The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-10
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Proceedings Of the American
Board Of Commissioners.
Animated Debate Over The Report Of a
Committee on Methods.
Series Of Resolutions Regarding The Quail
fCatiOnS Of Candidates Unani-
mOuSly Adopted.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. ga most interes t
ing paper to come before the American
Board, ana one which called forth an acri-
monious debate, was the report OF the COM
mittee Of nine, appointed year ago to eX-
anime into the method of the administra-
t on of officials of the board in Boston,
especially the methods employed by the
Home Sec retary in asceItainng the qualifi
cations of candidates for the missionary
field. The Ch airman of the committee is
Astor Walker of New York, and associated
with him are others representing the two
great wings of the board, but they are not
extremists in any sense. The report made
detailed showing of the finances of the
board, and compared what the board has
received yearly for its 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 incre sing year by year as the church
grew, there has been practically no increase
in the donations to the American Board,
this state of affairs, the paper argued
showing a satisfaction in churches, ending
in -quartels, that have come as a
result of the present system of ad-
min abstraction. The report, which was
lengthy one, was summed up in the
form Of resolutions at the conclusion. These
provide that a committee on The Treasurer's
report be appointed by the board at the an
nual meeting next previous to the meeting
at which the committee is called on to act; /;
that the TreaSurer'S report be sent as soon
as ready 10 each member of the committee; :;
that the bylaws be amended so as 10 pro-
vide that the Auditors shall annually en-
ploy an expert in examining the Treasurer's
reports and accounts; that there be sub
stantial increase Of the force employed by
the board to bring the interests of its mis-
SiOnS and the cause il represents before the
churches contributing to Its support
The resolutions further provide with ref
eTence to missionary appointments that
questions l and for candidates be amended
| TO read:
Question l. What are your views respect
| ing eich of the leading doctrines OF the
| Scripture commonly he d by the churches
| sustaining this board? In answering this
| question you may use your own language or
| refer to any creedS of acknowledged writ.
| Question 3. 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?
1 UtSt QutSllbHS Dtll X 50 dllstultu, dll
applications for appointment shall b. made
as now to the Corresponding Secretary of
the beard. communication Shall be pre-
! sented forthwith IT, the Prudential Com
mittPe. In case the committee desire fur
| ther scrutiny into the theological opinions
| of the candidates it snall be nad through an
| interview with the committee as a body, or
| If this is not practicable with a >ub-com-
nIittee consisting in part Of laymen. At
| such examination the doors shall be open
for mas safIa of INV bar pf ha ri
OF personal friend Of the candidate.
I he debate ON this matter was a most
animated one. DR.. joseph Cook opened the
attack on the paper and was replied 20 by
DR.. Quint. Then th- venerable DR.. Thomp-
son OF Boston, Tor many years Chairman OF
the Prudential Committee, severely criticized
the methods of the Committee of Nine, and
took exceptions TO the report as rejecting
against the Secretaries and the Prudential
Committee. Mr.. Walker replied warmly
that his committee had abundant evil
dence for the grounds 1t had taken,
but had preferred to suppress it.
however, since DR.. Thompson has precipi-
tated matters, lie would make IL public. lie
then read series of letters regarding GER
tIln young lady students In Wellesley Col
lege who we're rejected as missionaries some
years ago. He then referred to them
10 show that the rejection was most
unfortunate and improper, and had etfectu-
ally shut off Wellesley College as source
OF missionary supply.
Tie Home Secretary, DR.. Alden, then read
personal paper delerdng himself and the
existing method, aud critlczng severely the
Committee OF Nine. Members uf the
committee replied, and by this time
the debate had grown so acrimonious
that President Slorrs cut 1t Off After
further talk the resolutions summarized
above were adopted unanimously, to the
satisfaction Of all except the extremists.
DR.. Noble of Chicago, who accepted the
resolutions, protested against any approval
OF the report itself and presented a resolu-
tion TO that effect, " hich was adopted with
out particular objection.
Thus the ecuriou- result was presented of an
action which seemed 10 cast doubt and re-
Election on the report OF the Committee of
Nine ana lis mtthoaS, while adopting unani-
mouSly all lis practical Suggestions. Both
sides seemed to have the impression that
they have won a glorious victory.