New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-18
PRESBYTERIANS IN SESSION.
OPENING THE CENTENNIAL ASSEMBLY.
THE REV. DR. c. L. THoMPsoN, OF KANSAS Ciih
CHOSEN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR Oh
NCosH-To TAKE UP THE SOUTH

THE REV. DIR. c. L. rHoMPsoN OF KANSAS cirf'
CHOSEN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR Dr.
MCosH-To TAKE UP THE SOUTH
ERIN QUESTION TODAY
Philadelphia, May IT (spociaD.-The Commissioners
to tho Centennial General Assembly OF the Prcsoy'e
rian Church began crowding into Horticultural han
at early hour this morning Long before lo 'oo
o'clock the large auditorium and various ante rooms
were filed with the commissioners their friends ana
relatives They all wore blue badges, containing in
gilt letters the foowng Presbyterian General AZ
sembly, 177S-1sss."
When tho delegates entered the hall they found u
beautifully decorated Bunting hangs In graceihi
folds from the galleries, here and there studded with
shields faced with tho National colors. srcamers OF
blue radlate from tho centre Of the ceiling to the sdcs
of the wall, up the wall all around the hall Above
and below the galleries shields and tho coats-oi
arms of tho different states and Territories surmonnt-
ed by flags of various nations In the centre immedi-
atey over tho stage is the coatof arms OF the cty'
while on the right IL that OF the United States and on
the left that OF Pennsylvania. On the right In large
Numerals on dark background arc the figures 1Ies,
indicating the year of the meeting Of tho first General
Assembly, and on the left 1885, the year OF the con
pletion of the century.
Pennsy lvana Is represented by unusually strong
delegation. Governor Beaver, Ex-Governor Pollock
Judge Williams Of the Supreme Court judge Pcrsn-
ing of Pottsvllc Judge Wilson, OF Philadelphia ana
District Attorney Graham. Washington sends Cher
Justice Drake, OF the Supreme Court exJudge OF tho
Supreme Court william Strong. Ncw-York in her dele
cation has Drs. John r. Paxton, Horny Van DYKE
Howard Crosby and Joseph II. Kerr. New-Jerscy has
an able delegation including Drs McCosh and Patton
of Princeton. Tho three Governors present are cor
don of Georgia Scales, OF North Carolina, and Beaver
OF Pennsylvania. There arc many other vol known
delegates, such as President Tuttc, of wabash CO..
Icec Dr. Thompson, OF Kansas City; John Ross, head
49, Ttnr Nail nr NJ
As tho great clock in the hall pointed twenty-five
minutes Of IL the entire body numbering fully Goo leo
by General Louis Wagner, marched in twos from the
hall to the First Presbyterian Church at Seventh anu
South Washington Square. Immediately In 'front.'
Walked Dr. William r. Moore Of Columbus, Ohio, per
manent clerk Of the Assembly, ard Dr. ". H. Roberts,
of Cincinnati its stated clerk. Following after IN
the front ranks were Dr. John ". Dnsmore, Of Illinois
Dr. Everard Kempshan, OF Elizabeth, N j., and DR.
Crosby, Of Now-York, with DIR. Hays. Tho retiring
Moderator the Rev. J. T. Smith, preached from the
text Neither he that planted anything, nor he that
watereth but God that glveth the Increase Dr.
Smith reviewed the history Of the Church, dwelling at
considerable length on the relations OF the Church ana
state After the services the commissioners marched
back to Horticultural Hall, where at 80 p HI they
began the business that called them together. The
Rev DR.. Baker, chairman OF tho Committee OF Ar
rangomont. presented to the Moderator gavel made
Independence bell when 1t rung out the glad tidings
Of. liberty to all. His speech was responded to in
happy manner by the Moderator, who expressed his
pleasure at the receipt Of the gavol and hoped that
would always be welded over liborty-loving body.
ELECTING A MODERATOR
The Assembly then took recess until 3 80. When
Il reconvcned the clerks proceeded to call the roll,
which occupied considerable time, there being 500
commissioners. The first business in order was the
T., tIa ttfv1
Dr. Howard Crosby, OF New-York, was first on the
floor with the name OF the Rev. Dr. Charles l.
Thompson, OF Kansas City, No., whose claims he adj
vocatcd in an eloquent speech United states Senator
Mcmillan, of Minnesota, urged the election Of the
Rev Dr. Robert Chrsty, of st. Paul, who was after
ward howovor, permitted TO Withdraw his name
The first applause came when tho Rev. DR.. John r.
Paxton, OF New-York, presented the name OF Dr.
James McCosh the venerable eXpresidcnt Of Princeton
College The Moderator yainly TO repress the
outburst of stamping and hand clappng that tho men,
ton of DR.. McCosl.'S name evoked Tho Rev. Dr
Joseph f. Tuttle, president Of wabash College, was
placed I'm nomination by tho Rev. DR.. William H.
James, OF Cincinnati, and the Rev. Dr. J. NJ Worrall
proposed the name of the Rev. Dr. James l. Brown-
SON. The greatest animation prevailed during the
ballotlng and whom the result was announced-24o
for Dr. Thompson, 141 for DR.. McCosh, AZ for DE-
Brownson and % for Dr. Tuitlc-s motion to make
DR. Thompson's election unanimous passed without
dissent The latter escorted to the CHAIR and
made brief speech OF thanks In accepting the gave
and Form OF Government from the retiring Moderator
Temporary olcpss announced, and the Assembly
adjourned until 8 O'Clock tomorrow morning. To-
night tho Lords supper administered In tho First
Presbyterian Church.