The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-05-23
NoRTHEKN PEEsBYrER1ANs
First Convention i'll Eorty-one Xears-The
Proceedings of the tonvention.

FIRST convention III EOrty-oDe 1ears-The
Proceedings OF the Invention.
Washington, May 1S.-This city today,
the second time i'll its history, and the first
time III torty-one years, Is entertaining the
general assembly of the Presbyterian
church III the United States. The body
than convened in 1OJth annual session
was a strikingly different one from that
which met III the Fourth Presbyterian
church in 1852; as widely different as the
conditions OF today are from those of that
date That Was about midway OF the period
during which The church was divided in
other and new school factions, and the as
sembly of 1852 was of the new school only.
An the churches in this city, with one eX-
ceptiOn. then belonged to the new school
branch. That was the organization out OF
which grew New York avenue church, the
host of 1898. DR.. Albert Barnes, who has
been called the foTerunner Of Professor
Briggs, being considered as unOrthOdOX IN
his day upon the question of atOnement, as
is the latter upon the question OF the lner-
rancy and inspiration of the scriptures, was
the moderator of the former assembly ne
preached Il sermon entitled Our Position,
containing references to slavery, which gave
great offenSe to the southern delegates.
But there were no burning issues before the
assembly and its sessions passed oil peaceful
" and quietly.
full measure upon the assembly. There
were. besides those mentioned, Professor j.
T. Randall. of the Latin department.
lincoln university: Rev. !. Aspinwall
Hodge DID. of Hartford, Conn, author
of ''What is the PRESBYTERIAN LawW elect
ed recently TO the chair of English version
of the Bible. which appointment the gen
eral assembly will be asked to confirm r.
NJ. Patterson. editor of the Presbyterian
Journal of Philadelphia, and author of
the famous Portland Inerrancy Deliver
auce.' an attack upon Professor Briggs $
teachings; Z. j. Whalen, editor of The
Herald and Presbyter. Cincinnati; DR..
Henry Johnson. of CErmick theological
seminary, at the head of the delegation
from the Chicago preSbytery; J. Preserved
Smith and DIR. Mcclure.
While the commissioners were gathering
the galleries and corridors were filled to
overlooking long before the hour fixed for
the opening of the assembly They found
much to engage their interest in the church
itself New York avenue is eminent among
places of worship in the union as having
among its pew holders several presidents
of the United States. rs well as the ability
of the pastors. Almost the first object in
the church to strike the eye upon entering is
black walnut pew on the north side of the
center aisle, the only one of that color in
the room. all the others being oak 1t is the
pew which President Lincoln occupied when
in attendance. and is replaced in anticipa-
ton of this meeting of the assembly.
North ern Presbvteri ans on the President
Washington. May 19.-After the discus
sion of some important business in the morn
Ing session of the Presbyterian general as
Rembly recess was taken until o'clock
At the afternoon session a resolution was
adopted authorizing Il committee to invite
President Cleveland TO visit the assembly
at his convenience.
Without action upon various reports the
general assembly adjourned until tomorrow
morning and proceeded to call in a body a.
the white house.
The president and Mrs. Cleveland received
The commissioners and visitors to the as
sembly in the east room. Mrs Cleveland
wore a gray gown of soft clnging materia
trimmed with black velvet and looked tn,
embodiment of good health.
DR.. Craig, moderator. was presented II
the president by. DIR. Bartlett. chairman O.
the committee of arrangements, and made {