Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-10
DIVINE DOCTORS.
Like Others are Prone to
Disagree.
In Wordy Warfare They Some
times Indulge.
Soft Answers Not Always Used by
the Reverend Sirs.
The American Board of Foreign Missions
at Loggerheads-Bad Financial
Management.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches
MINNEAPoLIs, Oct. 9.-The most inter-
esting paper to come before the Amer
ican Board Of Foreign Missions, and one
which called forth an acrimonious de-
bate, was the report of the committee of
nine appointed a year ago to examine
into the method of the admin
istration of the officials of the
board in Boston, especially the
methods employed by the home secre
tary in ascertaining the qualifications
of candidates. for the missionary field.
The chairman of the committee is Astor
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, detailed the showing of the
finances of the board, and compared
what the board has received yearly
for it's work, with what is given
to other large benevolent societies Of the
church. The figures showed that while
the contributions to these other bodies
had been increasing year by year as the
church grew, there had been practically
no increase in the donations to the
American Board. This state of affairs,
the paper argued, showed dissatisfaction
in the churches, ending in quarrels that
have come as the result of the present
system of administration.
The report, which was lengthy one,
was summed up in the form of resolu-
tions at the conclusion. These provide
that committee on the treasurer's re-
port be appointed by the board at the
annual meeting next previous to the
meeting at which the committee is call
ed on to set; that Che treasurer's report
be sent as soon as ready to each member
of the committee: that the bylaws be
amended to provide that the auditors
shall annually employ an expert for con-
frming the treasurer's reports and
accounts that there be substantial in
crease Of the force employed by the
board to bring the interests of it's mis-
sions and the cause it represents before
the churches contributing to it's support.
The resolutions further provide with
reference to missionary appointments,
that questions and for candidates be
amended to read:
Question What are your views re-
specting each of the leading doctrines of
scripture commonly held by the
churches sustaining this board? In an
swering this question you may use your
own language or refer to any creeds of
acknowledged writ.
Question 2-Have you any view at
variance with these doctrines or any
views of church government, which
would prevent your cordial cooperation
with the missionaries of this board?
These questions being so amended, all
applications for appointment shall be
made as now to the corresponding
secretary OF the board. Communications
shall be presented forthwith
to the prudential committee.
In case the committee desire
further scrutiny into the theo-
logical opinions of the candidates, it
shall be held through an interview with
the committee as body, or if this is
not practicable, with subcommittee
as body, consisting in part of laymen.
At such examination the doors shall be
open for the presence of any member
of the board or personal friend of the
candidate.
The debate on this matter was most
animated one. DR.. Joseph Cook opened
the attack on the paper, and was replied
to by DR.. Quint. Then the venerable
DR.. Thompson, of Boston, for many
years chairman Of the prudential com
mittee, severely criticized the methods
of the committee of nine, and took ex-
ceptions to the report as rejecting
against the secretary and prudential
committee. DR.. Walker replied warmly
that his committee had abundant evil
dence for the ground it had taken, but
had preferred to suppress it. However,
since DIR. Thompson had precipitated
matters he would make it public.
He then read a series of letters
regarding certain young lady students in
Wellesley college who were rejected as
missionaries some years ago. He then
referred to them to show that their
rejection was most unfortute and
improper, and had effectually shut off
Wellesley college as source of mission
ary supply.
The home secretary, DR.. Alden, then
read "a personal letter defending himself
and the existing method, and criticising
severely the committee OF nine.
The members of the committee re-
piled, and by this time the debate had
grown so acrimonious that President
Storrs cut it off.
After further talk the resolutions
summarized above, were adopted unan-
imously to the satisfaction of all except
the extremists. I'r. Noble, of Chicago,
who accepted the resolutions, protested
against any approval Of the re-
port itself, and presented resolution
to that effect, which was adopted
without particular objection. Thus the
curious resultwas presented of an action
which seemed to cast a doubt and re-
lection on the committee of niue and
Its methods, while adopting unani-
mously all its practical suggestions.
Both sides seem to have the impression