New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-20
r,v TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE1


MISSIONS.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE1
Saratoga Nav l9.-TEe hero OF the hour TO-
law in the General Assembly Is the s'aten cieIN'
no Rev. William II. Roberts, professor IN Lane
Theological Seminary and acting pastor OIL ''e
Second Presbyterian Church OF CIhcili"'i'
formerlv Dr. Hayes's church. Three years ago
Dr Roberts was made chairman Of Committee
on Methods of Ehectng Changes In the Con-
f.ssjon of Faith and Constitution of the Church.
The committee has been continued by both IN
tervening Assemblies. and as composed year ago
consisted of Dr. Roberts, DIR. j. T. Leitwch, OF
Baltimore: Dr. Everard Kcmpshall, OF Elizabeth;
ex-Judge William Strong, of Washington; and
his nephew, Judge Wilson, of Philadelphia
Four of the five advocates of revision Of
the Westminster Standards and il has been
openly charged on the floor of the Assembly that
the report submitted last week was made in the
interest of revision. Ii has been asserted that
il was framed in order TO make revision easy.
that the committee were trying to carry water
on both shoulders, that they had not met TIL
few months ago, although they were appointed
three wears ago Many amendments have been
suggested, mainly by the friends of revision,
although the party lines are not closely drawn
on this question. One speaker last week boldly
asserted that he approved the measure because
he TeNlS0nlSt anu WOulu dpPIUNC ~ 10
heartily if he anti-revislonist
To-day motion made to have the COM
mittee enlarged by the addition of seven men. and
that the numerous amendments already presented
and any Others that may be desired should be
submitted to this new committee. There was
q good deal of skirmishing and many olive branches
were extended, in the form of earnest speeches
in the interest of peace and harmony Before the
motion was put, DR.. Roberts was on his feet not
TO oppose the appointment of the additional com
mitteemen, nor the reference of the subject. now
greatly complicated. but 10 speak III the interest
of the report Stung possibly by some Of the
CHARGES and insinuations presented. DR. Roberts
was at his best For nearly half an hour he ar
gued with the carneStness of man whose reputa-
lion was at stake and who must be heard and
he was heard. a good lawyer was spoiled when
DR.. Roberts became preacher remarked
listener. Many times he applauded, and his
facts delivered not with his usual deliberatlon,
but with degree of eloqucncc not often seen even
on the floor Of the General Assembly. After the
adjournment many Of the older COMMISSIONERS
crowded around him 70 offer their congratulations.
If YOU had only delivered this speech al the
beginning OF the debate, said one Of them. we
should have been spared much of the misstate-
ment and nonsense that we have heard
DR. Roberts is always busy man during the As
the inquiries Of the 500 commissioners and take
care of the financial part of the Assembly nut ne
must also keep up with the work of the body. as
sst the moderator and prepare the minutes LOT
publication in addition to all this the stated
clerk this year is also the permanent clerk. When
the General Assembly shows its approval of DR..
Robertss work by making him ITS presiding ON
GER DR. Moore will doubtless carry the additional
burden of stated clerk with as much cheeriulneSs
as his colleague now shows. DR.. Patton, Dr.
Thompson and DIR. johnson, all eN-moderators,
spoke briefly the question of reference. ana then
The motion was carried On the committee pr.
Moore has placed four revision men-Dr van
DYKE DR. johnson and Elders Saylor and DaV.
The minority is represented by DR.. Patton, Or.
Patterson and Elder Junken. This makes two
thirds of the enlarged committee revision men and
one-third antl-revision.
IL was stated in the dispatches last week on
the responsibility of an officer of the Assembly
that the committee appointed 10 canvass the an
swers returned Ia the Assembly by the Prcsby-
teriss was composed Of three revision men lRaGi-
Gals as they are called by one Of their number,
because they have the root Of the matter IN
them and of two anti-TeyiSion men. Attention
was called 10 the fact that the craftsmanship vas
given 10 the Conservatives, but II now rdnsplIes,
10 the surprise OF all, with whom nave talked,
Radicals and Conservatives, that DR.. Moore, Juds-
ing doubtless by the Prcsbytery vote, had given
three men. intending the chairman, IL the MI
nority. 50 that the figures three 10 two, remain
as before bat the figures apply 10 different
parties DR.. Patton said to-day that his commit
Zee would he ready 10 report to-IuorTow bus as
all tie time tuesday and "Wednesday j. oc-
cuplcd, the answers to Inc oNcriu rc on revision
will De the first order If the day on THURSDAY.
After Dr. Patton has read his report, he VIII
doubtless sycak. and the debate toward which
the attention OF ChTistcndOm has been turned for
a year will be- opened. The committee finished
to-nlaht It's canvass of the 200 anSwcIs and VIII
now take up "a few m,.or details before formU-
lating the report to be Submitted on Thursday.
IL had not been decided Tonight whether Albany
Presbytery for example. which refused 10 answer
the question submitted by the Assembly, should
tsa counted in the affirmative or the negative. or
plaord in a third column. Besides revision there
were two objects Of widespread interest before the
Assembly to-day. In addition 10 the opening
meeting Of the Woman's Executive Committee 81
Home Missions the Board of Freedmen occupied
the attention of the Assembly in the morning, and
the work of the Board Of Education pre-
sentcd in the afternoon. In the evening there
was a popular meeting in behalf Of the freedmen
INCREASING THE COMMITTEE.