should include, whenever it may seem to be wise on the part of pastors and Sessions, simultaneous meetings in cities in cooperation with other evangelical denominations ; and where such meetings are held, prep- aration should be not only thoroughly made before the meetings, but results carefully followed up and the harvest garnered after the meetings. —1905, p. 35. 9. The Evangelistic Committee and the Board of Home Missions. [See this Supplement, p. 1030.] XIII. PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK. [Note. — The General Assembly of 1902 appointed a Special Committee on Young People's Societies, as a result of whose work the Permanent Committee was consti- tuted. See Minutes, 1903, pp. 60-65. The Permanent Committee, however, was discontinued by the Assembly of 1906, and its work transferred to the Board of Publication and S. S. Work. See Minutes, p. 183. See also this Supplement, p. 1036.] XIV. THE MINISTERIAL SUSTENTATION FUND. 1. Report of Committee on Sustentation, 1903. The Committee also considered the question of Ministerial Sustentation as related to a fixed provision for honorably retired ministers. Being impressed with the great importance of this subject, the Committee asks to be continued, to report thereupon to the next Assembly. — 1903, p. 165. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1047 [Note. — The Committee on Sustentation was appointed in 1902, Minutes, p. 20. A part of its work will be found stated in this Supplement, p. 1027.] 2. Plan of Sustentation for Ministers approved. a. 1. That the Assembly hereby approves of the preparation of a Plan of Sustentation for ministers who are honorably retired by action of Pres- bytery, either at the age of 70 or at disability prior to such age duly certified, and also for the widows [and minor children] of ministers. — 1904, p. 219. b. 1. That the Assembly hereby approves the principles of the Plan as set forth in this Report. — 1905, p. 136. c. In connection with this Plan, the Committee offers the following recommendations for adoption : 1. That the Plan of the Ministerial Sustentation Fund be and hereby is approved. 2. That a Committee of Administration be appointed consisting of fifteen members, of whom seven shall be ministers, who shall have power to approve the details of organization and to take the other steps neces- sary to put the Plan into immediate operation. The Committee shall also have power to appoint a special representative, and shall be known as the Committee on the Ministerial Sustentation Fund. The expenses of the Committee shall be provided by voluntary contributions. 3. That the headquarters of the Committee be located in New York City, and that for the present the Stated Clerk of the Assembly be the Treasurer. — 1906, p. 115. [Note.— See for this Plan, Minutes of 1906, pp. 112-115.] 3. Membership of the Committee, 1906. The Moderator announced the following Committee, to be known as the Committee of Administration of the Ministerial Sustentation Fund : Ministers— Howard Duffield, D.D., Henry Elliott Mott, D.D., John R. Sutherland, D.D., W. H. Roberts, D.D., A. Edwin Keigwin, D.D., Cleland B. McAfee, D.D., Robert Mackenzie, D.D. Laymen — Thomas W. Synnott, Thomas D. Foster, Clayton E. Crafts, Francis B. Griffin, Gilbert Colgate, Ernest R. Ackerman, J. M. Studebaker, Louis H. Severance. — 1906, p. 117. XV. THE PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG SEAMEN AND SOLDIERS. 1. Action of the Assembly, 1906. [Note. — The General Assembly in 1903 appointed a Special Committee on Work among Seamen, which reported from year to year until 1906, when it was made a Permanent Committee.] a. (1) That this Committee be known hereafter as the Permanent Committee on Christian Work among Seamen and Soldiers. (2) That the Assembly expresses its hearty approval of the plan of cooperation, relative to the appointment of Naval Chaplains, between the President of the United States, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Com- mittee, and authorizes the Committee to act for the Assembly in this matter ; and recommends that similar cooperation should be sought with the Secretary of War relative to the appointment of Army Chaplains. 1048 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. (3) That the Assembly confirms the action taken by the Committee in seeking cooperation of all the Presbyteries in the interests of seamen, and suggests that similar action be taken in behalf of soldiers. (4) That the Assembly recommends that each Presbytery, coming in touch with the classes designated, appoint a Standing Committee, to be known as the Committee on Christian Work among Seamen and Soldiers, to cooperate with the Assembly's Committee in promoting the religious welfare of these two classes of our citizens who are so largely deprived of religious and social privileges. (6) That the resignation of the Rev. E. R. Craven, D.D., as Chair- man be accepted, with the thanks of the Assembly for his services, and that he be requested to retain his membership in the Committee ; that the Rev. Henry F. Lee be appointed Chairman and the Rev. J. H. Edwards, D.D., Vice-Chairman ; that the following additional members be reappointed : the Rev. Donald McLaren, D.D., the Rev. C. A. R. Janvier, the Rev. John Bancroft Devins, D.D., the Rev. George McPherson Hunter, Homer L. Pound, and Richard H. Wallace. (7) That the Committee be increased to fifteen members, the new members to be appointed by the Moderator in consultation with the representative of the Committee presenting this Report. (8) That the expenses of the Committee be met by voluntary contri- butions ; and the Committee is recommended for contributions for its expenses to the beneficence of churches and individuals interested in the spiritual welfare of seamen and soldiers. — 1906, p 192. b. The Moderator anuouuced the following additional members of the Permanent Committee on Christian Work among Seamen and Soldiers : Ministers— Teunis S. Hamlin, D.D., T. Calvin McClelland, D.D., W. Brenton Greene, D.D. Ruling Elders — Hon H. F. B. McFarland. Harry P. Ford, Real Admiral John C. Watson.— 1906, p. 241. XVI. THE PRESBYTERIAN BROTHERHOOD. 1. Committee appointed on Men's Societies. a. "The Synod of Ohio respectfully overtures the Assembly to appoint a Special Committee, which shall make full investigation of the question of Men's Societies, and report, with the view to the formation of a Men's Order, or Brotherhood, within the Presbyterian Church, which shall be distinctively Presbyterian in name and purpose, and providing for Pres- byterial, Synodical, and National Conventions, for the purpose of bring- ing Presbyterian men together in the interests of the Presbyteriau Church, and in the interest of winning men to Christ." It is recommended that a Committee of five be appointed to report as desired, and that the Stated Clerk be instructed to place at its disposal such information as comes to his office in the regular Reports of the Presbyteries. — 1905, p. 82. b. Special Committee on Men's Societies : Ministers — John Clark Hill, D.D., John Balcom Shaw, D.D., S. Edward Youn^, D.D. Ruling Elders— Andrew Stevenson and W. T. Ellis.— 1905, p. 182. Additional Members : Ministers — Alfred H. Barr and D. M. Benham. Elders — Charles T. Thompson, Dwight H. Day, and John M. Patterson. — 1906, p. 84. 2. Organization of the Brotherhood authorized. In view of the results of your Committee's investigation, it is recom- mended : FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1049 1. That this General Assembly authorizes the formation of a Brother- hood within the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to include all men's organizations now existing or hereafter to be formed in connection with local congregations. 2. It is further recommended : (a) That all existing organizations of men in our congregations which declare their adoption of Article 2 of the Provisional Plan, hereinafter given, be hereby recognized as charter organizations of the Brotherhood. (b) That in all our congregations, where there is at present no such or- ganization, steps be taken, wherever possible, to secure some organization of men. (c) That all Presbyteries and Synods appoint a Standing Committee on the Brotherhood, for the purpose of fostering in whatever ways may be expedient organized work for men in the churches, and that these com- mittees arrange for Presbyterial aud Synodical Conventions of the laymen within their bounds. (d) That the General Assembly appoint each year a Standing Com- mittee on the Brotherhood. (e) That the Assembly appoint a Committee on Men's Societies, con- sisting of five Ministers and five Elders, for the purpose of perfecting and promoting this movement on the lines set forth in the Provisional Plan. This Committee shall arrange for the first convention, which shall be held without expense to the General Assembly. (/) That a convention of the laymen of the Church be held, under the authorization and approval of the General Assembly, as soon as practical. 3. Constitution for the Brotherhood approved. 3. That this Assembly approves and adopts the following Provisional Plan for the organization of the Brotherhood : (1) The name of this organization shall be The Presbyterian Brother- hood. (2 ) The object of the Brotherhood shall be to secure the organization of the men of our churches, with a view to spiritual development, fraternal relations, denominational fealty, the strengthening of fellowship, and the engagement in works of Christian usefulness. (3) Conventions shall be held from time to time for mutual counsel and inspiration. Each organization shall be entitled to at least one repre- sentative in such conventions, and one representative for each additional one hundred members or fraction thereof not less than twenty-five. Each convention shall plan for the meeting of the convention following, and shall appoint such committees and officers as may be necessary. (4) The powers of the annual convention shall be advisory and declarative only, and no action taken by the convention shall be binding on any local organization unless adopted by regular action according to its Constitution. (o) The Brotherhood shall report to the General Assembly annually, and shall employ such means as may be necessary to secure, in coopera- tion with the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, detailed annual re- ports from all local organizations. (6) It is distinctly declared that the purpose of this plan is to bring all existing organizations in our churches into a close working union, without in any way imposing on them a definite form of organization, and leaving 1050 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. them absolutely free to prosecute any form or method of Christian activity that may be adapted to the local organization ; provided, however, that the Constitution of the local organization shall declare that it is to be governed by the principles set forth in Chapter XXIII. of the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., and therefore " be under the immediate direction, control, and authority of the Session of such Church."— 1906, pp. 65, 66. XVII. BOARDS AND AGENCIES RECEIVED, MAY 24, 1906. [See this Supplement, p. 932, and Minutes, 1906, p. 399- 7 .] II. THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES. I. GENERAL MATTERS. 1. Conference of the Seminaries requested on certain matters. Among the subjects submitted to your Committee from the theological seminaries were two which we believe should receive special consideration. One had reference to the terms of admission to the seminaries and the other to the length of the course of study. Your Committee would rec- ommend that the General Assembly adopt the following : Resolved, That the Governing Boards of the several seminaries under the care of the Assembly are hereby requested to meet, through their rep- resentatives, and consider the questions of the terms of admission to the seminaries, and the length of the course of study, and such other matters as may concern the advancement of the seminary course ; and also to con- sider the methods of granting beneficiary aid, presented in this report, as they apply to the Scholarship Funds of the seminaries ; and to report their conclusions to the next General Assembly. — 1900, p. 71. [Nute. — The Conference met with every Institution represented and adopted the paper given below] : 2. Action of the Conference of the Seminaries. After due consideration of the matters submitted by the Assembly, the Conference, voting by Seminaries, took the following action, viz.: Resolved, That this Conference communicates to the General Assembly the following : The Conference of Representatives of the Seminaries, requested to meet, was duly convened, and after prolonged discussion of the matters proposed to it, found that the representatives were agreed upon — 1. The importance of maintaining the present period of studies in the Seminaries ; 2. The present requirements for admission, and further safeguarding them as to those subjects immediately requisite for the pursuit of the Seminary course ; 3. Having examined the methods of granting beneficiary aid as they apply to the Scholarship Funds of the Seminaries, submitted to us (see Minutes of Assembly, 1900, pp. 61-63 and 71), we find that we are in substantial agreement with them, and especially so far as they emphasize the importance of making a scholarship test for receiving aid, and of making provision, so far as possible, for those students who do not desire a direct grant from the Seminary to earn or to borrow the necessary funds. —1901, p. 94. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1051 3. Aid to students. [See No. 2 above. Also under Board of Education, this Supplement, p. 1034.] 4. Rule as to the Seminaries to be listed in the Minutes. That the Stated Clerk of the Assembly be instructed to include in the list of Seminaries in the Appendix to the Minutes only those Seminaries that report to the General Assembly. — 1903, p. 156. 5. Instruction in Sabbath-school Work recommended. a. The Assembly recommend to each of the Theological Seminaries of the Church to provide such instruction for their students in the principles and methods of modern Sabbath-school work as will prepare the young men for leadership and cooperation in the activities of the Sabbath-school, more especially in connection with administration, teacher training, and evangelistic work. — 1905, p. 145. b. That in view of the nature and increasing importance of the work of the Sabbath-school missionary, and of the value of special training for those engaged in it, the General Assembly, in accordance with a sug- gestion from the Board, recommends to such institutions of learning under the control of our Church, as may find it desirable and practicable to do so, the inauguration of a Two Years' Course of Special Instruction and Training for persons intending to enter this work ; and recommends that the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work should urge all such persons to avail themselves of such a course. — 1906, p. 108. 6. Seminary Reports to be fuller. a. That to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly and the Chairman of this Committee be referred the matter of making such alterations in the blank sent to the Seminaries, as may to them seem necessary to secure more fully itemized statements of receipts and disbursements. — 1906, p. 204. b. That the Seminaries be requested to furnish to subsequent Assem- blies such itemized statements of disbursements as will really inform the Church as to what use is being made of the funds entrusted to them. — 1906, p. 204. • 7. Examinations on the Standards to be held. Whilst recognizing the fact that more or less space is given in all our Theological Seminaries to direct instruction in the doctrine and polity of the Presbyterian Church, the General Assembly would nevertheless sug- gest that all the students be required to pass an examination on the Con- fession of Faith and the Form of Government before receiving their diplomas.— 1898, p. 129. 8. Instruction to be given on the Work of the Boards. That Theological Seminaries give full instruction on the subject of Systematic Beneficence, and upon the history, objects, and operations of each of the Boards of the Church.— 1900, p. 114. 9. Instruction urged in the English Bible. That inasmuch as many of the students coming out of our Seminaries display a lamentable lack ofL practical knowledge of the English Bible, the Directors or Trustees of such Seminaries as have not already provided 1052 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. such courses be urged to arrange for regular instruction in the contents and use of the English Bible, and the Stated Clerk be instructed to con- vey this action to the officers of these institutions. — 1903, p. 157 ; also, 1906, p. 204. 10. Instruction in Missions advised. The General Assembly would call the attention of the Theological Seminaries under its care to the urgent need of more thorough instruction in Missions, especially with view to training home pastors who shall be able to interest their people in the great cause. — 1903, p. 99. 11. Courses for Evangelists recommended. That the Theological Seminaries be requested, as soon as possible, to make provision in their course of instruction for the training of evangel- ists, and that the attention of the Seminaries be again directed to the Resolution of the General Assembly of 1902, which asks that arrange- ments be made for instruction in evangelistic methods ; and that emphasis be laid on personal work, the conduct of inquiry meetings, and the prepa- ration of distinctively evangelistic sermons. — 1903, p. 42. 12. Uniform usage as to the degree of Bachelor of Arts recommended. That inasmuch as the Reports of the Seminaries indicate a divergence of view and practice as to the scope of and qualifications for the Degree of Bachelor of Divinity, the Seminaries be instructed to correspond or confer with reference to procuring, if practicable, a uniform usage. — 1903, p. 157. 13. Students passing from one Seminary to another must present satisfactory testimonials. That our Theological Seminaries be reminded of the rule which re- quires that students who pass from one of our seminaries to another shall in all cases present satisfactory testimonials from the seminary from which they come ; and that the General Assembly hereby urges a strict observ- ance of this rule in the interest alike of the Presbyteries, the Board of Education, and the Seminaries themselves. — 1899, p. 118. 14. Elections of Directors. [See 1898, p. 125; 1899, p. 114; 1900, p. 141 ; 1901, p. 135; 1902, p. 140 ; 1903, p. 155 ; 1904, p. 150 ; 1905, p. 143 ; 1906, p. 204. The Assembly has relation to the elections of Directors in Princeton, Western, Kentucky, McCormick, San Francisco, Dubuque, Newark, and Omaha Theological Seminaries.] 15. Elections of Professors. [The Assembly has relation to the elections of Professors in the Institu- tions named below, and its action thereon will be found in the Minutes as indicated] : Princeton: 1900, p. 141 ; 1901, p. 132; 1903, p. 152 ; 1906, p. 204. Auburn: 1899, p. 114; 1902, p. 139; 1905, p. 144. Western: 1900, p. 141 ; 1901, p. 132; 1904, p. 150. Lane: 1905, p. 144. Kentucky : 1898, p. 129 ; 1899, p. 115 ; 1902, p. 136 ; 1903, p. 153. McCormick: 1898, p. 129; 1899, p. 115; 1901, p. 133; 1902, p. 139; 1903. p. 153; 1904, p. 150; 1905, pp. 142, 144; 1906, p. 204. San Francisco: 1903, p. 154; 1904, p. 150; 1906, p. 204. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1053 Dubuque: 1898, p. 129; 1901, pp. 133, 135; 1903, p. 154; 1904, p. 150; 1905, p. 144; 1906, p. 204. Newark : 1903, p. 155. Lincoln: 1899, p. 116; 1901, p. 134; 1903, p. 155; 1904, p. 150; 1905, p. 144 ; 1906, p. 204. Omaha: 1899, p. 117; 1900, p. 142; 1901, p. 134; 1903, p. 154; 1905, p. 144. II. THE SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS. I. PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 1. Changes in the Plan of the Seminary. a. That permission be and is hereby given to Princeton Theological Seminary in order to give the Board of Directors the option with reference to the mode of conducting examinations — making them oral or written, or both — permission to strike out that portion of Section 3, Article iv, in the plan of the Seminary beginning with the word " all " and ending with the word " proper," and also the word "present" in the paragraph following. —1898, pp. 128, 175. b. That the amendments of the Plan of the Princeton Theological Seminary, proposed by the Board of Directors of that institution in their Annual Report to this General Assembly, be and the same are hereby adopted.— 1902, p. 140. The amendments read : Article II. Of the President of the Seminary. — Sect. 1. There shall be a President of the Seminary, who shall be elected by the Board of Directors ; he may also be removed by the said Board ; but his election or removal shall be subject to the veto of the General Assembly, to which body the election or removal must be reported at its next meeting thereafter. Sect. 2. Such President shall by virtue of such election be the Presi- dent of the Faculty. He shall be inaugurated in such manner and form as the Board of Directors may prescribe, and at his inauguration shall make the subscription and declaration required of a Professor ; he shall be subject to the regulations made by the Board of Directors and to the prescriptions of the plan of the Seminary with regard to Professors. He shall be the representative of the Seminary before the Church ; he shall be the administrative agent of the Seminary in matters of order and dis- cipline ; he shall give instruction to the students in such departments as the Board of Directors may direct or the General Assembly may order. Sect. 3. Such President shall, by virtue of his election as aforesaid, become and be a member of the Board of Directors during his continu- ance in office. Sect. 4. The salary of such President shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. Article III. Of the Board of Directors. — Sect. 1. Apart from the President of the Seminary, the Board of Directors shall consist of twenty- one ministers and nine ruling elders ; of whom one-third, or seven ministers and three ruling elders, shall be chosen by the said Board annually, to continue in office three years ; and the Board shall also have power to fill all vacancies which may occur in its body ; all these elections, however, shall be subject to the veto of the General Assembly, to whom they shall be reported at its next meeting thereafter. 1054 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Article IV. Of the Professors. — Sect. 9. In every meeting the Presi- dmt of the Seminary or the Senior Professor present shall preside. All subsequent Articles must be put back one number. — 1902, pp. 196, 197. c. That the following changes in the Constitution of Princeton Semi- nary be approved : (a) Section 3 of Article 5 be amended to read as follows : "There shall be an examination of all the students in the Seminary, under the direction of the Board of Directors or of a Committee of that Board, at least once every year. Students who shall have regularly aud diligently studied for three years shall be admitted to an examination on the subjects specified in this article. All such examinations shall be conducted by the professors, either in writing or orally, according as the Board of Directors, or their Committee, shall request. Oral examination shall be conducted in the presence of a Committee of a Board of Direc- tors, and any Director present at any oral examination may, during its progress or at its close, supplement it with such questions as he may deem proper. All papers in written examinations received from students by the professors shall be submitted to the Board of Directors, or their Com- mittee, with such recommendations as the professors may wish to -make. Every student whose final examinations shall have been approved by the Board of Directors shall receive a certificate of approbation, signed by the professor, with which he shall be remitted to the Presbytery under whose care he is placed, to be disposed of as such Presbytery shall direct. Students whose final examinations are not approved shall remain a longer space in the Seminary." (b) That Section 6 of Article 3 of said Plan be amended to read as follows : " The Secretary of the Board shall keep accurate records of all the proceedings of the Directors, and it shall be his duty to lay these records before the General Assembly or before any Committee of the General Assembly appoiuted to inspect them, whenever he is requested so to do by the General Assembly or by such Committee." (c) That Section 14 of Article 3 of said Plan be repealed, which sec- tion reads as follows : " At every stated meeting of the Board of Directors, unless particular circumstances render it inexpedient, there shall be at least one sermon delivered, in the presence of the Board, the professors, and students, by a Director or Directors previously appointed for the purpose." — 1903, p. 156. 2. Act of the New Jersey Legislature securing legal rights of control for the General Assembly. An act to recognize the existence and rights and duties of churches, re- ligious societies, and denominations of Christians, and the supreme gov- erning bodies thereof, and to provide for the enforcement of their civil rights and claims by judicial proceedings, and to define certain words used in the act. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey : 1. Any and every church, religious society, or denomination of Chris- tians now or hereafter to be established in the United States of America, FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1055 and the supreme governing body thereof, whether sole or aggregate, shall be severally recognized in this State, as well in courts of justice as else- where, as an entity bearing the name by which it is commonly called and known, the want of any civil incorporation notwithstanding ; and said supreme governing body, whether sole or aggregate, shall be, and hereby is authorized to bring or institute and maintain any action, suit, or proceed- ing in any court of this State, to enforce the civil rights or claims of the whole Church, religious society, or denomination of Christians. 2. The words or phrases, "church," "religious society," "denomination of Christians," as in this act used and employed, are hereby defined to mean and include, and shall be construed in courts of justice and else- where to mean and include, the whole body of religious believers having a common faith and polity. 3. This act shall take effect immediatelv. Approved March 15, 1898.— 1898, p. 172. [Note. — The Boards of Princeton Theological Seminary secured the passage of the above act and the Assembly approved. See this Digest, p. 441.] 3. An Ordinance respecting the Degree of Bachelor of Divinity or Theology. 1. Be it ordained by the Trustees of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, and it is hereby ordained and established by the authority of the same, that, whenever any graduate of the Seminary, or other person who has done approved work in the Seminary, under the direction of the Faculty of Instruction, shall have been recommended by the Faculty for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity or Theology (the recom- mendation being made after a satisfactory examination upon a course of special study prescribed to all candidates, and being also ratified and approved by the Directors), such degree shall, by the Seminary, be granted to and conferred upon such graduate or other person so recommended, with all such rights, honors, and privileges as are usually incident to such degree. 2. And he it further ordained by the authority of the same, that in tes- timony of the conferring of such degree a diploma shall issue to each Bach- elor of Divinity or Theology to which (the same having been first sub- scribed by the President of the Faculty and by the President of the Directors) the President of the corporation shall subscribe his name, and the Secretary shall set the seal of the corporation without special direction or authority. A true extract from the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Theo- logical Seminary at Princeton, N. J. — 1898, p. 174. [Note. — See for Report to the Assembly, 1898, p. 124 ; also see Item No. 12, this Supplement, p. 1052.] II. WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 1. Amendments to the Plan of the Seminary approved. That the Plan of the Western Theological Seminary be amended by adding to Article ii, entitled " Of the Board of Direction," a new Section, to he numbered 12, and to read asfollows, namely : " It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to elect one of the professors President of the Faculty for such a term of years, and under such instructions as to his duties, as the Board may think best adapted to serve the interests of the 1056 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. institution." That Article iii, entitled " Of Professors," Section 7, be so changed that, instead of the words, "in every meeting the senior professor present shall preside," it shall read, " in every meeting the President, or, in his absence, the senior professor present, shall preside." Also that the words, "the senior professor" shall be changed so as to read, "or, in case of his death, absence or disability to act, the senior professor shall," etc. — 1898, p. 128. 2. Action as to certain property interests. Resolved, 6. Whereas, The Trustees of the General Assembly have reported that the title to certain real estate held for the use and benefit of the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, in the State of Pennsylvania, is vested by various deeds partly in the General Assem- bly, partly in the Trustees of the General Assembly, partly in the semi- nary, and partly in the Trustees of the seminary ; and, Whereas, The Trustees of the seminary have requested the Trustees of the General Assembly to convey to the former body all the right, title, and interest of the latter body in said real estate, and to ratify and con- firm a certain perpetual lease affecting a portion of said real estate exe- cuted to Allegheny City by the Trustees of the seminary on December 3, 1849; and, Whereas, The General Assembly believe that such conveyance and ratification should be made on the terms and conditions hereinafter specified ; therefore, Resolved, That the " Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States of America " are hereby instructed to cause to be executed and delivered to " The Trustees of the Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America " a deed of conveyance and ratification, in due form of law, for the purpose and to the effect aforesaid ; Provided, however, That the said " The Trustees of the Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America " shall, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of such deed, and in accordance with the proposition they have already voluntarily made, agree, certify, and declare, in due form of law, and in consideration of said conveyance and ratifica- tion, that "the property of said seminary, real and personal, as well that which it now has or is entitled to as that which it may hereafter acquire by gift, devise, bequest, purchase, or otherwise, is and shall forever continue to be held, used, and employed in trust for the use and benefit of said seminary in carrying out the purpose of theological education according to the standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and subject at all times to the authority, control, and direction of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as to the use and disposition thereof"; and, Provided further, That said Trustees of said seminary shall also, in due form of law, agree to submit annually to the General Assembly a full and true Statement and Report of their finances and investments. — 1902, p. 141. III. THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF KENTUCKY. 1. Act consenting to the consolidation of Danville and Louisville Theo- logical Seminaries. It has been made to appear to this General Assembly that an agree- ment has been made and entered into by and between the Trustees of the FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1057 Theological Seminary, under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, at Danville, in the State of Kentucky, commonly called The Danville Theological Semi- nary, on the one part, and The Louisville Presbyterian Theological Semi- nary, commonly called The Louisville Seminary, on the other part. The said Louisville Seminary is under the control of the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Under and by virtue of this agreement the two seminaries above men- tioned are to be consolidated into one corporation under the name and style of The Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky, which will be called in this Minute The Kentucky Seminary. Under the terms of that agreement the management and control of said Kentucky Seminary shall be vested in a Board known as The Board of Directors of the Pres- byterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky. Said Board shall consist of twenty-four members, unless and until the number of said Board shall be changed (which may be done) by agreement between the Synod of Kentucky, which is in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, on the one side, and the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, which are in conuection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States, on the other side. One-half of the members of said Board shall be elected by the Synod of Kentucky, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and one-half shall be elected by the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States ; and the election of mem- bers of the Board shall be so made that said Synod of Kentucky, in con- nection with this Assembly, on the one side, and said Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States, on the other side, respectively, shall at all times have an equal number of representatives in the Board. The election of directors by the said Synods, respectively, shall be sub- mitted to each of the General Assemblies hereinbefore mentioned at their next annual meetings, respectively ; and if either of said Assemblies shall, at said meeting, by resolution, object to and disapprove of such election, the same shall not become effective, or shall cease to be effective, from and after the time when said Kentucky Seminary shall, in writing, have been notified of such disapproval. Said Board of Directors shall have power to elect, appoint or provide for the appointment of such officers, professors, teachers, and employes generally as in their judgment shall make the work of the seminary more effective ; and further, the election, appointment, or transfer of any teacher or professor in said seminary shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States at their next meetings, respectively ; and if either of said bodies shall at said meeting, by resolution, object to and disapprove of such election, appointment, or transfer, the same shall not become effective, or shall cease to be effective, from and after the time when said seminary shall, in writing, have been notified of such disapproval. This proviso, however, shall not apply to or permit the veto of the election, appointment, or transfer, at the opening of said seminary, of any of the professors or teachers now employed in either of the said seminaries, that is, the Danville and the Louisville Seminaries. 67 1058 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. The Kentucky Seminary shall be vested with and own all property, business, credits, assets, and effects of said Danville and Louisville Semi- naries, and shall be bound for all the contracts and liabilities of each of said seminaries which are to be consolidated into and form one corporation under the name and title of The Presbyterian Theological Semi- nary of Kentucky. And further, in the event of the violation by said Kentucky Seminary of the terms of said articles of agreement, or of the misuse or diversion of the funds or property held by said Kentucky Seminary, then either of said General Assemblies shall have power to proceed against such viola- tion, misuse, or diversion, and may, through any officer or Committee, per- son or corporation appointed by it, sue in any civil court to enforce this agreement and to protect the trusts under which property and funds are held by said corporation ; and said corporation shall not in such suit ob- ject that either of the said General Assemblies cannot acquire a standing in court through the intervention of its said officer, Committee, or ap- pointee. The Kentucky Seminary shall hold the property and funds hereby vested in it, and all property and funds which may hereafter be acquired, in trust for and the same shall be devoted to the education aud training of young men as ministers of the Gospel according to the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and other Standards of the Presbyterian Churches aforesaid, and for the support and maintenance of young men while in attendance on their studies, in so far as the same may by said Seminary be deemed advisable and practicable ; provided, however, that such training and education shall at all times be in accordance with those Standards which are now common to both of said Churches, and with such modifications thereof, if any, as may hereafter be made and adopted by both of said Churches ; but said Seminary shall not adopt, authorize, or pursue any course of education or training which is not in accordance with those Standards which are now common to both Churches, and modifications thereof which may hereafter be made by both and shall thereby become common to both of said Churches. It further appears to this General Assembly that by the Plan of the Danville Theological Seminary, adopted by the General Assembly of 1853 — that is, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America — aud amended by the General Assembly of 1873, the Danville Seminary was located at Danville, in the State of Kentucky, under certain covenants and agreements contained and set forth under the Plan of 1853, as amended in the Plan of 1873. In the Plan of 1853, as amended by the Plan of 1873, it was provided as follows : 1. " No fundamental principle of the Plan shall be changed unless it is proposed at one annual meeting of the Assembly and carried at the next annual meeting thereof, or unless such changes be proposed to the Assembly by the Board of Directors and carried by a vote of two- thirds of the members of the Assembly. 2. " Those principles and parts of the Plan which are founded on the covenants and agreements between the Synod of Kentucky or the Board of Trustees of the Center College of Kentucky and the General As- sembly, shall never be so changed as to affect the force or integrity of either of those covenants without the previous consent of the opposite parties thereto." FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1059 It appears from the papers filed with this Minute as a part thereof that the Board of Directors of the Danville Theological Seminary and the Board of Trustees of said Seminary have both taken action upon and adopted the agreements hereinbefore mentioned to effect the consolidation hereinbefore mentioned, and both said Trustees and Board of Directors have overtured and requested this General Assembly to take such action as may be necessary to accomplish the full purpose of said agree- ment and to permit the Danville Seminary, in Kentucky, to be removed from that town to Louisville, Ky., and there to be consolidated with the Louisville Theological Seminary into a corporation called The Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky, the said Kentucky Seminary to be located at and conducted in the city of Louisville, State of Kentucky. And it further appearing to this General Assembly from the papers filed with and made a part of this Minute, that all of the parties to the Plan of 1853 and the Plan of 1873, to wit : The Synod of Kentucky, the Board of Trustees of the Center College of Kentucky, and the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Danville Theological Seminary have petitioned and requested this General Assembly to permit all parties to withdraw from said covenants of 1853 and 1873, so far as may be necessary to enable them to carry out the purpose of the said scheme of consolidation ; And whereas it appears that all of the parties interested in the Dan- ville Theological Seminary and who are parties to the said covenants of 1853 and 1873, have in a regular and orderly manner adopted papers and resolutions and have requested this General Assembly to take all the necessary steps to effect the scheme of consolidation hereinbefore mentioned, and it appearing to this General Assembly that the future prosperity and welfare of the Danville Theological Seminary and the cause of theological education in the Southwest would be promoted by the aforesaid con- solidation ; Therefore we recommend that the following action be taken by this General Assembly : Resolved, 1. That the Trustees of the Theological Seminary under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, at Danville, in the State of Kentucky, and the Board of Directors of said seminary be and the same are hereby directed, authorized, and empowered (1) to remove said seminary from Danville to Louisville, Ky.; (2) to take such legal steps as may be necessary to accom- plish and consummate the consolidation of the Danville Seminary with the Louisville Seminary into one corporation, to be known as "The Pres- byterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky," to be located and con- ducted at Louisville, Ky., under the terms and conditions set forth in this Minute, and in the printed agreement between the said Danville and Louisville Seminaries, filed with this Minute as a part thereof. Resolved, 2. That the executive officers of said Trustees and Directors shall have, and we hereby give them full authority, to sign and execute such deeds, contracts, and articles of incorporation as may be necessary to consummate said consolidation. Resolved, 3. That the agreement filed with this Minute, under which the Danville and Louisville Seminaries are to be consolidated, and which is to form the Articles of Incorporation of The Presbyterian Seminary of Kentucky, shall not be altered except with the concurrence of the Board of Directors and of the Synod of Kentucky, in connection with The 1060 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States, respectively. Any alteratiou so made and agreed upon shall be submitted to each of said General Assemblies above men- tioned at their next regular annual meeting, and, unless disapproved at such meeting by one of said Assemblies, the same shall become operative. Resolved, 4. That the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Theo- logical Seminary of Kentucky shall annually make full and complete re- port to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and also to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. — 1901, pp. 136-139. 2. Agreement for Consolidation of the Presbyterian Theological Semi- naries at Danville and Louisville, creating the Presbyterian Theo- logical Seminary of Kentucky. This Agreement, made and entered into this the day of , 1901, by and between the Trustees of the Theological Seminary under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, at Danville, in the State of Kentucky (hereinafter designated as the Danville Seminary), party of the first part, and the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (hereinafter designated as the Louisville Seminary), party of the second part, and the Trustees of the Theological Fund of the Synod of Kentucky (hereinafter designated as Synodical Trustees ), party of the third part : Witnesseth : Each of the parties hereto is a corporation created, organ- ized, and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Ken- tucky, as follows, viz. : The Danville Seminary, under and by virtue of an act of the Legisla- ture of Kentucky, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Trustees of the Theological Seminary under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, at Danville, in the State of Kentucky," approved January 28, 1854, and an act supplemental thereto, approved February 25, 1854 ; The Louisville Seminary, under and by virtue of Articles of Associa- tion dated May 3, 1893, entered into by and between Wm. T. Grant and others, creating thereby a corporation under the name of the " Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary," which Articles of Association were executed and delivered pursuant to the general incorporation laws of the State of Kentucky and recorded in the County Clerk's Office of Jeffer- son County, Kentucky, in Corporation Book No. 8, page 350 ; The Synodical Trustees, under and by virtue of an act of the Legisla- ture of Kentucky, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Trustees of the Theological Fund of the Synod of Kentucky," approved March 1, 1850. The Danville Seminary was organized and has always continued in con- nection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and has received the income from the Synodical Fund ; the Louisville Seminary was organized in connection with and is under the control of the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United" States. Each of said institutions was organized and has been conducted for the same general purpose, namely, the education and training of young men as ministers of the Gospel — the Danville Seminary, according to the Con- FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 10G1 fession of Faith, Catechisms, and other standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America ; and the Louisville Seminary, according to the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and other Standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States ; and the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of said Churches are the same, and their other Standards are nearly the same. Each of said parties owns funds and property, real, personal, and mixed, part of said property and funds being held for the general pur- poses of said institutions, respectively, and other parts thereof being held for specific or defined purposes. It is believed that the best interests of both institutions and of the Churches which control and sustain them will be conserved and promoted by the consolidation of such institutions under the terms and conditions herein set forth. Noic, in consideration of the premises, and of the mutual undertakings of the parties hereto, it is agreed between them as follows, to wit : I. Said Danville Seminary, said Synodical Trustees, and said Louisville Seminary, the corporations hereinbefore designated and made parties thereto, shall be and are hereby consolidated into a single corporation under the corporate name and style of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky, which, for convenience, is hereinafter designated as the Kentucky Seminary. II. The Kentucky Seminary shall be vested with and own all property, business, credits, assets, and effects of said constituent corporations without deed or transfer, and shall be bound for all the contracts and liabilities of each of the constituent corporations. III. The Danville Seminary and the Louisville Seminary shall be con- ducted by the Kentucky Seminary at or near Louisville as one Theological Seminary under this agreement, and the Danville Seminary shall no longer be conducted at Danville. IV. The Kentucky Seminary shall hold the property and funds hereby vested in it and all property and funds which may hereafter be acquired, in trust for, and the same shall be devoted to, the education and training of young men as ministers of the Gospel according to the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and other Standards of the Presbyterian Churches afore- said, and for the support and maintenance of young men while in attend- ance on their studies, in so far as the same may by said Seminary be deemed advisable and practicable ; provided, however, that such training and education shall at all times be in accordance with those Standards which are now common to both of said Churches, and with such modifica- tions thereof, if any, as may hereafter be made and adopted by both of said Churches ; but said Seminary shall not adopt, authorize, or pursue any course of education or training which is not in accordance with those Standards which are now common to both Churches, and modifications thereof which may hereafter be made by both, and shall thereby become common to both of said Churches. V. All property and funds which have been donated or contributed to either of said constituent corporations for the support or maintenance of special Chairs, or for any specific purpose, shall be held by said Kentucky Seminary and dedicated to and used for such specific purpose or purposes, in accordance with the terms of the gift or contract under which the same shall have been received. •«- VI. The management and control of said Kentucky Seminary shall be 1062 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. vested iu a Board known as the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky. Said Board shall consist of twenty- four members, unless and until the number of said Board shall be changed (which may be done) by agreement between the Synod of Kentucky, which is iu connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, on the oue side, and the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, which are iu connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States, on the other side. For purposes of convenience, said first-named Synod will be hereinafter designated as the "Synod of Kentucky," and the other two Synods will be designated as the " Synods of Kentucky and Missouri." One-half of the members of said Board shall be elected by the Synod of Kentucky and one-half shall be elected by the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri. Said bodies respectively shall regulate the time and mode of election as to the members of the Board to be elected by them ; and it shall be competent for the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, by agree- ment between themselves, to regulate the number to be elected by each. The members of the first Board of Trustees to be constituted by elec- tion by said Synods shall hold office for the following terms, to wit : One- fourth of said members shall hold office for one year ; one-fourth for two years ; one-fourth for three years, and one-fourth for four years ; and thereafter the term of office of the members shall be four years. Each member of the Board shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected aud qualified. If any member shall fail to qualify at or before the next regular annual meeting of the Board after his elec- tion, or shall resign or otherwise cease to be a Director, the other members of the Board, appointed by the Synod which elected the member whose office shall have become vacant, shall fill such vacancy, and the appointee shall serve out the term of office of his predecessor, unless the Synod which originally elected such member shall, by election at its next meet- ing thereafter, substitute another person, in which event that person shall serve out such unexpired term in lieu of the appointee aforesaid. Elections of members of the Board shall be so made that said Synod of Kentucky, on the one side, and said Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, on the other side, respectively, shall at all times have an equal number of representatives in the Board. The election of Directors by the said Synods respectively shall be sub- mitted to each of the General Assemblies hereinabove mentioned at their next annual meetings, respectively ; and if either of said Assemblies shall at said meeting, by resolution, object to and disapprove of such election, the same shall not become effective or shall cease to be effective from and after the time when said Kentucky Seminarv shall, in writing, have been notified of such disapproval. VII. The Board of Directors shall have power to elect, appoint, or pro- vide for the appointment of such officers, professors, teachers, and em- ployes generally as in their judgment shall make the work of the Semi- nary most effective. It may adopt and prescribe a constitution and by-laws for the govern- ment and control of the institution in all its parts and with respect to its entire conduct, and may from time to time alter the same ; provided, how- ever, that it shall have no power to adopt any rule or regulation in conflict with this agreement, or with any joint resolution of or agreement between said Synod of Kentucky and said Synods of Kentucky and Missouri. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1063 The election, appointment, or transfer of any teacher or professor in said Seminary shall be submitted to the said General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States at their next meetings, respectively ; and if either of said bodies shall at said meeting, by resolution, object to and disapprove of such election, appointment, or transfer, the same shall not become effective or shall cease to be effective from and after the time when the said Seminary shall, in writing, have been notified of such disapproval. This proviso, however, shall not apply to or permit the veto of the election, appointment, or transfer at the open- ing of said Seminary of any of the professors or teachers now employed in either of the Seminaries, constituent parties hereto. In the event of the violation by said Kentucky Seminary of the terms of these articles of agreement, or of the misuse or diversion of the funds or property held by said Seminary, then either of said General Assemblies shall have power to proceed against such violation, misuse, or diversion, and may, through any officer or committee, person or corporation ap- pointed by it, sue in any civil court to enforce this agreement and to pro- tect the trusts under which property and funds are held by the said cor- poration ; and said corporation shall not, in such suit, object that said General Assembly cannot acquire a standing in Court through the inter- vention of its said officer, committee, or appointee. VIII. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The Board may appoint an executive committee and vest in said committee such powers of the Board as it may deem fit. IX. This agreement shall not be altered except with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, and of said Synod of Kentucky and said Synods of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Any alteration so made and agreed upon shall be submitted to each of said General Assemblies above mentioned at their next regular annual meetings, and, unless dis- approved at such meeting by one of said Assemblies, the same shall be- come operative. X. The first Board of Directors of said Kentucky Seminary shall be selected, one-half by the present Directors of Danville Seminary, and one-half by the present Directors of Louisville Seminary — in each case, preferably, from their own members — to hold office until the Board shall be regularly constituted by the Synod of Kentucky and the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri. XL Each Director of the Board hereby constituted before entering upon the duties of his office shall qualify by taking an oath faithfully to perform the duties thereof. XII. This corporation shall be perpetual. It may acquire by gift, purchase, or otherwise, and hold and use for general and special purposes real and personal estate ; and sell, convey, lease, pledge, or mortgage its real or personal estate, and generally it may exercise all corporate powers conferred by general law upon incorporated bodies. XIII. This agreement shall become effective when and not until it shall have received the assent of the three constituent corporations herein named — the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the Synod of Kentucky in connection therewith, the Synods of Kentucky and Missouri in connection with the Presbyterian 1064 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Church in the United States, and the General Assembly of the Presby- terian Church in the United States. — 1901, pp. 225-228. [Note.— See for the actions of the Boards of Directors and Trustees of the Dan- ville Theological Seminary, the Synod of Kentucky, and the Trustees of Centre Col- lege, Ky., Minutes, 1901, pp. 222-224, and 228.] 3. Action of the Assembly of 1902. The Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Kentucky makes its first Annual Report to this Assembly, making at the same time the same Re- port to the General Assembly of the Southern Church, now in session at Jackson, Miss. This institution is a consolidation of the two seminaries located at Louisville and Danville, and it is hoped that a higher degree of efficiency may be possible by this combination of the two. The Assembly is requested to confirm and approve this consolidation (in accordance with the action taken last year), together with the trans- fers of directors and professors involved in the change. Unanimously adopted. — pp. 135, 136. 4. Approval of the Constitution of the Seminary. 5. That the Constitution of the Theological Seminary of Kentucky (a copy of which is herewith filed), safeguarding, as it does, the funds of the institution, and providing sound and efficient theological training for its students, be approved by this Assembly. — 1903, p. 156. iv. McCormick Theological Seminary. 1. Amendments to the Constitution Approved. That the amendments of the Constitution of the McCormick Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, proposed by the Board of Direc- tors of that institution, be and the same are hereby approved. — 1902, p. 141. [The amendments read :] Section 4. The Board of Directors shall have power to elect and duly induct and inaugurate into office the Professors of the Seminary ; to re- ceive their resignations ; also to remove them from office ; such elections and removals to be subject to the veto of the General Assembly. The Board shall also have power to suspend temporarily a Professor, prelim- inary to and pending an investigation of charges against his conduct or doctrine. The Board shall have power to elect a President of the Seminary, who shall be a member of the Faculty, and subject to all the Rules and Regu- lations which apply to other members of the Faculty. — 1902, p. 224. v. Omaha Theological Seminary. 1. Changes in the Constitution Approved. That the changes in the Constitution of the Omaha Seminary, which have been specified in the Report of that Seminary, be approved. — 1901, p. 135. [The changes in the Constitution are as follows :] The Board has made the following changes in the Constitution, for which it now asks the approval of the General Assembly : 1. Omit from the Constitution Section 7 in Article II. because it re- FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XII, SECT. V. 1065 peats and is in part inconsistent with Article V. of the articles of incor- poration. 2. Omit from Section 8, Article II, the words beginning " He may convene, etc.," as more properly matter for a by-law. 3. Omit in Article III, Section 3, third part, the paragraph marked (6), which makes it the duty of the Faculty to provide an employment bureau for students. 4. Omit from Section 3, Article IV, the words "and shall have con- ferred upon them the degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)." 5. Insert in the Constitution the following as paragraph 1, Section 12, Article II.: 1. To appoint a President of the Seminary, who shall be a member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee and of the Faculty, and who shall be the special executive officer of the Seminary ; in case of his absence or inability to act his duties shall be performed under the direction of the Executive Committee. 6. Omit Article VII. and substitute the following : Article VII. (a) The President of the Seminary shall be the representative of the Board of Directors in the custody of the grounds and buildings of the Seminary. 7. Each member of the Faculty is under obligation to care for the property of the Seminary and for order among the students, and should cooperate with the President and the Board in any matter pertaining to the interests of the Seminary. (c) The Faculty is the representative of the Board in relation to the students and the library, both of which shall be subject to such regula- tions as the Faculty may prescribe. 8. In Section 5, Article VIII, in place of the words " National Bank," substitute the words "Bank or Trust Company." — 1901, p. 250. vi. Lebanon Theological Seminary. [See Action as to Cumberland University, this Supplement, p. 940.] III. AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. 1. Presbyterial Committees to be appointed. Resolved, That the Assembly reaffirms its conviction, expressed last year, of the importance of the work of the American Bible Society to the mission work of the Church, and it recommends, in order that there may be more efficient cooperation with the Society, that each Presbytery ap- point a Standing Committee on the work of the American Bible Society. —1900, p. 34. AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. 1. Presbyterial Committees to be appointed. The Assembly hereby commends the Society to the confidence and sup- port of our churches, and recommends that each Presbytery appoint a Standing Committee on the work of the American Tract Society. — 1901, p. 131. 1066 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION VII. 1. Deliverance against Biennial or Triennial Assemblies. Overtures 22-26, 85, 86, and 90, asking for either biennial or triennial sessions of the General Assembly. It is recommended that these Overtures be answered in the negative, and for the following reasons : 1. Our system of Church government is that Scriptural system which is ordinarily spoken of as " representative republicanism." One of its radical principles is, " that a larger part of the Church, or a representa- tion of it, should govern a smaller ; that, in like manner, a representation of the whole should govern and determine in regard to every part, and to all the parts united ; that is, that a majority shall govern " (Note, Chap, xii, Form of Gov.). The regular and efficient expression of the will of the majority in connection with the affairs of the Church can be secured, under our system, only by an annual meeting of the General Assembly. Were this Church monarchical in its form of government and not republican, Episcopal and not Presbyterian, less frequent meetings of the Assembly might be appropriate. 2. Our system of administration in connection with the great causes of missions and benevolence has been organized upon the basis of the annual meetings of the Assembly. To change our system in this respect would require a radical change in the plans of management of the several Boards. 3. One of the chief functions of the Assembly is, that it " constitutes the bond of union, peace, correspondence, and mutual confidence among all our churches" (Form of Gov., Chap, xii, Sec. 4). The influence of the Assembly in these directions has been of inestimable value to the Church. It has brought into close relations of sympathy and true frater- nity by the annual meetings the representative men of the Church from every portion of our country and from foreign mission fields, and it has been as a result a stimulus and an inspiration to efficient work in the ex- tension in this land and throughout the earth of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 4. Our system of government is intended, among other things, to con- serve the rights and privileges of every minister and member of the Church. A radical principle of our discipline is " that appeals may be carried from lower to higher judicatories, till they be finally decided by the collected wisdom and united voice of the whole Church " (Note, Chap, xii, Form of Gov. ). In no other manner than by an annual meeting of the Assembly can this principle be so put into practice as to properly guard and secure the constitutional rights of the individual. To require a complainant or appellant to await a final decision in his case until the meeting of a triennial Assembly would be to work gross injustice. And the proposed change, further, would of necessity involve such a readjust- ment of our judicial system as would deny to an appellant the right to be heard by the whole Church. Such a denial of right, when conjoined with a proposed grievous delay in reaching a decision, would be contrary to both justice and equity. 5. The New School Church in 1.S40 decided to hold triennial meetings of the General Assembly. Such meetings were held in 1843 and 1846. By the latter year, however, the Church had become restive under the restrictions and limitations caused by infrequent meetings of the supreme judicatory, and in 1849, by a decided vote, the Annual General Assembly FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XIII, SECT. II. 1067 was reestablished. The experience and action of the New School Church in this matter of proposed triennial sessions is a practical and powerful negative to the Overtures to which this deliverance is an answer. — 1898, p. 131. SECTION VIII. 1. One Assembly cannot control another as to place of meeting. The Committee also report upon the Overture referred to it by the Assembly, being an Overture from the Presbytery of Puget Sound, asking that steps be taken for a meeting of the Assembly in 1901 at San Fran- cisco, Cal. It is not within the power of one General Assembly to control another in the matter of the appointment of the place of meeting. This appointment is entirely within the control of the sitting Assembly, and the Committee therefore recommends that the Overture be referred to the next General Assembly. — 1899, p. 90. 2. Emergency Committee to provide new place of meeting appointed. The Committee further recommend the adoption of the following Standing Order or Rule, to provide for possible emergencies in connection with the places of meeting of the Assembly. Such provision has been made several times in the past, and it is believed that it is wise to give the matter permanent form. Standing Order No. 2Jf. — Resolved, That the Moderator, with the Stated and Permanent Clerks, should an emergency requiring action at any time arise, are authorized to provide a new place of meeting for the General Assembly.— 1899, p. 90. CHAPTER XIII. OF ELECTING AND ORDAINING RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS. SECTION II. 1. A Congregation has the right to elect elders as to it may seem best. [Judicial Case No. 1. Known as the Case of the Church of the Covenant, Williamsport, Pa.] The Commission finds that the action of the Presbytery of Northum- berland, taken at its meeting held June 10, 1901, upon the report of a Committee appointed to consider the condition of the affairs of the Church of the Covenant, of Williamsport, was a faithful endeavor on its part to carry out the spirit of the decision of the General Assembly of 1900 in certain appeals which came before said Assembly involving the same parties and practically the same questions ; but that in its action^ said Presbytery transgressed its constitutional limitations in assuming to dictate to the' congregation of the said Church of the Covenant the manner in which a new Board of Elders should be elected, and who should be elected to the office of ruling elder jn said church. All proceedings under said action of Presbytery have been stayed, pending this appeal. 1068 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 5. This Commission finds further, that the plan adopted by the Presby- tery of Northumberland, except as herein modified, will settle the questions vexing the church finally and equitably. The General Assembly, there- fore, without sustaining either said appeal or said complaint otherwise, does First, Direct the Synod of Pennsylvania to instruct the Presbytery of Northumberland to modify its action taken at the meeting held June 10, 1901, relating to the calling of a congregational meeting for the election of new elders for the Church of the Covenant at Williamsport, Pa., by striking out of said action all that part thereof relating to the manner of the election and the parties to be elected, leaving to the congregation its constitutional right to elect such parties as to it may seem best. Second, Vacate the stay of the proceedings under the said action of the Presbytery of Northumberland taken at said meeting on the 10th day of June, 1901, and direct the Synod of Pennsylvania to instruct the Presby- tery of Northumberland to call a congregational meeting of said Church of the Covenant of Williamsport, Pa., to elect new elders for said church in accordance with the resolution of said Presbytery adopted June 10, 1901, as above modified, which new elders, when elected, shall be the Session of said Church of the Covenant and shall supersede all those now claiming to be elders in said church ; and further, to instruct said Presby- tery to carry into effect the action taken by said Presbytery on June 10, 1901, except as -now modified. — 1902, p. 152. SECTION IV. 1. Ordination of a Ruling Elder not invalidated by failure to read the Confession. Overture No. 67, from the Presbytery of New Albany, as to Ruling Elders and the Confession of Faith. " Does the failure of a candidate for ordination to the office of ruling elder to read the Confession of Faith invalidate his ordination, although the candidate may answer the second question, ' Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures' in the affirmative?" It is recommended that the following answer be made : The minister ought to see to it that the candidate for ordination as elder has sufficient knowledge of the Confession of Faith to answer the question referred to intelligently before he is ordained ; yet if a man has been ordained as an elder who has not such sufficient knowledge, this fact does not in- validate his ordination. However, such elder should be required to read and study the Confession. — 1905, p. 206. SECTION VI. 1. To whom an elder or deacon should resign. Overture No. 39, from the Presbytery of Arizona, inquiring to whom elders and deacons should present their resignations. Your Committee repoi't, in accordance with the decision already given on this subject (see Digest, p. 538), that elders and deacons should present their resignations to the Session.— 1901, p. 63. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XIV. 1069 CHAPTER XIV. OF LICENSING CANDIDATES OR PROBATIONERS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. SECTION III. 1. Constitutional Rule No. 3. [Adopted by the Presbyteries under Section 6, Chap. XII, Form of Gov.] " Section 1. Every applicant seeking to be taken under the care of Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry, shall tile his application with the Stated Clerk at least three months before the meeting of the Presby- tery, during which time a careful investigation shall be made as to his Christian character, physical and mental qualifications, and his previous education ; and no person shall be received by Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry who has not been recommended by the Session of the church of which he is a member, under whose care he shall have been for a period of at least six mouths. "Section 2. Presbytery shall examine annually, in person or by letter, all candidates under its care, concerning their Christian experience, their progress in study, and their fidelity to the doctrines of the Church. It shall also advise with them concerning their course of study, and the in- stitutions in which they are to pursue their studies." — 1901, p. 157. 2. Form of application for candidates. Resolved, That the Assembly hereby directs the use of the following form of application by the Presbyteries in the reception of candidates : Application to the Presbytery of to be taken under its care as a candidate for the Gospel Ministry. Name, Address, I wish to enter the Gospel Ministry of the Presbyterian Church. My age is , my parents were members of I became a communicant in Church, A. D. , have been a member of Church since . I agree, if received as a candidate, to submit to the Rules and Regulations of Presbytery applying to candidates for the Gospel Ministry. For the information of Presbytery I answer the following questions : How long have you attended high school or academy ? Did you graduate ? What other schools have you attended ? How long have you attended college, and where ? What post-graduate or seminary work have you done, and where? What degrees have you obtained, and from what institutions ? What practical Christian work have you been engaged in ? Give your reasons for desiring to enter the Gospel Ministry ? Have you reached the conviction that you ought to be a minister as the result of prayer and inquiry from the Lord ? What experience have you had in other work, such as teaching or any business calling ? 1070 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. I also give the following references : f L As to Character . 1 2. (.3. As to Scholarship . 1 2. u As to Ability . . i 2. This application is to be accompanied by the recommendation of the Session of the church of which the applicant is a member. — 1900, p. 69. 3. Presbyteries to exercise vigilance as to candidates. That the Assembly commends the steps taken by some of the Presby- teries, for maintaining a more vital relation with candidates under their care, and a closer supervision of their studies, and that this Assembly directs the Presbyteries to exercise the utmost vigilance in all such matters. —1904, p. 62. 4. College graduation to be insisted upon. That the seminaries and Presbyteries, according to action of the As- sembly of 1891, should insist more strenuously on college graduation by candidates before they be permitted to enter on their theological studies, and that the number of exceptions to this rule should be largely reduced. —1900, p. 144. 5. Duties of Committees on Education stated. That Presbyteries are recommended to strengthen their Committees of Education by putting on them the wisest men in the Presbytery ; to en- trust to them the examination of candidates with respect to personal re- ligion and motives for seeking the ministry ; to hold special meetings for the examination of candidates for licensure or ordination where full time cannot otherwise be allowed for the all-important work ; to combine written with oral examinations for the better testing of candidates ; to enter into and maintain correspondence with other Presbyteries in order that the same standard of strict attention to the watch and care of candi- dates may everywhere prevail for the common advantage and protection. —1900, p. 54. SECTIONS IV. AND V. 1. Presbytery has discretion as to the Latin Exegesis. Judicial Case No. 9, being the appeal and complaint of the Rev. J. G. Mason, D.D., against the Synod of New Jersey. The question in this case is whether the Presbytery erred in excusing a candidate for the ministry from the Latin Exegesis, required as one of the parts of trial for licensure. As the Assembly of 1893 decided that in this specific matter there may be exceptions, and as there is nothing in the record showing that the exception made in the case complained of was based upon insufficient grounds, we recommend that the appeal be dis- missed.— 1900, p. 120 FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XV. 1071 2. Lecture and Sermon may be heard by Committee. That the exception to the Records of the Presbytery of Philadelphia North, because "the popular lecture and sermon were heard by the Ex- amination Committee and not iu open Presbytery," is not well takeu. — 1901, p. 166. SECTION VI. 1. Amendment as to Limitation of Time of Licensure of Candidates. Amended by the addition of this clause, viz. : " And no candidate shall receive license to preach until he has been under the care of Presbytery for at least one year, except in extraordinary cases and by consent of three-fourths of the members of Presbytery pres- ent."— 1901, p. 157. 2. Theological course to be taken in approved institutions. That the Assembly calls attention to the judgment already frequently expressed, that candidates for our ministry should be educated, so far as possible, in institutions of our own Church, or those in hearty sympathy with it, and in particular hereby direct all Presbyteries to require that the theological course be taken in institutions approved by the General Assembly.— 1904, p. 62. SECTION VII. 1. Local evangelist must be formally licensed prior to ordination. Overture No. 32, from the Presbytery of St. Louis, asking whether Constitutional Rule No. 1 exempts a local evangelist who has complied with the conditions from the necessity of formal licensure prior to ordi- nation. It is recommended that the following answer be given : That compliance with the provisions of Constitutional Rule No. 1 does not exempt a local evangelist from the necessity of formal licensure, prior to ordination, and that he should be examined before Presbytery, first for formal licensure, and then later again for ordination, in accordance with the provisions of the Form of Government, Chapter XIV. — 1898, p. 130. [See for Constitutional Rule No. 1, this Digest, p. 330.] CHAPTER XV. OF THE ELECTION AND ORDINATION OF BISHOPS OR PASTORS, AND EVANGELISTS. SECTION IX. 1. Clause added as to salaries. Amended by the addition of the following clause, viz.: " No change shall be made in the amount of salary stipulated in the call without the consent of Presbytery, unless both minister and congre- gation agree thereto ; and only the congregation, regularly assembled, shall have power to bring such a question to the attention of Presbytery." —1901, p. 162. 1072 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION X. 1. Candidates, except those for foreign fields,.to be ordained by the Presby- tery in which they are to labor. a. Overture No. 90, from the Presbytery of Springfield, asking : Is it in accordance with the provisions of the Form of Government for a Pres- bytery to ordain a candidate for the ministry after a call has been ex- tended to him by a church in another Presbytery ? Answer : The last sentence of Section 10, in Chapter XV, of the Form of Government, re- quires that in such case the Presbytery shall dismiss the candidate to the care of the other Presbytery before ordination. — 1905, p. 207. b. Overture No. 240, from the Presbytery of Union, asking as to the proper Presbytery to ordain a candidate for the ministry. " The Presby- tery of Union overtures the General Assembly to define more clearly the ordination of a candidate for the ministry who has been invited to labor under the supervision of the Home Mission Committee in another Pres- bytery, and who serves a Home Mission field simply as a Stated Supply. Should the Presbytery with which he is connected as a candidate, or the Presbytery within whose bounds he expects to labor, ordain him ? Does the last sentence of Section 10, Chapter XV, of the Form of Government cover all cases of ordination, including Home and Foreign missionaries who act merely as Stated Supplies?" It is recommended that the follow- ing reply be given : 1. The ordination of a candidate for the ministry who has been invited to labor under the supervision of the Home Mission Committee in another Presbytery, and who serves a Home Mission field as a Stated Supply, should ordinarily be conducted by the Presbytery within whose bounds he expects to labor. 2. The last sentence of Section 10, Chapter XV, of the Form of Gov- ernment does not include Foreign Missionaries. — 1906, p. 195. SECTION XI. 1. The licensing and ordaining of a candidate at the same meeting not commended. Overture No. 89, from the Presbytery of Springfield, asking : Is the practice of licensing and then ordaining candidates for the ministry at the same meeting of Presbytery in accordance with the provisions of the Form of Government? If not, how much time shall elapse between licensure and ordination ? Answer : Though such a practice is not commended, except in rare circumstances, it does not violate any specific rules of the Form of Government. — 1905, p. 207. SECTION XIV. 1. Licentiate when ordained ceases to be a member of a local church. Overture No. 38, from the Presbytery of Muncie, inquiring concerning the relation to his local church of a licentiate who has been ordained, and suggesting that the local church be directed to give such a licentiate a letter of dismission to the Presbytery. Your Committee report that such a person, when ordained, thereby ceases to be a member of the local church to which he belongs ; that the local church cannot give him a letter of dis- FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XVII. 1073 mission to Presbytery, but that he should at once advise the church of the fact that he has been ordained, in order that his name may be erased from its roll.— 1901, p. 63. SECTION XVI. 1. New Section xvi. added, as to Ministers from other Denominations. XVI. Ministers connected with other denominations, applying for mem- bership in a Presbytery, shall submit satisfactory evidence of possessing the qualifications of character and scholarship required of candidates and licentiates of this Church ; shall be examined in theology, and in the discretion of Presbytery in other subjects, and shall answer in the affirmative, Questions 1 to 8, contained in Section xii. of this Chapter. — 1901, p. 160. 2. Reception of Ministers from the Presbyterian Church South. Overture No. 34, from the Presbytery of Platte, asking as to the con- ditions of the reception of ministers from the Presbyterian Church in the United States. It is recommended that the following answer be given : That ministers coming to us from any Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in the United States may be received on the same basis as those coming to us from one of our own Presbyteries. — 1898, p. 133. CHAPTER XVII. OF RESIGNING A PASTORAL CHARGE. New Section ii. added, as to Pastor Emeritus. II. When any Minister shall resign his charge by reason of age or in- capacity for further labor, and the congregation shall be moved by affec- tionate regard for his person and gratitude for his ministry among them to desire that he should continue to be associated with them in an honorary relation, they may, at a regularly called meeting, elect him as Pastor Emeritus, with or without salary, but with no pastoral authority or duty. This action shall be subject to the approval of Presbytery, and shall take effect upon the formal dissolution of the pastoral relation. — 1901, p. 154. CHAPTER XVIII. OF MISSIONS. [See for Synodical Missions, etc., this Supplement, p. 1027, seq.'] CHAPTER XIX. OF MOD ERA TORS. [See this Supplement, p. 982, seg.] 68 1074 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER XX. OF CLERKS. [See this Supplement, p. 983, seq.~] CHAPTER XXI. OF VACANT CONGREGATIONS ASSEMBLING FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. SECTIONS II TO IV. 1. Three sections added to Chapter XXI. Amended by the addition of the following sections : II. Every Presbytery shall arrange for the supply of the vacant pulpits ■within its bounds, either by direct action at a meeting or through a Com- mittee. The Session of a vacant church may receive leave to supply the pulpit for a period to be fixed by Presbytery, subject to the limitation contained in the fourth section of this chapter. III. Ministers, licentiates, and local evangelists connected with the Presbyteries of this Church shall be the only persons to be employed as regular supplies in vacant churches. It shall be the duty of ministers not engaged in regular church work to render service in vacant congregations within the bounds of their respective Presbyteries, unless excused by act of Presbytery. Ministers of other denominations in correspondence with this General Assembly may be employed as occasional supplies. IV. When the pulpit of any congregation has been vacant for a longer period than twelve months, the appointment of ministers for the pulpit shall be made by the Presbytery, and shall continue to be so made until a pastor has been elected by the congregation and duly installed by the Presbytery.— 1901, p. 158. 2. Vacant church defined. a. Overture No. 50, from the Presbytery of Morris and Orange, asking that the definition of a vacant church, on p. 148 of the Digest, viz.: " Every congregation or church is vacant which has not a pastor duly installed," be amended so as to read : " Every congregation or church is vacant which has not a stated supply approved by Presbytery or a pastor duly installed." Your Committee report that our system contem- plates a pastor over every church, and that therefore the proposed new definition should not be made. — 1901, p. 63. b. Overture No. 144, from the Presbytery of Morris and Orange, con- cerning the definition of a vacant church. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XXI. 1075 Your Committee recommend that the following definition be adopted : Every church or congregation is vacant which has not a pastor duly installed or a regular supply appointed by the Presbytery. — 1903, p. 120. 3. Synodical Missionary cannot act in vacant churches independently of Presbytery. Overture No. 38, from the Presbytery of Olympia, with reference to the functions of a Synodical missionary. It is recommended that the following answer be returned : 1. That the Presbytery has full control over the several pulpits within its bounds and may make all necessary arrangements for filling such pulpits. 2. That a Synodical missionary may wisely be a medium of communi- cation between ministers and vacant pulpits, or between ministers and Presbyterial Home Missionary Committees ; but he is not, by virtue of his office, superior to the authority of the Presbytery, and may not act independently of the Presbytery. — 1898, p. 143. 4. Declaration that a pulpit is vacant commended. Overture No. 41, from the Presbytery of Hudson, concerning the de- claring a pulpit vacant, and asking that Chapter XVII. of the Form of Government should be so amended that the Presbytery shall be directed, after the dissolution of a pastoral charge, to appoint a minister to declare the pulpit vacant in the name of the Presbytery, in accordance with what is now the custom though not the law. Your Committee report that while the custom is to be commended, it does not appear necessary to em- body it into our formal law. — 1901, p. 63. [Note.— See also this Supplement, p. 968.] 5. Committee on Vacancy and Supply appointed. Overtures Nos. 21, 23, and 24, from the Presbyteries of Detroit, Troy, and Worcester, upon the same subject, ask the Assembly to recommend a plan for securing service for unemployed ministers and for securing pastors for vacant churches. The Assembly referred the Overtures to a special Committee to report to the next Assembly. — 1899, p. 109. [Note.— See for Keports of Committee, 1900, p. 147; 1901, p. 140; 1902, p. 114; 1903, p. 68 ; 1904, p. 196, and 1905, p. 102.] 6. Final Report of Committee, 1905. Plan of Vacancy and Supply. 1. Each Presbytery shall appoint a Committee, either an existing Standing Committee or a new one, under the provisions of Chapter XXL of the Form of Government, as amended in 1901, to have supervision of all vacant churches within its bounds, except as otherwise arranged for by the Presbytery ; the terrn^f service of members to be not less than three years. 1076 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. It shall be the duty of this Committee to prepare and keep a list of the vacant churches in the Presbytery, and of such of its unemployed ministers as are competent for service and not relieved from the active work of the ministry ; and also to endeavor to arrange for the supply of these churches from its list of available ministers, and from such other sources as may be suggested by correspondence ; all details of adj ustment, such as the amount to be paid supplies, the sum to be contributed by the churches, and the duration of assignments to particular churches, being left to each Presbytery. 3. It shall be the persistent aim of the Presbytery and its Committee to bring the vacant churches to the full support of this arrangement for temporary supply. But if, in the judgment of the Presbytery, pecuniary aid is needed beyond the amounts contributed by the vacant churches themselves, the Presbytery, through its Committee, may apply for aid to the Board of Home Missions, or in the case of churches belonging to self- supporting Synods, to the Home Mission and Sustentation Committees of such Synods. 4. In each Synod there shall be a Committee on Vacancy and Supply, preferably to be composed of the Chairmen or other representatives of the Presbyterial Committees within the bounds of the Synod, whose duty it shall be to report annually to the Synod on the work in its charge, to unify the work within the Synod's bounds, to bring about better relations of supply and demand, and to furnish such information to the Presby- terial Committees as may contribute to their knowledge and efficiency. 5. When a Synod has a Synodical Missionary or Superintendent of Home Missions, he shall be the medium of correspondence on Vacancy and Supply, under the direction of the Synodical Committee, and shall perform such other duties as the Committee shall require. In all other cases the Synodical Committee shall appoint one of its own members to perform the duties above mentioned. 6. For the purpose of establishing a medium of communication be- tween the several Presbyteries and Synods, the general care of the work of vacancy and supply shall be assigned to the Board of Home Missions, with this proviso, that the Board shall act only in an advisory capacity, except in the matter of applications for pecuniary aid. The Board shall appoint one of its assistant secretaries to have charge of the work under the direction of the Board, who shall be the medium of correspondence between the Board and the Committees and officers of Presbyteries and Synods having in charge vacancy and supply. Any additional expenses incurred by the Board in the discharge of this particular duty shall be paid out of its funds. 7. The Board of Home Missions, and each of the self-supporting Synods through the Board, shall present an Annual Report to the Gen- eral Assembly on Vacancy and Supply, and these Reports shall be re- ferred to the Standing Committee on Home Missions. The Committee expreses its appreciation of the value of the supple- mentary number of the Minutes of the General Assembly, issued by direction of the Assembly in January of each year. It recommends that the publication of this supplementary number be continued. It also recommends that the Stated Clerk be empowered to print, in his discre- tion, the lists of names of unemployed ministers desiring service, and of vacant churches. — 1905, p. 108. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XXII. 1077 7. Recommendation as to preaching of Secretaries. (Dig. 341). Overture No. 201, from the Presbytery of New Castle, concerning money received by the Secretaries of the Boards for the sup- ply of pulpits. It is recommended that the following answer be given : As to compensation for occasional pulpit supplies, the Assembly thinks this matter should be left to the judgment and conscience of the salaried agents and officers of the respective Boards. As to income from extended engagements to preach in a given church, the question involves far more than the matter of compensation and the use to be made of it. Such preaching might easily become an impairment of efficiency in the work of the Board to which the agent is already committed, aud for which he is already compensated and is distinctly responsible. The Assembly therefore expresses its grave doubt whether such en- gagements should ever be made. — 1900, p. 56. CHAPTER XXII. OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 1. Commissioners seated upon petition of a majority of Presbytery. a. The Committee on Commissions respectfully reports to the General Assembly in the case of the Rev. John W. Fulton. The facts in the case are that both the principal and alternate ministerial Commissioners from the Presbytery of Bellefontaine are providentially prevented from attending the General Assembly. In these circumstances ten of the six- teen ministerial members of the Presbytery and seven of the ruling elder members petition the General Assembly to seat the Rev. John W. Fulton as a Commissioner in this Assembly from the said Presbytery. Your Committee recommend that the request of the petition be granted, and cites as precedents the case of Mr. Robert Livingston {Minutes, 1892, p. 590) and of Rev. John A. Savage, D.D. {Minutes, 1898, p. 11).— 1899, p. 11. b. Case of Rev. John H. Laughlin, Presbytery of Chinan. — 1904, p. 12. c. Cases of Elders W. I. Dishman and J. H. Watson, Presbyteries of Grande Ronde and Pembina. — 1905, p. 12. 2. Commissioner enrolled who was present at place of meeting, but absent through illness from the Assembly. The Assembly having been informed that Rev. Joseph Sanderson, D.D., a Commissioner from the Presbytery of New York, has been in this city since the opening of its sessions, but has been prevented by illness from attendance, ordered that his name be entered upon the Roll. — 1903, p. 28. 1078 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER XXIIL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS OF THE CHURCH: THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES. 1. Text of New Chapter. Section 1. The members of a particular church or particular churches may associate together, and may associate with themselves other regular members of the congregation or congregations, under regular forms of association, for the conduct of a special work for missionary or other benevolent purposes, or for the purpose of instruction in religion and development in Christian nurture. Section 2. Where special organizations of the character above in- dicated exist in a particular church, they shall be under the immediate direction, control, and oversight of the Session of said church ; where they cover the territory included within a Presbytery or Synod, they shall be responsible to the judicatory having jurisdiction; and where they cover territory greater than a Synod, they shall be resjaonsible to the General Assembly. Section 3. The names or titles of special organizations may be chosen by themselves, and the organizations shall have power to adopt each its own Constitution and to elect its own officers, subject always to the powers of review and control vested by the Constitution in the several judicatories of the Church. Section 4. Wherever the functions of the special organizations shall include the collecting and distributing of moneys for benevolent work, it shall be done always subject to the power of oversight and direction vested by the Constitution in the Session and in the higher judicatories. — 1902, p. 165. [Note. — The above Chapter was reported to the Assembly of 1901 by the Com- mittee on Missionary and Benevolent Offerings, Rev. R. S. Holmes, D.D., Chairman. See for the Report, Minutes, 1901, pp. 119-122.] 2. Societies organized under Chap. XXIIL [See Presbyterian Brotherhood, p. 1048; and Young People's Societies, p. 1036.] , CHAPTER XXIV. OF AMENDMENTS. 1. Renumbering of Chapter ordered. The Form of Government amended by adding a new chapter, to be called Chapter XXIII, the present Chapter XXIIL to be renumbered as Chapter XXIV.— 1902, p. 165. FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XXIV. 1079 SECTION I. 1. Amendments to the Administrative Standards. 1. The Form of Government. 1902, p. 163 — Chap, ix, Sec. vi, amended. 1898, p. 97 — Chap, ix, Sec. vii, new. 1900, p. 146 — Chap, x, Sec. ii, amended. 1901, p. 157 — Chap, xiv, Sec. vi, amended. 1901, p. 162 — Chap, xv, Sec. ix, new clause. 1901, p. 160 — Chap, xv, Sec. xvi, new. 1901, p. 154 — Chap, xvii, Sec. ii, new. 1901, p. 158 — Chap, xxi, Sees, ii, iii, and iv, new. 1902, p. 164 — Chap, xxiii. Of the Organizations of the Church: Their Rights and Duties. New. 2. The Book of Discipline. 1902, p. 157 — Sec. 5a, new. 1902, p. 161— Sec. 26, altered. 1902, p. 158 — Sec. 74, altered. 1902, p. 157 — Sec. 83, altered; Sec. 85, altered; Sec. 87, altered; Sec. 88, altered. 1902, p. 158— Sec. 89, altered ; Sec. 91, altered ; Sec. 93, stricken out ; Sec. 94, altered ; Sec. 95, altered. 1902, p. 159 — Sec. 99, sub-section 3, stricken out. 1902, p. 160— Sec. 107, altered. 3. The Directory for Worship. 1902, p. 166 — Chap, vi, Sec. iv, new. SECTION II. 1. Amendments to the Doctrinal Standards. The Confession of Faith. 1903, p. 124 — Declaratory Statement, new. 1903, p. 125 — Footnotes to Chap. iii. and to Chap, x, Sec. iii, new. 1903, p. 125 — Chap, xvi, Sec. vii, altered. 1903, p. 125 — Chap, xxii, Sec. iii, last clause, stricken out. 1903, p. 126 — Chap, xxv, Sec. vi, altered. 1903, p. 126 — Preamble to new chapters, new. 1903, p. 126— Chap, xxxiv, "Of the Holy Spirit," new. 1903, p. 127 — Chap, xxxv, " Of the Love of God and Missions," new. 2. Return of the written votes of the Presbyteries on Revision. The Stated Clerk respectfully reports to the General Assembly the votes of the Presbyteries on the Overtures upon the Revision of the Con- fession of Faith, sent down by the last General Assembly, and transmitted to him in writing by the Presbyterial Stated Clerks. The votes are as follows : [See for the vote by Presbyteries, 1903, pp. 15-18.] 1080 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 3. Appointment of Committee of Canvass. The following recommendations are submitted for adoption : 1. That the Moderator shall appoint a Committee of Canvass of the answers to the Overtures on Revision, composed of three ministers and two elders, to whom this Report and the written answers of the Presbyteries accompanying it are hereby referred. 2. That the Committee of Canvass shall report to this Assembly a full statement of the vote on the Overtures, and the text of such acts as are necessary for the exercise by the Assembly of its power and the per- formance of its duty in connection therewith. — 1903, p. 18. See for Reports of Committee on Revision, this Supplement, pp. 922-924. 4. Summary of the State of the Vote on Revision. Overture No. Affirmative. Negative. 1. Preamble to Decl. Statement 221 4 2. Declaratory Statement, Ch. iii 220 5 3. Declaratory Statement, Ch. x, Sec. 3 . . 219 6 4. Footnotes, Ch. iii. and Ch. x, Sec. 3 . . 221 4 5. Confession, Ch. xvi, Sec. 7 218 7 6. Confession, Ch. xxii, Sec. 3 215 10 7. Confession, Ch. xxv, Sec. 6 220 5 8. Preamble to new chapters 216 9 9. Confession, Ch. xxxiv 218 7 10. Confession, Ch. xxxv 218 7 11. Authority for change 222 3 Number of Presbyteries reporting no action, 2 ; number making no report, 11 ; total number of Presbyteries, 238. — 1903, p. 123. 5. Report of the Committee of Canvass, and Enactments by the General Assembly. Your Committee having canvassed the written returns from the Pres- byteries on the Revision Overtures, and having found that the returns are in order, and that all the Overtures have received more than the necessary affirmative votes of two-thirds of the Presbyteries, report that it is there- fore the duty of this Assembly to take action now, according to the Form of Government, Chapter XXIV, Section 2, in regard to the enactment of the Overtures. We recommend that in view of the great importance of the subject, and in order to meet in full all legal and technical require- ments, action shall be taken upon the Overtures seriatim, and as follows : 1. Resolved, That Overture No. 1, having received the affirmative vote of 221 Presbyteries, submitted in writing, be and hereby is agreed to and enacted by this General Assembly, and we declare that the following Preamble to a Declaratory Statement is a part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.— 1903, p. 124. [Similar enactments for each Overture were adopted by the Assembly ; see 1903, pp. 124-128.] 6. Resolution of enactment for the whole Revision. a. Resolved, That the Assembly do now declare that the whole Revision of the Confession of Faith, approved and proposed to the Church by the Assembly of 1902, adopted by the constitutional vote of two-thirds of the Presbyteries, has been agreed to and enacted by this General Assembly FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XXIV. 1081 of 1903, and is now incorporated into the doctrinal Standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and that this Assembly do now hold a service of thanksgiving and praise to God, the Father, the Sou, and the Holy Spirit, who has led us to this conclusion in brotherly love, in au earnest desire to promote His glory, and in steadfast loyalty to the truth as it is in Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour. — 1903, p. 128. b. After the adoption of the several paragraphs seriatim, the whole Report was adopted unanimously by a rising vote. — 1903, p. 124. 7. Declaration by the Moderator. The Moderator, by the authority committed to him, declared the subject- matter of the following Overtures, sent down to the Presbyteries by the Assembly of 1902, and reported upon by the Committee on Canvass, to be now a part of the Constitution of the Church, as follows, viz. : Overtures Nos. one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), eight (8), nine (9), ten (10).— 1903, p. 128. 8. Necessary changes committed to the Permanent Committee on the Constitution. Authority was given to the Permanent Committee on Editions of the Constitution to make the changes in the Constitution made necessary by the adoption and enactment of the Overtures. — 1903, p. 125. [Note. — The same authority given on other changes. — 1902, p. 162.] 9. Action as to the vote of Foreign Presbyteries. The Stated Clerk presented to the Assembly the need of action on the matter of securing answers from all the Presbyteries, more especially those in foreign mission lands, to the Overtures on Revision. The subject was referred to the Committee on Bills and Overtures. The Committee pre- sented the following Report, which was adopted : Whereas, All Presbyteries are equally entitled to vote upon every Overture transmitted to the General Assembly ; and, Whereas, A failure to vote upon such Overtures is equivalent to a negative vote ; therefore, Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be instructed to make special requisition upon the foreign mission Presbyteries, which not unfreqently decline to exercise their rights in this regard, to consider and vote promptly upon all the Overtures relating to the Revision of the Confession of Faith and re- port their action to him. — 1902, p. 153. Overture No. 59, from the Weihsien Presbytery of the Synod of North China, asking that in cases where the foreign Presbyteries decline to vote, the attitude of these Presbyteries toward the question at issue be considered as neutral, and not negative. The Committee recommends that no action be taken. — 1904, p. 177. 10. The Reunion and Union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. [See for Report of Committees of Canvass of the Assemblies at Winona and Fresno, 1905, this Supplement, pp. 924 and 926. Also for Announce- ments of Moderators, 1906, this Supplement, p. 937.] 1082 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION III. 1. Appointment of Committee on Revision. [See this Supplement, p. 942.] 2. Member withdraws because of transfer to another Synod. After signing the Report [on Revision] on April 19, 1902, Dr. [J. Ross] Stevenson forwarded to the Moderator of the General Assembly his formal resignation as a member of this Committee. In doing so, he stated as his reason his anticipated transfer of membership from the Synod of Missouri to the Synod of New York, which latter Synod already had its full representation on the Committee under the provision of the Form of Governmeut, Chapter XXIII, Section 3. He desired that no question of constitutionality should be raised on account of this change. — 1902, p. 97. SECTION VI. 1. Amendments declared inoperative because of prior agreement as to Reunion. a. Whereas, In 1904-5 the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America adopted certain amendments to its Form of Government and Book of Discipline with reference to Judicial Commissions, etc. ; and, Whereas, The said Church had previously entered into a solemn agree- ment with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for Reunion and Union on a doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis, specifically defined and conditioned, and had provided that said basis should be binding upon the fulfillment of the conditions ; and, Whereas, Said conditions have been fulfilled and said basis has become binding : Now the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America hereby adjudges and solemnly declares that, by virtue of said prior agreement fixing the basis of Reunion and Union as afore- said, under which organic union is now to be consummated, the amend- ments above referred to and not contemplated as a part of said basis, upon the consummation of Union will be forthwith no longer in force, nor will they be operative in the reunited Church as any part of its ecclesiastical standards, until and unless resubmitted to the Presbyteries of the reunited Church ; and all the Presbyteries and Synods of the Church are enjoined in all cases hereafter arising to act under the standards as they existed on May 27, 1904, except as amended in respect to Chapter X, Section 2, Form of Government, in relation to the erection of separate Presbyteries and Synods for different races and nationalities. — 1905, p. 15. 2. Amendments sent down a second time. The Committee to Canvass the Vote of the Presbyteries upon Overtures sent down by the Assembly of 1905 presented the following Report, which was adopted : Your Committee has been appointed to canvass the written answers to Overtures sent down by the last Assembly to the Presbyteries. These Overtures relate to certain amendments to our Form of Government and FORM OF GOVERNMENT, CHAP. XXIV. 1083 Book of Discipline amendatory of the scheme or plan for Judicial Com- missions, incorporated into the Book of Discipline and Form of Govern- ment by the adoption of Overtures relating thereto, Nos. 1-5, sent down by the Assembly of 1904 to the Presbyteries. This Assembly has already declared (see Minutes of Friday, May 18, 1906) in effect that such amendments (to any of our Standards since the Plan of Union and Reunion, embodying a Basis of Union, was crystal- lized as of the time it was agreed to by the two contracting Churches) would in the event of the consummation of organic union be no longer operative until and unless resubmitted to all the Presbyteries of the reunited Church. The Overtures submitted to your Committee, and those adopted by the last General Assembly after canvassing the answers to the Overtures sent down by the Assembly of 1904, fall within this category, and organic Union having been consummated, it would be an idle form to proceed along the lines indicated by the resolution of the Assembly of 1901, above referred to, and your Committee accordingly recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : Resolved, 1. That the report of the Stated Clerk referred to this Com- mittee be spread upon the Minutes, to preserve the record of the affirma- tive action of a constitutional majority of the Presbyteries. Resolved, 2. That your Committee be excused from making the can- vass, and the Moderator relieved from the duty of making an empty declaration, in view of this Assembly's above-mentioned action of May 18, 1906. Resolved, 3. That in order to effectuate legally the Plan as to Judicial Commissions, so far acceptable to the Church, and sought to be com- pleted and perfected by the amendments specified in the Overtures referred to this Committee, free from any question of breach of faith to the one hundred and fourteen (114) Presbyteries yesterday received into and now belonging to our Church, which did not have in contemplation these modifications of our ecclesiastical Standards when they assented to the Basis and Plan of Union and Reunion, this Assembly proposes to all the Presbyteries of the reunited Church, by Overtures appropriate thereto, the amendment of the Book of Discipline and the Form of Government so as to embody the result of affirmative action by our Presbyteries upon the Overtures, Nos. 1—5 inclusive, sent down in the premises by the Gen- eral Assembly of 1904, as affected and supplemented by the Overtures, Nos. 1-4 inclusive, sent down by the General Assembly of 1905 ; and that the Stated Clerk be, and he hereby is authorized to prepare such Overtures and to send them down, prefaced by the inquiry, " Shall the Book of Discipline or Form of Government (as the case may be, with proper reference to the chapter and section) be amended, from the form in which it stood at the time the Basis of Union between the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. was agreed to, so as to read as follows?" — 1906, pp. 154, 155. 3. Declaration as to adoption of Overtures. a. Upon the approval of this Report, the Moderator announced as follows : " I announce that the Overtures on Pastor Emeritus, Constitutional 1084 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Rule No. 3, Limitation upon Time of Licensure of Candidates, Supply of Vacant Churches, Ministers from Other Denominations, and Salaries of Ministers, having been adopted by a Constitutional majority of the Presbyteries, are now a part of the Constitution of the Church." — 1901, p. 163. b. The Stated Clerk was directed and authorized to insert the Over- tures, declared by the Moderator to have been adopted, in their proper place in the Constitution of the Church. — 1901, p. 163. [Note. — Similar announcements were made and directions given as to all the Amendments adopted from time to time.] BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 5. 1085 PART IV. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. CHAPTER I. OF DISCIPLINE: ITS NATURE, ENDS, AND SUBJECTS, SECTION III. 1. Entire separation from the liquor traffic urged. The General Assembly hereby reaffirms its previous deliverances on temperance, laying special emphasis upon personal total abstinence on the part of the members of the Church, and entire separation from any con- nection with the liquor traffic. — 1902, p. 101. That all our membership be urged to abstain from all complicity with the liquor traffic, in any and every manner and form, thus abstaining from even the appearance of evil. — 1903, p. 160. 2. Persons encouraging the liquor traffic subject to discipline. [See this Supplement, p. 962.] 3. Educational institutions urged to prohibit the use of liquor. That the Assembly urges the management of our educational institu- tions to discourage, and as far as practicable to prohibit, the use of liquor by their students, and at all social functions. — 1905, p. 180. 4. Deliverance against the license system. That the license system is wrong in principle, is contrary to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and has proven futile in practice as a temper- ance measure. Our members are hereby warned most solemnly against signing or presenting for citizens' signature, or in court, license petitions which tolerate the continuance of this unholy traffic, or in any other manner abetting this terrible business. This Assembly is unalterably opposed to the license system. — 1906, p. 176. SECTION 5. [New Section.— Adopted 1902.] 1. Distinction between judicial and non-judicial cases established. 5a. Every case in which there is a charge of an offense against a church member or officer shall be known, in its original and appellate stages, as a judicial case. "Every other case shall be known as a non- judicial or administrative case. — 1902, p. 157. 1086 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER III. OF CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS. SECTION 15. Synod may not order trial on other than original charges. [See Warszawiak Case, this Supplement, Book of Disc, Sect. 99.] CHAPTER IV. OF PROCESS: GENERAL RULES PERTAINING TO ALL CASES. SECTION 18. 1. Teachings of Dr. A. C. McGiffert referred to the Presbytery of New York as the body having primary responsibility. The Standing Committee on Bills and Overtures presented the addi- tional Report in the matter of the teachings of the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., as follows: We recommend that the whole matter of the teachings of the Rev. A. C. McGiffert, D.D., in his book entitled A History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age, be referred to the Presbytery of New York, to which belongs the primary constitutional responsibility, for such disposition as in its judgment the peace of the Church and purity of doctrine may require. A minority Report signed by eight members was also presented, and, after full consideration, the Report of the Committee was adopted by a decided majority, and on motion the vote was made unanimous. — 1899, p. 98. SECTION 19. 1. Judicial Suspension may not be without formal trial. Judicial Case No. 10. The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly, to whom was referred the appeal of the Rev. Moses Bercovitz from the action of the Synod of New Mexico directing the Presbytery of Rio Grande to suspend him from the ministry, took the following action : They entertained the appeal, heard representatives of the parties, and decided as follows : The Synod of New Mexico erred in directing the Presbytery of Rio Grande to suspend the Rev. Moses Bercovitz without formal trial, and the suspension of the Rev. Moses Bercovitz by the Presbytery, in com- pliance with the order of the Synod, is hereby reversed ; and the Synod of New Mexico is directed to instruct the Presbytery of Rio Grande to take such action in the premises as will secure the interests of religion, the good order of the Church, and full justice to all the parties con- cerned.— 1899, p. 127. [Note. — See also Bose Case, this Supplement, Book of Disc., Sect. 99.] BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 44. 1087 SECTION 26. 1. Section 26 amended as to eligibility of counsel. Overture No. 4. Shall Section 26 of the Book of Discipline be amended or altered, so as to read : 26. Each of the parties in a judicial case shall be entitled to appear and be represented by counsel, and to be heard by oral or written argu- ment. No person shall be eligible as counsel who is not a minister or ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and no person having acted as counsel in a judicial case shall sit as a judge therein. The counsel of the prosecutor in a judicial case where prosecution is initiated by a judicatory, shall be the prosecuting com- mittee authorized to be appointed by Section 11 of this Book, and such other persons as may be appointed under the provisions of said section to assist the prosecuting committee. No person shall accept any fee or other emolument for any service rendered as counsel. — 1902, p. 161. SECTION 29. 1. Presbytery cannot be required to furnish Synod Record of Case. An appeal of Robert J. Todd and others against the Presbytery of Boston ; and The second of these papers, called an appeal, complains of the action of the Presbytery of Boston in declining to give to the appellants full copies of all records pertaining to the case, that had recently been decided by the Synod of New York, sitting at Ithaca, October 22, 1903, and against which decision Messrs. Todd and others gave notice of appeal to this Assembly. As the appeal was against the action of the Synod, it is evident that the Presbytery could not be required to furnish the desired records. We therefore recommend the dismissal of this appeal. — 1904, p. 84. 2. No time specified for furnishing Record of Case. A complaint of Robert J. Todd and others against the action of the Stated Clerk of the Synod of New York. With respect to the complaint against the Stated Clerk of the Synod of New York for not furnishing full records of the case to the appellants as soon as they desired to receive them, it may be said that there is no speci- fied time within which he must comply with such a request (Book of Discipline, Sec. 29). And since the Stated Clerk furnished them about five months before the meeting of this Assembly, this must be judged to be a sufficient time. We therefore recommend the dismissal of this complaint. — 1904, p. 85. CHAPTER VI. GENERAL RULES PERTAINING TO THE TRIAL OF A MINISTER, ELDER, OR DEACON SECTION 44. Deposition carries with it removal from the Roll. Overture No. 75, from the Presbytery of Black Hills, on Striking from the Roll the Name of a Deposed Minister : 1088 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. The Presbytery of the Black Hills hereby overtures the General Assembly, requesting to know whether the action of deposing a minister from the ministry carries with it the striking of said minister's name off the roll without further action by Presbytery, or not. Answer : It would be well for the Presbytery, in deposing a minister, to make the striking of the name from the roll a part of the action ; yet, strictly speaking, deposition carries with it the removal of his name from the roll.— 1905, p. 207. CHAPTER VII. OF CASES WITHOUT PROCESS. SECTION 49. 1. Reserve Roll for non-resident members only. Overture No. 73, from the Synod of Tennessee, as to Church Members on the Reserve Roll : The Synod of Tennessee hereby respectfully and earnestly overtures the General Assembly to take some action that will limit and guard the permission to place names of church members upon a reserved roll. We are sure that great loss is coming to our Church in this way. We fear there is not proper and persistent pastoral care and oversight used in these cases by ministers and Sessions. We pray your honorable body, therefore, to define more clearly and carefully the conditions and circum- stances that will justify a Session in taking such action. The following answer is recommended : The Reserve Roll is authorized by Section 49, Book of Discipline. It is for non-resident members only. It must not be confounded with Section 50, Book of Discipline, which applies to resident members who neglect Church ordinances, and who have no place on this Reserve Roll. Under neither rule and on neither roll should any name be entered until after the most careful and earnest efforts to restore to- Christian faithfulness. Adopted. — 1905, p. 207. 1. Title of Reserve changed to Suspended Roll. One of the most troublesome items of the Committee's work was the column in the Statistical Tables entitled " The Reserve Roll " — first as to its relation to the balancing of the returns of membership, and second as to its name. The balancing of the returns has been provided for by the Committee through the insertion of a new column to be entitled "Restored," in which the number of the persons may be placed who have been restored to the list of regular commuuicants. The name of the column was and is a more serious matter, for the reason that it has not been properly understood by some church Sessions. The " Reserve Roll " is based upon the provisions of Section 49 of the Book of Disci- pline. That section has to do solely with non-resident communicants who have been absent for two years or more, who have not asked for or received the Regular Certificate of Dismission to another church, and who do not reply, for one cause or another, to letters from the Clerk ^f Session advising them to apply for such Certificates. The Session is authorized, upon report duly made, to place the names of such negligent non-resident communicants on the Roll of Suspended Members, until satisfied of the BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 51. 1089 propriety of their restoration. It is evident from these provisions of the Book of Discipline that the action taken by the Session in such cases is of the nature of a judicial case without process. That such is the fact appears by Chapter 7 of the Book of Discipline, which includes Section 49, and is entitled " Of Cases without Process." The persons whose numbers are reported in the column known as the Reserve Roll are therefore dealt with judicially, though in an informal maimer, and the charge against them is " prolonged absence without ex- cuse." The Committee feels that in order to remove all apprehension as to the character of the column it should be entitled hereafter " Sus- pended Roll." This change appears to be required not only because of misunderstanding, but also because of the express provisions of the Book of Discipline.— 1906, pp. 216, 217. [Note. — See for action of Assembly changing the headings of columns in the An- nual Reports, this Supplement, p. 964.] SECTION 51. 1. Ministers cannot be required to seek demission. Overture No. 34, from the Presbytery of Beuicia, relative to demission from the ministry, asking the Assembly to direct Presbyteries, that when ministerial members have been for three years, and without sufficient reason, with no ministerial duties under the approval of Presbytery, they should be required by Presbytery to seek demission from the ministry, under the provisions of Section 51 of the Book of Discipline. Your Committee report that ministerial members in such cases, cannot be com- pelled, under our rules, to seek demission, though Presbyteries may prop- erly advise with them as to what it is best to do under such circumstances. —1901, p. 62. 2. Demission allowable only after a year's probation. Overture No. 35, from the Presbytery of Chicago. Presbytery asks in- structions from the Assembly whether, under Section 51 of the Book of Discipline, it can allow a minister who seeks demission, and who in the judgment of Presbytery acts wisely in seeking it, to demit the ministry immediately without waiting for a year's probation. Your Committee report that this Section of the Book of Discipline evidently gives permis- sion to the Presbytery to allow demission only after a year's consideration by the Presbytery and the minister ; that such is part of our Constitution to which the several Presbyteries have assented ; that it does not appear that any real hardship can be suffered by a year's waiting, and that it is the judgment of the Assembly that this provision of the Book of Discipline, as thus interpreted, should be complied with. — 1901, p. 62. Overture No. 90, from the Presbytery of Puget Sound, as to the mean- ing and force of Section 51, Book of Discipline. The Presbytery of Puget Sound would respectfully inquire of the General Assembly, whether Section 51 of the Book of Discipline means that the Presbytery may, at its discretion, grant an immediate demission of the ministry, or ihat Presbytery must put the applicant on probation for at least one year ? The Committee is unanimously of the opinion that an immediate demis- sion of the ministry is not contemplated by Section 51 of the Book of Discipline ; but that if any action whatever is taken upon a minister's request for demission, he must-be put upon probation for at least one vear. —1906, p. 194. 69 1090 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION 53. Names of absentee ministers erased from the Roll. a. Overture No. 40, from the Presbytery of Brooklyn, asking leave to erase from their roll the names of two ministers whose whereabouts have not been known for twenty -five years, such erasure to be without preju- dice to their ministerial character. Your Committee report that permis- sion was granted by the Assembly of 1891, on an Overture from the Presbytery of Brooklyn, to report such names apart from others ; the names being printed on a Reserved Roll, and not to be counted in deter- mining their representation in the Assembly. Your Committee therefore report, recommending to the Presbytery of Brooklyn in the present instance that such a disposition be made of the two names now in ques- tion.— 1901, p. 63. b. Overture No. 236, from the Presbytery of New Albany, asking leave to erase the name of a missing minister from its Roll. " Whereas the whereabouts of the Rev. George V. Dickey, a member of this Presbytery, have been unknown to us for several years, and whereas we are unable to get into communication with him, we respectfully overture the Assem- bly, asking leave to erase his name from our Roll, without prejudice to his ministerial standing." It is recommended that the Overture be answered in the affirmative, and that the name above given be erased from the Roll.— 1906, p. 195. CHAPTER VIII. OF EVIDENCE. SECTION 68. 1. Case referred back because of alleged new evidence. Judicial Case No. 1, being the petition of Rev. C. W. Backus, D.D., asking for a rehearing of his case. The following action is recommended : Resolved, That as the petition of Dr. Backus alleges discovery of new evidence in that the Records of Synod as placed before the last General Assembly were not complete, the Committee recommend that the case be referred back to the Synod of Kansas to be disposed of as the interests of the parties may determine. — 1900, p. 120. CHAPTER IX. I. OF GENERAL REVIEW AND CONTROL. SECTION 72. Proceedings must be correctly recorded. Synod of Illinois. There is no mention of the party who complains against said Presbytery. There is no mention made of the Presbytery BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 76. 1091 against which complaint is made. For its incompleteness we object to this Record.— 1899, p. 120. [Note. — See also this Supplement, under Synods, p. 978.] SECTION 74. 1. Amended by omission of Words in last clause. Amend and alter the last clause of Section 74 by omitting the words •"or complaint," so that it shall read : Provided, That no judicial decision shall be reversed, unless regularly- taken up on appeal. — 1902, p. 158. 2. A judicial decision cannot be reversed by review of records. The Synod (N. J.) having entertained a complaint against the Presby- tery of Monmouth for a certain action, and tried the case by a Judicial Commission, which rendered a judgment sustaining the Presbytery, sub- sequently recorded an exception to the Minutes of said Presbytery because of the action complained of, thus by an administrative act reversing a judicial decision. It is recommended that the Synod be instructed to review its action and make it consistent. — 1901, p. 165. [Note. — See also this Supplement, Bose Case, Book of Disc, Sect. 99.] SECTION 76. 1. Primary inquiry in certain cases belongs to Synod. Deliverance as to forms of modern unbelief. Overture No. 66, from the Presbytery of Westminster, is as follows : " The Presbytery of Westminster would respectfully overture the Gen- eral Assembly to inquire if it be true that the Presbytery of Nassau persists in keeping upon its roll of ministerial members one or more per- sons who are not in accord with the doctrines of our Church, and who publicly denounce many of those doctrines which we believe essential and lie at the very foundations of the Christian religion." It is recommended that no action be taken, Section 76 of the Book of Discipline indicating that the primary inquiry belongs properly to the Synod of New York, to which judicatory the Presbytery of Nassau is immediately inferior. However, your Committee proposes that the following Minute be adopted, viz : Resolved, That, in view of the many forms of modern unbelief which are at once insidious in their approach, unblushing in their insolence, and disastrous in their results, this General Assembly solemnly calls upon all its Presbyteries and ministers and people to be loyal to all the great doc- trines of our historic faith, and while according generous respect to the varying views of others who are one with us in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Divine Saviour and Lord, at the same time also to guard with jealous care and loving pride the integrity and purity of that faith which we solemnly believe to be taught in Holy Scripture, which by the blessing of God has made Presbyterianism so great a power for good in the past, and which in its soundness .and sustained vigor is to be its peculiar trust and honor in the time that is to come. — 1905, p. 83. 1092 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. CHAPTER IX. III. OF COMPLAINTS. SECTION 83. 1. Amended so as to apply to administrative cases. 83. A complaint is a written representation by one or more persons, subject and submitting to the jurisdiction of an inferior judicatory, to the next superior judicatory against a particular delinquency, action or decision of such inferior judicatory in a non-judicial or administrative case. — 1902, p. 157. 2. Complaints must go to the next superior judicatory. a. Judicial Case No. 4, being a paper which appears to be of the nature of a complaint of the Rev. A. R. Day against the Presbytery of Water- loo. The Judicial Committee recommends that Mr. Day be advised to present his appeal or complaint to the Synod of Iowa. Adopted. — 1899, p. 45. b. Judicial Case No. 6, entitled Complaint of the Session of the Church of the Covenant vs. the Presbytery of Northumberland. Your Committee find that this case was brought directly from Presbytery to the General Assembly, passing over the Synod, which is contrary to Chapter IX, Book of Discipline, and would therefore recommend that it be dismissed. — 1901, p. 45. c. In the case of the complaint of the Rev. Edward T. Fleming against the proceedings of the Presbytery of Chicago, the complaint is not enter- tained, since " a complaint is a written representation made to the next superior judicatorv" (B. D., 83), which in this case is the Synod of Illinois.— 1902, p.* 143. 3. Memorials cannot be regarded as complaints. a. Judicial Case No. 6, being two complaints of certain persons claim- ing to be members and members-elect of the Session of the Church of the Covenant, etc., against the Presbytery of Northumberland. We find this paper of the nature of a memorial concerning matters embraced in Case No. 5, and we recommend that it be returned to the memorialists. Adopted.— 1900, p. 100. b. Memorial in Williamsport case. — 1902, p. 75. c. Whitbeck Memorial. Similar action. — 1904, p. 84. 4. Complaint cannot be taken against discretion of a judicatory. Judicial Case No. 6, being a complaint of the Rev. James H. Baird, D.D., against the action of the Synod of Pennsylvania in sustaining the action of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, on his petition regarding the Mercer Home. The Judicial Committee recommend that the complaint be dismissed for the reason that no evidence appears that the Presbytery of Philadel- phia erred in declining to assume jurisdiction of the subject matter of the BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 84. 1093 complaint ; nor the Synod of Pennsylvania in sustaining that action of the Presbytery. Adopted. — 1899, p. 73. 5. Complaints dismissed and no reasons given. a. William N. Richie against the Synod of New Jersey. — 1902, p. 75. b. T. M. Ross and others against the Synod of Missouri, in the case of William Semple.— 1903, p. 110. c. James S. Malone against the Synod of Kentucky. — 1906, p. 163. SECTION 84. 1. Notice must be served. Case No. 2, being a complaint of the Rev. John Fernie against an action of the Synod of North Dakota. It does not appear that the notice of the complaint has been served on the Stated Clerk of Synod as re- quired. We therefore recommend the dismissal of the complaint. — 1906, p. 163. 2. Committee on Time of Notice of Complaint and Appeal Appointed. Inasmuch as it has appeared, in much of the business which has been referred to the Judicial Committee, that the question often arises whether an appellant or complainant is required to file a notice of intent to appeal or complain, with the judicatory appealed from or complained against, be- fore the adjournment of said judicatory, in order that the judicatory may appoint suitable persons to defend its action before the superior judicatory, the Judicial Committee respectfully recommend the reference of this question to a Committee composed of the Moderator and the Stated and Permanent Clerks of the General Assembly, to report to the next Assem- bly.— 1899, p. 128. 3. Report of Committee. Notice to be given within ten days after action. Judicatories to provide for counsel. The Special Committee on Time of Notice of Appeal in Complaints and Appeals presented its Report, which was accepted, adopted, and is as follows : The Committee appointed by the General Assembly of 1899 to report to this Assembly on the question, "Whether an appellant or complainant is required to file a notice of intent to appeal or complain with the judica- tory appealed from or complained against before the adjournment of said judicatory, in order that the judicatory may appoint suitable persons to defend its action before the superior judicatory," respectfully report as follows : The Sections of the Book of Discipline which bear upon this subject are Sections Nos. 84 and 96, and read as follows : "Section 84. Written notice of Complaint, with the reasons therefor, shall be given, within ten days, after the action was taken, to the Clerk or, in case of his death, absence, or disability, to the Moderator of the judica- tory complained of, who shall lodge it, with the records and all the papers pertaining to the case, with the Clerk of the superior judicatory, before the close of the second day of its regular meeting next ensuing the date of the reception of said notice. 1094 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. " Section 96. Written notice of Appeal, with specifications of the errors alleged, shall be given, ivithin ten days after the judgment has been, rendered, to the Clerk or, in case of his death, absence, or disability, to the Moderator of the judicatory appealed from, who shall lodge it, with the records and all the papers pertaining to the case, with the Clerk of the superior judicatory, before the close of the second day of its regular meet- ing next ensuing the date of his reception of said notice." In view of the specific provisions of these Sections, the Committee re- port that an appellant or complainant is not required to file notice of intent to appeal or complain with the judicatory appealed from or complained against while said j udicatory is in session, unless it continues in session ten days after action was taken, but that he has ten full days after actiou taken within which to enter an appeal or complaint. The provisions of the Book of Discipline are intended to conserve the rights of parties to judicial cases before our judicatories, and also to insure to members of the same the power to secure the reversal of unconstitutional procedure, by giving full opportunity for both thought and action. In addition, the ten days' limit gives not only reasonable time for thought to those who- regard themselves as aggrieved by the decision of a judicatory, but also frequently leads them to the conclusion that an appeal or complaint in their cases would be unwise. It is admitted that judicatories at times are hampered by the fact that they adjourn prior to the expiration of the time allowed a complainant or appellant to enter a notice of intention to appeal or complain. It is suggested, however, that each Presbytery and Synod of the Church make provision for this probable condition of affairs by the adoption of a rule conferring upon the officers of the judicatory, or other persons being members of the judicatory, the right to appoint persons to defend their judgments and decisions before the superior judicatories, in the event of the filing with the Stated Clerks or Moderators, by proper parties, of notices of appeal or complaint. The resolution might read as follows: " The Presbytery (or Synod ) of hereby authorizes the Moderator and the Stated Clerk to appoint suitable persons to defend before the superior judicatory its judgments and decisions, whenever the same are appealed or complained against after the adjournment of the [Synod or] Presbytery.— 1900, pp. 22-24. SECTION 85. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative cases. Amended so as to read : 85. Whenever a complaint is entered in a non-judicial or administra- tive case against a decision of a judicatory by at least one-third of the members recorded as present when the decision was made, the execution of the decision shall be stayed until the final issue of the case by the next superior judicatory. — 1902, p. 157. SECTION 87. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative cases. 2. (d) Amended by omitting the last clause of the first sentence and the whole of the second, so that it shall read : 87. If the higher judicatory finds that the complaint is in order, and BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 91. 1095 that sufficient reasons for proceeding to its determination have been assigned, the next step shall be to read the record of the action complained of, and so much of the record of the lower j udicatory as may be pertinent ; then the parties shall be heard, and after that the judicatory shall pro- ceed to consider and determine the case. — 1902, p. 157. 2. A complaint in a non-judicial case may be referred to a Committee. a. At the request of the Committee on the Minutes of the Synod of New Jersey, the complaint of Edward B. Hodge and others against said Synod was referred to the Standing Committee on Church Polity. — 1901, p. 97. b. The complaint of E. B. Hodge and others against the Synod of New Jersey was again referred to the Committee on the Records of the Synod of New Jersey, with instructions to take up the case and report their find- ings to the Assembly. The Moderator was empowered to appoint ad- ditional members upon said Committee, and named the following persons. —1901, p. 100. [Note. — See for action taken, under Section 74, p. 1091.] c. Complaint of J. M. Ross and others against the Synod of Missouri, referred to Committee on the Minutes of the Synod of Missouri. — 1902, p. 75. SECTION 88. 1. Amended so as to apply only to administrative eases. Amended so as to read : 88. The effect of a complaint, in a non-judicial or administrative case, if sustained, may be the reversal, in whole or in part, of the action or decision complained of. When a complaint is sustained, the lower judica- tory shall be directed how to dispose of the matter. — 1902, p. 157. SECTION 89. 1. Amended by striking out the words " in cases non-judicial." 2. (f) Amended by striking out the words "in cases non-judicial," so that the Section will read : 89. The parties to a complaint shall be known respectively as Com- plainant and Respondent — the latter being the judicatory complained of, which should always be represented by one or more of its number ap- pointed for that purpose, who may be assisted by counsel. — 1902, p. 158. SECTION 91. 1. Amended by substituting complaint for appeal. 2. (g) Amended so that it shall read : 91. Either of the parties to a complaint may complain to the next superior judicatory, except->as limited by Chapter XI, Section 4, of the Form of Government— 1902, p. 158. 1096 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION 93. 1. This section stricken out as unnecessary. 93. If a case should be carried to an appellate judicatory by both appeal and complaint, the same shall be consolidated for trial, if deemed proper by the appellate judicatory. If the appeal be abandoned, the case shall be heard only on the complaint. — 1902, p. 158. [Note. — In editions of the Constitution from 1903 forward the words appear, "This Section eliminated in 1902."] CHAPTER IX. IV. OF APPEALS. SECTION 94. 1. Amended as to method of hearing judicatory appealed from. Amended so that it shall read : 94. An appeal is the removal of a judicial case, by a written repre- sentation, from an inferior to a superior judicatory, and may be taken by either of the original parties from the final judgment of the lower judi- catory. These parties shall be called Appellant and Appellee. Final judgments in judicial cases shall be subject to reversal and modification only by appeal, and no judicatory from whose final judgment an appeal shall have been taken shall be heard in the appellate judicatory, further than by the reading of the dissents, protests, and written opinions of its members assenting to or dissenting from its judgments. — 1902, p. 158. 2. Appeal withdrawn for the peace of the Church. a. Judicial Case No. 8, being the appeal of George W. F. Birch, D.D., vs. final judgment of the Presb) T tery of New York. Your Committee finds said appeal regular, but inasmuch as the case raises difficult tech- nical questions as to procedure (because, through the course that has been taken, the situation created is unique, and should not become a prec- edent), and also inasmuch as Rev. Dr. McGiffert has withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, therefore, be it Resolved, That without entering upon the constitutional questions in- volved, and without any prejudice whatever to the appellant while enter- taining the appeal as regular, this General Assembly deems it best, con- sidering the peace and prosperity of the Church, that the appellant be given leave to withdraw his appeal. — 1900, p. 82. b. That the desire of Rev. Dr. George W. F. Birch, appellant, be granted, and the case be and hereby is closed. — 1900, p. 85. 3. Final judgments subject to reversal only by appeal. [See this Supplement, Section 74, p. 1091.] BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 95. 1097 4. Memorials not proper in a judicial case. The Judicial Committee respectfully reports with reference to the Me- morial of the Session of the Fifth Avenue Church of New York City, expressing the desire that the General Assembly remand the case of Her- mann Warszawiak to the Session of that church for a new trial, and the protest of four members of the Session, the Judicial Committee would respectfully report as follows : Whereas, The Judicial Commission upon this case has already found that " this memorial is not within the proper functions of a Judicial Com- mission," and, Whereas, The General Assembly decided in 1893 [see Minutes, 1893,. p. 91] that an inferior judicatory "has not the right by overture to try to influence the decision of the Assembly on any pending judicial case," therefore, Resolved, That the memorial and protest be returned to the Session of the Fifth Avenue Church of New York City with a copy of this action of the Assembly.— 1899, p. 128. 5. Complaint in a judicial case sustained, but no action taken because original party did not appeal. Judicial Case No. 8. The Judicial Commission appointed by the Gen- eral Assembly, to whom was referred the complaint of the Rev. Charles A. Taylor against the Synod of Illinois for sustaining certain proceedings of the Presbytery of Bloomington in the case of the Rev. W. L. Rabe, entertained the complaint, heard testimony on behalf of the parties, and took action as follows : The complaint of the Rev. Charles A. Taylor against the Synod of Illinois is sustained, and the action of the Synod of Illinois in approving the record of the action of the Presbytery of Bloomington in passing the sentence of excommunication upon the Rev. W. L. Rabe, upon the plea of "guilty," entered by the counsel appointed by the Presbytery to rep- resent the accused, who had refused to appear in obedience to a second citation, and had been suspended for contumacy, is disapproved, for the reason that the trial of the Rev. W. L. Rabe was not in accordance with the provisions of the Book of Discipline ; but inasmuch as the party himself does not appeal from the sentence, nor allege any wrong done him in the sentence imposed, no action is necessary. — 1899, p. 127. SECTION 95. 1. Amended by striking out the words " or complaint." Amended by striking out the words "or complaint" in the third line of said Section, so that it shall read : 95. The grounds of appeal may be such as these : Irregularity in the proceedings of the inferior judicatory ; refusal to entertain an appeal ; refusal of reasonable indulgence to a party on trial ; receiving improper, or declining to receive important, testimony ; hastening to a decision be- fore the testimony is fully taken ; manifestation of prejudice in the con- duct of the case ; and mistake or injustice in the decision.— -1902, p. 158. 1098 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 2. Appeal cannot be taken against discretion of a judicatory. Judicial Case No. 2, being the appeal of J. C. Bose against the Synod of India. The Judicial Committee, finding that the papers are in order, recommend to the General Assembly to dismiss the appeal for the reason that the action of the Presbytery of Lahore in the case was one to be de- termined in the exercise of its discretion, and that there is nothing in the papers in our hands to show any abuse of discretion on the part of the Presbytery, or anything objectionable in its manner. Adopted. — 1899, p. 61. 3. Appeal cannot be taken against obedience to the instructions of an Assembly. a. Judicial Case No. 3, entitled an Appeal of C. W. Backus from a decision of the Synod of Kansas. Your Committee find that this case was before the last General Assembly, and was sent back to the Synod with certain instructions as to its disposition. We find from the records of the Synod that these instructions have been complied with, and there- fore recommend that the case be dismissed. Adopted. — 1901, p. 44. [See also under Williamsport Case, B. D., Sect. 99.] 4. Appeal cannot be taken in case adjudicated by the Assembly. [See Williamsport Case, Action of 1903, this Supplement, B. D., Sect. 99, p. 1105.] 5. Dismissed because no question of doctrine or Constitution involved. a. Clinton against the Synod of Ohio. — 1901, p. 140. b. Lee against the Synod of Missouri. — 1898, p. 48. c. Patterson against the Synod of New York. — 1900, p. 136. d. Riedy against the Synod of Texas.— 1903, p. 133. e. Schell against the Synod of North Dakota. — 1898, p. 47. [Note. — See also this Supplement, p. 975.] 6. Dismissed because appeal pending before Synod. Judicial Case No. 2, being the appeal of Herman Warszawiak from an action of the Presbytery of New York. It appearing that the complaint and appeal in this case have been made and taken to the Synod of New York and are now pending in that judicatory, which proceedings the appellant still maintains, and no sufficient reasons being now given why the appeal should not take the regular course, your Committee recommend that the appeal be dis- missed.— 1898, p. 47. SECTION 96. 1. Appeal dismissed because no sufficient evidence that specifications were filed. a. The Judicial Commission appointed to try Judicial Case No. 3, after due deliberation, find that there is no sufficient evidence to establish the BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 96. 1099 fact that specifications of error, required by the rules, were given to the Clerk of the Synod of Texas ; and if said specifications of error were not given to said Clerk, neither he nor said Synod was advised of an appeal pending or of the necessity to transmit papers concerning said appeal to the Clerk of the General Assembly, and find further that no question of doctrine or constitutional law is properly at issue in said matter of appeal, and therefore we find, adjudge, and determine that the appeal of Owen Riedy, appellant, from the Synod of Texas, be dismissed, without preju- dice, however, to his right to make application to the Presbytery of Austin for a removal of the sentence of suspension heretofore imposed by said Presbytery.— 1903, p. 133. b. In the case of Riedy against the Synod of Texas, the appellant has failed to file a proper appeal and specifications. The papers are, therefore, not in order, and we recommend the dismissal of the appeal. — 1905, p. 86. Dissent entered from judgment. The following dissent from the finding of the Commission was pre- sented, aud ordered to be entered upon the Record : We respectfully dissent from the finding and judgment of the above Commission in dismissing the appeal of Owen Riedy from the decision of the Synod of Texas, and for the following reasons : 1. The majority of the Commission in its finding gives as a reason for the dismissal of the case that "there is no sufficient evidence to establish the fact that specifications of error, required by the rules, were given to the Clerk of the Synod of Texas ; and if said specifications of error were not given to said Clerk, neither he nor said Synod was advised of an appeal pending or of the necessity to transmit papers containing said appeal to the Clerk of the General Assembly." Now the Commission had already decided that the appeal was in order, and had decided to entertain it, and so the finding of the majority of the Commission is in direct conflict with the decision of the Commission that the appeal was in order. 2. The Commission in its finding gives as a reason for dismissing the appeal that " no question of doctrine or constitutional law is properly at issue in said matter of appeal." We dissent from this finding on the ground that questions of constitutional law are involved in the appeal, as, for example, in the error of Synod assigned, such as an unconstitutional constitution of the court of trial. 3. The paper containing the petition of the appellant to the Presbytery for removal of Presbytery's suspension of him from the ministry is not produced by the lower court, and in the absence of this paper it is im- possible for the Commission to know by its own consideration whether that paper fulfilled the conditions required for the removal of the sus- pension. 4. Since the papers have not been produced by the lower court,' the provisions of the Book of Discipline, Chapter LX, Section 101, should be enforced, namely, that when the lower court has failed to send up the papers " it shall be censured ; and the sentence appealed from shall be suspended until a record is produced on which the issue can be fairly tried." Joseph M. Duff, F. *W. Rutherford, P. W. Bentley, Edwin S. Gray, Wm. Huntley Lloyd, E. B. Williams, and A. F. Alexander. — 1903, pp. 133, 134. 1100 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION 99. 1. Amended by striking out provision for hearing members of judicatory appealed from. 3. Overture on Judicial Commissions, No. 3. — The Overture reads : 3. (a) Amend and alter Section 99 of the Book of Discipline by strik- ing out Subsection 3, which reads : [3.] Opportunity shall be given to the members of the judicatory ap- pealed from to be heard. — 1902, p. 160. [Note. — See new provision under Section 94, p. 1096.] SECTION 99 (4). [This was, prior to 1902, Section 99 (5).] I. JUDGMENTS APPEALED FROM AND AFFIRMED. a. Backus Case. Judgment, Synod of Kansas.— 1899, p. 94; 1901, p. 44. b. Bose against the Synod of India. — 1899, p. 61. c. Fleming Case. Judgment, Synod of Illinois and Presbytery of Chicago.— 1902, p. 143. d. Lane against the Synod of New York. — 1899, p. 95. e. Marlin against the Synod of Indiana. — 1899, p. 61. f. Mason against the Synod of New Jersey. — 1900, p. 120. g. Richter Case. Judgment, Synod of Minnesota. — 1903, pp. 91, 92. II. JUDGMENTS REVERSED, MODIFIED, OR REMANDED. a. The Bose Case. 1. Synod instructed to inquire into constitutionality of its action. a. Judicial Case No. 2. It is recommended that the petition of J. C. Bose be referred to the Synod of India with instructions to inquire into the constitutionality of its action in 1891 in reimposing, without process, its sentence of suspension upon the petitioner, five years after its action re- storing him to the ministry, to the Record of which action exception was taken by the General Assembly of 1892 (to which action of the General Assembly the attention of the Synod is particularly called), and that the said Synod shall take such action in this case as the rights of all parties concerned and the best interests of the Church require. — 1900, p. 140. 2. Judgment Reversed because unconstitutional. Obedience to orders of Synod by Presbytery made the case res adjudicate/,. b. In the matter of the Appeal of J. C. Bose to the General Assembly of 1901 of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America from the action and final judgment of the Synod of India pertaining to his case, rendered December 22, 1900, the Judicial Commission appointed by the aforesaid Assembly to hear and try said Appeal respectfully report the following Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law : Findings of Facts. — 1. That it appears from the Minutes of the aforesaid Assembly for the year 1887, and on p. 129 thereof (to which reference is made in the aforesaid Appeal), that the Rev. J. C. Bose, of BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 99. 1101 the Presbytery of Lahore, the aforesaid appellant, was tried in 1886 on the charge of lying and deceit by his Presbytery, and found guilty under each of two specifications, and was thereupon suspended from the ministry ; that he appealed from the judgment of the Presbytery ; that the Synod, on review of the case, sustained the finding of the Presbytery under one specification only, and required the Presbytery to administer to Mr. Bose a severe censure and restore him to the ministry. Against this decision of the Synod a protest was made and entered upon the Minutes, on the grounds : (1) That though one of the specifications had not been established, the crime remained the same under the other specification which the Synod sustained. (2) That the restoration, enjoined upon the Presbytery, of Mr. Bose to the ministry, without any acknowledgment of guilt or evidence of repentance, was contrary to the express requirement of the Book of Discipline. 2. That the judgment of the Synod was executed by the Presbytery of Lahore, and Mr. Bose was restored to the ministry by said Presbytery at the order of the Synod of India of 1886, and obtained a certificate from said Presbytery of being in good and regular standing. 3. That the Committee appointed by the aforesaid Assembly of the year 1887 to examine the Minutes of the Synod of India reported that " we therefore recommend that the Minutes of the Synod of India be ap- proved with the following exception : The requiring of the Presbytery of Lahore to restore Mr. Bose to the ministry, without acknowledgment of guilt or evidence of repentance, was a virtual reversal of the judgment and sentence of the Presbytery, founded, so far as the records show, on the erroneous interpretation of Section 58 of the Book of Discipline, that where one only of two specifications of a charge is proved, the charge itself is not proved." 4. That the aforesaid judgment of the Synod of India was never brought up either by Appeal or Complaint, 5. That the Synod of India, without process, reimposed the sentence of suspension upon the aforesaid appellant, J. C. Bose, in 1891, five years after its action ordering the Presbytery of Lahore to restore him to the ministry. Conclusions of Law. — As Conclusions of Law the Commission finds : 1. That the decision of the Synod of India in 1886 of the Appeal of J. C. Bose from the Presbytery of Lahore was a Judicial Decision, and could only be reversed by being taken up by Appeal or Complaint (see Book of Discipline, Sec. 74). 2. That when the Presbytery of Lahore, at its session in 1886, in obedience to the judgment of the Synod of India, restored J. C. Bose to the ministry and gave him a certificate of good and regular standing, the controversy became thereupon res adjudicata, and beyond the further control of either the Presbytery or Synod. 3. That all actions taken by the Synod of India since the year 1886, in reference to the original charge of lying and deceit preferred against J. C. Bose, are null and void. 4. That this Commission sustains the following part of Specification of Error No. 3, to wit : " Although the General Assembly of 1887 corrected the wrong interpretation of Section 58 of the Book of Discipline which 1102 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. the said Synod put upon it : But the General Assembly of 1887 did not direct the Synod to reconsider nor to reverse their decision of 1886, which would have been contrary to our Constitution," and does not sustain any other part of said specification. 5. That this Commission does not sustain specifications of error num- bered 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Therefore, It is hereby adjudged that all proceedings and judgments had, taken, made, and entered subsequent to 1886 by the Synod of India in relation to the original charge of lying and deceit preferred against J. C. Bose in 1886, and adjudicated by said Synod during said year, are unconstitutional and void, and therefore reversed. — 1901, pp. 100-102. Protest in the Bose Case. c. A protest against the decision in Judicial Case No. 4 was presented, ordered to be put on record, and is as follows : We, the undersigned, members of the Synod of India, and of the one hundred and thirteenth General Assembly, beg to submit our respectful protest against the decision of Judicial Commission No. 4 in the case of J. C. Bose vs. the Synod of India. We protest on the following ground : 1. The Commission, in its desire to follow the letter of the law, has rendered a decision that reinstates in the Gospel ministry a man whose guilt is admitted by all the parties involved, and even by the man him- self. 2. The Commission has refused to give consideration to the action of the last General Assembly, which concludes its instructions to the Synod in the following words : " And that said Synod shall take such action in this case as the rights of all parties concerned and the best interests of the Church require." We submit that these instructions made it the duty of the Commission, not so much to look into the technical legal aspects of the case, as to consider whether or not Synod had acted, as we believe it has, in accordance with these instructions. C. A. R. Janvier, F. J. Newton, and J. M. Forman. — 1901, p. 170. b. The Marsh Case. 1. Case remanded to Synod with orders to affirm the judgment of Presbytery. The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A. to try Judicial Case No. 2 reports for record its final judgment as follows : Rev. George H. Marsh, appellant, vs. the Synod of South Dakota, ap- pellee — No. 2. This appeal being regularly issued and coming on to be heard on the judgment, the notice of appeal, and the specifications of errors alleged, and the record in the case from the beginning, and the reading of so much of said record as was not read having been omitted by con- sent, and the parties thereto having been heard before the judicatory in argument, and opportunity having been given to the members of the judicatory appealed from to be heard, they having been heard, and opportunity having been given to the members of this judicatory to be heard, and they having been heard, as provided by the Book of Discipline, and this Judicial Commission of the General Assem- BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 99. 1103 bly sitting as a judicatory in such case on appeal having sustained the following specifications of error, to wit, all of said specifications save and except the ninth specification of the grounds of appeal, to wit, that the Commission of the Synod did not take its vote without debate, and the tenth specification of the grounds of appeal, to wit, " that said Synod did err in ' hastening to a decision,' " which were not sustained, on consideration whereof this judicatory finds said appeal should be and is hereby sustained, and that said Synod of South Dakota, the judicatory appealed from, erred in not sustaining on the law and the evidence the charges and the judgment in this case in the Presbytery of Black Hills, and that said final judgment of the Synod of South Dakota is erroneous, and should be and is hereby reversed, and said Synod is directed to affirm the judgment of the Presbytery of Black Hills, and this case is remanded to the Synod of South Dakota to carry this judgment into execution ; and it is further ordered that the Stated Clerk of this General Assembly transmit a certified copy of the judgment in this case to the Stated Clerk of the Synod of South Dakota, to be made a part of the record in this case. — 1905, p. 163. c. The McCullough Case. 1. Case referred to Synod with orders to try. Judicial Case No. 11, being an appeal of N. N. McCullough, from the action and decision of the Synod of Baltimore, in refusing to try and issue a case brought before the Synod upon appeal from the Presbytery of Washington City. The Judicial Committee recommend that the case be referred to the Synod of Baltimore, with directions to try and issue the case according to the provisions of the Book of Discipline. — 1899, p. 45. d. The Warszaiviak Case. 1. Judgment Reversed and Case remanded because the Synod had no right to instruct for retrial. Synod could not act while appeal was pending. a. The Judicial Commission on Judicial Case No. 3 (the Warszawiak case) presented its Report, which, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, was entered on the Minutes, and is as follows : Judicial Case No. 1. In the matter of The Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A., represented by S. B. Brownell, appellant and complainant, Prosecuting Committee vs. The Synod of New York : George Nixon, complainant, vs. The Synod of New York : Hermann Warszawiak, complainant and appellant, vs. The Presbytery of New York : The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly to which was referred the above-stated Judicial Cases, all of which relate to mat- ters growing out of the trial of Hermann Warszawiak by the Session of the Fifth Avenue Church, of New York City, and which cases were, by the action of the Judicial Committee of this General Assembly and of the General Assembly, consolidated and referred to this Commission, found the appeals and complaints in order, heard the parties upon the question of the jurisdiction of this body in the matter of the appeal and 1104 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. complaints against the Synod of New York, and decided as follows, viz. : First, that, in the cases of the said appeal and complaints against the Synod of New York, the judgment of the said Synod reversing the judgment of the Presbytery of New York be reversed, in so far only as the said Synod instructed the Presbytery of New York to remand the case under consideration to the Session of the said Fifth Avenue Church, with instruction to retry Hermann Warszawiak upon amended charges, includ- ing the misuse of moneys contributed for missionary purposes. The ground of this judgment of the Commission is that the Synod had no constitutional right to instruct the Presbytery to instruct the Session to retry Mr. Warszawiak upon charges relative to his moral character which were not involved in the charge which was originally made against him in the Session and upon which he was tried. Otherwise, the Commission reports that the judgment of the Synod shall stand in the cases of the said appeal and complaints and the record be remanded to the Synod for the purpose of the case being proceeded with according to the methods and requirements of the Constitution. Second, that the appeal and complaints of Hermann Warszawiak against the Presbytery of New York be dismissed, and the judgment of the Preshytery complained of and appealed from be sustained, on the ground that the Presbytery properly declined to carry out the instruction contained in the judgment of Synod to retry Mr. Warszawiak while the appeal from the said judgment of the Synod to the General Assembly was pending.— 1899, p. 111. 2. One Assembly has no right to interpret judgment of another Assem- bly. Case terminated without further trial. b. Judicial Case No. 4, being the request of the Synod of New York for instructions in the Warszawiak case. In view of the fact that this Assembly has no authority to interpret the meaning of an action of a former Assembly in this case, and recog- nizing the difficulty of interpreting such action if it were competent for us to do so, and in view of the further fact that this case, if remanded again to the Synod of New York for further proceedings, will require a great consumption of time and subject the judicatory that might adjudicate on the case to great inconvenience, and instead of resulting in practical good, might produce great excitement and consequences injurious to the peace and edification of an important section of the Church, this case having been pending for more than three years, and after a patient hear- ing by the Committee of all the parties interested in the methods of pro- cedure, namely, the representative of the Synod of New York, the Pros- ecutor, representing the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, the counsel for the accused, and the representative of the Ses- sion of the Fifth Avenue Church in the City of New York, your Com- mittee, acting in accordance with precedent, recommend to the Assembly the adoption of the following resolution : Resolved, That in view of the representation of the case given in the above statement by the Judicial Committee, of the voluminous nature of the testimony and of the difficulties attending the case, and believing that the interests of the Church will be best promoted by adopting the course recommended by the Committee, and being willing to assume the respon- BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 99. 1105 sibility of acting accordingly, this General Assembly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, does hereby terminate this unhappy case and all proceedings growing out of it without further judicial trial. —1900, p. 121. [Note. — See for Memorial of Session, this Supplement, p. 1097.] e. The Williamsport Case. 1. Case remanded with, instructions to Synod to remit to Presbytery for reconsideration and action. The Judicial Commission on Judicial Case No. 5 reported its finding, which was ordered to be recorded, and is as follows : Judicial Case No. 5. The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly to whom was referred the case of the appeal of the Session of the Church of the Covenant of Williamsport, Pa., Presbytery of Northumberland, from the action of the Synod of Pennsylvania, for sustaining certain proceedings in connection with the resignation of the Rev. James Carter, pastor of said church, beg leave to give the following Report : The case, in accordance with the provisions of the Book of Discipline, was entertained, both parties were heard, and judgment was rendered as follows : The appeal from the action of the Synod of Pennsylvania by the Ses- sion of the Church of the Covenant, Presbytery of Northumberland, is sustained. The case is remanded to the Synod of Pennsylvania, and the Synod is directed to send the case back to the Presbytery of Northumberland for reconsideration and action. — 1900, p. 154. 2. Without sustaining appeal, case remanded to Synod with instruc- tions to Presbytery to modify its Plan of Settlement. [See for text of Report of Judicial Commission of 1902, under Form of Government, Chapter XIII, this Supplement, p. 1067.] 3. Appeal cannot be taken against obedience to instructions of the As- sembly. The Judicial Commission appointed by the General Assembly to whom was referred the appeal of John E. Dayton and others from the action and judgment of the Synod of Pennsylvania, beg leave to report : The General Assembly of 1900 gave decision in this case, which de- cision is now in process of being carried out in the lower courts, to which it was remanded for reconsideration and action. We therefore do not sustain the appeal. — 1901, p. 148. 4. Appeal dismissed and appellants advised to organize a separate church. In the matter of the appeal of John E. Dayton and eight others, rep- resenting themselves to be the Session of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant of Williamsport, Pa., against the action of the Synod of Penn- sylvania, October 17, 1902 ; we recommend that the appeal be dismissed, for the reason that the questions presented have been heretofore adjudi- cated in the General Assembly, on appeal by the same parties. 1106 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Believing that the differences and difficulties of this church, which have existed for years, and have been many times in the various judica- tories of the Church, are impossible of harmonization and adjustment by judicial process ; we recommend that the appellants and those sympathetic with them in the troubles of this church apply to the Presbytery of Northumberland for organization as a separate church under a new name. —1903, p. 100. /. Other cases referred, remanded, etc. Backus against the Synod of Kansas. — 1898, p. 94; 1900, p. 120. McCullough against the Synod of Baltimore. — 1898, p. 94. Pumphrey against the Synod of Pennsylvania. Reversed. — 1898, p. 133. Bercovitz against the Synod of New Mexico. — 1899, p. 127. Pvingland against the Synod of Ohio. — 1898, p. 95. SECTION 101. 1. Records must be sent up. a. Judicial Case No. 1. In the matter of the Appeal of Owen Riedy from the action of the Synod of Texas, the Judicial Committee begs leave to report as follows : That the appellant appears in person, and pre- sents documents showing that proper notice of such appeal was duly given to the Stated Clerk of said Synod. We find the appeal is in form, and accompanied by specifications of error. We also find that the Clerk of said Synod has failed to send up the records of the case, though the Records of the Synod are in the possession of the Stated Clerk of the Assembly. We recommend that a Judicial Commission be appointed to try the case on its merits. — 1903, p. 71. b. Backus against the Synod of Kansas. — 1898, p. 94. c. McCullough against the Synod of Baltimore. — 1898, p. 94. CHAPTER X. OF DISSENTS AND PROTESTS. SECTION 105. 1. Protest against " separate " Presbyteries. Elder Rufus S. Simmons, on behalf of himself and five others, pre- sented the following protest : The undersigned, ministers and ruling elders, hereby record our de- liberate and solemn protest against the action taken by the General As- sembly in adopting the recommendation in the Report of the Special Committee on the Territorial Limits of Presbyteries relating to the amendment of Chapter X, Section 2, of the Book of Government, pro- viding for the organization of separate Presbyteries for persons speaking other than the English language or those of a particular race ; for the following among other reasons : because contrary to the spirit of our Church, to the Word of God, and, as we believe, will be grievous to the great Head of the Church.— 1904, p. 158. BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 105. 1107 2. Protest against Union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Kev. John Fox, D.D., on behalf of himself and six others, presented the following protest : We, the undersigned, ministers and ruling elders, hereby respectfully record our deliberate and solemn protest against the action taken by the General Assembly in adopting the Report of the Committee on Union and Reunion, so far as it relates to union with the Cumberland Presby- terian Church ; for the following reasons inter alia : First, and chiefly, because the Plan of Union in its first Concurrent Declaration involves an interpretation of the doctrinal Standards of the Church. We feel that the Constitutional right of the Assembly to make this interpretation is open to grave question. Apart from this the Declaration affirms an agreement existing between the systems of doctrine contained respectively in our own Confession of Faith and that of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church sufficient to warrant union between the two Churches ; whereas, in fact, the two sys- tems of doctrine are antagonistic to each other, especially as to the doc- trine of the divine decrees. A union founded on such a mistake is not likely to be permanently satisfactory. Second. We protest because grave practical difficulties, affecting the well-being of the Church and the orderly administration of its affairs and menacing many sacred and precious interests, have not received from either the Committee or the Assembly such a degree of careful consider- ation as is demanded by their exceeding importance. — 1904, p. 157. 3. Answer to the Protest on Union. The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to the protest of the Rev. John Fox, D.D., and others, against the adoption of the Plan of Union, presented the following, which was adopted : Your Committee appointed to prepare a brief answer to the protest offered by certain members of this Assembly against its action in adopting the Report of the Committee on Union and Reunion, in so far as it relates to union with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, would respectfully submit the following answer : 1. The protest is made, "first and chiefly, because the Plan of Union in its first Concurrent Declaration involves an interpretation of the doc- trinal Standards of the Church." The protestants " feel that the Consti- tutional right of the Assembly to make this interpretation is open to grave question." Your Committee would answer that this protest asserts in effect that the supreme court of the Church is not competent to interpret its doctrinal Standards. This mere statement is of itself sufficient answer to the protestants. It is not only the right, but the duty of the General Assembly. 2. The protestants assert that "the two systems of doctrine" contained respectively in the Confessions of Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and our own Church are antagonistic to each other, especially in the instance of the " doctrine of divine decrees." This is simply a differ- ence of opinion. The deliberations of the Assembly involved the judg- ment of the Commissioners as to this very matter. The overwhelming vote of the Assembly in adopting the Report of the Committee indicated that the Assembly as a body does not agree with the protestants. 3. The protestants assert that "grave practical difficulties affecting the 1108 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. well being of the Church and the orderly administration of its affairs and menacing many sacred and precious interests, have not received from either the Committee or the Assembly such a degree of careful considera- tion as is demanded by their exceeding importance." For answer it should be said that this action of the Assembly is to give expression to the general attitude of our Church toward the proposal of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to effect organic union of the two bodies. Both Churches recognize the fact that numerous details involved in the consummation of this union must have careful consideration after the Presbyteries have taken action upon the Overture sent down by both Assemblies. To withhold our expression of readiness to proceed toward the completion of the negotiations thus hopefully begun, because of details whose consideration would naturally be adjusted by subsequent conference between the two bodies, would be to betray a lack of mutual trust between brethren which we do not entertain. Let the great fundamental fact be made clear that both bodies desire to advance every possible step toward union, as it has now been announced to the world, and no doubt need be entertained that the Spirit of God will guide the task of harmonious adjustment of all necessary details. Let us give full place to our confident faith in the guidance of the Spirit of Christ and the Christian love of our brethren in Him. J. D. Moffat, R. F. Coyle, and Howard Agnew Johnson, Committee. — 1904, p. 175. 4. Other Dissents and Protests entered. Bose Case, Rev. C. A. R. Janvier and two others. — 1901, p. 170. See also this Supplement, p. 1102. Clinton Case, E. W. C. Humphrey and Rev. D. S. Kennedy, D.D. — 1901, p. 169. See also this Supplement, p. 976. Riedy Case, Joseph McDuff, and six others. — 1903, p. 133. See also this Supplement, p. 1099. SECTION 107. 1. Amendment providing for protests as to Judicial Commissions. 3. (6) Amended so as to read : 107. No one shall be allowed to dissent or protest who has not a right to vote on the question decided ; and in judicial cases no one shall be allowed to dissent or protest who did not vote against the decision ; provided, that when a judicial case has been decided by a Judicial Commission, any member of the judicatory to which the decision is reported, either under the provisions of Section 120 or of Section 126 of this Book, may enter his dissent or protest, or his answer to any protest, in the same manner as if the case had been tried before the judicatory itself, and he had voted thereon.— 1902, p. 160. BOOK OF DISCIPLINE, SECT. 114. 1109 CHAPTER XII. OF REMOVALS AND LIMITATIONS OF TIME. SECTION 114. 1. Session instructed to give letter of dismission. a. Judicial Case No. 5, being an appeal of Miss Maggie Gowland from the action of the Synod of Illinois. The Judicial Committee find the papers submitted incomplete and failing to furnish information for any proper trial of the case. They recommend that the appeal be referred to the Synod of Illinois, to take such action in the premises as the interest of religion, the good order of the Church, and the securing of full justice to the appellant may seem to them to demand. — 1899, p. 45. b. Judicial Case No. 10, being the complaint of Miss Maggie Gowland vs. the Synod of Illinois. The Committee recommend that the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, 111., be instructed to give Miss Maggie Gowland a letter of dismission in the usual form to the Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, 111. — 1900, p. 120. 2. Letter cannot be given to suspended member unless repentant. Judicial Case No. 3. The Judicial Commission to which was referred the complaint of the Rev. Frank Granstaff and the Rev. A. W. Ring- land, and the appeal of the Rev. J. C. Holliday, against the action of the Synod of Ohio, in reversing the decision of the Presbytery of Zanes- ville and the Session of the First Church of Zanesville, in refusing to grant a letter of dismission to W. J. Massey, a member under suspension, respectfully report the following, viz. : The complaint and appeal are sustained, and the action of the Synod is reversed. The grounds of this decision are, first, that Synod reversed the action of the Presbytery and of the Session, without assigning any specific reasons therefor ; and, second, that it ordered a letter of dismission to be given to a suspended member when there was no satisfactory evidence of his repentance. — 1898, p. 195. 3. Form authorized for letters of dismissal. That the Assembly authorize the Stated Clerk of the Assembly to pre- pare a form of dismissal, to which shall be attached a certificate to be returned to the Session issuing the letter of dismissal. There shall also be attached to this return certificate a form of notification to the Session of the church to which the letter of dismissal is addressed. That the Board of Publication be requested to print the form prepared bv the Stated Clerk, and use its best efforts to place them in all the churches.— 1900, p. 83. 4. Removal Notices of members authorized. a. Overtures Nos. 33-35, from the Presbytery of Brooklyn, the Pres- bytery of New York, and the Presbytery of Rochester, asking that pas- tors be requested to report the names of church members removing to the cities to the pastors in such cities. The Committee recommends that the overtures be approved. — 1904, p. 177. 1110 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. b. Overtures Nos. 6-82, asking the Stated Clerk to prepare and offer to the Church at large Removal Notices, substantially similar to the form appended, to be sent by a pastor to the pastor of the church within whose bounds an absent member locates. The Committee respectfully recommends that the Stated Clerk be authorized to prepare and the Board of Publication to publish such Removal Notices, and that the Assembly directs pastors and Sessions to use them. — 1906, p. 192. CHAPTER XIII. OF JUDICIAL COMMISSIONS. SECTION 118. 1. Judicial Commission must be organized in accordance with the pro- visions of the Book of Discipline. Riedy vs. the Synod of Texas. Judicial Case No. 7. The Judicial Commission appointed by the Gen- eral Assembly, to whom was referred the appeal of the Rev. Owen Riedy against the action of the Synod of Texas in sustaining the Presbytery of Austin in suspending him from the ministry, entertained the appeal, heard representatives of the parties, and took action as follows : The Synod of Texas erred in sustaining the finding of the Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of Austin, it being admitted by all parties that such Commission was not constituted by the Presbytery in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the Book of Discipline ; and said find- ing of said Judicial Commission is hereby reversed, and the Presbytery of Austin is directed to reissue and try the case in accordance with the provisions of the Book of Discipline. — 1899, p. 127. [Note. — See also under Section 96, p. 1098.] 2. Judicial Committee appointed as Judicial Commission. a. Taylor vs. Synod of Illinois. — 1899, p. 74. b. Riedy vs. Synod of Texas.— 1899, p. 91. c. Bercovitz vs. Synod of New Mexico. — 1899, p. 61. d. Marsh vs. Synod of South Dakota. — 1905, p. 86. 3. Judicial Commissions appointed, 1898-1906. [See this Supplement, p. 990.] DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, CHAP. I. HH PART V. THE DIEECTORY FOR WORSHIP. CHAPTER I. ON TEE SANCTIFICATION OF THE LORD'S DAY. SECTION I. 1. The religious rights of cadets at the U. S. Naval Academy asserted. Overture No. 6, from the Presbytery of Baltimore, concerning the re- ligious instruction of the cadets at the U. S. Naval Academy. The fol- lowing answer is recommended : While accepting the assurances of the officers of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, that religious liberty now prevails among the cadets, under the present rules of the Academy ; and while recognizing the comity which ought to exist between the administration of the Academy and our Church, the Assembly urges upon the authorities that no restriction, whether formal or otherwise, be allowed upon the right of the cadets to attend the Presbyterian Church at Annapolis, under the conditions at present laid down in the rules of the Academy. The Assembly also recommends to those parents who wish their boys to be under distinctively Presbyterian training, not to fail to assert their parental influence with their sons, and their undoubted rights with the authorities to this end. Adopted.— 1899, p. 52. SECTION II. 1. The Committee on Sabbath Observance. [Note. — This Committee was appointed by the General Assembly of 1888, in response to a communication of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was and is a part of the American Sab- bath Union, organized at Washington, D. C, in December, 1888. The Committee has been annually appointed from 1889 forward, and selected resolutions from its Reports to the Assembly since 1898 are given below. Its first Chairman was Eliot F. Shepard, Esq.] 2. Methods for Sabbath Observance commended. a. That the Christian Sabbath will be saved or lost to the Christian world by the action and influence of the members of the Christian Church. We do, therefore, most earnestly enjoin the ministers, elders, and members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America to a renewed diligence and faithfulness, by both precept and example, for 1112 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. the preservation of the sacred character of the Christian Sabbath day:— By an active use of the day in Christian work. By abstaining from the more popular and therefore more dangerous forms of Sabbath desecration, such as the purchase and reading of the Sunday newspapers, advertising in the Sunday newspapers, and from all forms of excursions, sports, games, and amusements on the Lord's Day, and also all unneccessary secular work by ourselves and our employees ; all unnecessary traveling and visiting, and from all things that are op- posed to the spirit and purpose of this day as defined in the Word of God. —1900, p. 32. b. That the General Assembly urges on all families not to buy any- thing on the Sabbath, and during the week to give the preference to those shops which close on the Lord's Day ; to plan for their servants on the Sabbath and help them to fulfill their religious duties, and to pay laborers on Friday so that they may have Saturday to make provision for the Sabbath.— 1906, p. 50. 3. Action as to Sabbath-closing of Public Expositions. a. Resolved, 3. That we most earnestly recommend to the Directors of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, to be opened at Omaha, Neb., on June 1, immediately to decide that its doors shall not be opened to the public on the Lord's Day, and that a certified copy of this resolution, properly authenticated by the signature of the Stated Clerk, shall be entrusted to the Sabbath Observance Committee for presentation to said Directors. — 1898, p. 42. b. Resolved, 7. That we heartily commend President McKinley and Sec- retary of State Hon. John Hay for the instructions sent to Commissioner- General Ferdinand W. Peck and Ambassador Gen. Horace Porter to close the United States Pavilion and offices at the Paris Exposition on the Lord's Day, and to endeavor to secure concerted action of the American exhibitors to the same end ; while we deprecate the action of the French authorities which has denied to the American section of the American ex- hibitors the right to close their exhibits on the Lord's Day, and have con- sented to the closing of the United States Pavilion only, which is dis- tinctively the property of the United States Government. c. Resolved, 8. That we respectfully request the United States Congress and all State Legislatures to make no more appropriations for expositions to be held in this or any other country without the proviso that such ex- positions shall be closed on the Lord's Day. — 1900, p. 32. d. Resolved, 11. That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., now in session in the city of Philadelphia, profoundly deprecates the fact that the Directors of the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo have seen fit to open the gates of said Exposition to visitors from 1 to 11 o'clock p. M. each Lord's Day, and does hereby express its solemn and earnest protest against said action as opposed to the best traditions and interests of American institutions and civilization ; and that we, the members of this Assembly, do most earnestly urge upon this Board of Directors that they reconsider their action that thus opened these gates on the Lord's Day, and that from this date they shall close said gates to visitors all the hours of each Lord's Day during the continuance of this Exposition. — 1901, p. 30. DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, CHAP. I. 1113 e. Resolved, 4. That we heartily commend the United States Congress for conditioning the appropriation of five millions of dollars to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, to be held in the city of St. Louis, in the year 1903, by the following amendment to said bill : " That as a condition precedent to the payment of this appropriation the Directors shall contract to close the gates to visitors on Sundays dur- ing the whole duration of the Fair." — 1901, p. 30. 4. Discontinuance of Sunday excursions urged. Resolved, 8. That we most respectfully but earnestly request all officers of public transportation companies to seriously consider the subject of Sunday excursions, to the end that they may be discontinued, in the in- terest of labor, morals, and religion. — 1902, p. 109. 5. Political conferences on Sunday condemned. Resolved, 10. That we deprecate political conferences on the Lord's Day, a practice which has become a great and growing evil in this Re- public, and which has led in some recent campaigns to public political meetings on this day. — 1902, p. 109. 6. Employers of labor to secure minimum of Sunday labor. That we affirm the inalienable right of every man to rest from labor on the Sabbath Day, or the day commonly called Sunday, and therefore earnestly request all railroad companies, and all directors of corporations of whatever character, and all individual employers of labor, to so direct their corporations and business enterprises as to secure the minimum of labor and the maximum of rest on the Lord's Day. — 1901, p. 30. 7. Sabbath-school lesson to be prepared on Sabbath Observance. That the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work be requested to prepare a lesson specifically on Sabbath Observance, and that our Sab- bath-school superintendents be requested to use the same on review day, September 25 next, or, if more convenient, upon one Sabbath in the month of October.— 1898, p. 42. 8. Sabbath Observance Committees to be organized in Presbyteries and Synods. a. That the General Assembly recommends that a Sabbath Observance Committee be organized in each Presbytery, to cooperate with similar Committees of the other denominations within its bounds in aiding the work of local Sabbath Associations ; and where such organizations do not exist, to promote the formation of such associations in connection with the national organization, the American Sabbath Union, and the Woman's National Sabbath Alliance. — 1905, p. 21. b. That the General Assembly recommends that a Sabbath Observance Committee be organized in each Synod, of which the Chairman of each Presbytery's Committee on Sabbath Observance shall be at least a cor- responding member, and that the Synod's Committee shall cooperate with the State Sabbath Associations. — 1905, p. 21. 1114 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. SECTION VI. 1. Instruction in the Shorter Catechism emphasized. Resolved, That this 116th General Assembly, in session at Buffalo, May, 1904, does hereby emphasize and reaffirm all deliverances of former As- semblies touching the duty of teaching the Shorter Catechism in the Sab- bath-school. We strongly recommend its adoption, and that Presbyteries and Sessions use every means within their power to fully carry out the spirit and purpose of this Resolution. — 1904, p. 97. CHAPTER V. OF PUBLIC PRAYER. SECTION IV. 1. Appointment of Committee on Forms and Services. In reply to Overture No. 127, from the Presbytery of Denver, and Overture No. 139, from the Synod of New York, on Tentative Forms of Worship and a Book of Forms for Ministers, the Committee recommends the adoption of the following resolution : Resolved, 1. That a Committee of eleven be appointed by the Mod- erator, in conference with the Editorial Committee of the Board of Pub- lication, to take into consideration and if possible to prepare, in harmony with the Directory for Worship, a Book of Simple Forms and Services which shall be proper and helpful for voluntary use in Presbyterian churches in the celebration of the Sacraments, in marriages and funerals, and in the conduct of public worship. Resolved, 2. That in the preparation of these voluntary services the Committee be instructed to draw from the Holy Scriptures and the usage of the Reformed Churches ; to avoid those forms which savor of ritual- ism ; to embody sound doctrine in the language of orderly devotion, and to keep ever in mind the end of Presbyterian worship, which is that all the people should join in the service of God as He is revealed in Jesus Christ. Resolved, 3. That this Committee shall report to the next General As- sembly, and shall submit whatever work they have been enabled to com- plete to the Assembly for approval and disposition. — 1903, p. 113. 2. Names of Members of the Committee. a. Ministers — Henrv van Dvke, D.D., John DeWitt, D.D., Cuthbert Hall, D.D., Louis F. Benson, D.D., William R. Richards, D.D., Doug- lass P. Putnam, D.D. Elders — Robert N. Wilson, John H. Converse, John E. Parsons, Nolan R. Best, Homer Lee.— 1903, p. 169. b. Additional members — James H. Snowden, D.D., William B. Jen- nings, D.D, W. Robson Notman, D.D., William R. Taylor, D.D., and in place of Douglass P. Putnam, D.D., deceased, John Clark Hill, D.D. The Moderator [Dr. J. D. Moffat] was also added to this Committee by order of the Assembly. — 1905, p. 182. DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, CHAP. V. 1115 3. Reports of the Committee. [See Minutes, 1904, p. 63 ; 1905, p. 165 ; 1906, p. 117. Also the next Items.] 4. Action of the Assembly of 1905. The Report of the Special Committee on Forms and Services was taken up, and the following was adopted : Resolved, That this Assembly, having received the Report of the Com- mittee on Forms and Services, and approving the principles which have guided the Committee in following their instructions to prepare a Book of Service proper for voluntary use in Presbyterian churches, herewith recommit the Book to the Committee with the following instructions : To revise the form for baptism in order to safeguard the doctrine of the Re- formed Churches regarding the force of baptism, the birthright church membership of children of believers, and the covenant engagement of believers to be the Lord's ; to add further suitable prayers to those now provided for family worship ; to add forms of service, according to the in- structions of the Form of Government, for the ordination and installation of ruling elders and deacons, the licensing of candidates to preach the Gospel, the laying of the cornerstone and dedication of a church, and if it be found wise, the Psalter as now published in the Hymnal. For the purpose of further review and revision of the work, the As- sembly orders the addition to the Committee of five members, of whom the Moderator shall be one, the remaining four to be active pastors ; the entire Committee to be instructed to secure the opinion and counsel of pastors who may be available in the work of revision and completion of their work. In case the enlarged Committee reach definite and satisfactory comple- tion of their work during the present year, we authorize the publishing of the Book of Worship by the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work, in order that the churches may have opportunity to consider and test the same, the Committee to make full report to the next Assembly. In case the Committee do not reach definite and satisfactory completion of their work before the meeting of the next Assembly, they are in- structed to report the work to that Assembly for further action. The following additional resolutions were adopted unanimously, in con- nection with the Report : Resolved, That the words " For Voluntary Use in the Churches " shall be inserted on the title-page of the Book of Worship when issued by the Board of Publication. Resolved, That the version of the Scriptures to be used in the Book of Worship be left to the discretion of the Committee. — 1905, p. 165. 5. Action of the Assembly of 1906. Resolved, First : That the General Assembly hereby calls the attention of its ministers and congregations to the historic position of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in regard to liberty in the con- duct of public worship. The minister is not confined to any set form of service, nor is he prohibited from using such forms, in harmony with the doctrine of this Church, as may seem to him convenient and appropriate. The Directory for Worship refers frequently to "the discretion of the minister," "the prudence of the minister," "the judgment and fidelity of 1116 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. the pastor" (Chapters III, iii. ; IV, iv. ; V, iv.) in the arrangement and proportion of the different parts of the service. The Assembly of 1882 asserted that " in view of the liberty which belongs to each minister to avail himself of the Calvinistic or other ancient devotional forms of the Reformed Church, so far as may seem to him for edification, it is inexpe- dient for this General Assembly to make any special order in the premises"; and the General Assembly of 1884 reaffirmed the action of two previous Assemblies to the effect that " the whole internal arrange- ment of a Church as to worship and order is committed to the Minister and Session"; all of which this Assembly reaffirms. Resolved, Second : That the General Assembly calls attention to the fact that it has no power or authority to impose any particular forms of conducting worship, or any obligatory liturgy, upon the Church ; and that the existing liberty of worship is safeguarded by the Constitution, which requires that any amendment to the Directory for Worship must be sub- mitted to the Presbyteries, and receive an affirmative vote of a majority of them, before it can become effective. Resolved, Third : That the General Assembly recognizes that the Com- mittee appointed by the Assembly of 1903 "to prepare, iu harmony with the Directory for Worship, a Book of Simple Forms and Services, which shall be proper and helpful for voluntary use in Presbyterian churches, in the celebration of the Sacraments, in marriages and funerals, and in the conduct of public worship," have reached that completion of their work contemplated by the Assembly of 1905; and that the Book of Common Worship is now published pursuant to the action of the last General Assembly, " in order that the churches may have opportunity to consider and test the same," as an orderly compendium containing helpful forms in harmony with the doctrines of our Church. Resolved, In order that there may be no misunderstanding the Assembly declares that, in view of the liberty which has always belonged to ministers and churches in the conduct of public worship, it is deemed inexpedient to make any recommendation in this matter, and it is directed that the following changes be made in the title-page and the Preface. The title-page to read as follows : The Book OF Common Worship Prepared by the Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. For Voluntary Use Philadelphia Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work 1906 Also to change the last clause of the third paragraph of the Preface, beginning "its publication," etc., so as to read "it is now published for the purpose contemplated by the General Assembly of 1905." — 1906, p. 121. DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, CHAP. VI. 1117 CHAPTER VI. OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD BY OFFERINGS. 1. Amended by the insertion of a new section. The Directory for Worship, Chapter VI, amended by inserting a new section between present Sections 8 and 4, to be called Section 4, the present Section 4 to be renumbered and called Section 5. 4. The offerings of the Sabbath-school and of the various societies or agencies of the Church shall be reported regularly to the Session of the Church for approval, and no offerings or collections shall be made by them for objects other than those connected with the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., without the approval of the Session. — 1902, p. 166. 2. Duty of the Churches to the Boards. An Overture from the Presbytery of Lackawanna sets forth the fact that our eight Church Boards were incorporated primarily, not for the purpose of raising money, but for the purpose of expending it, as the agents of the Church, after it has been raised. It is the duty of the churches to fill up the treasuries of these Boards, that the important mis- sionary work contemplated in the erection of these Boards may be by them efficiently carried on year by year. This efficiency is greatly inter- fered with if the funds be not cheerfully and promptly provided, and seriously crippled if any funds absolutely necessary be withheld. Let the Church support the Boards by large, liberal, willing, and steadily imparted offerings, and then let the Boards act as wise agents in carrying out the design of their creation. The Church must support its Boards. The Boards must be wise and efficient agents of the Church. Let this conception be clearly recognized. — 1901, p. 85. 3. Duty of Presbytery as to systematic giving. That each Presbytery be charged to encourage in all its churches some plan of systematic giving to every Board, according to Chap. VI, Directory for Worship, and to this end that it be made an item of regular business at one of the stated meetings of Presbytery each year to call the roll of the churches and hear their responses on this matter ; and their reasons for not contributing shall not be sustained unless they are special and satisfactory.— 1899, p. 120. 4. Duty of Sessions as to offerings. That the Sessions of all of our churches be reminded of their responsi- bility in connection with the stimulation and systematic development of Church benevolences, and be urged to devise and faithfully carry out some plan of annually canvassing the entire constituency of each church, for offerings in aid of all authorized missionary and benovolent causes of the Church.— 1906, p. 106. [Note. — See also Systematic Beneficence, this Supplement, p. 1043.] 1118 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. 5. Subscription blanks, etc., to be furnished free. That the Committee on Systematic Beneficence be instructed and au- thorized to furnish free of charge subscription blanks and envelopes for the taking of offerings on the Lord's Day, the expense being borne pro rata according to the amounts received through church offerings by the Boards of the Church.— 1898, p. 118. CHAPTER IX. OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1. The kind of wine left to the determination of Session. Judicial Case No. 9, being an appeal of Hugh Marlin, from the action of the Synod of Indiana, concerning the use of wine in the Lord's Supper. The Judicial Committee recommend that the judgment of the Synod be sustained, and that the appellant have leave to withdraw his papers, inasmuch as the General Assembly has already committed the question in- volved to the determination of each Session (see Digest, 1898, p. 853). — 1898, p. 45. 2. Ruling Elders cannot administer the Sacraments. [See under Confession of Faith, Chapter XXVII, p. 956.] CHAPTER XIV. OF THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 1. Funerals on the Lord's Day disapproved. Overture No. 237, from the Presbytery of Topeka, with reference to Sunday funerals. It is recommended that the following response be made : The Assembly disapproves all unnecessary labor on the Lord's Day, and recommends its ministers and membership to assist in diminishing the practice of funerals on that day except in cases of necessity. — 1906, p. 38. INDEX. Absentees, members, 1088 ministers, 1090 Administrative Standards, Amend- ments, 1079 Advisory members, Assembly, 983 Alliance of Reformed Churches, 1001 basis of representation, 1001 delegates, 1003 European work, 1002 expenses, 1003, 1010 Seventh General Council, 1001 Eighth General Council, 1001 work approved, 1001 Amendments to Constitution, 940, 1079 declared inoperative, 1082 American Bible Society, 1065 American Churches, correspondence with, 1004 American Tract Society, 1065 Annual Reports, Churches, 964 Presbyteries, 969 Appeals, method of hearing, 1096 withdrawn, for peace, 1096 final judgment, reversal of, only by, 1096 original party, 1096 not against discretion of a judica- tory, 1097 not against obedience to instruc- tions, nor in case adjudicated, 1097 dismissed for lack of specifications, 1098 time of notice, 1093 dissent from judgment, 1099 affirmed, 1100 remanded, 1100 Appellants : Backus, C. W., 1090, 1098, 1100 Bercovitz, Moses, 1086 Birch, Geo. W. F., 1096 Bose, J. C, 1098, 1100 Clinton, Sarah R., 976 Day, A. R., 1092 Dayton, John G, 1105 Fleming, Edward T., 1100 Gowland, Maggie, 1109 Holliday, J. C, 1109 Lee Case, 1098 McCullough, N. N., 975, 1103, 1106 McGiffert Case, 945, 1096 Marlin, Hugh, 1118 Marsh, Geo. H., 1102 Mason, J. G., 1070 Appellants : Massey, J. W., 980, 1109 Patterson, J. G., 976, 1098 Richter, Louis, 1100 Riedy, Owen, 975, 1098, 1099, 1106 Schell Case, 1098 Simeon, J. J., 975 Stewart, Donald, 975 Taylor Case, 1110 Todd, Robert J., 975, 1087 Warszawiak Case, 1098, 1103 Williamsport Case, 980, 1067, 1105 Woods, J. Scott, 975 Assembly. See General Assembly. Assembly Herald, 1043 Bachelors of Divinity, 1052, 1055, 1065 Backus, C. W., 1090, 1098, 1100, 1106 Baird, James H., 1092 Baptism, doctrine of, 949, 957 Bercovitz, Moses, 1086, 1106, 1110 Bible, The, and public schools, 995 inerrancy, 946 Birch, Geo. W. F., 1096 Boards, The: Budget, 989, Charters, 1022 Rule as to members, 1021 Salaried executive officers, 1022 Boards received 1906, status of, 1025 Book of Discipline: Text and decis- ions. Chap. I. Discipline: its Nature, Ends, and Subjects, Sec. 3, 1085 Sec. 5, 1085 Chap. III. Of Charges and Speci- fications, Sec. 15, 1086 Chap. IV. Of Process, Sec. 18, 1086 Sec. 19, 1086 Sec. 26, 1087 Sec. 29, 1087 Chap. VI. General Rules for trial, Sec. 44, 1087 Chap. VII. Of Cases without Pro- cess, Sec. 49, 1088 Sec. 51, 1089 Sec. 53, 1090 1119 1120 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Book of Discipline : Chap. VIII. Of Evidence, Sec. 68, 1090 Chap. IX. Of General Review and Control, Sec. 72, 1090 Sec. 74, 1091 Sec. 76, 1091 Of Complaints, Sec. 83, 1092 Sec. 84, 1093 Sec. 85, 1094 Sec. 87, 1094 Sec. 88, 1095 Sec. 89, 1095 Sec. 91, 1095 Sec. 93, 1096 Of Appeals, Sec. 94, 1096 Sec. 95, 1097 Sec. 96, 1098 Sec. 99, 1100 Sec. 101, 1106 Chap. X. Of Dissents and Pro- tests, Sec. 105, 1106 Sec. 107, 1108 Chap. XII. Of Removals, Sec. 114, 1109 Chap. XIII. Of Judicial Com- missions, Sec. 118, 1110 Book of Common Worship, 1116 Bose, J. O, 1098, 1100, 1108 Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 990 Brotherhood, Presbyterian, 1048 Budget, 989 Candidates, form of application for, 1069 Presbyterial vigilance, 1070 college graduation, 1070 Education Committees, 1070 Latin Exegesis, 1070 Lecture and Sermon, 1071 Licensure, limitation of time, 1071 Theological course to be in ap- proved institutions, 1071 ordination of, 1072 ordination and licensure, simul- taneous, 1072 Cases, judicial, 1085 non-judicial, 1085 ( 'barters, model, for congregations, 977 China, Union Synod, 998 Christian Life and Work, committee, 970 narrative, 963, 966, 970 Christian Work among Seamen and Soldiers, Permanent Committee, 1047 Church, deliverance as to true title, 961 duty of, to the nation, 1004 Church, particular, model charters, 977 annual reports, 964 Church Cooperation and Union, Com- mittee, 916, 923, 927, 941, 1005 Church Erection, Board of, 1037 rules for grants, 1037 manse funds, 103S charter, amended, 103S mortgage released, 1039 Church membership, statistics of. 964 letters, 966, 1098 Church Sessions. See Session. Church temporalities, committee, 961 Churches, transfer of, 996 annual reports, 963, 966 Clinton, Sarah R., 976, 1098, 1108 College Board, name changed, 1041 constitution, 1041 property, transfer of, 1042 officer confirmed, 1042 Colporteurs, 1035 Comity with other Denominations, 1004 Commissioners to General Assembly, 984 seated on petition, 1077 absent through illness, enrolled, 1077 clerical, not confined to pastors, 971 and electing sections, 985 Complainants: Backus Case, 1106 Baird, James H., 1092 Day, A. R., 1092 Fernie, John, 1093 Fleming, Edward T., 1092 Granstaff, Frank, 1109 Hodge, Edward B., 1095 Lane, Charles Stoddard, 971 McGiffert Case, 945 Malone, James S., 1093 Mason, J. G., 1070 Massey Case, 980 Patterson, J. G., 976 Pimiphrey, W. H., 971, 1106 Rabe, W. L., 1097 Richie, W. N., 1093 Ringland, A. W.. 1106, 1109 Ross, T. M., 1093, 1095 Taylor, Charles A., 1097 Todd, Robert J., 975, 1087 Warszawiak Case, 1103 Whitbeck, J. R., 1092 Williamsport Case, 980, 1092 Complaint, subject matter must be recorded, 980 must be to next higher judicatory, 1092 dismissed, no reason given, 1092 memorials are not, 1092 will not lie against discretion of judicatory, 1092 notice must be served, 1093 time of notice, 1093 sustained, no action taken, 1096 Concurrent Declarations, Union, 913 1121 Confession of Faith: Chap. I. Of the Holy Scripture, 945 Chap. III. Of God's Eternal De- cree, 948 Chap. VII. Of Christ the Media- tor, 948 Chap. X. Of Effectual Calling, Sec. hi, 948 Chap. XI. Of Justification, Sec. ii, 949 Chap. XVI. Of Good Works, Sec. vii 949 Chap. XXII. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows, Sec. iii, 950 Chap. XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce, Sees, i, vi, 954, 955 Chap. XXV. Of the Church, Sec. vi, 956 Chap. XXVII. Of the Sacra- ments, Sec. iv, 956 Chap. XXVIII. Of Baptism, 957 Chap. XXIX. Of the Lord's Supper, 957 Chap. XXXI. Of Synods and Councils, Sec. ii, 957 Sec. iv, 957 Preamble to New Chapters, 958 Chap. XXXIV. Of the Holy Spirit, Sees, i-iv, 958 Chap. XXXV. Of the Love of God and Missions, Sees, i-iv, 959 Declaratory Statement, 959 Confession of Faith, failure of elder to read, 1068 Confession of Faith, revision of, 942. See Revision. Congregations, model charters for, 977 Constitution of the Church, Publica- tion of, 913 Amendments, 1904, 940 Alterations, 1079 Constitution of the U. S., petitions for amendment, 953 Constitutional Rule, No. 3, 1069 Contributions, directions as to, 964 Corporations, Religious, 961 Corresponding members, only minis- ters can be, 974 standing of, must be fully stated, 974 Counsel, judicatories to provide, 1093, 1095 eligibility of, 1087 Cumberland Presbyterian Church, re- union with, 916-941 committees, 916, 923, 924,-926, 927, 941 Basis of Union, 919 concurrent declarations, 920 71 Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Joint-reports, 1904, 918; 1906, 929 Recommendations, 921 Buffalo Assembly, 922 Dallas Assembly. 923 Winona Assembly, 925, 929 Fresno Assembly, 926 Des Moines Assembly, 937 Decatur Assembly, 937 Declarations as to Union, 937 Synods and Presbvteries added to roll, 933, 974 Doctrinal Deliverance, 939 Protest against Union, 1107 Answer to Protest, 1107 Cumberland University, 940 Danville Theological Seminary, 1056 Day, A. R., 1092 Dayton, John C, 1105 Deacons, resignation of, 1068 Declaratory statement, 913 Deliverances, Doctrinal, 990, 1091 Pastoral, 995 Demission, of ministry, 1089 Deposition, 1087 Devotional exercises, 977 Digest, New, 914 Directors, elections of, 1052 Directory for Worship: Chap. I. On the Sanctification of the Lord's Day, Sec. i, 1111 Sec. ii, 1111 Sec. vi, 1114 Chap. II. Of Public Prayer, Sec. iv, 1114 Chap. VI. Of the Worship of God by Offerings, Sees, i-v, 1117 Chap. IX. Of the Administration of the Lord's Supper, Sec. v, 1118 Chap. XIV. Of the Burial of the Dead, Sec. ii, 1118 Dismission, letters of, Session ordered to give, 1109 not to unrepentant member, 1109 form of, 1 109 removal notices, 1109 General Assembly orders, 966, 1 109 Divorce and Remarriage, deliverances on, 954, 955 Legislation, uniformity of, 954 Inter-church conference, 955 Doctrine, deliverances on, 990 Ecclesiastical changes to be reported, 970 Education, Board of, 1034 Rules, 1034 Synodical Education Committees, 1035 1122 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Education, Board of, Legacy, return of, 1035 Foreign Immigrants, Work for, 1035 candidates, 1069 Education Committees, 1070 Elders, election of, 1067 ordination, 1068 resignation, 1068 Elect infants, 948, 960 Electing districts, 987 sections, 984 Evangelical Alliance, 949 Evangelistic work, committee on, 1044 Presbyteries and Synods, 1045 Pastors and Sessions, 1045 Evangelists, employment of, 1045 qualifications, 1045 Interdenominational movements, 1046 Home Missions, Board of, 1046 Theological Seminaries, 1052 Evidence, new, 1090 Excursions, Sunday, disapproved, 1113 Federation, American Protestant Churches, 1005 Interchurch Conference on, 1006 Fernie, John, 1093 Finance, Standing Committee on, 989 Fleming, Edward T., 1092, 1100 Florida, Synod of, 973 Foreign Churches, correspondence with, 1000 names, 1000 Foreign Missions, Board of, 1031 lay candidates, questions for, 1031 new work, conditions for, 1031 Comity, Rules of, 1031 missionaries, theological qualifica- tions, 1032 Union Educational Institutions, 1033 executive officers, salaried, ap- proval of, 1033 Ecumenical Missionary Confer- ence, 1033 Chinese Missions Centennial, 1034 Foreign Presbyteries, vote of, 1081 Foreign-speaking peoples, 1036 Form of Government: Chap. I. Preliminary Principles, Sec. i, 961 Chap. II. Of the Church, Sec. iv, 961 Chap. IX. Of the Church Session, Sec. iii, 962 Sec. vi, 962 Sec, vii, 963 Sec. viii, 963 Sec. x, 963 Chap. X. Of the Presbytery, Sec. ii, 966 Sec. iii, 967 Sec. iv, 967 Sec. v, 968 Form of Government. Chap. X. Sec. vii, 968 Sec. viii, 969 Sec. ix, 969 Sec. x, 970 Sec. xi, 971 Chap. XI. Of the Synod, Sec. i, 971 Sec. iii, 974 Sec. iv, 975 Sec. vi, 978 Chap. XII. Of the General As- sembly, Sec. i, 982 Sec. iv, 990 Sec. v, 990 Sec. vii, 1066 Sec. viii, 1067 Chap. XIII. Of Electing and Or- daining Ruling Elders and Deacons, Sec. ii, 1067 Sec. iv, 1068 Sec. vi, 1068 Chap. XIV. Of licensing Candi- dates or Probationers to Preach the Gospel, Sec. iii, 1069 Sees, iv and v, 1070 Sec. vi, 1071 Sec. vii, 1071 Chap. XV. Of the Election and Ordination of Bishops or Pastors, and Evangelists, Sec. ix, 1071 Sec. x, 1072 Sec. xi, 1072 Sec. xiv, 1072 Sec. xvi, 1073 Chap. XVII. Of Resigning a Pastoral Charge, Sec. ii (new), 1073 Chap. XVIII. Of Missions, 1073 Chap. XIX. Of Moderators, 1073 Chap. XX. Of Clerks, 1074 Chap. XXI. Of Vacant Congre- gations assembling for wor- ship, Sec. ii to iv (new), 1074 Chap. XXII. Of Commissioners to the General Assembly, 1077 Chap. XXIII. Of the Organiza- tions of the Church; their rights and duties (new), 1078 Chap. XXIV. Of amendments, Sec. i, 1079 Sec. ii, 1079 Sec. iii, 1082 Sec. vi, 1082 Forms and Services, Committee on, 1114 Assembly action, 1115 Book of Common Worship, 1116 Freedmen, Board for, 1040 officer approved, 1040 debt liquidated, 1040 Funerals on Lord's Day, 1118 INDEX. 1123 General Assembly, members, 983 expenses, 983 Electing Sections, 987 Moderator, 982 Stated Clerk, 983 Permanent Clerk, 984 Standing Committees, 987 Special Committees, 989 Standing Rules, 982 Advisory members, 983 Place of meeting, 1067 Minutes, 913 Biennial, triennial, 1066 Gowland, Maggie, 1109 Granstaff, Frank, 1109 Grouped churches and stated supplies, 967 Historical documents, 913 Hodge, Edward B., 1095 Holliday, J. G, 1109 Holy Scriptures, inerrancy of, 946 Home missionaries, designation of, 970 Home Missions, Board of, 1026 Funds, distribution of, 1026 Presbytery assigned to, 1026 College assigned to, 1026 Associate Secretaries, approved, 1026 Centennial, 1027 Synodical Home Missions, 1027, 1028 Sustentation, plan of, 1027 Immigrants, work among, 1028 Evangelistic Work, plan, 1030 Sabbath-school missionary work, 1030 Vacancy and supply, 988 Home Missions, Committee on, ap- pointed in new Presbytery, 999 Home Missions, Synodical, 1027 Standing Committee, 988 Home Missions, Standing Committee on, to report on vacancy and supply, 988 Hungarians in the U. S., work among, 1018 Committee of Conference, 1020 India, Presbyterian Church in, 997 Interchurch Conference on Federation, 1006-1010 Plan of Federation, text, 1007 Churches represented, 1007 expenses of delegates, 1010 Interchurch Conference on Marriage and Divorce, 955 Interdenominational intercourse, 949 Jesus Christ, infallibility of, 947, 948 Judgments, appealed from and af- firmed, 1100 reversed, modified, or remanded, 1100 Judicatory, higher, determinations of, to be reverenced, 957 Judicatory, single session of, denned, 971 Judicial cases, definition, 1085 non-judicial cases, 1085 decision, not reversible except by appeal, 1091 Judicial Commissions, of Presbytery, 969 of Synod, 975 of General Assembly, 990, 1110 Judical Committee as, 1110 Judicial Committee, D. 1110 reversed by Judicial Commission, 975 Justification by faith, 947, 949 Kentucky, Theological Seminary of, 1056 Agreement, Text of, 1060 Constitution, 1064 Korea, Union Presbyterian Church in, 998 Labor, Sunday, not approved, 1113 Lane, Charles Stoddard, 971, 1100 Latin Exegesis, 1076 'Laws Relating to Religious Corpora- tions," 961 Lebanon Theological Seminary, 1065 Lee Case, 1098 License system, 10S5 Licentiate and local church, 1072 when ordained, 1072 Liquor traffic and discipline, 962, 1085 Local Evangelist, licensure, 1071 Lord's Supper, 947, 957 Louisville Theological Seminary, 1056 McCormick Theological Seminary, 1064 Constitution, amendments to, 1064 McCullough, N. N., 975, 1103, 1106 McGiffert, A. C, 945-948, 1086, 1096 Malone, James S., 1093 Marriage and Divorce, Interchurch Conference, 955 Marlin, Hugh, 1100, 1118 Marsh, George H., 1102, 1110 Mason, J. G., 1070, 1100 Massey, J. W., 980, 1109 Members, non-resident, 1088 letters of dismissal, 966, 1110 Reserve Roll changed to Suspend- ed Roll, 964, 1088 Statistics of, 964 Memorials, as complaints, 1092 in judicial cases, 1096 Men's societies, Committee on, 1048 Mexico, Synod of, 996 Ministerial Sustentation Fund, 1046 plan, 1046 Ministers urged to withdraw, 945 stricken from roll, 969, 1090 transferred, 969 without charge, 969 plan of sustentation, 1047 1124 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Ministers, salaries of, 1071 from other denominations, 1073 demission of, 1089 dismissed by Assembly, 966 Minutes, General Assembly, Supple- ments to, 970 reprint, 913 Statistical Reports, 964 Minutes, Synod, review of: detail of review, 978 Commissions not to approve, 980 no second approval of, 980 certification of, 981 printed, 981 translations, 981 corrections, 981 to be presented annually, 981 Moderator, mode of election, 982 nominating speeches, time limit, 982 Chairmen Standing Committees, 982 Mormonism, deliverances against, 950 Music, church, 963 Narrative of the State of Religion, 963, 970, 979, 988 Standing Committee on, 988 name changed, 966 Non-judicial cases, definition, 1085 complaints in, 1094 Offerings, duty of churches, 1117 Presbytery, 1117 subscription blanks, 1118 Omaha Theological Seminary, Consti- tution, 1064 Organizations, rights and duties, 1078 Overtures, declaration of adoption, 1081, 1083 Pastor Emeritus, 1073 Pastoral Deliverances, 995 Pastors and grouped churches, 967 Patterson, J. G., 976, 1098 Permanent Clerk, mode of election, 984 tenure of office, 984 and electing sections, 985 Permanent Committees, 1021 Philippines, The, 995 Place of meeting, Assembly, 1067 Political Conferences on Sunday not approved, 1113 Polygamy, 956 Powers of the General Assembly: over Synods, 966, 971, 995, 998 over Presbyteries, 996, 998, 999 over amendments to Constitution, 1080, 1082 over Boards, 1021 review of records, 978 over Theological Seminaries, 1050 to transfer ministers, 966, 969, 999 to transfer churches, 996 to transfer Presbyteries, 999, 1026 to erect Presbvteries, 966 Powers of the General Assembly : to receive Synods, 974 to receive Presbyteries, 974 to correspond with foreign Churches, 1000 Union of denominations, 919, 937 Comity with other denominations, 1004 as to place of meeting, 1066 to dismiss church members, 1109 Powers of the Synod: to fix bounds of Presbyteries, 969 to appoint Commissions, 975 as to ministers, 977 vacancy and supply, 1075 Powers of the Presbytery: appointment of Commissions, 969 over vacant churches, 968, 1075 vacant pulpit, 968 Powers of the Session: discipline, 962 over the Sabbath-school, 963 over Societies, 963 over congregational worship, 963 over the musical service, 963 over times and places of all relig- ious services, 963 over uses of the church buildings, 963 dismissing members, 1 109 Prayer, opening and closing, Session, 963 Synod, 977 Presbyterian Brotherhood, The, organized, 1048 Constitution approved, 1049 Standing Committee, 1049 Presbyterian Church in the U. S., re- lations with, 1016, 1017 reception of ministers from, 1073 Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in America: Federation, 1011 Articles of Agreement, 1013 Presbyterian Alliance. 1012 Presbyteries, received (1906), 974 names of, 933 territorial limits, 966 power of Assembly to erect, 966 members named, 966 ipso facto members, 967 permission necessary to labor within bounds of, 967 erected on mission fields, 998 erected on home field, 998 transfer of, 999 division of, 999 formed out of churches in two Synods, 999 action in absence of quorum. 968 representation by elders at ad- journed meetings, 967 pro re nata meetings, 970 enlargement, 969 merger, 969 Judicial Commissions. 969 INDEX. 1125 Presbyteries, powers. See Powers. Temperance Committees, 1044 vacant pulpit, 968 vacancy and supply, 1075 Princeton Theological Seminary, 1053 Plan, changes in, 1053 Assembly's right of control, 1054 Act of New Jersey Legislature, 1054 Bachelor of Divinity, degree of, 1055 Proceedings, correct record of, 1090 Professors, elections of, 1052 Pro re nata meeting, 970 Protest against "separate" Presby- teries, 1106 against union with the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, 1107 other dissents and protests, 1108 Protestant Churches, closer relation of, 1006 Conference authorized, 1006 Protestant Episcopal Church, 954 Publication, Board of, 1035 Colporteurs, 1035 funds, investment of, 1035 Officers, approval of, 1035 and Board of Home Missions, 1036 administrative changes, authority to make, 1036 Foreign-speaking peoples, work among, 1036 Young Peoples' Work, Depart- ment of, 1036 Public Expositions, Sunday closing of, 1112 Public funds for sectarian purposes, 995 Public Schools, the Bible in, 995 Pulpit, declaration of vacancy, 968 Pumphrey, W. H., 971, 1106 Quorum, absence of, 968, 969 Rabe, W. L., 1097 "Records of the Presbyterian Church," 913 Records, review of, judicial cases not included in, 980 no time for furnishing records specified, 1089 review of, cannot reverse judicial decision, 1091 must be sent up, 981 detail of review of Synodical records, 978 Reformed Church in the U. S., 1017 Relief, Board of, 1039 Rules, 1039 Investments, 1039 Westminster House, 1039 Endowment, 1040 Churches, apportionment upon, 1040 Churches failing to make offer- ings, 1040 Religious liberty, 995 Reserve Roll, 1088 Revision of the Confession: appointment of Committee, 942 Reports of Committee, 944 votes of the Presbyteries on, 1079 Committee of Canvass, 1080 Vote on, Summary of, 1080 Text of, 943, 948, 949, 956, 958 General Assembly, enactment by, 1080 Moderator, declaration by, 1081 Foreign Presbyteries, vote of, 1081 Richie, W. N., 1093 Richter, Louis, 1100 Riedy, Owen, 975, 1098, 1099, 1106, 1108, 1110 Ringland, A. W., 1106, 1109 Roll, erasure from, 1090 Ross, T. M., 1093, 1095 Sabbath Observance, Committee on, 1111 Methods commended, 1111 Public Expositions, closing of, 1112 Sunday excursions, 1113 Political conferences, 1113 Sunday labor, 1113 Sabbath-school lesson, 1113 Presbyterial Committees, 1113 Synodical Committees, 1113 Sacraments, ruling elders cannot ad- minister, 956 kind of wine, 1118 Schell Case, 1098 Session, Church, the: Moderator of, 962 Synodical superintendent, 962 duty of, liquor traffic, 962 Sabbath-school, Societies, etc., 963 worship, 963 music, 963 church buildings, 963 temporal affairs, 963 times of services, etc., 963 opening and closing prayer not mandatory, 963 reports to Presbytery, 963, 964 balancing of returns, 964 contributions, instructions as to, 964 to be represented at meeting of Presbytery, 967 Temperance Committees, 1044 dismissing members, 1109 Session, of an ecclesiastical body, defi- nition, 971 Shorter Catechism, instruction in, 1114 Simeon, J. J., 975 Special Committees, reports of, 984 Specifications to be filed, 1098 Spelling in Records, 979 Standards, adoption of, 913 Proof Texts, 915 amendments to, 1079 1126 SUPPLEMENT TO DIGEST. Standing Committees, mode of elec- tion, 985 details of Plan, 986 Electing Districts, 987 Synodical Home Missions, 988 Presbyterian Brotherhood, 1049 Finance, 989 Standing Orders and Rules, 982, 983 Stated Clerk, authority for printing directions, etc., 965 tenure of office, 983 expenses of the Assembly, 983 accounts of, audit, 984 salary, 984 Overtures, printing of, 984 electing sections, 984 Special Committees, 984, 989 Stated Supplies and grouped churches, 968 Statistical Reports, Rules, 964, 969 Temperance column, 964 Sunday. See Sabbath Observance. Suspended Roll, 1088 Supplements to Minutes, 970 Stewart, Donald, 975 Suspension, Judicial, not without for- mal trial, 1086 Sustentation, Committee on, 1046 Synods to handle ecclesiastical matters only, 957 names of, 933 and Presbyteries received and en- rolled in 1906, 974 judgment of, when final, 975 appointment of Commission, 975 when primary inquiry belongs to, 1091 no primary jurisdiction, 977 to prepare model charters, 977 opening sermon at, mandatory, 977 particular sessions to be opened and closed with prayer, 977 devotional exercises a substitute for opening prayer, 977 records must be full, 978 absentees to be recorded except by delegate Synods, 978 roll-call, final, results to be re- corded, 978 churches not represented to be recorded, 978 all action taken to be recorded, 979 reports adopted to be recorded, 979 records, review of, 978 erection of, 971, 995 changes in, 995 dismissal of. 995 Union, foreign, 995 legal successor to, designated, 996 transfer of churches in, 996 powers, See Powers, vacancy and supply, 1076 Synodical Home Missions, 977 Standing Committee, 988 Synodical Superintendents, 962 Systematic Beneficence, Committee on, 1043 appropriations for, 1043 Taylor, Charles A., 1097, 1100 Temperance, Permanent Committee on, 1043 literature, 1043 'Assembly Herald", 1043 Interdenominational Conference, 1043 Missionaries, 1043 Advisory members, 1043 Petitions, U. S. Government, 1043 Committees, 1044 Column in Minutes, 964 Theological Seminaries, 1050 Conference of, 1050 Students, aid to, 1050 Rule as to Minutes, 1*050 Sabbath-school work, 1051 Reports to be fuller, 1051 Standards, examinations on, 1051 Boards, work of the, 1051 English Bible. 1051 Missions, 1052 Evangelists, Courses for, 1052 Bachelor of Divinity, degree of, 1052, 1055, 1065 Students in trans., testimonials, 1052 Directors, elections of, 1052 Professors, elections of, 1052 Todd, Robert J., 975, 1087 Trial, to be on original charges only, 1086 Trustees, resignation of, 962 subject to Session, 963 Unemployed ministers, 1074 United States Government, Petitions to, 952, 953, 1043 United States Naval Academy, relig- ious rights of cadets, 1111 Vacancy and supply, 988 Committee on, 1075 Overtures sent down, 1075 Board of Home Missions, 988 Vacant churches: Pulpit supplied by Session, 1074 Unemployed ministers, 1074 Ministers of other denominations, 1074 Pulpit supplied by Presbytery, 1074 definition of, 1074 Synodical missionary, 1075 declaration as to vacancy, 1075 moderator of sessions of, 962 new regulations, 1075 INDEX. 1127 Warszawiak Case, 1097, 1098, 1103 Western Theological Seminary, 1055 Plan of, amendments, 1055 Property, action as to, 1056 West Kwantung, Synod of, 972 Westminster House, Perth Amboy, 1039 West Virginia, Synod of, 971 Whitbeck Case, 1092 Williamsport Case, 980, 1067, 1068, 1092, 1105 Woods, J. Scott, 975 Young People's Societies, 949 Young People's Work, Permanent Committee on, 1046 and Board of Publication, 1036