The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-22
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PROCEEDING OF Yesterdays
SESSION.
Report or the Committee OH Home
Missions ns-IHterestinE Debate
The Bureau of Unem-
pIoyPd Ministers.
Correspondence of the Register.


Correspondence of the Register.
PITTSBURGH, May q.
After the reception and reference OF a
number of overtures, the Assembly TINS
afternoon was called to attend the read
ing Of the report Of the Committee on
Home Missions, which is agreed on all
hands TO have been,more than usually
able and eloquent. The report was read
by the Rev. DR.. Faulkner. The COM
mittee, IN speaking of the Capitalization
of power in the Board, said that the OBJ
lection of tyranny might be brought, but
while allowing that, the fact that ditfu-
sion is weakness should not be overlooked
The Board is the eye and arm of the
church, and to hamper it by restrictions
Is to rob it Of its pov er. When different
claims for aid come before it, it must be
allowed TO determine upon them, always
subject to review by the Assembly.
Three lines of possible criticism OF the
action OF the Board were pointed out:
First as to the growth Of the Boards
work. A certain sum is contributed by
the whole Church. Certain PresbyUeries
make demands for their share OF this
The genius OF Presbyterianism will not
tolerate a sectional church. Where there
is one society suffering for help, and near
1t an opportunity Tor the planting of
another with better prospects aad wider
possibilities, the Board is bound, by Its
duty 10 the denomination 10 spend its
means IN planting that society, and
stand the brunt of criticism for enlarging
a work which Is thought to be already
large enough. a promising new society
should not be sacrificed in order to save
one that lives wholly of the denomlna-
tiOn.
Second, criticism upon the enlargement
of the functions Of the Board. Formerly
it devoted itself to building and main
tanning churches and their Sunday
schools, but now it lends aid to the
erection and maintenance of secular
schools, especially in Utah, Idaho, Alaska
and New Mexico. In these territories
there are twenty schools. Touching here
upon the conflict between the Home and
Foreign Boards, the report urged that
language should be- made the dividing
line. Where the English is spoken the
Home Board should rule for II can there
carry on ths work the most effectively
and at the least expense.
Third, criticism on the way in which
the means of the Board are raised. The
report here dealt with the action Of the
Assembly in recommending women's
missionary societies, and it declared it
suicidal to foster the idea that there Is
any radical distinction between the home
and foreign work.
Several special subjects, as the success
Of the Bureau of Unemployed Ministers,
authorized by the assembly of 1873 the
act of the Bord in adopting the Green
legacy under the known restriction,
which was recommended for approval;
the matter of sustentstion and Of loyalty
to the Beard were then treated Of
The report read, the Rev. DR.. Dickson,
Secretary OF the Board, took the plat
form ana made a speech OF rare beauty
and strength. No sort OF justice can be
done to it IN the little space to be spared
here. Confning this report to the honest
facts, he said the Board has under It's
directions about l,200 men, and men OF
talent and culture, fitted many Of them
to occupy any pulpit in the land.
Through their tireless energy there were
IL 500 members added to the church last
year. To support them the Board
raised at the same time S25S,OOO,
which is marvellous sum in view
of the terrible depression of the
finances of the country. In ad-
dition to this amount the Board spent
the balance of $4,000, which came over
from last year, ana is now SlO,OOO IN
debt. The money comes from churches,
thank offerings, legScles, and many mis-
cellaneous sources, and especially from
the Sunday Schools. Here some admira-
bic thoughts were thrown out as to teach
ing American children the Hebrew idea
OF patriotism. AS result of the brave
struggle made to raise means, the Board
now has Isl more men in employ than
during the previous year. The magnl-
tude and difficulties of the work
Of truly Outstanding the Indians
in Utah, New Mexico aud Alaska were
pointed out, and the absolute necessity
shown tor the establishment OF secular
schools. Special stress was laid upon the
efforts among the freedmen, and the
connection between those efforts and the
civilization OF Africa was revealed. DR..
Dickson closed his long address with
pointed remarks upon the dangers OF
communism and the necessity of Chris
tisn teaching to des stroy that scourge
OF the nations.
A motion was made to adopt the re-
port, when a report OF the Judicial Com
mittee interfered.
The Assembly then took . recess until
the afternoon.
Immediately after the opening OF the
afternoon session Rev. DR.. Kendall
Secretary OF the Home Mission Bosrd,
addressed the Assembly on Home Mis-
sions.
The reception of visiting ministers
then took pace, and several interesting
addresses were made.
DR.. Daniel w. Poor, chairman of the
special committee, presented repor! on
German books and publications to be
recommended for use to the Board OF
Publication. The report was adopted.
Adjourned until 1870 P. NJ.
This evening popular meeting was
held in the interest OF home missions, Al
which DR.. W. G. Fslconer, chairman Of
the Committee on Home Missions, pre-
sided. The meeting was addressed by
DR.. w. c. Roberts, DR.. VIC. Fslconer,
DR.. Robert q. McNIece and Rev. Hiram
Backer, and after an impressive benedic-
tion the meeting adjourned.