The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-10-10
PEACE MAKERS AT WAR.
An Acrimonious Debate In the Mission
ary Hoard of MINNEAPOLIS

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct e.-The most inter-
esting paper to come before the American
board of the one which called forth an
acrimonious debate was the report of the
committee of nine, appointed n year ago
10 examine into the method of the admin
istration Of the officials Of the board in
Boston, especially the methods employed
by the home secretary ia ascertaining the
qualification Of candidates for the mis-
sionary field.
The chairman Of the committee is DIR.
Walker of New York, and associated with
him are others representing the two great
wings Of the board, but not extremists in
any sense.
The report made a detailed showing Of
the finances of the board and compared
what the board has received yearly for its
work, with what is given to the other
large benevolent societies of the church.
The tgures showed that while
the contributions 20 these other
bodies had been increasing year
10y year as the church grew. there
had been practically no increase in do
nations to the American board. The
state of affairs, the paper argued, showed
dissatisfaction in the churches over the
quarrels that have come as a result Of the
present system of administration. The
report which was a lengthy one. was
summed up IN tile form of resolutions at
the conclusion. These provide that n
committee on the trcasurpr's report be
appointed by the board at the annual
meeting next previous To the meeting at
which the committee is called on TO act
that the treasurer's report be sent as ready
To each member of the committee; that
the bylaws be amended 10 provide that
the auditors shall annually employ an ex-
pert in examination of the treasurers nc.
counts; that there be substantial in.
crease Of the force employed by the board
to bring the interests Of its missions and
the cause IL trcprcsents before the churches
contribution To It's support. The resolu.
ton further provide with reference Ia
missionary appointments that questions |
and for candidates be amended 20 read
Question l.-What are your views re-
| specting each Of the leading doctrines oi
scripture commonly held by the churches
sustaining this board? In answering this
| question you may use your own language
or refer to any creeds of acknowledged
weight.
Question 2.-Have you any view at va
rance with these doctrines, or any views
of the church government which would
prevent your cordial cooperation Will
| the missionaries Of this board?
These questions being SO amended al
applications for appointment shall be
made as now, To the correspond
| ing secretaries of the board. Communi
cations shall be presented forthwith
| To the prudential committee. In case th,
committee desire further scrutiny into IN,
theological opinions Of the candidate,
this shall he had through an interview
with tine committee as body; or il tliis i
not practicable, with a subcommittee con
sisting in part of laymen. Al such ex
animation the doors shall be open for tn
presence OF any member OF the board o
personal friend of the candidates.
The debate on this matter was mos
animated one. DIR. Jaspech Shoup lea,
the attack on the paper and was replies
To by DIR. Quint. Then the venerable Dr
Thompson of Boston, for many year
chairman OF the prudential committee
severely criticized the methods o
the committee Of nine and took excer
tons 10 the report as rejecting agains
the secretaries and prudential committed
| DIR. Walker replied warmly that hi
committee had abundant evidence IL
the ground II had taken, but had preferre
To suppress il. However, since Dl
Thompson had precipitated matters b
would make il public. He then read
series OF letters regarding certain youn
lady students in the Wellesley college VIII
were rejected as missionaries some year
ago. lie read them 10 show that the E,
lection was most unfortunate and in
proper and had cifectually shut o
Welseley college as a source OF mission
AIRY supply.
Home Secretary DR.. Alden then read
personal paper defending himself and III
; existing method and criticising severclyth
! committee of nine. Members Of the con
mittee replied and the debate by this tim
had grown so acrimonious that Presider
Storrs cut of.
After further talk the resolutions sun
married. above were adopted unnnimous
to the satisfaction of all except the e.
, tremists.
. DIR. Noble Of Chicago who accepted n
4 resolutions, protested against the appr
a val Of the report itself aud presented
= resolution To that effect which WI
: adopted without particular objection
: Thus the curious result was presented
!, an action which seemed to cast doubt al
/ reflection on the report of the commits
}. Of nine and its methods, while adoptiI
i unanimously all its practical suggestion
Both sides seemed 10 have the impressio
z that they had won n glorious victory.