Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-26
PRESBYTERIANS.
The General Assembly Still Has Some Business
With Professor Briggs-The Seminaries
Committee Report Read-Other
Points of Interest

PORTLAND, OGN., May 25.-Devo-
tional exercises were led in the Presby-
terian Assembly this morning by Rev.
Roberts, of Pennsylvania. A resolution
providing committee appointments TO
every commissioner was introduced by
Judge Taylor, OF Indiana, and referred
TO the policy committee. The regular
order of the day was foreign missions.
The report was presented by DR..
Allison, of Philadelphia. The years
work was reviewed and appropri-
ate resolutions were introduced looking
toward furtherance of the Boards
efforts. The principal facts are as fol-
lows:
The Board of Foreign Missions last
year asked for 81, 900, 600, and made its
appropriation on the basis OF 81, 600, 600.
The receipts amounted TO over 1890, 900.
The Board maintains 2l0 ordained
American missionaries; l65 ordained
and 255 licensed active workers, sus-
tanning 3s4 churches with 80, 497 COM
municants. Addition TO the mission
churches have aggregated 3,430 law
workers, number 1,494. schools are
also supported containing 90 600 pupils,
with 167 candidates for the ministry.
The contributions from native churches
have amounted to nearly $4,000. The
missions Of the Board are located in tif-
teen different countries.
During the reading OF this report and
subsequent speeches attendants were
busily engaged in.distributing an octave
volume of 272 pages containing the
record of the case against DR.. Briggs,
prepared by the prosecuting commit
tee."
1t contains only twelve lines which
anticipate matter which is to be pre-
sented to the assembly, if it shall be de-
cided that an appeal from the dismissal
of the case shall be entertained.
DR.. Gillespie, Secretary OF the Board
of Foreign Missions, addressed the AS
sembly referring to his recent visitation
trip around the world. The commission
recommendations were adopted calling
for one million, and one hundred thous-
and dollars for this particular branch
of the church'S work next year. Spec
ial attention was called to the fact that
the cost OF administration OF this board
amounts to less than per cent. ReSo-
lutiOns disappearing Of the recent Chi
nese legislation by the Government
were referred to committee for con-
sideraton and report.
At the afternoon session, the report OF
the Theological SeminarieS Committee was
first ordered. With reference TO the
Union Seminary ii stated that
the retention Of Professor Briggs
in his chair must be regarded as not only a
failure to comply with the expressed action
of the Detroit Assembly, but also an agree
ment in the compact of TO- and in view
Of this the Chair of Biblical Theology was
still dejure vacant.
Resolutions were also offered that the
assembly regard the maintenance OF the
existing supervision by the general assem-
bly, Of the character of the instruction in
theological seminaries as vital to the well
fare of the Presbyterian Church.
The minority report, signed by Messrs
TAYLOR, Baldwin, Strong and Shepard,
was presented. 1t approves the report
of the majority as q correct repreSen-
tation Of the facts viewed in
the light of the last assembly's interpreta-
ton of the compact Of 10" but expresses
the conviction that some relief from the
present difficulties should be had.
AS the directors of the Union Seminary
express u desire 10 De HOnOrdDly TSiSdS6u
from the compact of '70," the reports sug-
gest that il be allowed TO withdraw from
the compact, and, further, that a commit
tee be appointed by this Assembly to
confer with all the theological seminaries
under its supervision touching their views
of the compact of 40 and any new compact
that might be devised and to formulate a
new compact with a view TO happily unit
ing all the seminaries; the same 10 be sub
mtted to the next general assembly.
After some debating IL was decided to
reform the committee on theological semi
naries, end that committee Immediately
retire for consultation. After hearing the
report of the committees on publ
cation and Sunday school work, the
consideration of the report Of the Judicial
Committee in the appeal of the Committee
on Prosecution from the action Of the
New York Presbytery in dismissing the
case of DR.. Briggs, was taken up
There was long discussion over the
matter and motion was finally adopted
that the hour and a half be given each side.
A proposition that but one speaker be al
lowed to each side was ruled ou on point
of order.
After reading the judgment, the assem-
bly, adjourned until tomorrow when the
prosecuting committee and DR.. Briggs will
no hpa,,1