OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE Presbyterian Church IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AT THEIR SESSIONS, IN THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK, 1856. PHILADELPHIA: JOSEPH M. WILSON, PUBLICATION OFFICE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE, 27 SOUTH TENTH STREET. NOTICE. WE give, with our present issue, according to promise, the DEBATES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1856. A heavy expense has been incurred; and the amount of matter, thus presented to our subscribers, is equal to two extra numbers of the Magazine. We are chiefly indebted to the "Presbyterian" for this Report of the Debates; and we thankfully make this acknowledgment. The able reporter of that paper performed his work admirably. A few of the speeches have been reported by ourselves; and a part of the matter was common to all the secular and religious papers. The arrangement of the Debates by SUBJECTS is our own idea, and will probably be acceptable to most readers. We trust that our subscribers will appreciate our determination to make the "Presbyterian Magazine" a useful Repository of ecclesiastical and miscellaneous knowledge. C. SHERMAN & SON, PRINTERS, 19 St. James Street. THE ACTS AND DEBATES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America met, agreeably to appointment, in the First Presbyterian Church, New York City, on Thursday, the 15th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1856, at eleven o'clock A. M., and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Nathan L. Rice, D.D., Moderator of the last Assembly, from 2 Tim. 4:1, 2: "I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." After the sermon, the Moderator proceeded to constitute the sessions with prayer. The Permanent Clerk, from the Standing Committee on Commissions, reported the roll of Commissioners. The total number of Commissioners present during the sessions was 278, of which 157 were Ministers, and 121 were Ruling Elders. The roll was then called for the choice of Moderator, and resulted as follows: Rev. Dr. McFarland, Rev. Dr. Campbell, 119 113 Rev. Dr. Francis McFarland was declared Moderator. Being conducted to the acting Moderator, he was informed of his election, and ascended the platform, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Campbell. In taking the Chair, he said: "I cannot but feel gratified that you have such confidence in me as to commit this important position to me. But I feel an involuntary shrinking from its duties and responsibilities. However, with the help of God and your co-operation, I will endeavour to do the best I can to discharge them faithfully and efficiently." The Rev. J. N. Campbell, D.D., was elected Temporary Clerk. The following are the members of the two important committees: Committee on Bills and Overtures.-Ministers-N. L. Rice, D.D., John C. Lord, D.D., J. N. C. Bartley, Eli F. Cooley, Thomas Creigh, D.D., L. L. Conrad, Wm. B. Spence, John M. Buchanan, A. V. C. Schenck, Francis Bowman, D.D., J. T. Hendrick, D.D., J. H. Thornwell, D.D., Albert Williams. Ruling Elders-Kensey Johns, John Fine, A. O. Putnam, A. Wm. McDowell, Brice Blair, Robert Davis, Thomas Moodie, Alexander Guy, M.D., John Hendricks, John Todd. Judicial Committee.—Ministers-J. N. Campbell, D.D., E. P. Humphrey, D.D., N. A. Pratt, D.D., Thomas Woodrow, D.D., A. B. McCorkle, James R. Eckard, W. M. Donaldson, Reuben Frame, George Van Eman, F. G. Strahan, S. B. O. Wilson. Ruling Ellers-W. F. Allen, H. H. Leavitt, Daniel Lord, James M. Porter, James K. Douglass, G. T. Swann, Philip H. Thompson, William A. Bell, Charles O. Waters, N. H. Raymond. Bills and Overtures. The following is a complete list of the Overtures acted on by the Assembly. Overture No. IV we have not been able to find. Almost all the Overtures were adopted without debate. The Committee discharged their duties with great skill, and possessed the confidence of the Assembly. The Chairman was himself a host. OVERTURE No. I.-An Overture from the Church Extension Committee, asking the Assembly 1st. To remove the limitation which requires that other than ministerial members of the Committee shall be ruling elders, so that laymen may serve upon this Committee as upon other benevolent organizations of the Church. 2d. To add to the present number of the Committee one minister and two laymen resident in the City of St. Louis, to guard against the contingencies to which a large city is liable in the summer season, and secure at all times a quorum. 3d. To make the Corresponding Secretary ex officio, a member of the Committee. 4th. To authorize the Committee to make such arrangements as may be necessary to enable the Committee to hold and secure legacies. 5th. To recommend to each of the Synods in our connection to set apart a definite time for an Annual Church Extension Collection in all the churches within their bounds. The Committee recommend that these requests be granted. The report was adopted. OVERTURE No. II.-From the Synod of Pittsburg, memorializing the Assembly on the necessity and importance of deacons in the churches. The Committee recommend that the Assembly answer this memorial by referring the Synod to the action of the General Assembly in 1840 and 1841. The report was adopted. OVERTURE No. III.-From the Synod of Illinois, requesting the erection of a new Synod, to embrace the Presbyteries of Chicago, Rock River, and Schuyler, as these Presbyteries now exist, and to be called the Synod of Chicago. This request was granted; and, on the recommendation of the Com |