Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-19

United States" while in another section the
title The General Assembly Of the Presby-
terrain Church in the United States of Amer
lea" II could not, he said, be argued that the
legislature was ignorant Of the legal title Of the
assembly. Assume. he said that the trustees
OF Princeton appoint A. B. as professor Of
Princeton and fix his salary. Then they 20
to the trustees Of the civil cor
poration and inform them of the ap-
pointment. Suppose the trustees Of the civil
corporation say they did not believe A. B. a fit
person for the place and decline to pay his
salary. Where was the power to compel the
payment?
What was the use Of the veto power in the
assembly If there was no power to enforce the
veto when announced? The assembly stood
before the world today as having twice
declared that certain professor in
certain seminary was not competent to fill the
chair, yet that professor continued to occupy
the chair and to teach in the seminary. Under
the compact Of 1870 it required the action OF
the board Of the seminary and the approval of the
assembly to make the election OF a professor COM
Plete. What was the use Of such an arrangement
II one OF the bodies to the compact had the
right to terminate it at any time. He instanced
tho supposed case of professor being dis
missed by the board and the chair being filled
by transfer OF some other professor whose
qualifications for that particular place had not
been passed upon. This and other practical
dimculties were likely to arise under the pres
ent arrangements.
Mr.. McDougall then discussed the matter of
control Of the property Of the seminaries. He
referred to the Importance OF the church main
tanning control OF the schools Of the prophets
In which her ministers are taught
EcCLEsIAsrIC MYSTERIES.
In this age Of ecclesiastical Mysteries, the
speaker remarked, some Of them, as they had
listened to the fears and mutterings of those
dominated by this eccesiastic hvsteria, Won
dered II this church. the grandest Of all the
types OF Christendom, had a future. The
speaker urged the necessity OF their providing
wisely for the support Of their institutions in
Should they not, he asked, profit BY expert
ence? Should they not learn Gods teachings
in the great object lessons Of the past? Should
they not see that their ministry Of the future
! received their training from teachers who re-
| ceived their direction from the great authority
of the church.
He said he felt the time had come in this
matter of theological seminaries that when for
any reason one employed q teacher became
unfit for performing his services the church
| should be able to dispense with his services
without splitting the business In two in trying
MIR. McDougalrs remarks created consider
able Of a sensation in the assembly, and at their
close they wore loudly applauded.
DIR. Roberts moved that the report be APP
proven ana prluteu.
| AN OBJECTION TO ITS APPROVAL.
Prof. Brown of Union Seminary said that the
report had been presented partly in printed
and partly in oral form. There was an ap-
pendix to it which had not been
submitted. BE suggested. therefore, that
before vote of approval was
given opportunity be given to members to in
spect the whole report. With that in view he
suggested either that time be set for discuss
ing the report or that the report be referred to
the standing committee on theological semi
naries.
DR.. Young. chairman Of the special commit
The moderator asked whether Prof. Brown
| tee, said the committee did not especially
desire vote of approval. It suggested only
that the committee should be continued
desired to have special hour set aside for con-
sidering the report
Prof. Brown said he would be satisfied if a
motion was carried commencing the commit
/ tee for its diligence and continuing it. He re-
marked that the committees report showed
| great diligence, and that 40 far 1t went it
| presented the matter very clearly.
Prof. Browns suggestion having been put in
the form OF a motion it was carried and the
committee was continued
THE JACKSONVILLE CHURCH.
The report Of the special committee on the
First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville was
read by DR.. Roberts. 1t stated that the debt of
the church had been entirely lifted. Dr.
Roberts said that he knew that behind these
contributions for this church lay LOYALTY to the
general assembly.
CHANCES IN COMMITTEES.
The moderator announced the addition of
Mr. David Jacks OF California to the committee
on home missions. He announced also that
Rev. Dr.. Gregg, who was appointed chairman
OF the committee on ministerial relief. was
called back to his home and was unable to serve
The moderator therefore appointed Rev. Dr.
Charles L. Thompson as chairman Of the COM
mittee.
The morning session ended at I2:4O and the
assembly was dismissed with prayer by Dr.
Dufield.
wOMAN'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
How This Important Branch Of Church
Work Originated.
How did the idea of q woman's executive
committee Of home missions Of the Presby-
terrain Church originate? Is the organization
success or failure? Home mission work may
be traced to the early part OF this century. 1t
then simply meant that the strong churches
gave financial aid or instruction to the weak
churches confined within the compass Of the
presoytery. Toward the middle Of the GEN.
fury greater interests were at stake, moro
serious questions arose-the Indians of the
north and west must be Christianized. There
was an inundation OF different nationalities
with their varied beliefs, many, alas, pagan.
The tide rolled in with appalling power. Was
America to become heather? What was to be
done? The churches. through the board of
home missions, organized churches, supplying
them with ministers, and for thirty years
blessed results were accomplished among the
Mormons, Mexicans and Indians. As the work
progressed new necessities sprung up Other
instrumentalities should be commanded A
different lever must be used-schools and
teachers. The day was at hand. The mil
lions of children must be educated; the chill
dren's mothers needed direction. The board
was not empowered, nor did 1t have money for
any work beyond its specific one of commits
sioning and supporting ordained ministers as
missionaries.
The question was q grave one, and was sub
mitted to the general assembly. This body
considered the matter judiciously. and an APP
peal was made to the Christian women Of the
Presbyterian Church. Thew answered this
appeal in 1878 by organizing the woman's
executive committee Of home missions. Thew
do not, and never have. assumed any work only
as directed by the board Of home missions, and
their disbursements are made through that
board. Their annual meeting is held at the
time Of the general assembly, and their report
submitted to that body.
WITH ABLE OFFICERS.
Mrs. Haines Of New Jersey was nobiy identi-