New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-16
ASSEMBLING FOR WORK,
THE GREAT PRESBYTERIAN BODY TO MEET
TO-DAY.
DIR. G: L. THOMPSON 10 PREACH THE OPENING
sERMoN-THB ELECTION OF MODERATOR
TO BE FOLLOWED by THE COM;

sERMoN-THB ELECTION OF A MODERATOR
| TO BE FOLLOWED by THE COM;
MUNIoN SERVICE.
Judging by the experiences OF former years. the
| Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church. where Dr.
| Howard Crosby has ministered so long and so
successfully will be all too small to accommodate
the hundreds Of Presbyterians who will desire
to be present at the opening session OF the General
Assembly to-day at IL q M II is just score OF
years since this influential body has honored
New-York by accepting It's hospitalities, and this
will be the third time in its history, extending
over a century, that it has met here. In 1855
| nnd in 1850 both the Old School and the New
| School held their assemblies in this city. The
latter date marks the reunion Of the two branches
Of the church which were formed In 1897.
The 200 Presbytcries send about 500 ministers
and elders or commissioners 20 the Assernb bly,,
their car fnre being paid from mileage fund.
The entertainment during tho session OF the body
| is provided for by the church inviting the Assem-
| bly,. DR.. Crosby Is chairman Of the Special
| Committee Of Arrangements. Some Of the COM
| missiouers are entertained by friends, but the
majority will board at hotels in the neighborhoOd.
| Nearly one-half OF the commissioners have rooms
OF tho Park Avenue Hotel Besides the $4,000
| needed for the entertainment OF the delegates,
| there Is an annual outlay OF more
! than $4,000 connected with the Assembly.
| In view Of this heavy drain on the re-
sources of the Church at large. there is a grow
Ing sentiment in favor OF biennial, or even q
! trienninl session.
| WARMING TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
| Realizing the fact that vast amount OF work
must be done in a short time. and the additional
| fact that not a few Of the commissioners come
from inland towns and cities, Of the religious
| papers has thought IL wise TO point out the
| dangers that should be avoided. After mention
ing some OF the many objects that are certain
| 70 come before the body, the article continued
These brief references sufficient to show that
work from the outset, and that our denOmintuonal
| life and prosperity for long period win turn very
with which that body will handle tho gravo matters
thus pressed upon lw attentIon. Tho danger IS that
some Of these matters will be postponed 10 the Inlay
Of tho interests Involved and that sOmo Of them may
Dc unwisely settled, because they are settled In a
80 much bnos. R T prevent s the S AoT hSt
religious teenE. that spiritual enthusiasm, which
has been In the past, ani always ought 10 DO, one
ehiof element Of u9se holy GonyocStons: Danger;
| SgfiatodHnsryons n Tho term DO aiTrissibc-snd
in measure dis1uOllfy Itself for the successful
discharge Us numerous ard delicate aud momontous
duties And there arc some who fear that the various
attractions Of great city IKE our metroPoisLtls
trade sblppng, commerce, itS social engagements
may tend 10 Interfere with that close application TO
mSi"r tho uphuIItinS Of our church. for which after
| all. the Assembly Is convened
The Assembly last year was compelled 70 de-
| cline an invitation 70 visit Atlantic City owing
to the many pressing questions before f., and 20
| the fact that nearly two days were lost by the
receptions and meetings connected with the great
Centennial celebration. This year, however, IL n
s-sok with s~ea& profit ana pleasure 20 the com
missioner Colonel klliOtt +. Shepard has in
yited tho members Of the Assembly to take an ex-
Curson on the iron STEAMBOAT Sirius around the
hArbor on Saturday. Luncheon will be served on
board.
WHERE THE ASSEMBLY WILL MEET
The Fourth Avenue Church. which has opened
| It's doors 10 the General Assembly was organized
on April 90, 1925, NJ the house OF Feter Hat
trick in Beecker-st and IL was known for many
years as the Beecker Street Presbyterian Church.
| The Rev. Matthiaa Bruen was the founder as
| VIII as the first pastsr Of the church. Tho first
church building was In Bleecl1er-st, near Broad
| way then In the suburbs Of the city. The second
pastor WAS the Rev. DR.. Erslyine Mason, who was
installed on September 10, 1890 lie ministcted
to this church for twenty years and sue
ceedod by DIR. Joel Parker, under whose guidance
the church moved 10 It's pre sent SITE then IN the
| extreme north OF the city. The building now
occupied was dedicated on April &, 1855. In
March, 1888 when DR.. Crosby had been in the
pastonte there for twenty-five years, an ami
verSnry service was held. The Moderator Of the
General Assembly presided, and several congr0tu-
atory addresses were made.
Dr. Crosby Is admirably adapted TO direct
| committee charged with arranging the details OF
an Assembly, as he has been u commlSlOne: from
the Ncw-Y York Prcsbytery many times, four, at
least, witan ten years. In 1873 he was chosen
Moderator at its meeting in Baltimore.
Another man upon whom much responsibility
necessarily rests, not only In arranging for the
Assembly, but also in aiding tho presiding officer.
is The stated Clerk the Rey DR. w H. Ro6erlS;
After the Assembly adiourns he supcrtntends
the publication Of the Minutes Dr.. Roberts IS
Of Invaluable help in giving 1n advice TO the Mod
Letting judicious committees Last night many OF
the Commissioners presented their credentials 10
the Stated Clerk
After the opening services to-day, including
sermon by the Rev. DR.. c. l.. Thompson, the re-
firing Moderator. the Assembly will adjourn for
luncheon. In the afternoon the election OF Mod
caoG VIII be 6% Hna "a S }Hs E. eSsGS tec ' n
addition to the candidates for presiding officer
mentioned yesterday, DR.. Roberts, Of Lake Forest
pis third name now under discussion. Or j. VI.
WOrrHll, OF the Nineteenth Street Church OF thls
city. Few men have equaled DR., WorralI,'
says recent writer, probably none have sur
passed him, in the amount OF work done outside OF
his own field in the wny Of aiding his brother min
isters during periods Of special religious interest
At such times his services were always in demand.
In the palmy days Of the old synod OF Kentucky n
place among the irst OF her orators wns freely con-
ceded TO him. DR.. Worrall Is man Of command
ing presence, easily approached, look always on
the brighter side and ever rcaecting others the
radiance of his own sunny spirit. As pastor he
wins the confidence and affection OF his people by
his large sympathy, quick aud delicate perceptions
and judicous counsels.'
DR.. Worrall was born in s25 In Clark County,
Indiana, near Louisville, which city had been
the home OF his ancestors His father was the
Rev. Isaac Worrall. lie was graduated at Ander.
son Collegiate Institute In lS4s, taking the first
honors OF his class lie studied theology at the
New.A Albany Theological Seminary, now the Sem
mary OF the Northwest and was graduated in
1851. In May of that year he was licensed TO
preach, md In November he was ordained, aud
Installed pastor OF the Third Presbyterian Church
Of oxford, Ohio known at that time the