Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-27
A CHANGE OF HEART
On Revision Experienced by Many
of Its Former Adherents.
ANTI-BRIGGS MEN MORE HOPEFUL.
Parkharst and Sehaff Making Many Con
vertS to Their Side.
THECAUSEOF HOME MISSIONS DISCUSSED
tsPEc1A1. TELEGRAM TO TIE DISPATCH.


terian General Assembly convened to-day
hasty anxiety was manifested to again ut
tack the serpent question Notwithstanding
that DR.. McCook had departed for Philadel
fhia the Assembly decided to have another
vhnck at the serpent next Friday. The va
cancy supply and ministerial adjustment
scheme was taken up and a resolution in
troduced to make the contemplated secre
tary's salary q, 500 q year. DR.. Hamilton, OF
Rochester, held that the whole scheme was
unconstitutional, unnecessary, and that the
secretary's salary would support five home
missionaries, who could do much more good.
The Presbyteries have machinery already
established to do this very work.
Elder W. W. Hunter, of Old Buffalo, Wash
ington county, Pa, a plainly dressed. one.
armed, colorless man, and an old soldier,
made the speech of the morning. He claimed
he represented the common people, and that
the proposed salary would be regarded as
enormous. He did not believe in making
offices for men. Eight colored ministers
could be supported on the secreta ~ salary
Upon close vote it WAS decided to fix the
salary at 81 800 a year, although many held
question was referred 70 committee to re.
port on its oonstitutionality.
The Work of Home Missions.
The cause Of home missions was consid-
cred, and the immense debt of sl00, 900 made
q profound impression. Secretary McMillin,
the active man of the corps, made an excel
lent address Mr. Sinclair, of Massachusetts,,
advocated denominationalism. He said
pious, devoted anti-Congregationalist min
listers and laymen are looking to this assem-
bly, for the right action on certain questions
which they deem fundamental to the faith.
He made an eloquent appeal Tor men and
means TO vigorously prosecute the cause of
Presbyterism in New England; ~ 60 Missionary d
The assembly declined to adopt the reso-
luton of George Junkin, 10 use the word
Sabbath in the report instead of Sunday.
The usual recommendations were adopted.
Tho vote to raise $1,000, 900 for home missions
was taken by rising. The question of having
another home mission secretary was raised
by q resolution, which was referred to the
Home Board.
Immediately after dinner, in the presence
OF a small attendance, Colonel Elliott F.
Shepard read his report on Sabbath OBJ
servance, taking a disconsolate view of the
subject, but urging special effort TO close the
gates of the Worlds Fair on Sunday. He
wanted the Chicago authorities to settle
this question Immediately.
To Watch Sabbath Observance.
A large committee, consisting of Colonel
Shepard, Governor Braner, Drs. johnson,
Sunderland, Mcpherson, Yields and others
were appointed to serve as the Sabbath OBJ
seryanee Committee, without expense to
the Assembly. Some members of the As
sembly again insisted on using the words
sabbath or Lords Day instead of the word
Sunday, but no action was taken. DR.. George
p. Hays read a body report on the Board of
Aid for Colleges, and Secretary Case ad-
dressed the Assembly as did also several
others.
There was a decided sensation in the As
sembly when the time came for the dis
cussion OF the special reports on the Board
OF Publication. Judge Hand, of Scranton,
read parts of the report he had already pre-
sented and discussed its relation to the re-
port of the other special committees. He
eulogiZed the Philadelphia men who consti-
tuted the board, and yet even they might
make mistakes but the right way to correct
mistakes is through the board itself. Judge
Hand explained and vindicated the report
in lengthy address. Elder Henry simmons
stood by his special report in every partieu-
lar. BE thought Judge HANDS committee
was appointed to see whethe. or not the
special committee lied.
Denouncing the Other Report.
He proceeded in a lengthy and scathing re-
view of the opposition report and of the
work of the board itself. 1t was substan-
TALLY the address made in New York, con-
sisting largely of statistics. Adjournment
suspended the debate, and a motion to refer
the whole question to the standing Commit
tee on Publication was opposed, but not
voted on. DR.. Dickey wanted the debate to
go on but the impatient Assembly adjourned
and the subject went over as unfinished bus
iness.
A popular meeting was held in the interest
of home missions with addresses by Drs.
Woraster, Scovel, Baker and Hon. John NJ.
Eaton, The Assembly was deeply moved by
the announcement of the death of EX-Mod-
orator Van Dyke, and was led in a fervent
prayer by Moderator Green. The Moderator
and Stated Clerk were directed to send
lotter of coincidence to DIR. Van Dykes
family, and Drs. Dickey and Nelson, both of
Philadelphia, were appointed a committee
TO prepare tribute on his death.
The arrival of DR., Parkhurst from New
York has revived dropping interest in the
Briggs case He at once let himself loose
on the commissioners, and the anti-Briggs
men welcome his presence and his work.
They hope he will soon address the Assembly
and would like him to repeat his sermon of
last Sunday in New York.
Anti-Briggs Men Confident
The anti Briggs men are banking on valu-
able aid from Drs. Schaff and Parkhurst.
The busy work of these two men is making
converts to she anti-Briggs party. The
commissioners are beginning to feel that the
veto is simply an expression of their judg-
Jaent simply as to whether they regard
Prof. Briggs as suitable to teach in a Presby-
tcrian Theological Seminary. Since thu
subject of revision of the Confession has
been fomenting unit! it now gives promise
OF looming up with increased interest.
The revisionists have been seriously Of
Tended by the address of the Princeton pro-
fessor, and feel that their confidence in him
has been misplaced. His speech was
understood to mean that he had no heart
for any revision and he earnestly wished
the Presbyteries to attach no weight to the
mere sending down of the report to the As
semDly, and he gave them cordial invita-
ton TO tear the report all to pieces if they
so desired. 1t is understood he will severe
ly critioise the report in his own Presby-
tery. 1t looks as if the revision lines will be
reformed and the church at once launched on
q year of controversy.
Now Opposed to Revision.
Some, however, in this Assembly once the |
friends of revision, say they are now opposed |
to the whole movement, in the light of more |
recent Developments A very distinguished |
theological professor of the Briggs persua-
sion, who worked hard for revision, saws he /
IS now in favor of q movement for more |
liberty in subscription to the creed He /
thinks that with latitude and liberality of |
Interpretation at this point there would be /
no need of revising the historic Confession. |
MANY men of the school of DR. Briggs be- /
lievc that there is already sufficient latitude
lE creed subscription, so that they can sub
scribe without any o0mpunetion of con-
science. The revision report will excite pro-
longed discussion in all the Presbyteries,
and their alterations, suggestions and recon-
are likely to give the committee
new employment.
Colonel Elliott F. Shepard to-day bought |
from Mr.. NJ. NJ. Adds, of the Presbyterian |
Board of Publication, a complete set of the |
of the board, consisting OF about |
l. 800 bound volumes, to be presented to the /
Young Mems Christian Association of De- |
troit At this Assembly Mr.. John A. Black /
rounds UP 80 years of service on the board.
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