The National tribune., 1893-05-25
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

One Hundred and Fifth Annual Session of
the Presbyterian Church in the United
States.
For the first time in IL years and the second
time in the city's history the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church is enjoying the
hospitality of Washington, for the 105th annual
session opened last Thursday in the historical
New York Avenue Church. The present AS
sembly meets under the shadow of the two great
questions-creed revision aud the Briggs ques-
ton.
The central figure in the Assembly in point
of interest, at least, was Prof. Briggs, aggressive
and confident OF his prominent supporters
there were Revs. Francis Bowen, of Union
Theological Seminary; George ID. Alexander,
George L. Spinning and Chas. L. Thompson,
all commissioned from New York Presbytery.
Dividing interest with the New York " hereto ="
was Rev. Henry Preserved Smith, of Cincin-
natl, the Professor of Lane Seminary, convicted
of I'M Presby terrain teachings.
Other notable divines are: Rev. w. II.
Roberts, of Cincinnati, the Stated Clerk; w.
i. Moore, of Columbus, Permanent Clerk /;
Joseph I. Smith, of Baltimore, Moderator OF
the Centennial Assembly; Charles l.. Thomp-
son, of New York; w. G. Roberts, Secretary of
Board of Home Missions; DR.. Herrick john
son, of Mccormick Seminary, of Chicago; Rev.
DR.. ]. Aspinwall Hodge, of Hartford, Conn;
Rev. R. NJ. Patterson, of Philadelphia, Editor
of the Presbyterian Journal. Ex-Justice Will
liam Strong and exGov. Beaver, of Pennsyl-
vania, are prominent among the laymen
present.
When at II o'clock Rev. DR.. William A. Bart
lett, pastor of the church. called the notable
gathering to order for the preliminary service,
floor and galleries were packed with Commits
siOners to the Assembly and host of interested
auditors. The annual sermon, by Rev. DIR.
Young, was vigorous address, in which he re-
ferred to Prof. Briggs and colleagues as those
radical foreign rationalistic critics who are
seeking to destroy its THE Biblel historical
trutbfulness its perfect infallibility."
The Assembly's choice for Moderator fell
upon Rev. DR.. Willis G. Craig, of Mccormick
Seminary, Chicago Resolutions were passed
protesting against the opening of the Worlds
Fair on Sundays
At the next days session DR.. A. d. Randolph,
New York, presented the report of the Com
mittee on The Church at Home and Abroad"
which showed a gratifying condition of af
fairs
DR.. Duncan, of Louisiana a minister OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church, was introduced
and made an address, in which he dwelt on
the subject of the proposed union of the Episco-
pal and Presbyterian Churches His express
sion of the hope that before long there would
be but one body where there are now two was
loudly applauded
DIR. William Henry Roberts, Of Cincinnati,
was appointed Vice Moderator.
discussion arose over the report on the de-
gree of authority which the Church possessed
over theological seminaries. Elder McDougal,
Cincinnati, made lengthy speech presenting
the legal aspects of the question. urging the
necessity for some action by the Assembly to-
ward securing a more effective control over
both property and teachings of the semnaries,
and showing that it was costing over 100000
year to provide the Church with only 200
graduates.
President and Mrs. Cleveland received the
Commissioners of the General Assembly in the
afternoon. Rev. DIR. Craig made felicitous
discourse to Mr.. Cleveland, which was replied
to heartily.
On Saturday the Commissioners devoted
most of the day to visit to Mount Vernon.
On Sunday the pulpits of Washington's
Presbyterian churches were filled with new
preachers The attendance upon the various
places of worship was of course generally
greater than the capacity of the house could
accommodate aud hundreds were turned away.
Before the end of this week the Briggs sensa-
ton will have been projected into the meet
ings The case comes to the General Assembly
upon the appeal of the prosecuting committee
from the judgment of New York Presbytery,
which acquitted Prof Briggs. 1t is for the
Assembly to determine whether it will hear
the questions involved.