Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27

The Episcopal High Church, he said. was
nothing more or less than a back door to Rome
This state Of affairs was a barrier to Christian
unity In Its full sense, for thew could
not afford to enter into relations with
church whose trend was Romeward
the principles for which their church had al
ways struggled to maintain. This fidelity to a
sacred trust was all the more imperative at the
present time when Rome was finding
tirmer foothold on shores,
Dr. Holiield urged the impossibi.itv of n
union of two forces so strongly opposed at
some points. He referred to the ''conrtship"
that was going on between the two great
churches and spoke of the Episcopal Church as
the maiden. .'because." he said. ',of her smaller
size and her love of dress
DR.. Hoi!ifield had to stop because ii O'Clock
had arrived and the regular order for that hour
was the report Of the committee on church
polity.
DIR. BOOTHS PROTEST.
DR.. R. r. Booth of New York, however. in
sisted on being heard. He said he wanted and
there were others who wanted to publicly ex-
press regret for this assault upon a body of
Christians who were doing God work; TO pro-
test in the name OF Christian brotherhood, in
the name of honor against this attack
upon a church which. with ali its changes, its
faults and its variations from their views, was a
church Of Jesus Christ. He moved that five
minutes be given for this purpose.
DIR. Hollitield seconded the motion and it
was carried.
DR.. Booth said that he was one of the Oldest
members in the church. He had fellowship
with ministers OF other denominations. lie
had never had sweeter fellowship than with his
brethren OF the Episcopal CharCh. While there
war not il his blood drop thar was not Pres
bYterisn, he Denounced as unchristian this
attack on the Episcopal Church under guise Of
this report.
DR.. Hollifeld said he had not reflected upon
the Christian character of the Episcopal Church
or any of its members.
A motion made bv a member to defer the
matter was carried.
The Geary Act and the Missionaries.
The moderator introduced to the assembly
Rev. DR.. Bryson, a representative from the
southern assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
the commissioners rising to their feet
to receive him. The moderator stated
that DIR. Eryson had been sent by the
southern assembly to the President of the
United States relative to the Geary act, and be
desired the appointment OF representatives from
this body to cooperate with him.
DIR. Bryson then spoke and said that he had
come at this time because his brethren in for
eign lands were in danger. As soon as the
Chinese were sent out of this country the storm
would burst. 1t would break out in Corea and
recommended that prayer be made to God at
this time.
JUDGE CUTcHEoNs REPORT.
Judge Cutcheon OF Detroit made a supple
mental report for the committee on the Chinese
exclusion act on the resolutions submitted by
Rev. Mr.. Reed of China and also communi-
cation from the presbytery of Shanghai, China,
and from Mr.. j. Z. Peck.
He stated that this morning Rev. DIR. Bry-
son, who had just spoken, heard the report
prepared by the committee on the Geary act,
and he expressed dissatisfaction with 1t.
Judge Cutcheon then read the report which
recited briefly the proceedings to test the con-
stitutionaity of the law before the Supreme
Court. There was no legal question relative to
this act LETT for the committee TO consider
But the committee believed that the assembly
could express an opinion. and a resolution was
read deprecating such law unworthy of our
nation and modern civilization. and that it
would prove injurious to our commercial re.a-
tons.
1t Was further recommended that all future
laws be framed in the spirit OF justice to the
Chinese. and that copy of the resolutions be
sent to both houses of Congress.
The resolutions were adopted.
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
The assembly decided to appoint committee
to cooperate with the representatives from the
southern assembly. This committee was ap-
pointed by the moderator. the assembly direct
ing that the moderator be the chairman of such
committee. The committee as announced is
as follows: Rev. DR.. Craig. Judge Cu-cheon.
Rev. DR.. Brooks. Rev. Or. ketcham and Presi-
dent Warteid OF Lafayette College.
Church Polity.
DR.. Harsha, chairman Of the committee on
church politv. then presented a report on the
overtures referred othat committee number
% xha~, h.x-, Il H.
duties Of prosecuting committees.
An overture from Cedar Rapids. proposing
An amendment TO the book of government al
lowing churches to elect as ruling elders minis
tiers who were without charges the committee
recommended be answered in the negative.
In reference TO an overture from Utica ask
ing an amendment to the form OF government
SO as to omit the requirement TO Latin
exegesis the committee recommended that 1t
be answered in the negative. presbyteries
were already at liberty to omit that require
ment in their discretion.
An overture from Chicago. proposing amend
ments in the matter of appeals and authority
of prosecuting committee, the committee rec
commended be answered in the negative. deem
ing it inadvisabe TO propose changes in the
book in these particulars.
A number OF oyertures from different pres
byseries, asking for amendments providing that
III cases of &C Qui;tal the members of the prose-
cutting committee De 10 the reilef
afforded them by the right of Complaint was
reported in the negative.
Ar~'"ar overture asking the assembly to
amend ,ue book OF discipline SO as to prevent
public prosecutors from taking appeals in cases
OF acquittal was reported in the negative as the
assembly cannot make amendments.
DUTIES OF PROSECUTING COMMITTEES
Overtures proposing revision of the book
defining the duties Of the prosecuting commit
tee were reported adversely.
Dr. Niccolls said he believed that such a re-
vision was required He thought that il was
bad law when a prosecuting committee was
greater than presbytery. Il synod or even
general assembly. and could continue to
live until it could get such a verdict as it
wanted. Ee did not believe that that was good
law. and he trusted that consideration be given
to the proposed amendments.
Mr.. Eldaiy said that this provision Of the
book was the Only way to protect the rights of
the Presbyterian Cndrch in the presbvter;ss
DIR. Harsha explained that one reason the
committee had Cox recommending the rejection
of the overture was that at this time of excite
ment or this question it was not wise to move
any amendment
The recommendations of the committee were
adopted.
Several overtures relating to minor changes
in the books as explained BY the chairman
were reported adversely and the recommends
ton WAS adopted
Another oyerfuro