The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-26

the several presbyteries couched in almost
identical language, the following was OF
fered:
Rssolroo,. That this assembly regard the main
tenance OF the existing supervision by the gen.
eral assembly OF the character OF instruction IN
the theological seninaries vital to the inter
ests OF truth and the welfare OF the Presbyterian
church; and to the attainment OF this end, this
assembly reafiirms, in harmony with the action
OF former assemblies, that we regard the power
OF the assembly exercised by the approval or
veto over all appointments OF professors includ-
ing elections, appointments and transfers of pro-
fessors from one chair to another in all semin-
aries, as necessary in order to secure this
uniform system OF ecclesiastical supervision
over theoiogi cal seminaries of the denomina-
ton, so that there may be uniform and entire
confidence in those intrusted with the training
OF our candidates for the ministry.
Immediately nfterward minority re-
port was presented by DIR. James III. Tay-
lor, of Rome, n. Y, as follows:
Approving of the report of the majority OF the
committee correct representation OF the
facts touching Union Theological seminary as
viewed in the light of the last assembiy's inter.
probation of the compact of 1870 but convinced
that some relief from present difficulties should
be suggested, the undersigned, minority OF
the committee, submit the following:
WHEREAS, The directors of the Union Theo-
logical seminary have expressed desire to De
honorably released from the compact OF 1870;
and,
WHEREAS, At the last general assembly the
committee of conference and the directors OF
Union Theological seminary in mutual confer
ence agreed TO the mutual recognition of each
others honesty and right Of opinion touen-
ing the Interpretation OF the COMPACT Of 1879,
yet admitting IN irreconcilable difference of
opinion and reached conclusion to the
future action for both parties: therefore, be It
10 Til, -,
seminary be and hereby is allowed to honorably
withdraw from the compact, aud b., from this
date. no longer held responsible thereto: and,
Second-That committee be appointed by
this general assembly 20 confer with all theo-
logical Summaries under its supervision, touch.
ing their views OF the compact OF 1870. and OF
any new compact that might be devised and to
formulate new compact with view 10 happily
uniting all the Summaries, the same to be sub
mItted to the next general assembly.
CHARLES II. BALDWIN,
THOMAS Z. STRONG.
WALTER J. SHEPARD.
A motion was introduced by DIR. Blay-
ney, Of Kentucky, to refer all the papers
relating to Union seminary to a special
committee of six ministers and five elders,
so that harmonious resolutions might be
presented for the assembly's action. 1t
was amended to refer all papers back to
the committee on theological seninaries,
and this action was carried. The commit
tee Immediately retired for consultation.
The assembly then proceeded to the report
of the committee on publications and Sun
day-school work. After the report the
house was addressed by DIR. Cravan, the
secretary of the board of publication and
Sunday school work, as he has that double
function. He said in substance:
Owing TO the uncertainty as TO the policy OF
rhrlrCh flyvh hav haa mn, sltp n
ing the year. Sunday-school work has been
vigorously prosecuted, and has resulted in the
formation or reorganization of 1885 schools,
with moro than 1900 teachers and scholars.
The receipts Of the Sunday -school department
have amounted to nearly Sl27 .00), with expendi-
lures of $4,000. The business department has
received nearly $4,000 during the year from all
sources with expenditures of 10000 and n net
profit OF over $4,000, two-thirds of which goes
to the missionary department.
The order of o'clock was consideration
OF the reports from the judicial COM
mittee on the appeal of the committee of
prosecution from the action of the pres
bytery of New York in dismissing the
case against DR.. Briggs. After the reading of
the reports motion was made that the
majority report be adopted. This was
amended in favor of the minority report.
the moderator then gave the status of the
case, announced that the body was about
to sit in a judicial capacity and read the
constitutional requirements in constitut-
ing the assembly as court. A motion
was made that an hour and a half be
given and that but one speaker be al
lowed to each side
In spite of point Of order, the moder-
ator decided that the motion was proper
and allowable. The points of order and
objections were thick as dead leaves in au-
tumn. The directions of the book of dis
cipiue were read and re-read Each
speaker claimed to have the key to the diff
ticulty. Finally, after long wranSling
and dispute, vote was taken upon the
first part of the motion, and it passed
without dissent.
point of order was made that the linn
itation of the number of speakers is con-
trary to the constitutional rights of the
committee Of prosecution. After q brief
consideration the moderator decided
the point well taken. The mod
orator reiterated his decision that
the assembly cannot come TO
vote upon the motion to adopt either the
majority report or minority report, be-
cause such an adoption would be of the
nature Of a decision upon the very ques-
ton At issue, ''whether the appeal shall be