The Indianapolis journal., 1883-05-19
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
Second Day of the General Assembly-Recep
ton of the Southern Delegates.

ton of the Southern Delegates.
SARATOGA, May 1S.-At the Presbyterian
General Assembly the religious services were
led by Rev. DR.. Nevin, of Philadelphia. The
moderator announced the standing commit
tees of the synod, and reports were then
called for and filed with the stated clerk.
The presbyteries were called for memorials,
complaints, overtures etc, and papers, which
were also filed.
The reports of the boards of foreign mis-
sions, home missions, education, church erec-
tion, relief of freedmen, systematic benevo-
lence, Presbyterian publcation-house and
and theological seminaries were then received
and filed.
Rev. DIR. Herrick Johnson, chairman Of the
special committee-on education, read the an
nual report of this committee initiated by
the General Assembly of 1877, and since
continued; its object is to devise WAYS and
means to better endow colleges and theologi-
cal seminaries. The report says the field for
necessary work is west OF the Ohio. If the
present indications of the populations
growth are correct 1900 will see 30000 600
people west of the Mississippi America has
too many colleges poorly endowed. 1t needs
fewer and better Christianity must not be
dumb and allow colleges and preparatory
schools to become wholly secularized, and
give only goddess teachings. The report
closed with a recommendation of system
of college supervision, confined to a new and
distinct board, to have its headquarters in
Chicago with a permanent secretary. The
report was accepted, and made the second
special order for Saturday morning.
An overture from the presbytery of Day
ton was referred to the committee on church
policy.
The committee on ministerial relief and
report was read containing an overture for
founding a special retiring or pension fund
for the purpose of aiding such as are ineligi
bic to relief from existing funds and are dis
abied from ministerial work by age or ill
health. 1t advised against the proposed
scheme for ministerial relief insurance, and
claims that it should be put on basis of
merit and right not charity. The committee
recommended that the whole subject be
referred to the'board of relief.
Judge Alfred Hand made minority re-
port favorable to the plans suggested by the
overtureS.
Rev Mr. Van Duzen, of Mattoon. ILL.,,
moved the adoption OF the minority report.
Judge Effinger would have the matter re-
ferred to the next General Assembly by the
appointment of new special committee.
Elder Walker Carter coincided, and
Rev. Van Duzen accepted the sug-
gestion as an amendment His
motion was further amended so that the sub:
ject was referred to q special committee of
nine to report to this General Assembly.
At the afternoon session the first order of
business was the reception OF the delegates of
the Southern General Assembly, and DIR. L.
J. Evans, chairman of the committee. ap-
peared on the platform with Rev. Drs Will
liam Brown, of Fredericksburg; Thomas A.
Hoyt of Nashville, and Patrick joyce, of
Louisville. They were presented to the mod
orator, welcomed by him, and introduced to
the General Assembly. A message of peace
and paternal good will was read by Dr.
Brown in an address, and was repeatedly ap-
plauded 1t hreathed sentiments OF recon
ciliation and desire for Christian fellow
BILE for reasons of convenience. He opposed it,
and it can be done only By the acknowledge
ment of errors in the beginning OF the dis
r1ption.
His colleague, DR.. Hoyt, spoke briefly and
element of the Southern church that desires
a reconciliation and reunion of the two
branches of the Presbyterian Church.
Judge Patrick Joyce lay delegate. briefly
spoke, coinciding with the views OF DR.. Hoyt
because he believed the great majority of the
members of both churches were favorable to
only one Presbyterian Church in the United
States.
The moderator made fitting reply.
At the evening session the question of
Sunday-sohool work was discussed by Rev.
Drs Herrick Johnson, of Chicago Howard
Crosby, of New York, and J. A. Worden of
Philadelphia.