The morning call., 1893-05-19
1T Is THE WORD.
Every Line of the Bible
Inspired.
FAITH OF PRESBYTERIANS.
The General Assembly Gets Down
to Work and Elects a New
Moderator.
FAITH OF PRESBYTERIANs
Special to The MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, May 1S-The Presby.
terian General Assembly met in its one
hundred and fifth annual session in New
York Avenue Chzrch this morning. Tie
church was insufficient to contain the
throng which wished to witness the pro-
ceedings. Among the noticeable figures in
the assembly were Rev. DR.. Briggs of the
Union Theological Seminary, whose hear
ing on questions touching his orthodoxy
will again come up this session, and Rev.
Henry Preserved Smith of the Lane Theo-
logical Seminary. recently convicted of
heresy by the Cincinnati Presbytery. and
whose case has gone on appeal to the
Synod of Ohio.
At II o'clock Rev. DR.. w. C. Young,
moderator. took his seat on the platform,
accompanied by secretaries and clerks,
After singing, reading the Scriptures and
prayer. DR.. Young delivered the annual
sermon.
The most notable portion of the dis
course was that relating to the inerrancy
of the scriptures, and upon this subject
the doctor said: Our own beloved church
has again and again expressed the firm and
settled conviction that no discrimn alton
as to truthfulness can be made between
from beginning to end. from the opening
sentence in Genesis to the last verse in
Revelation. the Bible is the very word of
God. Of the same purpose. and this should
be conclusive; it is the clear, positive testi-
mony of Christ. From end TO end did he
place the seal Of his royal assent
upon the book. Upon no other theory of be-
lief can we, as it seems to me. claim divine
in ibe. perfect constitution for the
church. Ne apprehension should be felt
as TO the safety of the Bible. No possible
harm can befall it. TIE doubt is disloyalty
TO God; to fear is to sin. 1t courts the
most searching Investigation. 1t welcomes
the sharpest criticism. From the flaming
ordeal through which 1t is now passing it
will come forth as it has from all other
fiery tests, in its full integrity without so
much as smell OF fire about it, and when
the very names of those radical foreign
| rationalistic critics who are seeking to
| destroy its historical truthfulness, its per-
feet infallibility, with their widely her.
aided productions, shall have been buried in
the common oblivion. the Bible, the whole
| Bible, history. biography, prophecy and
doctrine, shall, by increasing millions of
believers. continue to be received, read and
priced above all earthly possessions as the
very work of Almighty God"
| At the afternoon session came the elee-
tion of moderator, nominations being made
as follows: Rev. DR.. Charles A. Dickey
| OF Philadelphia, Rev. George A. Baker of
| Philadelphia, kew. Willis G. Craig of Nc
Cormick University. Chicago. and Rev.
| Alexander Adair of Walla Walla presented
the name of Rev. Calvin W. Stewart, d. D.,
| of Washington, president of Whitworth
| College, first as home missionary. second
| as pastor and president OF q college COM
bined, and third as.entirelY free from any
ENHANCEMENT arising out of controversies
respecting Eastern educational institu-
| tions.
! During the nominations DR.. Dckey en-
deavored to get the floor and later he was
recognized and said: 'Mr. Moderator, I
win make what contribution I can to the
harmony of this body by withdrawing my
name. l know l am misunderstood, but
! If the Lord spares me through this assem-
| bly, l will try TO be understood better"
! Considerable objection was made to
granting the request, but finally the doctor
was permitted TO have his way.
| DR.. Stewart then withdrew his name and
ator. with Drs. Baker and Craig the only
candidates. The result of the ballot was
announced as follows: Craig 1924, Baker
! 1913, total 522.
The announcement was received with
slight applause and then the election was
made unanimous.
Moderator Craig's appearance was the
signal for vigorous handclapping. He was
introduced to the retiring moderator and
presented to the general assem- bly,. DIR.
Young spoke of the unusual pleasure 1t
gave him to welcome DR.. Craig, invoked
Gods blessing upon the labers of his sue
cessor and commended him to the good
graces and kindly forbearance of the as
sembly. DR.. Craig responded in few
words, expressing his profound thanks Tor
the confidence reposed in him.
DR.. Bartlett, pastor of the church, was
| introduced, and made an address of well
come.
J. I. Foster of Newark. N. J., presented
a resolution, which was unanimously
adopted, protesting against the opening of
the exposition at Chicago on the LORDS
day and appealing to the National Com
mssioGers to prevent the opening of the
exposition. and invoking the cooperation
of the national executive in the enforce
ment of all laws designed or calculated to
secure that end. The assembly then ad.
| journed until tomorrow.
This evening the ordinance Of the Lords
supper was administered to the Commits
sioners and the accompanying congrega-
ton, which again taxed the capacity of the
church.
|