I’ The Orthodox Presbyterian Church MINUTES OF THE TH IRTY-FI RST GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING AT SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND APRIL 28 MAY 2, 1964 Published by The Orthodox Presbyterian Church 7401 Old York Road Philadelphia 26, Pennsylvania THIRTY-FIRSTGENERAL ASSEMBLY 3 MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CH,URCH MEETINGAT SILVERSPRING, MARYLAND April 28 - May 2, 1964 TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 28 The Thirty-first General Assembly was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the Rev. LeRoy B. Oliver, Moderator of the Thirtieth General Assembly. Mr. Oliver constituted the meeting with prayer, following which the Assembly sang the hymn “Give to our God immortal praise.” *Ah.Oliver delivaed a sermon entitled “The Church’s Doxology,” using the text Ephesians 3:20,21. The roll of the commissioners follows: Presbytery of the Dakotas .Ministers: Carl A. Ahlfeldt, Herbert S. Bird, Elmer M. Dortzbach, Russell D. Piper, Donald H. Taws, Samuel van Houte, John Vahage. Ruling Elder: Karl D. Higgins. Presbytery of New Jersey Ministers: Jay E. Adams, Calvin A. Busch, Edmund P. Clowney, Raymond E. Commeret, Job Davies, Everett C. DeVelde, Howard E. Hart, Riohard G. Hodgson, Rollin P. Keller, George W. Knight, 111, LeRoy B. Oliver, Arthur 0. Olson, Donald M. Parker, Jack J. Peterson. Ruling Elders: Richard A. Barker, W. A. DeJmge, Fjloyd C. Graf, Harold R. Keenan, F. C. Metzger. Presbytery of New York and New England Ministers: Harold L. Dorman, Leslie A. Dmn, David Freeman, Ph.D., Theodore J. Georgian, George E. Haney, Jr., John C. Hills, Raymond (M. Meiners, William E. Moreau, John Murray, Charles E. Stanton, Bernard J. Stonehouse, George J. Willis. Ruling Elder: Dirk Heuseveldt. Presbytery of Ohio Ministers: Calvin K. Cummings, Arnolld S. Kress, George F. Morton. Ruling Elders : Lloyd Bailey, Melvin Copeland. Presbytery of Philadelphia Ministers: Lester R. Bachman, John W. Betzold, John P. Clelland, Ivan J. DeMaster, Robert W. Eckardt, Gharles H. Ellis, John P. Galbraitih, George W. Hall, Jr., Robley J. Jdhnston, Robert D. Knudsen, PkD., Arthur W. Kuschke, Kenneth J. Meilahn, Robert E. Nicholas, William J. Rankin, H. Leverne Rosenberger, C. G. Roskamp, Norman Shepherd, Laurence C. Sibley, Jr., Leslie W. Sloat, Arthur B. Spooner, Robert L. Thoburn, Laurence N. Vail, Robert L. Vining, Paul Woolley, Edward J. Young, Ph.D. Ruling Elders: L. F. Baum, Jr., David A. Carson, 8. Kingsley Elder, jr., Ph.D., Fairvan C. Lenker, Marvin Linkous, Clyde G. Miller, Lewis W. Roberts, Carlton Robinson; a2ternates: Donald P. Kulp, Ray E. Logsdon, Ronald T. Murphy. Presbytery of tbSouth Ministers: Robert L. Atwell, Thompson L. Casey, Jr., Glenn R. Coie, Jonathan D. Male. Ruling Elder: Dan A. Hames. 4 THIRTY-FTRSTGENERAL ASSEMBLY Presbytery of Southern California Ministers: H. Wilson Albright, William J. Bomer, Ralph E. Clough, Edwards E. Elliott, Lawrence R. Eyes, Robert H, Graham, Edward L. Kellogg, Calvin R. Malcor, Dwi&t H. Poundstone, George Y. Uomoto. Ruling Elders: L. H, Barker, Robert L. Pope, Clarence P. Taylor. Presbytery of the West Coast Ministers: Glenn T. Black, Herbert W. Butt, Thomas S. Champness, Jr., Robert K. Ghurchill, Albert G. Edwards, Arthm G. Riffel. Presbytq of Wisconsin Ministers: Wm. Harllee Bordeaux, Th.D., Francis D. Breisch, Jr., Bruce A. Coie, George W. Marston, Henry D. PhiJlips, Carl J. Reitsma, Salvador M. Solis, Donald F. Stanton. Ruling Elders: Henry L. Brinks, Oscas Claerbout, Earl DeMaster. Mr. Marston requested excuse from attendance on Saturday. On motion his request was granted. Mr. Eckardt requested excuse from attendance on the latter part of Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening. On motion his request was granted. IMr. Haney requested excuse from attendance on Saturday. On motion his request was granted. Dr. Bordeaux requested excuse from attendance at an indeterminate time for an indeterminate number of hours. On motion his request was granted. Mr. Bomer requested excuse from attendance after 3:30 pm. Friday. On motion his request was granted. Mr. Stonehouse requested excuse from attendance on Saturday. oh motion his request was granted. On motion Dr. Paul S. Myung of the Presbyterian Church in Korea was enrolled as a corresponding member of the Assembly. ,Mr. Eckardt, Stated Clerk of the Thirtieth General Assembly, reported that the statistical report was not yet complete but that it would be printed widh the Minutes of this Assembly. REPORT OF TICE STATED CLERK The Stated Clerk presented the following report: GENERAL ASSEMqBLY FUND Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements March 21, 1963 to April 27, 1964 Balance, ,March 21, 1963 ________________________L_________L_____-- $1,322.70 RECEIPTS Contributions from 52 churches __________________________________$2,585.30 Sale of Minutes _________-- _________L__I__L_____-----II--_----- 106.29 Refund - Stewardship Camm. Expense ______________-_________4.50 2,696.09 _--_-- -___-- $4,018.79 1,355.22 I THIRTY-FIRSTGENERAL ASSEMBLY 5 Fee - Clerk of Assembly 150.00 Assistant Clerk 25 -00 Travel - Delegate to Reformed Pres. Synod 56.54 Travel - Delegate to Ref. Pres. of N. A. Synod 70.83 Travel - Delegate to Christian Reformed Synod _I__________ 106.75 191.50 Travel - Delegates to Reformed Ecumenical Synod _______________ Travel - Special Committees ~ 169.73 Travel - Stewardship Committee 100.50 Mailing Minutes of Reformed Ecumenical Synod ____________________ 28.91 Telephone 7.21 Postage 76.86 Stationery, Supplies, etc. 72.43 _----- 2,411.48 Balance, April 27, 1964 1,607.31 _----- $4,018.79 The Stated Clerk made the following recommendation and moved its adoption: that Rule 20-e of the Standing Rules of the General Assembly be suspended and that the Assembly elect a Statistician, whose duties ghall be those prescribed for the Stated Clerk in Rule 20-e of the Standing Rules, and who shall receive an honorarium of fifty dollars. On motion it was decided to divide the question after the clause concerning the duties of the Statistician, Tihe first part of the divided motion carried. The second part of the divided motion carried. Messrs. Vining and R. A. Barker were nominated for Statistician. The Moderator declared a fifteen minute recess at 10:27 a.m. The Assembly reconvened at 10:42 a.m. The Moderator reported that Mr. Vining was elected Statistician. Mr. Hall presented the preliminary report on Travel Fund as follows: PRELIMINARY REPORT OF INTERIM TRAVEL, FUND COMMITTEE TRAVELFUND RECEIPTS Balance from Thirtieth General Assembly $ 334.94 Received from 65 churches as of 4/28/64 ______________________I_____5,335.24 Collection from Evening Service 4/27/64 _______ 66.58 _---_- Total Travel Fund -____-_____________________~______________-_~$5,401.82 The total of last year’s Travel Fund was $3,991. I The committee requests chat any commissioner with checks for the Travel Fund present them to Mr. Lewis W. Roberts. George W. Hall, Jr., Chairman The following were nominated for the office of Stated Clerk: Messrs. Elliot, Eckardt, Phillips, Edwards and Georgian. The Moderator announced the election of Mr. Eckardt on the second ballot. I The following were nominated for the office of Moderator: Messrs. Reitsma, Ellis, I Johnston, Nicholas, Meiners, G. R. Coie, Busch, and Olson. 6 THIRTY-FIRSTGENERAL ASSEMBLY On motion the times of convening, recess, and reconvening were set as follows: Daily, convene at 8:45 a.m. following a 20 minute devotional service. Recess 10:30-10:45 a.m. Recess for lunch 12:15 p.m. Reconvene 1:45 p.!m. Recess 3:30-3:45 p.m. Recess at 6:OO p.m. for dinner. Reconvene 7:30 p.m. Recess 9:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, recess to permit temporary committees to meet. Thursday evening, recess for popular meeting. The Moderator announced the election of Mr. G. R. Coie to the office of Moderator on the third ballot. Mr. Atwell escorted Mr. Coie to the chair. Mr. Coie was welcomed by the ,Moderator and presented with the gavel. Mr. Coie responded appropriately. The following were nominated for the office of Assistant Clerk: Messrs. R. A. Barker, Georgian, and Vail. The Moderator announced the election of MI. Vail on the second ballot. The following overtures were presented: Overture No. 1 From the Presbytery of the West Coast, as follows: The Presbytery of the West Coast respectfully overtures the Thirty-first General Assembly to instruct the Editor of The Messenger to include the names of all denomina- tional missionaries when a prayer list is publidhed, provided said missionaries be active in establishing Orthodox Presbyterian churches under the direction of a presbytery or of a local church session. Overture No. 2 From the Presbytery of the West Coast, as follows: The Presbytery of the West Coast respectfully overtures tohe Thirty-first General Assembly to amend the Form of Government, Ohapter XXV, section 3, by the deletion of the word “acting.” Overture No. 3 From the Presbytery of New Jersey, as follows: The Presbytery OP New Jersey respectfully overtures the Thirty-first GeneraJ Assembly to take steps to amend the Standing Rules of the Assembly so as to require that proposals to amend the Standing Rules shall require a majority vote of the Assembly in order to be considered properly proposed to the ensuing Assembly for adoption. The Presbytery of New Jersey believes that this change will tend to eliminate taking the time of General Assemblies and space in their minutes by proposals whiah do not have a substantial measure of support. Overture No. 4 From the Presbytery of New Jersey, as follows: The Presbytery of New Jersey respectfully overtures the Thirty-first General Assembly to adopt the following policy governing the payment for and distribution of the minutes of General Assemblies: 1) Minutes shall be distributed free to (a) sessions which contribute the full amount requested by the Assembly for the Genera4 Assembly Fund, and (b) corre- sponding bodies of other churches and other agencies designated annually by the Com- mittee on Correspondence with Other Churches or the Stated Clerk.