The record-union., 1893-05-23
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

opGCldI 10 JIl6 1ECONB-ONION-
WASHINGTON, May 22-The Presby-
terian General Assembly opened with de-
votionai'exercises. Bills and overtures
were then distributed to the committees,
after which the report of the Special Com
mittee on Sabbath Observance, of which
the late Colonel Elliott +. Shepard was
Chairman, was read by his private secre-
tary. The report recIted the successful
efforts of the committee in securing the
Sunday Worlds Fair closing clause in
the Congressional Appropriation Act;
recommended the adoption of resolutions
of regret at the death of Colonel Shepard,
and of expressions of gratitude for the
success of the effort to secure national
sanction for the Worlds Fair closing; de-
clared that any attempt hereafter to open
the gates on Sundays would be a gross
affront to Christian conscience and a
fragrant breach of faith; that, in view of
the action of the local directory favoring
the opening of the grounds, the impor-
tance of urging on the people to stand by
their conscience, at whatever sacrifice of
personal profit or pleasure, is apparent,
and pointed out that now is a good time
for the formation of associations to pro-
tect the weekly day of rest, and recon-
mended the distribution of Sabbath liter
ature at the Worlds Fair.
When the order of bills and overtures
was reached there was a short, sharp
struggle over the matter of the reference
of the overtures in the Briggs case.
There was considerable misunderstand-
;v..-
the end all the Briggs overtures were re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
The Board of Missions among Freed
men reported and recommended $3.50, 900
for work and 100000 for the Biddle Uni
versity. Accepted.
The Moderator then announced the
standing committees. Among the Chair
men of synods are: California, Harry S.
Jordan; Oregon, Henry G.. Pollock.
Utah, Louis K. Foote; Washington, Jas.
n. McDifford.
Then there was another outbreak in the
Briggs case. DR.. Young stated that the
overtures from Chicago and Detroit had
been found to have no reference to the
Briggs case, and insisted that they be
sent to the Committee on Church Polity
He moved to so amend. There was
season of hot talk then, but the amend
ment was beaten, and the overtures went
to the committee.
A recess was taken at noon, during
which the Commissioners were photo
graphed in group.
At the afternoon session, the report of
the Committee on Sabbath Observance,
coming up for consideration, President
Warfield of Lafayette College proposed
an additional recommendation, that the
third Sunday in June be set apart as
day when sermons be preached in all
churches and prayers be offered in behalf
of the effort to keep the gates of the
Worlds Fair closed.
Rev. Mr.. McCauley of Dayton, O., Of
fered another addition, to wit: That in
case the Sunday-closing rule be violated,
be removed.
Several recommendations, together
with these, were adopted.
In the course of the discussion Rev. w.
S. Jerome of Pontiac, Mich, opposed
the removal of the Presbyterian exhibit
in case the Sunday closing law is violated.
He opposed it for the reason that ii the
the fair is kept open on Sunday there is
all the more reason why the exhibit
should be where the people could see
something good.
Mr. Jerome was overwhelmingly in the
minority, he and Rev. L. B. Rennick of
Geneva, n. J., being the only two against
withdrawal.
The report of the Committee on Educa-
ton was presented by Rev. Thomas D.
| Ewing of Corning, Iowa. He com
mended the work Of the board, and asked
for $3.50, 900 for the work next year. The
board is now comparatively out of debt.
the amount being reduced from s., 900 to
5000.
DIR. Poor said that in the past six years
the Presbyterian denomination was com
PEELED to draw on other denominations
for $50 ministers to do its work.
| An appeal for money to carry on the
work of educating young men for the
ministry was supplemented by President
| Warfield of Lafayette College, who de-
nounced as a shame and reproach the
attitude Of the church toward young men
who desire to prepare for its ministry,
who have not funds themselves to secure
! education.
Elder Davis Jacks of Monterey, Cal.
closed the discussion with the suggestion
that he would give 800 toward wiping
| out the 5000 debt of the board still re-
naming [applausel, and if suitable
man was secured to talk money out of
mems pockets for the education of young
men, instead of 81, 900 year from Captain
Jacks, the cause might get from S25, 600 to
$40, coo, and he would pay 500 a year to-
ward paying the right man. [Great ap-
! plause.
! The recommendations of the committee
were adopted.
An overture from the Presbytery of St.
| Ciairsville, asking the Board of Educa-
/ ton to lend money to candidates who pre-
! fer to borrow rather than accept a gift.
was reported with a favorable recon-
mendation. The maximum amount to be
/ loaned is $50 per annum.
The recommendation was adopted.
! Rev. Mr.. Reed of the North China
| Presbytery presented resolutions, which
were referred to the Committee on the
| Chinese Exclusion Act, expressing deep
gratitude for the favor extended mission
aries and their work in China by the
! Chinese authorities, and for settlement
! of the difficulties which exist, especially