St. Paul daily globe., 1894-05-20
UNION OF PRESBYTERIANS.
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BRANCHES
MAY BE CONNECTED.
rHE SARATOGA ASSEMBLY,

Sends Greetings to Other
Churches Now in Session. The
Charters OF Theological Sem
fnaries Discussed. other Pro.
ceedings of the General As
senbly Now in Session.
SARATOGA, N. Y, May 19-The SUBJ
Ject or the proposed closer relations be-
tween the general assembly and the va
rions Presbyterian theological! semi
naries, with power of absolute control
over them on the part of the general
assembly, which was sprung upon the
commissioners near the close OF yester-
DAY afternoons session, has been the
subject of conversation and conference
ever since. When it was proposed to
make the discussion special order for
This afternoon, member of the board
OF directors of Mccormick seminary at
chicago objected very vigorously, say
ing that such all arrangement would cut
OIL many from taking part in the debate,
since they had been appointed to preach
III out-of-town pulpits. The final ar
rahgement provided for deferring to.
days regular order for 10 O'clock, SUBJ
stituting the two reports of the commit
tees which has been considered these
Important subjects for two years.
The adoption OF the minority report
simply would leave things where they
are, while the outcome of the majority
report would be renewed battle be-
tween the seminaries and the assembly,
Some of these institutions are already
upon the proposed basis. while others
are not. The success of the matter in
the long run must depend upon the grit
of the trustees and their readiness to
fight for their independent corporate
existence.
When the assembly met today it was
With the prospect of a hot and perhaps
ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE.
After the devotional service. led by
the moderator, miscellaneous business
was considered for half an hour. A re-
port came from the committee on 0ills,
and. overtures on reunion with the
Southern Presbyterian church. With
out discussion resolution was adopted
ny rising vote. and with applause,
providing OF the appointment of COM
mlttee OF nine to take i'll the whole
| question OF organization with that
church on the basis of the common
standard Of doctrines held by both
| bOJi
1he clerks were authorized to send
traternal greetings to other churches,
now i'll session. the Southern PreSby-
terlan church at Nashville. the Cum.
berland church at Eugene, Or, and
the United Presbyterian church at
Albany, Or. Elder John j. McCook,
OF New York, was appointed vice mod
orator, new departure in the practice
of the assembly.
was opened by DR.. William Z. Young,
| chairman of the committee. He began
| by speaking OF the wide import of the
question, suggesting that the agitation
OF the past two or three years had been
! prOvldential and was intended to lead
to careful examination of the methods
| heretofore i'll vogue, and the substitu-
| tlon OF a better system. The speaker
then went on 10 review the work of the
majority report, claiming to have given
| the widest liberty 10 the seminaries,
and to have still secured the right to the
assembly to direct and cOItTOl them,
with full power
TO ENFokCE ANY RIGHTS
that may he obtained. Principles of
the reportWsre declared to be reasonable
and moderate.
The legal questions involved in the
new proposals of the committee were
discussed by Thomas MacDougall, of
Cincinnati. He took for his text the
first recommendation of the committee,
that each aud all of the Seminares of
this church be required to secure, at tue
earliest moment practicable. such
in thuir oh
ments thereto as will provide for the
assembly's control that is desired to be
secured"
Seinlnaries, Mr.. MacDougall said. are
civil corporations which come to the
Presbyterian church saying that they
wish the patronage, approval and busi-
ness of the church in educating minis
tiers. There is therefore no reason why
the church may not prescribe the terms
upon which they may be received.
Dr. William E. Moore, permanent
clerk OF the assembly, followed, explain
ing the report of the minority.
The original appointment of the COM
mittee had nothing to do with the prop
ertM OF the seminaries, but only with the
regulation OF the teaching forces.
Previous decisions of the assembly
have been FROM beginning in a line quite
the opposite of that now proposed,
Synods and presbyteries have the power
10 establish Summaries, and the presby-
teries have the right of original juris-
diction over their members and profess
sOrS.
IN THE ASSEMBLY
there Is power of visitation and the
right to remove causes of complaint.
The assembly has also power of Ere
view and CONTROL" upon sufficient in.
formation. and may thus also remove
abuses. The minority does not wish to
bring in the civil power when its own
power is sufficient to meet the leuuire.
ments of the case.
Further consideration of the subject
was postponed till Monday at 10 a. m.
After adopting the recommendations of
the committee on ministerial relief. the
assembly adjourned until O'Clock Mon
day. A report from the judicial COM
mittee, which has the Smith case in
hand, has been set for 1890 today, but
at the last moment it was deferred till
next week.