The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-26
The Presbyterian General Assembly

DETROIT, May 25.-At the morning ses
siou of the Presbyterian general assembly
the discussion of seal was taken up. but
was soon dropped and continued as the
order for this evening.
The standing committee on freed men re-
ported. Rev. DR.. Allen, secretary of the
board, spoke of the encouraging way in
which the colored people are coming to the
front: The present generation of negroes,
he said, will largely decide the characters
OF the generation to come and who for
good or ill, will so gravely influence the
future OF this country. The only solu-
ton IS a Christian education for
them. The secretary reported over
$4,000 given for the support during last
year of 269 churcnes and II missions under
the of the control board. In these are 1874
missionaries, mostly colored, and IA. 1856
COMMITMENTS. The Sabbathschool members
are Il, 2l2 in 259 schools. There are "a dav
schools, which have an attendance of Il, O29.
The standing committee on bringing to-
gether vacant churches and UNEMPLOYED
ministers reported certain recommended
TONS designed TO strengthen the episcopal
power of Presbyteries."
There was an animated discussion of its
provisions. DR.. Lowry, of PHILADELPHIA.
opposed the fourth section, being the black
list OF ministers and churches who for any
reason decllne to come under the arrange
ment. The discussion, which wasp artici-
pated IN by number of others, showed a
diversity OF opinion on the subject, but the
concensus OF thought seemed to be that the
matter should be left to the Pres byteries.
president Patton recommended before
hnal enactment that it be referred to
special committee TO report to this assem-
Oily on the question of the constitutionalitv
OF the plan, which he much doubted. but
ofered TO withdraw his motion till all sec
lions were acted upon. Leave to withdraw
was by vote refused and adjournment cut
off further debate.
The seal matter was taken up again and
after confused debate was recommitted
to the committee.
Eason read the report of the board of
education. 1t says in part, that the year
was begun with debt of IS. 700. This
compelled caution in acceptance of candi-
dates. The board hoped for large in
crease in receipts but instead closed the
year with the debt increased 81, 300. Since
closing accounts, however, over IS, 900 has
come In. I'VE are IN this dilemma, shall we
take up fewer candidates or give less to
eachs Our embarrassment can only be re-
moved, apparently, by greater zeal in
urging our need by ministers. There are
ntteen more vacant charges than last year
many OF them strong ones, and it is every
harder TO get suitable men for these Then,
too, the labors of Sabbath school mission
aries have been so blessed that MANY
new churches formed from twelve hun
dred new schools planted this year will
soon be needing pastors. Besides. the
need for colored ministers and men
quallhed to work among immigrant popula-
uon is sure to be urgent. Such is the de-
mand. What of the supplys Only 222
graduates, twelve more than last year. The
inevitable deficit must be supplied from
partially trained men or from other demon
nations, and in either case there will be
on an average less satisfactory results than
from men fully trained in our schoolsn
Adjourned until to morrow. 1t is thought
by good observers that the tide of opinion
Is changing in favor of vetoing DR.. Briggs
appointment or transfer to the Robinson
professorship of biblical theology without
touching the question Of heresy-as that
would PREJUDICE the case before the New
u rK presoytery-and very possibly with
cut assigning grounds.