Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27
APPEALING FOR MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

Ine olscusslon OF the subject OF monthly
payments Of home missionaries Was begun by
Rev. Mr.. Milligan of Portland, Ore, who spoke
OF the injustice to the missionaries in the sys-
change TO monthly payments would be of crest
advantage. A large number of presbyteries
and two synods had asked that THE change be
made. This was especially the case with the
home missionary presbyteries. The presby-
teries in the large cities composed of business
men favored this change.
DIR. Graham. the chairman OF the committee
read again the report. which stated the proposed
change would add greatly to the labor of the
board and would necessltate an increase in the
clerical force. and that the committee did not
consider the change practicable.
There was demand made from the members
Of the assembly to know the facts on which the
committee based its conclusion.
lhe chairman then spoke at some length.
fev. John 7. Hopkins OF the Los Angeles
presbytery then made plea for the more fire.
quent payment Of the home missionaries. For
three years he had been missionary himself.
and for hve months he had been without a
single remittance from The board and he had
peen compelled TO borrow monev
AT inc rate OF two per cent per month. He be-
heVed that the missionaries would prefer TO
pay the extra expense for clerical hire in
Cured by the board rather than to continue
with quarterly payments.
DR. ROBERTS EXPLAINS.
The secretarr of the board. Rev. DR.. w
Roberts, then explained the position of the
board on this matter. and said that there were
2.l00 missionaries and each one would have to
make report monthly. Then checks are to
be sent out. The letters. he saiG received by
the board differed from those received in the
ordinary course of a business from the fact
that it was necessary TO give the statements
made IN the reports careful consideration
Rev. DIR. johnson suggested that the pay
ments might be made monthly and the reports
quarterly.
An amendment was proposed b., Rev. DR..
Cunningham, providing that monthly payments
be made in such cases where 1t was especially
desired. and to continue the presen. system in
all other cases.
DR.. Roberts. continuing. said that il the
church supplied the money promptly. as was the
case with business. then il would be an
easier matter for the board to make monthly
payments. The board expected to be more
prompt in the future than in the past, and had
made arrangements to borrow money when
the contributions were slow in coming in.
recess was taken until this afternoon at 2:S0.
The Afternoon Session.
The attraction of the drive to Arlington and
the Soldiers Home provided by the local com :
lnittee for the commissioners proved to
be greater than the matter OF bust
ness assigned for consideration at the
afternoon session. Comparatively few Of the
delegates returned to the church after lunch
today and the assembly rooms wore a deserted
appearance The spectators in the galleries
outnumbered the delegates on the floor Vice
Moderator Roberts raped for order at half
past and PRAYER was offered.
Rev. DIR. BARTLETT made a statement about the
drive through the city and to points outside,
and he suggested that recess be taken at 8
O'Clock in order that ali might avail themselves
of the opportunity. He said that an evening
session might be held if il was thought wise.
Judge Wills moved that the assembly adjourn
at o. clock until 80 tins evening and this reso-
luton was adopted.
SYSTEMATIC BENEvoLEScR
Rev. DIR. Fullerton then submitted the re.
port OF the committee on systematic benevo
lence.
The literary work of the committee wa,
warmly commended. Special reference was made
secretary. In regard To the general benevo!enc.
OF the church the report stated that the figures
from the various boards exhibited gratifyins
condition of affairs. The fear expressed
that the discussions in the church woalt
cause a falling off in the beneyolen
contributions bad not been realized. A tribut,
was paid to the work of the womans boarS
and the statement was made that over 600. o0
had been contributed through their agencie
during the past year.
the committee recommended that the repor
OF the special committee on systematic benevo
lence be approved and that the latter commit
tee be continued. The special attention o
pastors called to the apportionmen
table and also that of the committee
OF presby tery with the view of suggesting i'm
provements. The report recommended tina
special collections for the boards be discour
,,,~, Il, -.
benevolence. also that the plan of holding fairs
festivals and entertainments for church benevo
lent purposes be discouraged.
There was some opposition expressed to tn,
recommendation that special collections be dis
couraSe3. and after some debate the recon
mendation WAS laid on the table.
The report of the committee was then adopted
as a whole.
THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE.
DR.. Young. from the committee on bills ant
overtures. offered report which he asked sim
ply for leave to present at this time and not 70,
action.
The overtures in question were from tn,
presbyteries Of Newark and ST. Louis with
reference TO the deiiyerance of the last genera
assembly on the inspiration of the Hol,
Scriptures Tie committee would recommend
the following:
This general assembly reafirms the deliver
ance of The last one hundred and fourth genera
assembly touching the Inspiration o.
the Holy Scriptures" and in % doins
declares that the said celiverance enun
ciates no new doctrine. but rather
interprets and gives expression to what has
ever been cherished and believed in as a funda
mental truth. and which is expressly laugh, il
our standards in these statements amons
Others.
The authority of the Holy Scriptures 70,
which 1t ought TO be believed and obevec
dependent not upon any man OF
church, but wholly upon God. who i.
truth itself. the au!hor thereof. and. therefore
1t Is to be received. because it is the word O,
God. Confession. chapter /. section a.
The Holy Ser pture OF the old and new ties
lament are tie word of God larger catecbism
question 81, and of infaliibie truth and Divin,
authority" Confession Isl.
This report was ordered TO he printed, and
thea the assembly adjourned until 7:3o thi
evening.
REDUCING PENSION PAYMENTS,