The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-19
The NJ. L. Conference Votes Against the
Licensing Of Women Preachers.
The African NIethodiStS Defeat the Propostion
Increasing the Number of Bishops
The Methodist ProtestantS.
THE PRESBYTERJANS.
The Largest Attendance Ever Known at 3
Meeting of the General Assembly.


The Largest Attendance Ever Known at 3
Meeting of the General Assembly.
Correspondence Of he indianapolis Journal
SARATOGA SPRINGS, May 15.-The Daily Sar-
atogian this morning estimated that fully one
thousand Presbyterians had registered at the
various hotels and boarding houses in this place
yesterday, and it is supposed that nearly, if no,
quite, as many more came in to day This makes
this the largest assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church that ever convened in this country. Az
unusual number of the delegates have brought
their wives and children with them, and great
many who are not members Of the assembly are
here to look on In addition to the four delegates
from indianapolis Rev. James LeLeod and Rev.
j. r. Mitchell are both here to see That every
thing is done rightly. Saratoga possesses pecu-
liar attractions and unequaled facilities for prop
erly caring for such numerous body of guests
The Presbyterians are beginning to flock here at
this season of the year from all parts of the land
very much as the Methodists go to their great
camp meeting grounds Here they rest their
bodies, refresh their minds, and quicken their
religious zeal One Of the papers this morning
said that the crowds along the streets last even
ing resembed the throngs that come here dur
ing midsummer, and there is apoworin the very
numbers that attend all these services to awaken
the enthusiasm of every one. There has perhaps
never before been much interest taken in the
election of the officers of the assembly The poh-
ticians of the various political parties who expect
TO attend any of the presidential conventions this
year could have learned valuable lessons as to
the art of securing votes for afavorite candidate
if they had only been here yesterday and to-day
There has been a great deal of pjous electOneer
ing done here So far as the casual observer
could see. no one was working for his own eleva-
ton, but a number of men had soma very warm
staunch and enthusiastic friends, who worked
zealousy for them. Almost every one who had
vote was told all about the qualifications of dif-
fercnt men for the various offices that wore to
be filled. There is no other class of people who
know so much about human nature as ministers:
and hence they have but few equals, and perhaps
no superiors in electioneering. But they are
taught 10y the very polity of the church that the
majority should rule; and hence they all rally
around the successful candidate the moment he
is chosen, just as though he had been the first
choice of every one. After the opening sermon.
Rev. c. A. Dickoy, D. D., Of Philadelphia, in
very ingenious speech nominated Rev
George P. Hays D. D.. of Denver, Col
Without the least personality he man
aged to present some objections 10
each of the other candidates, and thereby to
forestall anything that could be said in their ia
vor by those who might present their names to
the assembly. Judge J. T. Nixon. of New Jersy,
nominated Rev. w, C. Roberts, D. ID, one of the
secretaries of the Board of Home Missions But
distinguished he is as of the ablest law
yers of the land his speech was in no respect
equal to that of DR., Dickey. Rev r. n Adams
then presented the name of Rev. w. II. Briggs,
of Chillcothe, Ohio Rev DR. Edison, of In
dianapolis in a very felicitous manner, put in
nomination Rev. Alfred Nevin, LII. D.,
of Philadelphia The roll was then called
and Rev. Geo. p. Hays was declared elected.
Owing to the death of DR.. Hatfield. who had
been from time almost immemorial the stated
clerk of the assembly, another man had to be
chosen to fill that place. As this position is for
life or good behavior, and is really the most i'm
portant Office in many respects connected with
this body, this election excited even n deeper in
terest than that of a moderator After some
considerable excitement, Rev. w Ii Roberts
D. d., was promoted from the position Of per
manent clerk to that of stated clerk Rev w
T. Moore D. D.. of Columbus, O.. was chosen
to fill the place made vacant by the promotion
of DR.. Roberts To morrow morning the vari
GUS committees will be appointed and then the
assembly viii be ready to begin work in earnest
In the meantime the brethren are waiting
anxiously for the announcement that will sum
mon them to the high and responsible duties as
,nnmbars If the General Assembly az the Prss-
byterian Church Of the United States NJ