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ILLINOIS

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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2015ACTION

OK THE

SUBJECT OF PUBLICATION,

FROM THE YEAR 1735 TO 1856.Return this book on or before the
Latest Date stamped below.

Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books
are reasons for disciplinary action and may
result in dismissal from the University.

University of Illinois Library

L161—0-1096ACTION

OF THE

(imral JLssimMg af % fractal* Cjpafft

ON THE

SUBJECT OF PUBLICATION,

From the year 1735 to 1856.

PHILADELPHIA:
PRESBYTERIAN PUBLICATION COMMITTEE:

NO. 386 CHESTNUT STREET.

1856.

>

HENRY B. ASHMEAD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER,

GEORGE STREET ABOVE ELEVENTH.ACTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON THE

SUBJECT or PUBLICATION.

1735.

Upon a motion made by a member of the Synod,
(then the highest judicatory,) do agree that if any of
our members shall see cause to prepare anything for
the press, upon any controversy in religious matters,
that before such member publish what he hath pre-
pared, he shall submit the same to be perused by per-
sons to be appointed for that purpose, and that
Messrs. Andrews, Dickinson, Robert Cross, Pember-
ton and Pierson, be appointed for this purpose, in the
bounds of the Synod to the northward of Philadel-
phia ; and Messrs. Anderson, Thomas Evans, Cath-
cart, Stevenson and Thompson, in the bounds of the
Synod, southward of Philadelphia. Any three of
each Committee shall be a quorum.

1772.

The Synod finding the money collected some years
ago for defraying the expense attending the missions

p ^oo^S4

appointed on our frontiers is nearly expended, agree
to have a collection this year through their bounds,
upon the same plan with the former. And as it is
judged it might be useful to extend this public charity
to purchase such religious books as the Synod may
approve of, to be given to the poor congregations
the following members are appointed to consider this
matter, and bring in an overture to be subjected to
the Synod as soon as they conveniently can, viz.:
Messrs. McWhorter, Montgomery and Ogden.

The Committee appointed last Friday, to draw up
an overture with respect to the general collection and
the distribution of books brought one in, which after
correction, is as follows:

1.	That the Synod recommend a general collection
in all the churches under their care.

2.	That the Synod write a pastoral letter, in which
they shall return thanks to their several congrega-
tions for their former generosity, and solicit their fu-
ture favors.

3.	That the Synod particularly desire the charity
of the public for those purposes, viz. : For defraying
the expenses of sending Missionaries to the frontiers,
and such other places as are unable to support the
Gospel, for the purchasing useful books to distribute
in said places, under the direction of Committees to
be appointed for that purpose, for propagating Chris-
tian knowledge among the Indians, and for such other
pious uses as may occur from time to time.

" The following books were proposed and agreed to
be procured and distributed, viz.: Bibles; Westmin-5

ster Confession of Faith; small edition of Vincent's
Catechism; Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Reli-
gion ; A Compassionate Address to the Christian
World; Alliene's Alarm to the Unconverted; Dr.
"Watts' Divine Songs for Children, and the Assem-
bly's Catechism.

" And for the purpose of procuring and distribut-
ing those books, we appoint for a Committee at Phila-
delphia, Dr. Alison, Mr. Sproat, Mr. Montgomery,
Mr, Bayard, and Mr. Jonathan Smith; and at New
York, Dr. Rodgers, Mr. Treat, Mr. McWhorter, Mr.
Caldwell, Mr. V. B. Livingston, and Mr. Robert
Ogden. And the Committees are restricted not to
lay out this year above ten pounds pro. currency
each, for the purposes aforesaid. But if any well-
disposed persons shall send the Committees books or
pamphlets, which they judge will answer the inten-
tion of Synod, to promote Christian knowledge, they
are desired to distribute these also.

1773.

For the purpose of procuring books to bestow on
the poor in Philadelphia, Dr. Francis Alison, Mr.
Sproat, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. John Bayard, and Mr.
Jonathan Smith; and in New York, Dr. Rogers, Mr.
Treat, Mr. McWhorter, Mr. Caldwell, and Mr. Noel
are appointed as Committees; and that they do not
exceed the sum of twenty pounds, proclamation cur-
rency, to be laid out by each Committee, and that
they draw on the Treasurer for this sum.

1*6

1774.

The Committees appointed last Synod to purchase
books, and distribute them among the poor on the
frontiers, report, that they have complied with tb^
order, and disposed of the whole sum allowed at New
York, and the whole also of the sum allowed at Phila-
delphia, except one pound seven shillings and eight
pence; but as the Committee at Philadelphia, have
not yet received an account of any distribution made
by the persons to whose care they have committed
them on the frontiers, the Synod direct them to in-
quire as soon as possible into that matter, and use
their best endeavors to have said distribution made,
(if not already done,) and procure what information
they can, of the success attending said distribution,
and make report at the next meeting of Synod.

1794.

The Committee appointed to prepare the Scripture
proofs in support of the doctrines of the Confession
of Faith, Catechisms, &c., of the Presbyterian Church,
submitted their report which was in part read, ex-
amined, and approved as a specimen of the work.
Whereupon, Dr. Green, and Messrs. J. B. Smith,
James Boyd, ffm. M. Tennent, Nathaniel Irwin, and
Andrew Hunter were appointed a Committee to com-
pare the proofs prepared, and now reported by said
Committee to the General Assembly, with the proofs
annexed to the Westminster Confession of Faith,
Catechisms and Directory, to revise the whole, pre-7

pare it for the press, to agree with a printer for its
publication, and to superintend the printing and send-
jdg of the same. And the said Committee were further
instructed to secure the copyright of said book, ac-
cording to a law of the United States, in such case
^provided.

1799.

On motion, resolved, that Mr. John McCulloch
be, arid he is hereby requested to receive from Mr.
kobert Aitkin, printer, three hundred copies of the
Confession of Faith, and Discipline of this Church;
pnd that he transmit one hundred copies to James
"Hathaway, Esq., at Fort Stanwix; and one hundred
copies to Evans & Gordon, at Geneva, and fifty
copies to Dr. John Hopkins, at Tioga Point, and fifty
copies to Matthias Hollenbeck, Esq., at Wilkesbarre,
to be by those gentlemen distributed and sold as here-
after directed.

1800.

u The Assembly resumed the consideration of the
subjects contained in the communication of the cor-
poration for managing their funds, and agreed that
the following objects deserve consideration.

" The purchasing and disposing of Bibles, and also
of books and short essays on the great principles of
religion and morality, calculated to impress the minds
of those to whom they are given, with a sense of their
duty both to God and man, and consequently, of such
a nature as to arrest the attention, interest the curi-8

I

I

osity, and touch the feelings of those to whom they are
given."

1801.

" That there be made a purchase of as many cheap
and piousjbooks as a due regard to the other objects
of the Assembly's funds will admit, with the view off
distributing them, not only along the frontiers of'
these States, but also among the poorer classes of the
people, and the blacks, or wherever it is thought use-j
ful; which books shall be given away or lent, at the|
discretion of the distributor; and that there be re-^
ceived from Mr. Robert Aitkin, towards the discharge!
of his debt, books to such an amount as shall appeal
proper to the Trustees of the Assembly, who ar^
hereby requested to take proper measures for th^

distribution of the same."	j

i

1802. j

" Whereas, an invoice of books, suitable for the
purposes of the Assembly, amounting to fifty pounds
fourteen shillings ten pence sterling has been laid,
upon the table and may be purchased, in whole or In
part, at first cost and charges. Resolved, the Trus-
tees of the Assembly be desired to purchase said
books, or such part of them, or any other books as
the state of their funds will admit, consistently with
appropriations already made; and that they take
proper measures in conjunction with the Standing
Committee on Missions, to have the books above men-
tioned, and those received from Mr. Robert Aitkin,9

together with such as shall be received from Mr. Cor-
nelius Davis of New York, properly distributed."

1803.

" A communication was received from the Presby-
tery of Erie, praying that Bibles, and other pious
books may be sent into the bounds of that Presbytery,
and placed in the hands of certain persons to the in-
tent that they may be employed as a circulating Li-
brary, for the spiritual edification of the numerous
poor and ignorant persons in that place, who are
perishing for lack of knowledge. On motion, it was
Resolved, That the same be referred to the Standing
Committee of Missions.

1804.

Resolved, That the Presbyteries and individuals who
have received, or may hereafter receive, religious
books for distribution, report to the Committee of
Missions from year to year, stating in what manner
the books have been disposed of, the effects produced,
and the books, if any, remaining on hand.

1805.

Resolved, That the Committee of Missions be au-
thorized and requested to procure two hundred and
fifty copies of Fuller's Gospel Worthy of all Accep-
tation, and two hundred and fifty copies of Vincent's
Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, to be distributed
in places where such books are especially wanted,
either gratis or otherwise, as the case may require.10

Resolved, That the Trustees of the General As-
sembly be, and they are hereby authorized and re-
quested, to grant a warrant in favor of the Rev. John
Rice, for the payment of thirty-five dollars, to be ap-
plied to purchasing religious books, to be distributed
among the people of color, within the bounds of
Hanover Presbytery.

1806.

That the Assembly appropriate annually, when the
funds will admit of it, the sum of one hundred dol-
lars, for the purchase of religious books, to be dis-
tributed in those parts of our Church, which may
most need them.

1809.

The Committee appointed to report on the estab-
lishment of a Society for procuring and distributing
religious tracts, reported the following resolution, and
it was adopted:

" Resolved, That whereas it appears to this Assem-
bly, that great and increasing good has accrued to
the Church of Christ, by the distribution of small
cheap religious tracts; it is hereby earnestly recom-
mended that each Synod take measures for establish-
ing as many religious Tract Societies within their
bounds, by association of one or more Presbyteries
together, as maybe most convenient for this purpose;
and that such Societies may adopt such plan for car-
rying into effect the object of this resolution, as may
be most conducive in their judgment to this end."11

1816.

" The Committee appointed to inquire whether
some plan cannot be devised for the wider circulation
of the Confession of Faith, and of the Constitution
of the Presbyterian Church reported, and their re-
port being read and amended, was adopted and is as
follows :

" 1. That it be strictly enjoined on all the Presby-
teries under the care of the General Assembly, to
endeavor by such means as upon careful examination
shall to them appear best to promote the diffusion and
wider circulation of the Confession of Faith, and
Book of Discipline of the Presbyterian Church.

" 2. That it be recommended to the congregations
in our connection, to take measures to supply their'
own poor with the Confession of Faith, Catechisms,
and Book of Discipline of our Church.

" 3. That the Trustees of the General Assembly
be authorized and directed to inquire into the expe-
diency of stereotyping the Confession of Faith, Cate-
chisms, and Form of Government, and to report to
the next General Assembly."

1848.

The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported
overture No. 3, on Doctrinal Tracts, which was re-
ferred to a Committee of two from each Synod, viz:
Messrs. Rowland and Mason, Fisher and Kidder,
Haynes and Little, Wilson and Fitch, Skinner and
Needham, Wilson and Brewster, Cleaveland and Clark,
Beecher and Giddings, Duffield and Johnson, Boutelle12

and Bartlett, Bushnell and Taylor, Dickey and Ste-
vens, Hale and Ayres, Waterbury and Hewet, Tucker
Slayback, Mitchell and Davidson, Wimpy and Blair,
Campbell and McAfee, Dwight and Perkins, McLain
and Edrington.

H. A. Rowland from the Committee on Doctrinal
Tracts presented a report, which was accepted and
put on the docket.

The Rev. H. A. Rowland called for action on the
Report on Doctrinal Tracts, when after a few remarks,
the whole subject was referred to a Committee con-
sisting of Rev. Messrs. Wm. Patton, D. D., F. H.
Skinner, D. D., E. F. Hatfield, and H. A. Rowland,
to act in the premises and report at the meeting of
Assembly in Cincinnati.

1847.

Committee on Doctrinal Tracts appointed in May
last, made a report, which was accepted, and after
some discussion, the whole subject was referred to a
committee consisting of the Rev. Messrs. E. F. Hat-
field, S. H. Cox, D. D., E. Mason, D. D., C. E. Stow,
D. D., and Joel Parker, D. D., with instructions to re-
port to the next Assembly.

1850.

The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported
overture No. 3, on Doctrinal Tracts, which was put
upon the docket. The same overture was then taken
up for consideration. A motion was made to commit
the subject to a select committee; which was followed
by a motion for the indefinite postponement of the13

whole subject. The unfinished business of the morn-
ing viz: the consideration of the overture on Doctri-
nal Tracts, was resumed, the motion before the house
being for the indefinite postponement of the whole
subject. After a long discussion, the motion for post-
ponement was lost. The motion recurred on the
reference of the subject to a select Committee, and it
was finally referred to a Committee consisting of the
Rev. J. C. Stiles, D.D., James B. Townsend, Rev. J.
Holmes Agnew, and Rev. Frederic A. Ross, with the
Elders Abner Bryant, and George Kellogg, to report
to the next Assembly.

1851.

"Resolved, That it be referred to a Committee con-
sisting of Rev.Edwin F. Hatfield, D. D., Rev. Alfred
E. Campbell, D. D., Rev. Asa D. Smith, D. D., Rev.
J. W. McLane, Messrs. Moses W. Dodd, Roe Lock-
wood, and Charles Starr, to take into consideration
the employment of the Press for the promotion of the
cause of Christ by means of our denomination.

1852.

64 To promote the diffusion of those truths which
distinguish us as a Church, the General Assembly
adopts the following arrangement.

1. There is hereby established at Philadelphia a
Standing Committee of nine persons, whose duty it
shall be to superintend the publication of a series of
Tracts, explanatory of the doctrines, government, and
missionary policy of the Presbyterian Church, as the
914

General Assembly shall from time to time direct.
One third of this Committee shall serve for one year,
one third for two years, and the remaining third for
three years. The election to fill the places of those
whose terms expire, to be held at each meeting of the
General Assembly.

2.	This Committee shall elect a Secretary and
Treasurer, the former of whom shall receive such a
salary per annum, as shall be agreed upon by the
Committee; and shall be the editor of the tracts pub-
lished, and also as far as may be necessary, the so-
liciting agent for such an amount of funds as may be
required to carry out the objects for which this Com-
mittee is appointed.

3.	It shall be the duty of this Committee to meet at
Philadelphia, and after due organization, to take mea-
sures to procure the preparation and publication, in
neat, cheap and substantial form of a series of Tracts
for the purposes above stated. No Tract to be pub-
lished which does not receive the unanimous approba-
tion of the Committee.

4.	This Committee shall if consistent with the in-
terests of the Assembly, enter into a contract with
some publisher or publishers to assume for a time, the
publication of such Tracts as may be furnished them
at certain rates, which shall be agreed upon in writing.
And if no such arrangement can be profitably and
satisfactorily made, the said Committee shall, by
solicitation from the churches, proceed to provide a
sufficient fund for their publication in behalf of the
Assembly.15

5. This Committee shall make a full report of its
proceedings to the General Assembly, at each annual
meeting.

The following persons were appointed the Commit-
tee to superintend the preparation and publication of
jDoctrinal Tracts, viz: Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D.,
Rev. Albert Barnes, and S. T. Bodine Esq., for one
year; Rev. E. W. Gilbert, D. D., Rev. Thomas H.
Skinner, D.D., and Rev. Geo. Duffield, Jr., for two
years; Rev. Asa D. Smith, D.D., Rev. Jonathan F.
Stearnes, D.D., and Hon. Wm. Darling, for three
years.

Resolved, That the Committee have power to fill
their own vacancies.

1853.

The Committee to whom was referred the Report
of the Standing Committee for the preparation and
publication of Doctrinal Tracts, reported the follow-
ing resolutions, which were adopted.

1.	That the Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., Rev.
Albert Barnes, and Mr. S. T. Bodine, whose term of
service on the Committee has expired, be re-elected.

2.	That the Rev. Geo. Chandler, and Samuel H.
Perkins, Esq., of Philadelphia, be added to the Com-
mittee.

3.	That the rule requiring the unanimous consent
of the Committee for the publication of any book or
tract, be so modified, that a majority of three fourths
only shall be required.1U

4.	That the Committee be authorized to take such
measures as they may deem advisable to secure the
necessary funds for the erection of a house of publi-
cation.

5.	That it be earnestly recommended to all our
churches, to take up collections annually or otherwise,
in aid of the publishing fund under the control of this
Committee.

6.	That we suggest to the Committee the desirable-
ness of issuing as soon as practicable, a few tracts
which shall clearly and distinctly exhibit our peculiar
views of doctrine, government, and missionary policy,
with a view to answer the calumnies against us, and
show our true position in the Church and in the world.

1854.

The Assembly resumed the consideration of the
unfinished business of the morning, and the report of
the special committee on Doctrinal Tracts and the
Publication House, having been amended, was adopted,
and is as follows.

The Committee to whom was referred the Report
on Doctrinal Tracts, and also the overture from the
Presbytery of Philadelphia Fourth, on the subject of
a Presbyterian Publication House, report, that they
concur cordially in the expressions of the Report on
the subject of the Press, and its great importance as
an organ of usefulness; also, on the desirableness of
a religious literature, suitable to the wants of our
denomination; and congratulate the Assembly on the17

prospect that this want will be supplied by the future
efficiency of this committee.

Your committee moreover fully concur in the views
of the Report as to the inexpediency of ourselves en-
tering upon the business of printing, and the superior
advantages of doing the work by the agency of exist-
ing establishments.

Your committee recommend that extracts from the
Report to be made by the (Publication) Committee,
be published in the Appendix to the Minutes of the
Assembly.

Your committee further recommend that the Pub-
lication Committee be enlarged to the number of fif-
teen, nine of whom shall reside in the city of Phila-
delphia, or vicinity; that of this number five shall
constitute a quorum for ordinary business, whose sit-
tings shall be in the city of Philadelphia; but nothing
shall be authorized for publication, issued or endorsed
by said committee, except by a majority of its mem-
bers, All publications to issue simultaneously in the
two cities of New York and Philadelphia, with the
imprimatur of the committee.

Your committee finally recommend, that the Assem-
bly take possession of the house referred to in the
overture from the Presbytery of Philadelphia Fourth,
as a House of Publication, on the terms and condi-
tions as to the price and payments following, viz:

The Assembly will authorise the conditional accept-
ance of the property, so soon as $12,500 shall have
been pledged by responsible persons connected with
the churches of Philadelphia; and when this pledge

2*IS

has thus been made, suitable measures shall be au-
thorized to raise a like sum of $12,500, and the
balance—say $20,000—shall be left on mortgage, to
be liquidated by a sinking fund arising from the an-
nual proceeds of the house. When the measures to
complete the purchase have been perfected, the As-
sembly will take the property unconditionally; and,
to the end that the legal measures may be taken to
perfect the title prior to the next meeting of the As-
sembly, five Trustees of the House of Publication
shall be elected, who shall be authorized to obtain an
act of incorporation.

The members of the Publication Committee, whose
term of office expires at this time, are, Rev. Thomas
H. Skinner, D. D., and Rev. George Duffield, Jr. In
addition to these, the Committee recommend the ap-
pointment of thirteen others, and that this Committee
arrange themselves at their first meeting into three
classes, five going out of office yearly.

A~ Committee of three, consisting of Rev. S. T.
Spear,-'D. D., Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., and Rev.
William N. McHarg, were appointed to nominate the
members of the Doctrinal Tract Committee, and Trus-
tees for the Presbyterian Publication House.

The Committee to nominate members of the Doc-
trinal Tract Committee, and Trustees for the Presby-
terian Publication House, made the following report,
which was adopted.

Publication Committee—Rev. Albert Barnes, Rev.
N. S. S. Beman, D. D., LL. D., Rev. Wm. Eagleton,
D. D., Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., Rev. Asa D.19

Smith, D. D., Rev. S. H. Gridley, Rev. A. H. H.
Boyd, D. D., Rev. S. T. Spear, D. D., Rev. George
Duffield, Jr., Rev. H. Darling, Rev. J. Jenkins, and
Messrs. S. H. Perkins, S. T. Bodine, C. S. Wurts,
and E. S. Whelen.

Trustees of the Presbyterian Publication House—
Messrs. J. A. Brown, S. H. Perkins, C. S. Wurts,
M. W. Baldwin, and J. C. Farr.

1855.

Resolved, That the name of the Doctrinal Tract
Committee of the General Assembly, be changed to
"The Presbyterian Publication Committee."

The Assembly took from the docket the Report of
the Committee on Church Psalmody, and the follow-
ing substitute was adopted:

Resolved, 1. That the Publication Committee con-
fer with the proprietors of the Church Psalmist, and
secure, if possible, the transfer, on reasonable terms,
of the copy-right of said book to the General Assem-
bly, and that the Committee have full powers to close
arrangements binding on the Assembly.

Resolved, 2. That in case of failure, said Commit-
tee report to the next Assembly, and at the same time
recommend to that body the course which they deem
it most advisable to pursue in the premises.

The Special Committee on the Report of the Trus-
tees of the Presbyterian House, and of the Publication
Committee, presented a Report, which was adopted,
and is as follows :

The Committee to whom was referred the Report20

of the Trustees of the Presbyterian House and of the
Publication Committee, have considered the same and
report the following preamble and resolutions, for the
adoption of the Assembly, viz :

Whereas, The Legislature of the State of Penn-
sylvania, by an Act approved by the Governor, April
21st, 1855, incorporated " The Trustees of the Pres-
byterian House," in Philadelphia, who are by said
Act to be elected by this body, therefore,

Resolved, By the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church in the United States of America: 1st.
That the said charter be and the same is hereby ac-
cepted; and that th6 Trustees created by said Act of
incorporation, be directed to perform all the duties
required by their appointment.

Resolved, 2. That the said Trustees be directed to
give such official notification to the proper authorities of
the State of Pennsylvania, as may be necessary, of the
acceptance of the charter by the General Assembly.

Resolved, 3. That the Assembly do now elect ten
Trustees under this charter, five of whom shall be
ministers, and five laymen; all of whom shall be con-
nected with some Presbytery or Church funder the
care of the General Assembly.

Resolved, 4. That the first meeting of the Trustees
shall be at such time and place as shall be fixed by
the Trustees first elected; or, in case of his inability
to act, the Trustee next elected, who shall act as
chairman until the Board is constituted by the elec-
tion of a President and Secretary.

Resolved, 5. That the Trustees, at their first meet-21

ing, be directed to divide themselves into two portions,
and in such a manner that there shall always be in
the Board five ministers and five laymen.

Resolved, 6. That in electing these Trustees, a
nomination shall be made in the Assembly; and that
the election shall be by ballot on the day following
that on which the nomination is made.

Resolved, 7. That these Trustees be directed to
keep an accurate record of all their proceedings, and
report the same annually to the Assembly.

Resolved, 8. That these Trustees be directed to
take such measures for raising the amount pledged
by the last Assembly, for the purchase of the " Pres-
byterian House/' as they may deem expedient and
proper.

Resolved, 9. That the action of the Publication
Committee, as reported to the Assembly, be approved,
and the Committee instructed to proceed officially in
discharging the duties of their appointment; and
that a brief synopsis of their Report be published
under the direction of the stated Clerk.

Resolved, 10. That the members of the Committee,
whose term of office expires during these sessions of
the Assembly, namely, Rev. Albert Barnes, Rev. N.
S. S. Beman, D. D., LL. D., Rev. Thomas Brainerd,
D. D., Rev. Wm. Eagleton, D. D., and Rev. Asa D.
Smith, D. D., be re-elected.

Resolved, 11. That the Report of the Treasurer of
the Trustees of the Presbyterian House, and that of
the Publication Committee having been audited, be
approved.22

Resolved, 12. That the Trustees of the Presbyte-
rian House be directed to report to the next Assem-
bly, a plan of rules and regulations for the govern-
ment of said Trustees in the discharge of their du-
ties. Nominations for Trustees of the Presbyterian
House were made; the election to take place next
day. As Trustees of the Presbyterian House, the
following were elected: John A. Brown, M. W. Bald-
win, Charles S. Wurts, Samuel H. Perkins, John C.
Farr, Rev. Albert Barnes, Rev. Thomas Brainerd,
D. D., Rev. B. J. Wallace, Rev. Henry Darling, and
Rev. D. H. Riddle, D. D.

1856.

The Report was then adopted unanimously in its
amended form, as follows.

The Special Committee to whom were referred the
Reports of the Publication Committee, and of the
Trustees of the Presbyterian House, respectfully Re-
port :

That they recommend the approval of these re-
ports, and the course of action which has been pur-
sued by these bodies the past year. Your Committee
believe that there is an important field to be occupied
by the Publication Committee, without interference
with the Societies whose object is to supply a more
general evangelical literature. It is necessary also
that the Committee should have a house in which
their operations may be carried on, and which may
be used for other purposes connected with our Church.
It appears from the Reports, that three objects are28

now particularly engaging the attention of the Pub-
lication Committee and Board of Trustees, viz. :—
The necessary arrangements for a uniform Psalm and
Hymn Book for the -whole Church; the endowment
of the Committee with a suitable capital for carrying
on its operations; and the raising of funds to com-
plete the payment for the Presbyterian House, agree-
ably to the plan adopted by the General Assembly of
1854. These objects strike your Committee as rea-
sonable and important, and in view of the whole case,
they recommend the following resolutions

1.	That the Reports of the Presbyterian Publica-
tion Committee, and of the Trustees of the Presby-
terian House be approved, and that extracts from the
same be published in the Minutes of the Assembly,
at the discretion of the Stated Clerk.

2.	That in view of the wants of these institutions
for the purpose of securing uniformity in Church
Psalmody—of endowing the Publication Committee,
and paying the balance of the sum required for the
purchase of the Presbyterian House, agreeably to the
plan agreed upon by the General Assembly of 1854,
it be, and is hereby recommended to all churches
under our care, to take up a simultaneous collection
on the first Sabbath of December next; and that an
effort be made at that time, to raise the sum of Thirty
Thousand Dollars for these objects, one-half of which
is to be appropriated to the Publication Committee
for the two objects first mentioned, and the other one-
half to the Trustees of the Presbyterian House, for
the last object mentioned; and that in case less than24

the sum mentioned be raised by said collection, that
it be equally divided between the two bodies for the
respective purposes mentioned.

3.	In order to preserve uniformity in Church
Psalmody, that the Publication Committee be au-
thorized to negotiate with the compiler and publishers
of the Church Psalmist, and to purchase that book,
if this can be done on reasonable terms. But if such
terms cannot be obtained, then, that they be instruct-
ed to inquire whether a new book of Psalms and
Hymns may not be compiled, which shall meet all
our wants, and to report to the next General Assem-
bly.

4.	That the Publication Committee are hereby au-
thorized to apply to the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
for a Charter to enable them more perfectly to carry
on their operations, and to accept the same when
granted.

5.	The following persons whose term of office in
the Publication Committee now expires, are hereby
re-elected for three years, viz.: Rev. S. H. Gridley,
D. D., Rev. A. H. H. Boyd, D. D., Rev. S. T. Spear,
D. D., Rev. Geo. Duffield, Jr., and Rev. Henry Dar-
ling.

Messrs. J. A. Brown, M. W. Baldwin, Hon. Wm.
Darling, and Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., and Rev.
Geo. Chandler, were elected Trustees of the Presby-
terian House.This book is a preservation facsimile produced for
the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
It is made in compliance with copyright law
and produced on acid-free archival

60# book weight paper
which meets the requirements of
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper).

Preservation facsimile printing and binding
by

Northern Micrographics
Brookhaven Bindery
La Crosse, Wisconsin
2015