New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-18
PREsBYTERIANs AT WORK.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUSY.
MANY SPECIAL COMMITTEES PRESENT.
THEIR REpoRTS.
THE FREEDMEN's BOARD CAUSES A RrPPLn--
HARMONY PROBABLE ON THE SOUTHERN
QUESTIONING REVISION THIS YEAR OF
THE PRooF.TExTs OF Tuy BOOK
OF FAITH-A RECEPTION At

THE OPERA HOUSE
The General Assembly settled down to WORT
yesterday with an earnestness that seemed Capable
OF graphing with the great mass of work that
must De done in comparatively short time
The new Moderator, aided by the stated clerk,
nad prepared the formidable list Of standing com.
mittees; nearly three-ffths Of the commissioners
are members OF committees. But it is In the com.
mlttee room that the real labor of the Assembly
Is performed. Behind closed doors countless
oushels OF grain and chaff are winnowed. Some
times only few kernels reach the Assembly.
Now and then the best laid plans for reforming
suspected abuses or modifying opinions held dear
to many are left in the committee rooms" no ac.
ton necessary" is all that reaches the main body.
The important questions submitted to the
Assembly yesterday included a report on tho
work Of the Freedmens Board Charges, not
sustained by testimony, presented against
the management An animated debate between
Dr. Hamlin, Of Washington, and Dr. Dlcley, of
Philadelphia, which was interspersed with q
running fire of interruptions. comments, points Of
order and questions Of privilege, seemed to inter-
est the large audience in the galleries
as well as the hundreds Of commits
siOners in the body of the house. Prcsi-
dent Harrison's pastor promised to present facts
and witnesses against the board when the As
scmbly meets Monday. In the meantime the
Assembly has decided " that the Board Of Mis-.
sOns for Freedmen should control and sustain the
entire work among freedmen, and not depend upon
the contributions of the Church TO other boards.
But, at the request Of the Board of Missions fos
Freedmen, any other board may rlnder ch needles
assistance as may be justified by the condition
of its treasury. All appeals for aid should be
approved by the Board" At the same time the
Assembly has refused to pass this resolutiou:i
" That the fidelity, patience and devoted service
of the officers and members OF the Board OF
Missions for Freedmen be heartily commended, and,
with full confidence in their ability, details Of
management and administration, under the In
Structions Of the Assembly shall be left to their
judgment" Br. Dickey pointed out what he
called the inconsistency of such action.
The Southern question came up the report Of
the committee of conference regarding plan Of
cooperation by which the two assemblies may
work in harmony. 1t was no small surprise 20
the majority of the commissioners 20 find that 10
the work of foreign missions aud in the publica-
ton department there is practical cooperation
now. The recommendations regarding Home Mis-
sion work and religious work among the negroes
arc worthy the study Of every thoughtful Amer
lean, whether Calvinist or Armnan.
The Confessions of Faith is still Intact, and
promises TO remain for the present, the commit
tee appointed to revise the proof-texts simply re-
porting progress. The commissioners, their wives
and many friends were entertained By the Presby-
terian Union in the evening at the Metropolitan
Opera House. To-day they will take q excursion as
the guests of Colonel Shepard, In order 70 get
rested Tor the Sabbath services tomorrow.