The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-22
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
Opening Exercises Of the One Hundred and
Third Annual Meeting.

DETROIT, May 21.-The one hundred and
third annual meeting of the Presbyterian
General Assembly convened here this morn
ing. Rev, DR. Radcliff OF Detroit invoked
the divine blessing. After singing, Rev. Dr.
Patton, President of Princeton. read the six
teenth chapter of Isaiah.
Rev. DR.. Moore of Cincinnati. Moderator
of the last assembly. delivered the opening
assembly sermon from John iiI:17: " For
God sent not his Son into the world to con-
denim the world, but that the world might
through him be saved" Dr. Moore said:
God gives eternal life 10 individuals be-
lieving here and now. but the salvation of
The world is accomplished through the per-
s0nal salvation of husbands, wives, parents,
children, masters. servants, rulers and sub
lectS. An unprotected, hide0uSly oppressed.
and, therefore, dangerous servile class was
elevated TO the position of brethren of Christ
and labor was made honorable. Before he
came enjoyment and self-indulgence were the
objects of human aspiration. For this the
early church substituted helpfulneSs. The
Presbyterian Church has IN the main been
IN helpful touch with the needs OF the world.
Agitation and upheaval is not necessarily
ruin. Like the heayiug of sea it may
purify. Compulsory legislation will not do
this unless there is an active leaven OF purl-
fed individuals diffused through society.
The law was never so good as now, although
there is too much of it. But were 1t perfect
as to quantity and quality it is useless or
worse unless rightly interpreted, admins
tered and enfor ced, and for this there must
be such work as only religion can effect
The family, State ana church are three great
factors for aleviating social. political and
economical evils. All three are of divine
institution and can never do their best work
except as the life OF Christ pervadeS them"
After prayer by DR.. Moore the 0rganiZa-
ton of the assembly was perfected. The
Committee on Arrangements was appointed
and the assembly took a recess till 3 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session, nominations for
Moderator being in order, Rev. Dr. Dickey
of Philadelphia nominated Rev Professor
William Ii. Green of Princeton Theological
Seminary. Rev. George ID. Baker seconded
the nomination, and DIR. Green was elected
by acclanatiOD. The newly elected Med
orator was then escorted to the platform,
where the retiring Moderator welcomed
him in brief speech. Moderator Green re-
Piled, thanking the assembly for the dis
tinguished token of confidence. He ac
cepted with deep sense OF his unftness,
but feeling that the task OF presiding over
such an assembly as this must be compara-
lively light where all the members are ami
mated by one spirit. seeking one great END,
and have as their supreme desire the pro-
motion of the glory of God, and the advance
ment of the kingdom of cur blessed Savior.
DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor of the De-
troit Post-street Church, welcomed the as
sembly on behalf of the Reception Commit
tee, and he presented the Moderator with
a Michigan gavel made of wood from a
Pontiac oak that witnessed the massacre OF
1887. The Committee on Consensus OF
Creed reported it had held meetings and
sent circular TO all reformed churches
holding the Presbyterian system throughout
the world The death of DIR. Howard
Crosby was spoken Of as great loss to the
committee, and DR.. Deckey was recon-.
mended as a suitable man TO take
his place. Dr.. Macintosh reported as t.
the missionary magazine, THE Church at
Home and Abroad" 1t is winning favor,
and other denominations are coming over to
appreciate il greatly There Is great neg
leet, however, to heed the recommendation
of the assembly that Presbyterian families
should take it. II could be made a quarter
or half cheaper if 1900 persons who could
we'll afford it would subscribe for It, DR..
LOwriP, Chairman of the Committee OF
Proof Texts, stated that last year the com
mittee reported 10 the assembly 1t had nm
ished the revision of the proof texts of
Confession of Faith" Since then the
same has been done for the larger cate
chism. The assembly then adjourned until
tomorrow.
DIR. BRIGGS.
The case of Dr. Briggs may involve
curious dilemma. Either the assembly must
prejudice the impending trial Of Professor
Briggs before the Presbytery by vote of
his transfer to the chair of Biblical Theol-
ogy, or it must endanger the validity of its
veto next year, should such action then
seem desirable, by postpOning a decision.
Another course is open: The assent of the
assembly to his transfer; or the new APP
pointment may be withheld on the grounds
of his generally admitted discourtesy TO-
ward his opponents and indiscretlon in the
method and time of promulgating beliefs
that, upon their face, are in conflict with
the standards. 1t is rumored that Briggs
has announced his determination to contest
every point, carrying them into the civil
courts and up to the highest courts on
points involving civil rights, and thus keep
ing up the conflict, it may be, for years.