The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-20
A Report Is Submitted on Its Rela-
tions to the Theological
Seminaries.
The Members Visit the White
House to Pay Their
Respects.
Constitution Of tho I'm portant Com m ittes
Which viii Have to DO With
the Briggs Case.


ment OF a committee to formulate an ex-
preston Of opinion ON the Chinese
exclusion act as il effects foreign mis-
sionary work. Rev. Dr.. Duncan. OF the
Episcopal church, was introduced. He is a
member Of the joint committee on church
unity. He said the committee had been in
session two days. There were four points
tho Episcopal church deemed essential to
assist the union. On three of these they
practically agreed. and the fourth involved
largely difference in terms. He prophe-
sled unity in the not distant future. After
routine business was disposed of Ex-Mod-
orator Young projected into the proceed
inRs the first of the important questions be-
fore the assembly, the report of tho COM
mittee upon the relations Of the assembly
and the theological seminariee. The Oom-
mittee says it was evidenced at the time of
tho formation Of the first theological sem
mary of the Presbyterian church, that
IL was the purpose of the church
to maintain direct and complete
control by its general assembly
of the teachings and property of its theo-
logical seminaries. As the church grew in
numbers with the growth Of the country.
seminaries and schools were formed. some
of them on substantially tho same plan as
Princeton. The seminaries organized sub
stantially under this plan were Princeton,
Western, Mccormick. Danville and Omaha.
Other seminaries organized under different
plans, become connected with tho church.
Union and Lane were typicnl of the one
class, Auburn and San Francisco of the
other class. While Union and Lane were
regarded as in connection with the Presby-
terian church. the church has no control of
any kind over the teaching or property of
these seminaries and can afford donors of
funds to them no protection in the matter
of apply ing their gifts to the purposes for
which they were made. Auburn is con.
trolled by certain presbyteries and San
Francisco by certain synods. The commit
tee says il came to no conclusion as to
what method should be adopted by the
church either by securing more effective
control over the property and teachings of
existing semtnaries. or securing control Of
the teachings and property Of future sem
inaries.
Elder Thomas McDougall, of Cincinnati.
who largely drafted the report, said he be-
lieved the time had come. In the matter Of
control of theological seminaries, when
the genius of the Presby terian church
should be at least equal to the executive
ability displayed In ordinary business. and
pose at specific salary should for any
reason become unfit to discharge his
duties. way might be found to dispense
with his ssrvioss without splitting up the
church. LApplause. The report was ap-
proved and the committee ON continued.
spe cial committee Of judicial commits
sions, reported in favor of sending over
lures down to the Presbyterians for 4
change in chapter 13. section 1l8. so as to
provide that the general assembly of each
SYNOD and presbytery shall have power TO
appoint judicial commissions from their
J respective bodies in numbers not less than
eighteen from a general assembly, twelve
from any synod and seven from any pres-
bysery; all judicial cases to be sub,
mitted to such commissions and
their decisions to be subject to
except in matter OF law, which shall be
referred to the appointing iudiciatory TO,
ediud dication; and also all matters of con-
stltutlon and doctrine may be reviewed in
the appointing body and by the superio,
iudiclatory. The assembly adopted the
report and ordered the oversures sem
down.
Rev. DR.. Smith. chair man of the commit
tee of church unity, reported it had beer
deemed best to drop for ths present dis
oussion of the difference between the two
churches. and leaving to the future th'
, desired. Correspondents between th'
} committee and the Episcopal commission
In the past year was read TO the great in
| te' est of the assembly.
Rev Charles l.. Thompson. chairman o
. the committee on co-operation with othe
/ established in field fully occupied anc
Z properly cared for by an evangelical organ
ization.
Without action upon reports the gen
eral assembly adjourned till Tomorrow
, morning and proceeded in body to call a
! the White house. President and Mrs
Q Cleveland received the visitors III the es 8
: room. DIR. Craig, the moderator. was pre-
sented to tho president by DIR. Bartlett
chairman OF the committee of arrange
!; monts. and made brief address, closin,
! with an invitation to tho president TO at
tend the assembly; President Gievslsn' Ss
me much personal qualification to meet oil
this occasion the representatives. Of tina
great religious denomination which did b
4 much to make our people better and hap
pier, and which 10 associated with SO man
: sender and pleasing incidents OF my indi
vidusl experience. We still profess to be
Christian people. This means that publ
officers Of high or low degree should not b
1 upmindful of the restraints OF religion
4 sentiment. 1t means the religious teachin
+. of our psople should lead them &
exact from those who make and execute tn
: laws, the recognition of these restraints
! You. therefore. will, l hope. permit me Il
say, though you do we'll to insist upon
: conscien tious discharge of official obliRs
tions. and though you ought never 10 shriul
:, from an exposure of official shortcomings
4 the contribution you owe towards accom-
plishinR good government will not be full
| III O.,
ccpt and example. that thew will find nafet
and welfare in enforcing upon public Scr
wants and observance of the mandates o
Christianity aud morality" The visitor
were presented by namo TO the presiden
d and Mrs. Cleveland and then strolle
Z Ahsnnnh ha ~