Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-25

an appeal from the action of the New Yorl
Presbytery in dismissing his case, as wa
prophesied some days ago; but the fore
boding of the conservatives was unfounded.
Now they are in decided majority.
The decision in the Assembly is awaited
with interest, and tomorrow, at o'clock
is the time filed for the hearing of the case
The first unpleasant episode of the session
occurred near the close, when DR.. Bartlett
of Washington, referred in ratrsr sneerinl
terms to the report of the committee OF
cooperation with other churches.
| A Very Fair Financial Showing.
The report of the standing Committee OF
Home Missions was read by DR.. Mcpherson
of Chicago. The board began the year with
debt OF nearly 100000. One million dol
lars were asked for last year, and contribu
tions reached within $40, 900 of that amount
of which over $S43, 900 were available. The
present debt is S67, ,0O0 The large immigra
tion has given this board foreign work to dc
at home. The report gives an account Of
the work in the various States conducted
by 1,479 missionaries in churches with q
membership of SO, 500 and school attend.
ance of 141, ,O00 During the year 81
churches have become self-sustaining. The
States having most missionaries are:
New York, 140; Kansas, 112; Iowa, 102;
Minnesota, "a; California, 80; Illinois. 81;
Nebraska, 80; Michigan, "a; the Dakotas,
| 112 and the rest smaller number each.
The whole of the morning session was oc.
cupied with the discussion of home missions,
and it was only cut short by the arrival OF
the hour for adjournment Sixteen recon-
mendations looking toward extension OF
work were reported.
Doctoring the American Constitution.
The committee report on the sixteenth
| amendment to the Federal Constitution was
| presented at the opening of the afternoon
| session. The text of the amendment is
| slightly altered in order to meet special
| objection. The proposed amendment is as
follows:
Neither Congress nor any State shall pass
any law respecting any establishment OF re-
ligion. or prohibiting the free exercise there,
of, or use its property and credit or any
money raised by taxation. or authorize
either to be used, for the purpose Of found
ing, maints lining or aiding by appropriation,
payment for services, expenses or other
wise, any church, religious denomination,
religious society, or any institution, society
or undertaking which is wholly or In part
under sectarian or ecclesiastical control.
On motion of the Assembly, after indors-
ing this amendment by q unanimous vote,
the report of the Committee on Aid for
Colleges and Academies was introduced by
DR.. Alexander, of San Francisco. During
the year the board has lost its efficient
secretary in the death of DIR. Came. The
receipts of the year have amounted to
little over $50, 900, while other gifts have
aided the work. Over 95, 900 appropriations
have been granted to 10 colleges and 21
academies. In the colleges aided, there are
now 175 candidates for the ministry.
The claims of the work were further pre-
sented by DR.. Ray, the new secretary, and
others, who represented all sections of the
port of the Judicial Committee
on Appeal in the case of the trial of
DR.. Briggs for heresy was sprung upon the
Assembly. 1t was read by DR.. Smith, of
Buffalo, Chairman, and was as follows:
First, That in the opinion of this commit
tee the appeal taken by the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America and
the original party, represented by the Com.
Section IL, Book of Discipline, has been
taken from the final Judgment of the Pres
bytery in dismissing the case, and that said
committee had the right to take this appeal,
representing said original party.
Second. That 1t finds that not1ce of appeal
had been given, and that the appeal, specif-
cations OF order and record have been filed
in accordance with Sections o6 and 81 of the
Book of Discipline, and the appeal Is in
order.
mittee the appeal should be entertained, and
time set apart for the hearing of the case.
The committee reports that an appeal is in
order and that the General Assembly
should proceed in accordance with the pro-
visions Of Section 90, or the Book of Dlsci-
pline. by causing Judgment of the appeal
and specifications of errors alleged, to have
been read; then to hear the appellant by
Committee of Prosecutlon; then to hear the
defendant in person or by his counsel; then
the appellant by a Committee of Prosecu-
tion in reply to the question whether the
appeal shall then be entertained"
The Minority Presents Its Report.
Immediately after the statement that the
sessions of the committee had been entirely
pleasant and harmonious, though not un-
animous, a minority report was announced.
The document was read by DR.. Frazer, of
Newark, and was as follows:
WHEREAS The Book of Discipline requires
that the appeals be generally taken to the
judiciary Immediately superior 10 that ap-
Whereas There are sufficient reasons for
making an appeal against the action of the
Presbytery o; New York in dismissing the
case against DR.. Briggs an exception to the
rule.
Therefore, we recommend to the General
Assembly that the appeal be not entertained;
that papers in the case be returned to the
Q appellant ana tnat tney De ADVISED to bring
their appeal or complaint before the Synod |
of New York.
This report was signed by T. R. Frazer,
Thomas Gordon, Oswald P. Backus and |
George v. Ketcham. The only action taken |
upon the report thus submitted was to fix 4 |
o clock tomorrow as the time for their con- |
sideration.
The report of the Committee on CO.
operation, with others, was read by Dr.
Thompson, of New York. In view of the |
opinion entertained by many, it is doubtful
the recommendations of the COM
mittee would have been adopted except for
the peculiar antics of reverend doctor of
DR.. Bartlett, of Washington, remarked !
that he wanted to get rid of ''this wooden |
headed committee. He denounced the re-
port as worthless, reminding him of Is
volume German work written on q flea"
When called to order by delegate, he in
solently asked: whats your name?" The
Moderator allowed him to continue his re-
marks, in s pite of welltaken point of
order.
The hour of adjournment was postponed
D few minutes to allow Colonel Shepard, of
New York, to deliver the greetings of the
Methodist General Conference at Omaha,
which had been intrusted to him. Return
greetings to the Conference were adopted
BY rising vote.
FOR STRICT SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.