New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-23
THRILLING TIE ASSEMBLY.
PRESBYTERLANS IN DEBATE.
Or pIcKEY AND DIR, HAMLN GROW ELo-
oUEsT IN THEIR APPEALS,

AND THE FREEDMEN . boAhp 40 oARE
FIFTEEN pREsBYTERIEs SEEK re
VISION OF THE CONFESSION OF
FAITH-Two BOARDS SUB
NIT THEIR REPORTS.
The first great debate IN the present General
Assembly was held yesterday. The honor OF one
Of the boards was at stake, and two prominent
preachers were aHrsyed against each other Both
wore earnest and eloquent, and tho large audience
that filed the Fourth Avenue Church seemed
almost breathiess at times, so intense was the
feeling that important issues hung in the balance
or, TO use the figure heard in the debate, the nAu
entail Board for Freedmen was hanging by its
eyeiids" For three or four days the representa-
lives Of the Washington Presbytery have been
trying 70 lower the present management against
which IL has grievance hut yesterday DR.. Dickey,
of philsdelphis, placed his broad shoulder under
the Beard, and lifted it bodily OIL the hooks and
placed IL far above the clouds of suspicion which
had enveloped il. Dr. Hamlin and General Foster
Of Washington and the few who agreed with
them, eontented themselves with simply voting
against the recommendations TO commend the fdel-
ity patience and devoted service Of the officers and
members Of the Board for Freedmen DR.. llamlln
had insisted that the Assembly would not allow
against the Board, while all the time the Assembly
cried, Give us facts and not insinuations.' When
Dr. Dicley resumed his seat, his mastery efforts
crowned with victory, one OF the hystanders re-
marked that few such debates had occurred since
slavery called forth the best powers OF its friends
and foes alike.
The little fire kindIed on Long Island is spread
ing The standards Of the Presbyterian Church
ytiI aoat above the Assembly. Whether or not
they viii do so q year hence depends much on the
temper of the present body. General Assemblies
Sc the past have been Known to open the mood
oates and drown out flames more danger
GUS IN appearance than those whicn
now threaten 20 burn out the chapter 10
the Eternal DEGREES" Last year one Presoy-
terry asked for y.sion OF the third chapter oil
the Book Its request was denied. Yesterday
fifteen presbyterieS out Of the 200 In the AS
scmbly desired revision single request could
b. refused. The Church may not take the greater
risk without mourning cenSure. Tomorrow o
resolution viii be discussed, which, il adopted,
win be seat TO all the Presbyterics asking;
l. no you desire a revision OF the Confession Of
e. 10 so. IN what respects and to what extent'
Interesting reports were submitted by the Board
Of Foreign Missions and the Board Of Publication
and Sabbath-school Work. Both boards are doing
exceient work in their respective fields, and many
warn words were spoken in their praise.
To-day is 70 be busy one, even II the same
popular interest is not manifested that was shown
yesterday. AZ $3.50 a. m, the delegates from cor
responding bodies will be presented. II is trying
ordeal for the Moderator, who must respond 10 th"
gresting Of each one No matter what his custom
pay be in his own pulpit he;e he must pr aoh with
out notes,
: At 10 o'clock Education will be taken mp
again. There are two reports 10 he considered
At 2:So p. 10. the Southern Cooperation question
will come up for adoption, and az 3 o'clock the
Board Of Church Erection will have the attention
b Of the Assembly. business meeting to CONSIDER
Systematic BenffccBce" will be held In the even
ng 10 the Brick Church,