Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-05-18
PRESBYTERIANS MEET
In the CITY OF BroIherly Love In C,nten.
niAl Assembly.

]
NAL Assembly.
PHILADELPHIA, May 1.-THE centen.
nial meeting OF the Presbyterian General
Assembly the supreme ecclesiastical court
OF the Presbyterian Church in the United
States began in this city this morning.
There are over three hundred delegates
or commissioners in attendance, represent
ing every State and Territory in the Union.
Prominent among the visiting members
are the Rev. j. T. Smith, ID, Of Balt-
more, the retiring Moderator; Rev. Dr.
Hopkins, of Colorado; Rev. W. II. Rob
erts, ID ID, of Cincinnati; Rev. DR.. How
ard Crosby, of New York Rev. DE-. Jas.
McCOsh, eX-president of Princeton College:
Rev. W. F.. Moore, d d, of Colum-
bus, Ohio; Rev. DR.. Tuttle, OF In
diauapolis; Rev. Henry NJ Ya1dyke, of
New York; Rev John NJ. MOrrell, of New
York; Rev. DR.. HeTrlck Johnson, of the
Theological Seminary at Chicago; Rev. &.
Z. Ayrrs who was Moderator two years
sg0; Rev. John K Paxton, of New York,
who enjoys the distinction oi preaching to
the richest congregation in the world,
among whom il Jay Gould, and several
score Of Others of the most distinguished
Clergymrn of the Presbyterian den0mina-
lion IN America
Governor Beaver and cx-Supreme JUS
tce Strong are among the notable lay del
rgates
A early as nine o'clOct this morning the
delegates began assembling in IIortlcultur-
al Hall, and Broad street in that ncighlnI-
hood presented a sight of greatest anima-
tiOn.
by ~ O'Clock tho great hall was
crowded with the attending commissioners,
who sOOn after formed in procession by
State delegations and marched in double
file to the venerable FIRST Presbyterian
Church, the oldest OF the denomination in
the city, at the corner OF Seventh aud Lu-
Gust streets.
The route Of procession, which was
nearly three blocks long, was lined with
curious spectators, and from the windows
Of some of the houses along the way llut-
tered gay bunting and other symbols of
greeting. Arrived at the church the del
egates occupied seats rallied off for them
4 dense crowd Of people surrounded the
ancient structure. As many OF these ~
could gain admittanCo quickly crowded
the building 10 its nimnst capacity, while
hundreds We're turned away.
After religious exercises came the open
ing address of the Moderator, Rev. DIR.
Smith. II comprised OF an exhaustive
sketch of the rise and growth of the Pres.
byterlan Church, and referred particularly
TO the organization of the first presb0tery,
the first Synod and the first General
Assembly in this city. 1t was an auspic.
I0us omen, he said, that this centenary
occasion, the era OF reuniOn and peace, |
should he held amid the surroundings OF
hrOtheTly love, iraternal feeling and lib !
crtY of conscience and action with winch |
the name OF Philadelphia is insepNrably |
linked.
After prayer the morning deyOtiOns |
closed with the bcncdictiOn.
The first business session of the Assem-
bly, WIS called to order at half past two !
this afternoon in Horticultural Hall.
A strong effort will he made by the Chi
cagO delegates, 1t is reported, in favor Of
the constellation and reunion of the North
ern and Southern Presbyterian Churches
Rev. Dr. HerriCk, of the Northwestern
University of Illinois, it is predicted, will
stGenuously oppose the movement and will
introduce the following resolution: "The
doctrine OF the Northern Assembly on the
spirituality of the church IA come ted
with its political deliveranCes il not essen
tally different from that entertained by
the old and new school Assemblies The
Church cannot consent to the establish
ment OF q separate African Church This
IN the main il the substance of the resOlu.
tiOn, the introduction of which is expected
tO create serious dssentiOn in the Assembly.
The proposition to di-allow the establish
ment of an African Presbyterian Church,
which has a much larger following in the
South than the Northern branch OF the
church possesses it il believed will meet
with the strongest condemnation of the
majority OF the d, legates. Rev. De- Gray,
n cC-ielcgate with Dr. Herrick, say, "Ai-
Ter the soldiers have united-atter the cti
zeus have united, God forbid that such a
crime "a this should lie fostercd and en.
cOuraged by the Presbyterian Church.
These sentiments will he embodied in an
to Dr. IIerricks proposed req
olntiOn aud it il believed not to he i'm
probable that the discussion Of this CaTdi-
nnl question may result in schsm III the
Convention.
The Assembly reas4embled at 3.iO p.
m when Rev. Charles l. Thompson, of
X Kansaa City, was elected Moderator, and
the Convention ad iOurned until tomorrow.