The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-26
THE PRESBYTERlANS.



Assembly,
DETROIT, May 25. At tho morning NSs-
sion of the Presbyterian General nssenbly.
Rev. nr. Allen. secretary OF Tho board.
spoke OF the encouraging way In which the
oolored people were coming to the trout.
The present generation Of negroes, he said,
will largely decide tho character of gonern-
tions 70 come and who for good or III, will
so Rraveiy influence the future Of tho cuun--
try; tho only solution for IL la Christian
education for him. Tho secretary reported
over Sl16,OOD given for tho support durjuQ
last year of 2ti0 churches and l77 m issiona
under tho control of the board, In these
arc l34 missionaries, mostly oolored.
schools number 1922 IN 400
schools. There ara eighty -four
day schools, which have m nttendnnce or
II ,O29. The standing committee for bring
ing together vncant churches and unetn-.
ployed ministers reported certain recon-.
mendations designed to strengthen tho
episcopal power of presbyteries. There
was an animated discussion of Its provi-
sions. DR.. Lowrey, of Philadelphia, OPP
posed the fourth section, being tho black
list OF ministers and churches who, for auy
reason, decline to come under an arrange
ment. The discussion, which was partici-
pated IN BY number OF others showed
diversity OF opinion on the subject, but the,
concensus of thought seemed to be that the
matter be left to the presbyteries. Presi.,
dent Patton recommended, before inal
enactment, that it bs referred to a special
committee, to report to this assembly on
the question Of the consttntionality or the
plan, which he much doubted, but offered
to withdraw his motion till all the sections
were acted upon. Leave to withdraw was,
by vote, refused.
The seal matter was taken up again and
after confused debate was recommitted ia
the committee. The report of the board OF
education WAS read. 1t says, in part, that
the year was begun with a debt OF $S, 100.
This compelled caution in the acceptance
OF candidates The board hoped for large
increase IN receipts, but instead closed the
year with the debt increased by $1,000.
Since closing the accounts, however over
$4,000 has come in. We Hre thus III thia
dilemma: Shall we take up more candidates
or give less to each? Our embarrassment
can only be removed, apparently, by greater
zeal IN urging our needs by ministers.
There are fifteen more vacant churches
than last year. Many of them are strong
ones, and 1T IS every year harder to get suit
able men for these. Then, too, the
labors of Sabbath school missionaries
new churches have been formed. Some
l.2OO new schools planted this year will soon
be needing pastors. Besides, the need OF
educated colored ministers and men uuali-
fled to work among immigrant population
IS sure to be urgent. Such is the demand,
what of the supply? Only 2l2 graduates.
twelve moro than last year. The inevitable
deficit, must be supplied from partially
trained men, some oflother denominations,
and in either case there will be on an av-
erage less satisfactory results than from
those fully trained in our own schools. IL
is thought by good observers that the tide
Of opinion is changing in favor of vetoing
pr. Briggs appointment or transfer TO the
Robinson professorshlp Of biblical the
ology, without touching the question OF
before the New York presbytery-and very
possibly without assigning grounds.