The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-16
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

-SsANAAs IvhOAV I HANI02 0lD6
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
Excerpts From the Address of Retiring
Moderator Roberts.
SARATOGA. N. T., May 15.-The Presby-
terlan general assembly opened with praise
meetings this morning. The business ses-
sion began this afternoon. President Rob-
erts of Lake Forest, ILL.,, university, the re-
tiring moderator, delivered the address
on the privileges and consequent obliga-
tions of the Presbyterian church. He re-
viewed the work of the church, etc., at
length. His reference to the absorbing
topic of revision was in enumerating the
special privileges of the chuach. Among
these, he said. was clear cut. strong and
scriptural creed. Notwithstanding the few
Objectionable passages, the alleged moor
rect interpretations of scripture, and ths
questional philosophy of two or
three paragraphs in our stand
ards, they are marvel of
skill and dialectic acumen. They have
been we'll classed among the best specimens
extant of clear though and cogent reason
ing. They were prepared in troublous times
forthe purpose of uniting in one church all
the Christians of Great Britain and Ire
land. Every paragraph was heated in the
fires of controversy and forged into bars
of gold, not only by the best theologians
of the church but by the ablest statesmen
OF both houses of parliament. The shorter
catechism has been pronounced bv many
who have had no sympathy with its doc
trines the best compend of scriptural
truths this world has ever seen. The
standards are mt 0nly claar mt
but exceedingly strong. They are
based largely on Gods sovereignty.
It is no such sovereignty, however, as inn
plies arbitrariness or injustice, but such as
aliases the proud and encourages the lowly.
It is loudly proclaimed in these days that
of the breathlngs of Gods love. This
is largely true. The tender phase
of the divine character is not 80
clearly set forth as it ought to be in this
age, age but it must not be forgotten that the
church has been undergoing a process of
present time. Grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ, but those lovely qualities
could have come only after the way had
been prepared for them by the sterner quail
ties of law, which came by Moses.
The strong truths of our Calvinistic creed
monstrosities, but as necessary antecedents
to milder and more lovable doctrines
These doctrines have been drawn out of
Gods word in such way as to forbid the max
ing of any essential changes in them without
doing violence to that word" Among the
other privileges of the church enumerated
and dllated upon were government more
in keeping with the teachings of scripture
than that of any other branch of the
church; championship in the cause of edu-
cation; superior missionary appliances and
accumulated wealth. On this latter point
DR.. Roberts said in part:
It may seem doubtful at first sight
whether riches can be regarded as on OF the
privileges of the church of Christ. In them
selves considered, they cannot be an indica-
tlOn OF moral power or usefulness. Never
theless they do acquire, according to the
best known principles of ethics, morality as
we'll as strength when viewed as trust for
Gods glory and the good of the world. It
is often alleged that our church owns and
controls more money than ony other in our
land. One of our congregations IN New
York city is said to possess more than a
hundred million Of dollars. The Presby-
teri2ns of Chicago have under control, not
in their possession, three hundred millions of
dollars. This is a fair sample of what is to
be found in other communities east and
west. 1t is certainly great privilege to be
entrusted with 80 much of our Lords
money, if we have the grace to use it as
g cd and faithful servants.
DAs AsOO0Auo dUNcu VAdU tuo OUAlkdUlOub
arising from the privileges come under the
text unto whomsoever much much is given,
of him should much shall be required" and
spoke at great length on the duty of the
church.
DrRoberts said that notwithstanding the
discouragements, hopeful prospects are not
wanting to encourage the church in home
missionary work, and urged renewed
effort. More men are needed, particularly
in the west. The foreign field is also call
ing for more men and means. Another
task to which the church should bend her
energies is to instruct her members in the
meaning of the true stewardship and use of
money. No debt of Chrittian work is 80
poorly developed as that of pecuniary Of
ferings. The church must set forth more
emphatically the connection that exists be-
tween the accumulation of riches and Gods
blessing.
At the afternoon meeting Rev. VIM. E.
Moore, of Columbus, O., was elected mod
orator. Several committee reports were ac-
cepted and dates set for debates thereon.
The report of the committee on church
unity stated that cordial response had
been made to overtures to the bishops of
the Protestant Episcopal church. Cores
pondence had been had with the chairman
of the Congregational council. The reso-
lutions accompanying the report Geprecate
the undue multiplicity of churches of diff
ferent denominations in small communi-
ties. The continuance of negotiations with
the Protestant Episcopal and Congrega-