New-York tribune., 1891-05-27
WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY.
A GREAT DEAL ACCOMPLISHED BUT MUCH
OF INTEREST TO COME.
GLOOM CAUSED BY DIR. VAN DYKES DEATHJ
PROFESSOR BRIGGs's CASE INJURED sY DR.
PARKHURsT's sERMoN-rHE LATTER
ARRIVES AND MAY CHAMPION
THE CAUSE OF HIS FRIEND.
1Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TBIBUsEI

ACCOMPLISHED and with much OF interest eN-
pected-not in the line of business, but In that Oh
debate Two Boards finished their work to-day
and an important committee submitted Its report.
Speeches were made in behalf Of the agencies repre-
sented by the Boards, and tonight large popular
meeting was held to increase interest in the
work of the Home Mission Board.
The announcement OF the death OF the Rev. Dr..
Henry j. Van Dyke, of Brooklyn, an ex-moderator
of the Assembly, threw gloom over the body ~
the morning session, and will undoubtedly have
an Influence tending TO a moderate decision In te
controversy regarding the orthodoxy Of Professr
Briggs Dr. Van Dyke had just been elected
professor in Union Seminary. and the report of th
directors contains the announcement OF this fact
The telegram announcing Dr. Van Dykes deatl
was sent by Dr. Charles Cuthbcrt Hall, Of Brook
lyn, and follows:
Il have TO announce that DR.. Henry Van Dyke,
professorelect of systematic theology in Union
Seminary, died suddenly last night from angina
pectoris.'
May | ask the Assembly," said DR.. Green, to
direct the moderator and the clerk to send
telegram of coincidence to the widow, Mrs. Van
DYKE and also to direct the appointment OF
committee TO prepare minute with reference
to this subject, is usual upon the death OF
an ex-moderator during the sessions Of the AS
sembly ?"
A Commissioner-And also, Mr.. Moderator, sug-
gest that the Assembly request the moderator to
lead us in prayer
Both suggestions were adopted, and after prayer
Dr. Green named DR.. Charles A. Dckey, Of Phila-
delphia, and Dr. Thomas A. Nelson, of Brooklyn,
70 prepare the minute. There were many inquir-
les made regarding DR.. Van Dykes death, but
no one received further information than that
contained in DR.. Halls telegram.
The trains from New-York which arrived here
to-day brought, among others, DR.. Z. ii. Park
hurst Dr. G. L. Thompson, A. ID. +. Randolph
and daughter, and also q liberal supply Of papers
containing the sermon touching the issues now
before the Assembly which DR.. Parkhurst
preached last Sunday. In this connection it may
be stated that Dr. Parkhurst is announced to
preach next Sunday morning in the church
where the Assembly is held. lie presented
his credentials as Commissioner after his
arrival, and 1t is expected that he will deliver
the chief address championing the cause of DR..
Briggs. Besides being seminary director. he is
warm friend of the professor, and his church
is considered by many as the Union Seminary
Church OF DR.. Parkhurst's fearessness there
is no question in the minds of any who know
him. and there is question that the cause OF
his friend has been injured by the sermon Of
last Sunday. This opinion is not the correspond
ent's, but is that given by score of people with
| whom he has spoken to-day regarding it, THAT
sermon was a bombshell," said colleague Of DR..
Briggs. We were getting along very nicely
until this was published. DR.. Briggss case seems
more hopeful
II do not wish to speak upon the case Of
Dr. Briggs" said DR.. c. A. Dickey; Il am a
director Of Union Seminary, and this is a time
for silence"
Dr. Parkhurst, like DR.. Briggs" said Com
missioner has the courage of his convictions,
but. like the Professors speeches. the sermon
hurts the cause it defends"
IntimatOns were given by member that
official notice of the sermon might have been
ia KEN had Dr. Parxhurst been a member Of the
Assembly last week. 4 number Of Princeton
men who were favorably disposed toward DIR.
Briggs, not because they agreed with his views.
but because they deemed him TO be prosecuted,
are industriousy picking out the grains OF salt
so thoroughly rubbed in by the Madison Square
pastor wondering why they were the victims
of mis- incisve remarks.
Dr. Parkhurst received cordial greeting to-day.
and he will have large an audience on sunday as
the capaci0us Fort Street Presbyterian Church
will accommodate. Last Sunday morning Ut.
Green, the moderator, who is the Official repre-.
sentative of Princeton Seminary and therefore the
leading exponent of the Princeton Theology, occu-
pied the same pulpit.
The Board of Home Missions reported to-day
debt of nearly 81 100000, but its splended work
during the year was shown in n telling speech
by DR. Mcmillan the youngest secretary; and
earnest speeches were made this evening. The
committee recommended that Sl,000,600 be given
next year The Board of Aid for Colleges. the
youngest board in the sisterhOod was represented
ON the floor by DR. Hays, pr. Ganse, its secretary,
presented the report of the Sabbath Observance
Committee, which was adopted without debate.
The old struggle regarding the Board Of Publ:
cation was renewed and is likely to be continued
for some time Judge Hand presented pacific
report touching the contest between the special
committee Of last year and the business committee
of the board, which aroused considerable discus
sion and no little temper at Saratoga. Mr.. Sim
mons, chairman of the special committee Of last
year, began a reply to Judge Hands speech, but
the hair of adjournment cut short the debate.