New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-13

Following the address of welcome tomorrow Will be
reports from the treasurer ard the PrudeDtai Comoe
with the annual survey Of the missionary helds by inc
foreign secretaries. The Rev. Dr. r. H. "eoO VI
Boston, will preach in the evening When the repo'.
of tho Prudential Committee is read the liberal element
in the Board say they will be able to tell whether the
changes ordered at Minneapolis have been made, and
whether the prosperity reported has been real The
analysis OF this report will engage the attention OF
number of men for several hours and on the decision
they reach will depend the harmony Of the meeuhg'
The conservatives fear nothing from showing OF lacIS
and methods. They are confident that the pan
adopted last year has been faithfully carried out and
that all friends of the Board will unite In the prayer
Of thanksgiving expected at the wonderful blessings OF
the year Just closed.
The report that President Stons intends to decline
reelection is only a 1t is well known he would
prefer that younger man should assume the buNehs
of this responsible Office but having succeeded In steer
ing the craft safely through the dangers that threatened
IT, his friends think lie is justly entitled TO be at the
helm when the smoother waters have been reached
Two recommendations which have been made in the
denominatonal press will doubtless be presented. First
that some age limit DO fixed, beyond which no person
shall be eligible to election the Prudential Commit
tee. That age last year was accepted as seventy
wears The second suggestion is that the Pru
Dental Committee with the exception OF the pres-
dent and 1ce-presldent who were placed there
eXOnciO, should be CHOSEN IN CLASSICS, Oue CldSS W
retire each year, and that those members be for n
wear ineligible for re election As the Prudential Com
mittee is now largely conservative this is opposed
the ground that II is effort to remove from the
committee two or three OF the older conservatives one
Of whom served there for nearly a generation.
change which will be gladly welcomed this year pro
vdes for short addresses from many speakers rather
than few long ones, and among the speakers VIII
be several missionaries.
Paw EdUin IA Wehh horn I'm New
castle. Me- In 1920. lie lived on a farm until man
hood he was also engaged in store. Having chosen
the ministry as his Network, he entered Lincoln
Academy, and later, Bowdoin College, from which he
was graduated in 1876. After year spent I'm teach
Ing he entered Bangor theological Seminary Called
10 the pastorae before graduation, he nevertheless In
sisted on further of study at Princeton N. j.
and there spent several months approaching especially
the lectures personal influence Of Professors Hodge
and Alexander After ten happy and successful
in Augusta. he began his ministry In Boston In 1860
The congregation OF Shawmut Church voted January
TO- 1883 to erect meeting house, and the house
was dedicated on February IL, 1854. In this year
the honorary degree Of Doctor OF Divinity
ferred upon the pastor of shawmut Church by VIII
Jams College an honor repeated by his alma mater
Bowdon College, a few years later.
Soon after coming TO Boston Dr. Webb chosen
a member Of the Executive Committee OF the Massa-
chusetts Home Missionary Socety-a place which
with slight interruption he has held since. He
has travelled frequently and extensively through the
West and along the Pacific coast from Southern Cali
fornia 10 the British Provinces with the cause Of homo
missions on his heart. The results Of the Civil War
in consolidating the American Union imposed
and greater obligations upon Christian people Of the
North Millions Of freedmen were 10 be educated and
prepared TO discharge the duties OF citizenship. DR..
Webb felt the necessities of the hour, and pleaded
frequently and earnestly for the home missionary cause
and with marked success For several years the
wealthy congregation Of Shawmut Church was first in
contributions OF money to the Home Missionary Society
IN 1876 he elected member OF the Prudential
Committee OF the American Board having previously
visited the missionaries generally In Egypt Palestine
SYRIA Asia Minor. COnstantinope, Athens, etc. As a
preacher Dr. Webb loves TO dwell upon the distinguish
ing doctrines OF Christianity. lie Is fond of studying
and presenting. with the lessons they teach, the historic
scenes and incidents OF the Bible. Aided BY the emil
nent social qualities and magnetic personality OF his
devoted wife, his personal influence powerful in
the church and city. Nearly 500 names OF those
for the first time confessed Christ added to the
church roll OF membership during his long and success
full ministry. In councils called by the churches he Is
conspicuous and working member He resigned his
passionate October 4, 1885, and was made pastor
emeritus