Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-23
THE PAN-PRESBYTERIANS.

Hopors Heaped Upon DIR. Blaikie, the Ven
cradle Presiding Officer-various Phases
of the Reformation Discussed by Several
Speakers-The Increased Membership.
TORONTO, Sept 22.-At this mornings
session of the an-Presbyterian Council, in
the report of the Business Committee,
which was presented by Dr. Caven, the
Chairman, reference was made to the fact
that to-day ID the anniversary of the semi
centennial of the entry into the ministry
of the President of the Alliance, DIR.
Blake, of Edinburgh. The warmest con-
gratulations Of the Alliance were rendered
to DR.. Blaikie, and he was asked to accept,
as mark of special honor, the position of
Honorary Secretary of the Alliance. This
clause of the report was adopted by stand
ing vote, amid general cheering. DR..
Blaikie was visibly affected by this mani
festation, as he feelingly returned thanks
for the kind action of the Council.
DR. Matthews, Permanent Secretary to
the Alliance, presented report of statis-
tics, an epitome of which was given last
night. In laying the report before the con-
ference the doctor referred to the great i'm
portance of the gathering, which, he said,
was far greater than that of the historic
counsels of Nice and bort or the famous
gathering nt Westminster, which formu-
lated the confession and catechisms. This
council had 10000 900 Christians at its
back.
It Is Cosmopolitan Religion.
It's members came from every quarter OF
the habitable globe. Its deliberations were
watched with interest in every country,
and before night the words uttered that
morning would be flashed to the end of the
earth. Turning to the contents of the re-
port, Dr. Matthews pointed out that the
statistics showed general increase in men,
bership all along the line, with total Of
about $50, 900 increase of adults and q cor
responding increase of Sunday schools. To
the report was appended brief account Of
the nature OF church government in differ
ent parts of continental Europe, and the re-
lation of the Church and State The report
was adopted on motion OF Judge Book
staver, of New York, and DR.. 7. G. Apple,
of Lancaster, Pa, amid loud applause.
DR.. Kerr, of Glasgow, gave notice of q
resolution strongly approving the action of
the United States Congress in deciding to
close the Chicago Exposition on Saturday
evenings, and earnestly hoping it will not
alter the decision.
Rev. DR. Chambers, OF New York, gave
notice of motion to add third section to
Executive, to be called the Southern Sec
tion, and to include Australia and the South
Pacific.
Notions of the Reformation Corrected.
Dr. Thomas Lindsay, of Glasgow, then
read g. paper on Protestant Reformation,
Its Spiritual Character and Its Fruits in
the Individual Life" The paper dealt
with many fallacies existing as to the object
and causes of the Reformation, and defined
as its central cause the desire of those par
taking in the movement for absolute liberty
Of conscience, and as its guiding principle
ise of forgiveness of sin. It produced new
kind of piety, viz: Personal and direct
intercourse of the sinner with his Savior
without any intervening medium. The
paper was followed by brief discussion.
At the afternoon session, which was pre-
sided over by Rev. Prof 7. G. Darling, of
N. T., the Protestant Reformation
was further considered. Rev. Prof H.
d. D., of Kampein, Holland,
dealt with the influence of the Reformation
on the moral and religious condition of
nations; Rev. Prof. NJ. LEIGH, D. D., of
Belfast on their intellectual state and pro-
gress; Rev. Prof. H. Baird, D. D., of New
York City, dealt with their civil and polit-
cal institutions
At night the subject under consideration
was sour Reformed and Presbytery
First In Their characteristics and
led by the Rev, ID. E. Van
Horne, D. D., of Tifin, O.; second, in their
strength and weakness, by Rev. Moars Glib
son, D. D., of London, England, and third,
In their nnsolved problems and unemployed
resources, by Rev. Everett Van Slike, D.
D., OF Cabelle, N. Y, and Rev. e. R. Esch-
back, D. D., of Frederick City, Nd.