New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-16
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
THE WORK BEGUN IN SARATOGA
UNEXPECTED HARMONY MARKS THE OPEN.
ING DAY.
THE MEETING BEGAN WITH SERMON BY DH
W. O. ROBERTS AND CLOSED WITH THE COM:
MUNIoN-THE REV. DIR. W. MOORE
MADE MODERATOR WITHOUT oPPo.
sITIoN-REPoRrs on RULES
fBY 1vLEoRAPH TO TIE rRrBCNE.J

fBY TELE0hAPH 10 THB IhibCNkJ
Saratoga, May 15.-The threatened storm
promised for the meeting Of the 1929
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
did not break upon the first day Of the
session. From the opening anthem, pre-
ceding the sermon this morning. to the benedic-
ton which closed the communion service this
evening, the day has been marked by harmony
that was as delightful as it wss. in many 70
spects, unprecedented. For weeks there have
been predictions OF coming trouble. as one Pres
bytery after another has taken UP the overture
on the revision question; and, whichever side
received the smaller number Of votes. threats Of
getting even at Saratoga have not been uncon-
mon. But the result of to-day's discussions
would seem to throw discredit on the prophets.
After a sermon by the retiring moderator, DR..
William C.. Roberts. full Of Christian love. ex-
altation of the Presbyterian Church and call
to duty because OF the great privi-
leges which possessed by its mem
bers, a new moderator was elected by acclama-
ton, without dissenting voice. Not in
ten years has this been done, and in view of the
intense feeling throughout the Church caused
by the discussions Of the Greed, the election to-
day is considered to be without precedent. There
were several candidates whose friends stood
ready to put them before the Assembly, one or
two representing the minority-those opposed to
revision-but when Dr. William z. Moore, Of
Columbus, for years the efficient permailent clerk
of the Assembly, mild revisionist, was nominated
by Dr. Herrick Johnson. also an advocate of re-
vision, and the nomination was seconded by DR..
Agnew, Of Philadelphia, who is not only opposed
to revision, but represents synod that is almost
unit against the present overture, no one felt
moved to name another candidate. For nearly
a minute, amid painful suspense DR.. Roberts
waited for additional names, and when some one
moved that the nominations be closed all felt
relieved.
Then came the generous motion Of Dr. Howard
Crosby that DR.. Moore be elected by acclamation.
This motion was carried and the promotion took
place before DR.. Moore had time to finish the
roll-call upon which he had been engaged. DR..
Roberts congratulated the new moderator and also
the Assembly upon the happy choice which had
been made, and handed to DIR. Moore the consti-
tuition of the Church Ian unrevised copy. which
is to guide the Assembly for this year, at least.
DR.. Moore was nearly overcome with emotion.
Generally man has time after his name is pre-
sented to collect himself calculate his chances Of
defeat and outline his imprompth address in case
he has more friends than his opponent. But DR..
Moore did not have time to do anything. All
parties are pleased this evening and tnln -
sction ~ b forrtsxte Of thS feast that nmainA
Several important reports were presented -.
day, owing to the brief time occupied BY ths
election. One related to Christian unity and
another to the methods Of effecting changes In
the Confession of Faith and the constitution Of
the Church. DR.. Joseph T. Smith, of Baltimore,
read the first. and DR.. w. H. Roberts. of Cincin-
nat the stated clerk Of the Assembly. the second.
Both are likely to cause considerable discussion
before they are adopted. DR.. Roberts's report
proposes that a new chapter be added
to the Fosm Of Government. By it
changes in the Form of Government. Book
of Discipline and Directory for Worship may be
proposed to the presbyteries by the General As
sembly, but shall not be obligatory on the Church
unless a majority of all the presbyteres approve
in writing Changes in the Confession Of Faith
and in the Catechism may be proposed In the
same way but shall not be obligatory unless
approved by two-thirds of the presbyteres, and
before this if it is taken, the matter must be
considered by special committee. The chapter
provides for its own amendment and makes 10
obligatory upon the Assembly to transmit to
the presbyteries any overture submitted to it CON-
currently by onethird of all the presbyteries;
This report is to be discussed tomorrow.
Dr. Smiths report favors plan of union with
the Protestant Episcopal Church suggested by
the commission appointed by the House Of Bishops
On the acceptance of the Bible as the Word OF
God the Nicene Greed as the sufficient statement
of the Christian faith and the two sacraments.
Baptism and the Lords Supper, there is practically
no difference in the Conference Committee. Tho
historic episcopatc, however, causes hitch. but
even this the Presbyt"rians disposed to accept
if they may say how they understand the term.
The recommendations with which the report
Closes embracing they do the Congregational
brethren, and throwing open the doors for all to
confer in regard to basis Of union, will come up
for adoption within a day or two.
If the docket is followed in the order adopted,
it will be several days before the revision ques.
ton proper will come before the committee. II
looks now as if a committee would be appointed
to take charge Of all the matter. But how shall
the committee be appointed; by the moderator.
by the moderator and committee. or by ths
synods?