New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-15


THE REVISION OF THE CONFESSION OF
FAITH-CASDIDATEs FOR TIE MoDER-
AToRsHIP-THE CoMMlssToNERs'
rr.ou . s,yc,A1 CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
SARATOGA. MAY 14-The first religious body to
meet in this delightful village this spring Is the
General Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church IN
Tho Tinted States Of America. II will be fol-
lowed in June b. the American Home Missionary
Society a body connected with the Congregational
Church The General Assembly is not stranger
TO Saratoga the contrary, our fres"s Veii'"
friends seem very much at home here an" 'h'tc
times since the reunion meetings nave ocei hei'
bcrc Tho local committees have been industrl.
ously at work, arranging the details for the meet
ings. and providing homes for the commissioners
during the ten or twelve days that the Assembly
will be in session.
The Assembly will open tomorrow morning IN
the First Presbyterian Church, with the annual
sermon by the retiring moderator, the Rev. DR..
William c. Roberts, president of the Lake Forest
University. near Chicago. Much interest always
centres in this sermon as it generally strikes the
kcvnotc of the meeting DR.. Roberts is in favor
of a moderate revision of the Confession OF Faith,
md there is considerable curiosity as to what he
will say on this burning question. In the
afternoon. after the roll call of the commission
rrs there will he election of moderator.
After the reunion Of the old and new schools, on
effort was made for a number OF years 10 choose
alternately from representatives OF the two bodies
but with that happy event twenty years and more
behind this scholastic division is no longer Oh
served OF later years the office has gone aiter-
nately TO the East and to the West, but even TINS
rule is beginning to he broken, since the modera-
tor two years ago came from Missouri and as'
year from Illinois.
1t is impossible to tell with any degree OF GER
tainty who will be chosen for this responsible
office this week. but from the important posi-
ton which the New-YorS Presbytery has taken
in the discussion of the revision, ID would not
be a surprise If one Of the candidates were from
that city Two of the commissioners from that
Prcsbvterv Dr. Howard Crosby ard DR.. Charles
l. Thompson have already served as moderators,
DR.. Crosby in ls73 and DR.. Thompson two years
ago. New-York has not had moderator since
the Assembly met il this pace seven years ago
when DR.. Hatfield presided. II may be men
toned. in passing, that it is an unwrittcn law
that man shall not FIJI This office twice.
The election of moderator will undoubtedly
be governed by the revision question. While
large majority of the Presbyterians favor a re-
vision of the Confession of Faith and have sent
commissioners who will represent their VIEWS
still there are two classes of revision men; those
who favor few changes in the present c'h-
fession. without changing the essential doctrines
which it contains, and those who desire ne"
CreeA Whether these two classes will unite III
The election of O moderator, or whether they Will
serve as checks upon one another. and thus allow
an apti-revisionist to preside. is uncertain
FOUR POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.
Will. M s1ates arc allowable in the General
Assembly still there are names mentioned IN
advance of the meetings every year. 30 far, one
halls from Ncw-York one from New-Jersey, ano
two from Ohio.
DR. Robert Russell Booth, of the Rutgers River
side Church of New-lork. is the oldest pastor
in that Presbytcry, and a native OF that CITY
He was graduated at Williams College about
foriy years ago. and received his theological
education at at Auburn Seminary. He has been
a pastor in New-York since 1851, with the brlfl
intermisson caused by ;ll-lealth which led TO
his resignation pastor of the University race
Church. lie was formerly New School man,
and has been active in advancing the cause oil
Presbyteriansm, not only in TIE Presbytery OF
New-York. but throughout the country, ard the
cause of religion in all lands. He has just sac
ceeded in dcdcating q beautiful church on the
west side of the city.
DR. Everard Kempshall, for more than quarter
of a century the pastor of the First Church oi
Elizabeth. y. j.. has many friends who would
be glad to see him chosen moderator Whether
or not they will dcari it wise 70 advocate their
views at this time will soon be known. DR..
Kempshal was born in Rochester in
1880. and was graduated az Williams College.
lie began his pastorate at Buhelo. In 1870 he
received the honorary title of ID. ID. both from
Williams College and from Princeton. For many
years he has been director of Princeton Seminary.
Dr. Charles $ Pomoroy. of Cltrejand, Is
native Of Brooklyn, his father being an elder
Of the First Presbyterian Church in that city.
lie was graduated from Columbia College when
twenty wears old For thee years lie was IN
mercantile life in partnership with his father
After his conversion he entered Union Seminary.
and became the first pastor Of the Ross Street
PRESBYTERIAN Church of Brooklyn. where he fe-
maired Tor ten years, the church meanwhile
having increased its membership from forty 10
400 In 1873 lie accepted call TO the Second
Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. In these years
hundreds of members have been added TO the
church and a new house 81 worship erected at an
expense Of 81 900.
DR.. William T. Moore, since 5si the permanent
clerk of the Assembly, was born in Strasburc
Pennsylvania, in 1928 The family shortly after
ward returned to Delaware. the home OF his
Scotch Presbyterian ancestry DR.. Moore was
graduated from Yale College II ls47. and was
private student in theology while principal of
the Fairfield Seminary in Connecticut. Forty
wears ago he became pastor If the First Presby-
terrain Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
where he remained until April 1872. when he
resigned 10 accept call to the Second Church Of
Columbus He has been most efficient officer
of the various presby teral bodies with which
no has been connected and few men surpass him
in their knowledge of the Acts OF the Assemblies
One of his sons is Professor George L. Moore
OF Andovcr Seminary
While it is possible that none Of these gentle
men will be nominated tomorrow, still it IS
certain that if either OF tlc four should lie sue.
cessful in heinz chosen to preside over this most