Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-20
CHURCH MATTERS.
Lively Debate in the Presby-
terrain Assembly.
PRELUDE TO THE REVISION TALK.

The Report on Methods of Changing the
Constitution Recommitted - DIR. Rob-
erts' Plea for the Right Of Alteration
A Vigorous Objection to Being Tied
Up by the Men of Old Time-Freed-
mems Missions and Education.
SARATOGA \. Y, May 20-The Presby-
terrain general assembly returned TO its
work Monday with renewed vigor. The
first thing attended to was the report on
among the freedmen, which was
very encouraging. There are now PAS
churches, rs schools, III colored preachers,
and 1873 colored teachers, and the receipts
last year were, Sl76,325, against sl34, $50
the year before. Addresses on the work
were made by several of the members OF
the assembly, among them some colored
ministers, who made characteristic speech
es, which evoked laughter and applause.
The unfinished business then came mp, be
ing the report of the committee or method
of changing the constitution.
Spoke for the Right to Change.
The feature of the discussion was a Wig
orous speech by Rev. w. II. Roberts, of
Cincinnati, stated clerk of the assembly
and chairman of the committee making
the report. lie said the proposed revision
did not enter into the report at all, but
was the result of repeated conference and
legal action, adding that he or any other
commissioner could have his private opin-
ion, but that authoritative interpretations
could only be given by the general assem-
bly, as the supreme court He argued that
the general assembly had full power to
make any changes it desired The past
generation, he said, had no right to bind
hand and foot the present, and if they do
he was in favor of what is called "revolu-
ton on this subject.
Motion to Reconmit the Report
DR.. Kempshall, of New Jersey, then Of
fered a resolution recommitting the report
to the committee which was to be en-
larged by the addition of seven more mem
bers. DR.. Kempshall explained that the
object of the resolution was TO save the
valuable time of the assembly and not to
shut off the voices of those who wished to
speak to the pending question. He added,
however, that in prolonged debate it was
just possible that little personalities might
crop out and disturb the peace and har-
mony of the assembly The chairman of
the committee had not been consulted
with regard to the resolution to recommit,
but he had no doubt it met with his ap-
proval.
DIR. Herrick johnson Objects.
DR.. Herrick johnson, of Chicago,
thought it was remarkable circum-
stance that the chairman of the commit
tee had not been consulted. He was op-
posed to the motion. The assembly was
as liable TO he launched into an endless
discussion on the return of the committee
as it was now. He had few remarks to
make on the subject and he thought there
were others who wanted chance at it too.
DR.. Patton, of Princeton college, sec
onded DIR. kempshall's resolution in be-
half of peace. harmony and brotherly love
for that reason only" he added with
emphasis.
L. for the Church of the Future.
DIR. Roberts then again obtained the
floor and said during vigorous speech:
1--WE want freedom in the details of church
administration. See to it brethren that
you maintain this heritage that has been
given to you from your fathers, We are
told that the report is revolutionary, !
deny the fact. Its recommendations are
not without precedent. What the com
mittee has done is simply to recommend
you to not overthrow the adopting act. ]
am neither of the old school nor the new.
l am for the church of the future All
private opinion should be relegated where
1t belongs-to the catacombs of the past.
Let us enact rule that will stand for the
good of this grand old church
Western Men Want To BE Heard.
md ot-1a ~ Ind;
moved that the committee he instructed
by the assembly as to the nature of the
report it shall return. so as to facilitate
debate; also that consideration of DR.
Kempshall's resolution be postponed until
the second order for this afternoon, when,
after debate, the vote might be taken. The
object in view was that all parts of the
country might be heard on the subject.
Discussion had been confined to members
from the east There were some good men
in the west, and they proposed to be heard
on this subject.
DR.. Van Dyke, of Philadelphia, claimed
that no influence had been used to pre-
vent western commissioners from being
heard Where was the ground for Judge
Sayler's remark
Judge Sayler-The ground is in the
fact.
Judge Sayler's motion was defeated by
yea and nay vote DIR. Kempshall's res
olution was then adopted by an almos,
unanimous vote
Report on Education,
The rest of the day was devoted 10 the
report of the hoard of education The
board has had prosperous year. its re
ceipts being $50. go3, an increase of ovel
81 900. There are over $50 candidates un-
der its care of whom 40 are negroes. The
board has n permanent fund of 81 $50
with an annual income of s4.l5l. Rev.
DIR. ID. w. Poor secretary, made stirring
speech urging the churches to give much
more money, and do great deal more
work in encouraging young men to enter
the ministry. The giving of assistance tc
any students not recommended by and un
der the care of some presbytery he dis
countenanced A number of speeche.
were made on the report. The point which
elected most discussion, however, was
over the reception of ministers from other
denominations which did not maintain as
high an educational standard for its
clergymen as the Presbyterians Over l0l
of these ministers were received last year
The vote was not reached before adjourn
ment.
Died on His Way to Assembly.
UTICA, n. Y, May 20.-Rev jaime.
| Lamb, of Cadillac, Mich. died here Of
heart disease yesterday, aged So He wa:
on his way to the general Presbyterian as
| sembly at Saratoga Mr. Lamb had beer
pastor of Bethany church here seven year.