The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-18
IMPORTANT GATHERINGS
OF Several Religious Bodies o.
the United States.
PRESBYTERIAN CENTENNIAL
Assembly Opens in Philadelphia Au
splciously-Big Day in the Metho-
dist General C Conference-Bap-
lists Meet In Washington.

PHLApEtpEtA Nav 1.-THE centen
nal moo,i.. - ,ho p-o.h,,,o.;or Goner
tiiA. meesiis VI Tue Rfes"y'eiiS" 80. 80,
al Assembly, the supreme ecciesiasticA
court OF the Presbyterian Church in the
limited States beyan In this city this
rnorrinn
nlorn'nS'
There are over 800 delegates or com
missioners in attendance, representing
every State and Territory in the Union.
nL,S.., - - - !.;.;.;,. -
ht"iAinen' sAln"ns sne Visiting W
bers are the Rev, j. L. smith, u. u, OF
Baltimore, the retiring Moderator; Rev.
DIR. Honkins of Colorado. Rev. w. H,
paLa.I n n =, C;.";..a.,;. por NJ
NoOefS' " ~ Vi Ninclhnau' ne'' ~
Howard Crosby, OF New York; Rev. DR..
james McCosh, ex-President Of Prince
ton ColleOe. Rev. w F. Moore. d. d..
:; CoI.11iu ~ D. n T,,,,,o =,
VI 0o'umous' vi ne'' ~. 1u'N'' VI
indianapolis; Rev. Henry NJ. vahdyKe,
OF New York; Rev. John N: Morrell, OF
New York; Rev. Dr.. Herrick johnson,
Of the Theological Seminary at Chicago;
Rev. George T. Ayress, who was Moder-
ator two yeas ago; Rev. John X Pax
ton, oil New YORK, who enjoys the dis
tinction OF preaching to the richest con-
gregation in the world, among whom is
Jay Gould, and several score OF others
OF the most distinguished clergymen oi
the Presbyterian denomination in
America.
Governor Beaver and ex-Supreme JUS
tice Strong are among the notable lay
delegates.
AS early as O'Clock this morning the
delegates began assembling in Horti-
cultural hall, and Broad street in that
neighborhood presented sight OF great
animation.
BY 10 o'clock hegreat hall was crowd
ed 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 and
Locust streets.
The route OF the procession, which was
nearly three blocks long, was lined with
curious spectators, and from the windows
Of some Of the houses along the way
tluttered gay bunting and other symbols
Of greeting. Arriving at the church the
delegates occupied seats rallied off for
them. A dense crowd Of people sur
rounded the ancient structure. AS
many Of these us could gain admittanCe
quickly crowded the building to its ut
most capLc:sy, while hundreds were
turned away.
After religious exercises came the
opening address OF the Moderator, Rev.
DR.. Smith. II comprised an exhaustive
sketch Of the rise and growth OF the
Presbyterian Church, and referred par
ticularly TO the organization OF the first
Presbytery, the first Synod and the first
General Assembly in this city. 1t was
an auspiciOus omen, he said, that this
centenary occasion, the era Of reunion
and peace, should be held amid the sur
roundings Of biotherly love, fraternal
feeling and liberty OF conscience andac-
ton with which the name OF Philadel-
phia is inseparably linked.
After prayer the morning devotions
closed with the benediction.
The first business session OF the AS
sembly was called to order at half past
two this afternoon in Horticultural Hall.
A strong effort will be made by the
Chicago. delegates, it is reported, in favor
Of the Consolidation and reunion Of the
Northern and Southern Presbyterian
Churches. Rev. DR.. HerriCk, OF the
Northwestern University Of Illinois, it
is predicted will strenuously oppose the
movement and will introduce the fol-
lowing resolution: 1.-THE doctrine Of the