The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-05-25
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT SESSION CONVENED IN
WASHINGTON YESTERDAY.
DR.. Briggs and the Members Of thu Prose.
cutting Committee the Center of Aurac-
tion-The Pews Of President Lin
coin Placed In the Old Church.

WASHINGTON, May 19.-This city
today for the first time in the history
and the first time in Al years, is enter.
tanning the general assembly OF the
Presbyterian church in the United
states. In the historic New York
Avenue church this morning every
nook and corner was filled. On the
main floor were seated commissioners
and 9TH RS having business in con-
nection with the assembly. On the
platform were officers. Doubtless
most prominent IN the gathering to-
day were DR.. Briggs and those con
nected with the famous Briggs case
in it's trial before the New York Pres
bytery, appeal from which ju ig nent
has been taken to the general assem-
bly,. Dividing with this combination
the attention of the spectators were
members of the committee who prose.
cuted Professor Briggs before the Pres
bytery. Almost equally pr0mlneat
with Prof. Charles Briggs was Rev.
DR.. Henry Smith, recently tried on
charges similar to those made against
PROF. Biggs. The literary lights of the
church, too, shone in full measure
upon the assembly. ,Colored Presby-
terians also sprinkled about over tue
church, while old and young were
represented by Rev. Luther ii. An
gier of Boston, the oldSst living gradu
ate of the Union Theological semi
nary, and Rev. w. HI. Cernant, the
youngest member and comm ssioner
from spokane Falls, Wash.
While the commissioners were gath
ering the galleries and corridors we've
filled to OVERLOOKING They found
much to engage their interest in the
church itself. Almost the first object
in the church to strike the eye Upon
entering Is the black walnut pew ON
the nCrth eide of the center aisle, the
only one of that color in the room, all
others being of oak. 1t is the pew
which President Lincoln occu led
when in attendance, ana was re-
placed in anticipation of this meeting
of the assembly.
Promptly at IL o'clock Rev. DR. w.
G.. Young, moderator, appeared GA
the pulpit platform and took his seat,
accompanied by o. w. H. Roberts Of
Cincinnati; Stated Clerk, w. f
Moore of Columbus; Permanent Clerk,
John L. Smith of Baltimore; Modera-
tor Centennial Assembly, Charles Z.
Thompson of New Yord; w. G. Rob.
erts, secretary board of home mis-
sions. and Herrick johnson of Chica-
go; ex-Justice William Strong;
ex. Governor Beaver of Penn
sylvania; Reverends ID. VIM. Alvin
Bartlett, pastor New York
avenue church, and Tunis 3. Hamllin,
Byron Sunderland and s. V. Holmes
of the local presbyterian clergy. DR..
Bartlett announced the hour for the
beginning of the service had arrived,
and after preliminary exercises the
annual sermon was delivered by DR..
Young. At the close of the sermon
DIR. Young stated the assembly would
be instituted with prayer, which he
offered. DR.. Bartlett, chairman OF the
committee of arrangements, stated
the hours of meeting and other
matters of detail in relation thereto.
After agreeing to a recess until pm
Rev. Charles Il .Thomps IN pronounced
the benediction and the congregation
dispersed.
At the afternoon session came the
election of moderator. The nomina.
tions were Revs Dicky and Baker of
Philadelphia, Craig of Chicago and
Stewart of Washington. Rev. Craig
was elected on first ballot.
DIR. Bartlett made an address Of
welcome.
A resolution was unanimously
adopted protesting against thu open.
ing of the Columbian exposition on
the Lords day. Adjourned.
This evening the ordinance of the
Lords supper was administered to
the commissioners and the accompa.