The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-22
AMONG THE CHURCH WORKERS.
The Presbyterian General Assembly in y eu
York-Othsr Gatherings.

The Presbyterian General Assembly in New
York-Othsr Gatherings
New YORK, May 1.-THE second days ses-
sion Of the presbyterian general assembly be-
gan at o'clock this morning. The report of
the educational committee shows that at pres
ent there are more than five hundred churches
with membership Of from one TO twenty-five
members without pastors because Of lack or
funds. This lack OF ministerial help the
port said, was serious question, and one that
should be sauarely met. The rate of dissOlu-
ton was last year So per cent, the largest in
the history of the presbyterian church. The
cause of the dissolution, though, perhaps, due
20 the migratory habits of the people, is prin-
cipally 10 be attributed TO the need of money.
The chairman said that work among the col
ored population needed attention, which IT
would be wise to give il. The constant dimin-
ution Of the ministerial forces by reason of old
age and disease also required attention.
Col Elliot F. Shepard read the report OF the
committee on Sabbath Observance In it he
found several subjects of congratulation among
them the closing of the liquor saloons in Gin
cinnati and the decrease in the circulation OF
Sunday newspapers The committee had also
in view the stOppage of the transportation OF
mails on Sundays and the decrease OF interstate
traffic Col Shepard recommended the plan of
the American Sabbath union for carrying out
tutsc lulukcs
A majority report opposed to- and minority
report favOring union between the Northern
aud Southern churches IN mission work, were
presented and laid over
NEW YORK, May 20.-The third days bust
ness session of the general assembly of the
presbyterian church opened this morning at 9
o'clock. DIR. J. F. Magill, chairman Of the
standing committee on the board of missions
for freedmen, made his report. He said there
were ~ missionaries working under the board,
OF whom 202 were colored and 1O2 OF the 116
ordained ministers were colored also. The
contributions 10 the work last year amounted
10 Sl34, 40, an increase of g 797 on the previ-
Gus year. The freedmen themselves gave S31,-
O92 for various parts of the work. He sug-
gested that in future contributions be paid
directly to the board, and moved that the four
members of the committee whose term of Office
expired be reelected. They were the Rev. w.
C. Burchard, the Rev. George I. Puryis, Mr..
r. C. TOtten and Mr.. $. p. Harris.
The Rev Dr. Allen, secretary of the fund for
missions among the freedmen, spoke the
necessity for evangelical work among the col.
ored race.
In the afternoon session the Rev. DR.. Cattel
presented the report as chairman of the min
sterial help committee. He said that although
il had been stated that 500 per annum the
minimum salary of a presbyterian minister,
some did not get more tnaR $500. The report
recommended that every minister who had
reached the age of seventy and who has
preached for thirty years in the presbyterian
church. shall receive $500 year without his
case being considered annually by the commit
tee. The report was adopted and the assembly
adjourned.