The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-17
Presbyterian General Assembly
-Froceedings Of the Opening

Proceedings Of the Opening
Day.
PITTSBURGH, May 16.-The General
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church oi
the United States met in the Third Pres.
byterian Church building in this city at
II o'clock this morning.
The meeting was opened by Rev. W
@. Roberts, Of Elizabeth, NJ, who inyok.
ed the Divine blessing on the Assembly
The scripture lesson was then read by
Rev. Z. b. Beyan, Of New York, former.
ly Of London, from the ID chapter Of
| Paul's epistle 10 the Ephesians.
Rev. DR.. E. F. Hatfield, Of New York,
announced that the stated clerk had q
communication from the retiring Mode.
rator, Rev. James Ellis, Of Oakland,
Gala. The letter was read and stated
that his health and family affairs pre-.
vented his being present 70 conduct the
duties imposed on him in opening the
Assembly.
ris, Of Cincinnati, delivered the opening
sermon, taking for his subject, "Our
Church, Her Equipment, Her Mission
and Her Responsibility"
The Assembly then took recess till 8
o'clock.
At three o'clock the assembly was call.
ed to order by DR.. Morris, and opened
with short prayer by Rev. Dr.. Allen,
Of Philadelphla.
The roll was called and corrections
made, and the Moderator announced that
the next business in order was was the
election Of 4 Moderator, and called for
nominations. The following were made
Rev. DR.. Francis L. Patton, OF Chicago;
Rev. DR.. W, Roberts, Of Elizabeth, N. j.;
Rev. DR.. w. P. Breed, Of Philadelphia;
Rev. DR.. D. Junkin, OF New Castle, Pa;
Rev. DR.. T. Ralston Smith, OF Winches-
ter, N. Y; Rev. DR.. Jonathan Edwards,
Of Danville, Ky.
DR.. Smith withdrew his name.
The votes Of msjority Of the Assembly
are necessary 10 choice.
First ballot-Pattou 252, Breed 81,
Edwards q, Roberts %, Junkin IL.
DR.. Patton was declared elected, having
received 4 majority OF the yotes. BE was
informed OF his election and escorted to
the chair. Upon taking the chair he was
addressed by DR.. Morris, the retiring
Moderator, feelingly.
DR.. Pattons response was quite brief.
Referring to his own election, he said he
did not think II would have been right in
him TO defeat what he knew was the wish
Of majority Of the delegates from the
Northwest. He thanked the Assembly
for the high distinction II had conferred
on him, and with especial emphasis
thanked 1t for the testimony Of its conf.
dence in electing him to the responsible
position OF Moderator. he also expressed
thanks in behalf OF that geographical por.
ton OF the Church which he represents |
for the bestowal Of i.s highest honor on
him.
The election Of temporary clerks being |
next in order. the following were chosen
Rev. 7. Ralston Smith, Westehester, N.
Y; Rev. B. NJ, Goldsmith, Geneva; Rev.
Robbins, Chester, Pa; Rev. Dinsmore,
Bloomington, Ill.
On motion Of DR.. Morris, the rules by |
which the Assembly Of last year was g,v.
erned was adopted for the guidance Of
this Assembly.
The report on the docket was read by
DR.. Hatfield, stated clerk.
On motion Of DR.. Junkin the roll Of
members was ordered to be printed. /
DR.. Breed, Of Philadelphia, moved that
special committee be appointed for
consideration Of the question OF reduc- |
ton In the representation in the Assem-.
bly,. he said that this matter being one
OF great and pressing importance, ought
to have the exclusive attention OF one
committee, which could not be given |
It by any standing committee. His mo-
tion, which also provided for q reference
10 this committee OF all papers and over.
lures relating to the subject Of represen-
tation, was adopted without debate. This
committee will be announced tomorrow
morning with the standing committees.
Il will consist Of 8 ministers and Z elders.
Rev. W. T. Beatty, Of this city, reports
from the Committee on Arrangements q
recommendation OF the report Of the com.
mittee on the Board Of Ministerial Relief
10 be made special order Of the day for |
Saturday morning. The recommends.
tion was adopted. The Assembly ad.
journed with prayer BY the Moderator.
This evening the members Of the Assem-
bly, attended the sacramental service.
At the afternoon session Of the General
Synod Of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, the letter Of Rev. DR.. Steele to
the Chicago Synod was approved and en-
dorsed.