Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-18
THE ASSEMBLY,
The Great Presbyterian
Gathering Opened.
A SERMON APPLAUDED.
The Moderator's Utterances on a
Burning Issue.
THE MERRANCY OF THE BIBLE.
Scenes and Incidents Of the First
Days Session.
THE CASE OFDR. RIGGS

The body which met in the New York Avenue
Church today bids fair to become historic. 1t
was the one hundred and fifth general assem-
bly, Of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States Of America Tho ePresbyterians through
out the country and, in fact, all christendom,
will watch its deliberations with more than
ordinary interest. Questions are expected
to come up whose decision may have
decided influence in the church,
if not in all professionalism. These
are questions on which there has been
much controversy. Some maintain that the
teachings Of DIR. Briggs if unrebuked by the
general assembly mean a new theology, and
that the old and the new cannot exist together
in the same church. On1 or the other must
go. On the other hand tn te are eminent divines,
even among those who do not indorse DR..
Briggs views who believe that they can consist
emily tolerate DR.. Briggs views and give
scope within the church for freedom of
thought and utterance. 1t was partly such
a sentiment that led to the acquittal of Dr.
Briggs by the New York presbytery. from which
the case comes to this body on appeal. There
are other questions more or less connected with
what is called the Briggs movement to come up.
Then there are besides. OF course, the usual
business Of the general assembly, with all its
vast interest, the care Of seminaries, tho pro-
motion OF missions and the guarding Of the
faith in every direction. So with such i'm
portant matters to consider it is no wonder that
the presbyteries throughout the land has sent
as its commissioners ministers and laymen
chosen fre.n among their best men. The
present gathering is representative Of the
learning, the eloquence and the vigor Of the
great Presbyterian Church. 1t is church
which has at periods of existence had to fight.
1t is a church not afraid Of fight, and when
its strong men take hold Of the questions pre-
sented to them it is not likely that they will
hesitate in doing whatever they believe to be
their duty.
WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Is
Tho general assembly is q representative
body. 1t is composed Of commissioners or del
egates elected bv the different presbyteries, also
delegated bodies. The latter includes all Pres
byterian churches within a fixed area For ex-
ample, the territory Of the presbytery Of Wash
ington city comprises the District Of Columbia
and contiguous sections in Virginia and Mary
land. Each church within the confines of a
presbytery is represented in that body by the
minister and one Of the ruling elders. The
presbyteries are entitled to representation in
the general assembly of a minister and one
elder for every twenty-four ministers and a
| similar representation for every additional
twenty-four The large presbvteries have more
representat,yes than the small ones The 025
presbyteries COMPOSING. the Presbv terian
Church in the limited States of Americo send
5S6 commissioners to tbe assembiv These
commissioners represent a BODY Of church
mnnhers nnmherinc neorIv o0o mn to tba
non-communicants are counted the constitu-
ency will be found 20 be much larger In addi-