St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-23

SARATOGA. Y. Y, May 22.-The de-
votlonal service ut the opening of the
Presbyterian general assembly was de-
voted to the subject of home missions.
The committee on bills and eyertureS
presented 4 partial report. An overture
had been received from the presbytery
OF New Albany asking the general as
Sembly to memorabilia congress to enact
such regulations with the personal life
Df their members as will prevent the
presence in the national councils of
men of mineral and dissolute habits.
The recommendation that no action be
taken upon the subject was adopted by
small vote. but without opposition.
The preSbytery of Rochester had over
tured the assembly saying that it views
with apprehension the attempt of the
general assembly to make new dein-
tIonS of dogma by deliverance and by
judicial decision" and expressing the
view that "no doctrinal statement which
is not explicitly contained in the con-
fesSion of faith and catechisms of the
church is binding on our office bear
ers."
In reply the following action was
taken: The general assembly has
never undertaken to make new detin-
itionS of dogma, either by deIiverance
or
JUDICIAL DECISION,
and we hope that this declaration OF
former assemblies. repeated by this
general assembly, will allay the appre-
hension of our worthy brethren of this
presbytery."
DR.. Lowry, chairman of the committee
OIL confession, with a resolution on proof
tests, got the floor, but he was unable
10 accomplish the adoption of his recon-
mendation, OH account of a difference
or opinion as to the "best printed text Of
the English Bible"
The committee desired either the best
English edition. or the best edition of
the American Bible society. An impet-
uouS member wished to have the Amer
lean edition of 1SSl-S5 adopted, and the
discussion which followed caused the
whole matter to go over as unfinished
business.
DR.. Brown. of Portland. chairman of
the committee Oh home missions, then
prese nted areport on that subject. The
audience was large and appreciative
and the galleries full. He spoke with
emphasis and spirit, paying special
compliment to the work of the women
OF the church. Concluding, he said that
the church must raise 81. 23S, 341 40 dur
Slg the coming year in order to pay the
.Aesent
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE BOARD
and 10 enable 1t to prosecute its work
for the twelve months. During the
year 1906, 600 nave been received, while
debt of nearly 1855. 900 is reported. due
10 falling off in legacies. The women's
missionary societies have contributed
SOS. 0O0 Under commission from the
board are 1,S21 ministers and 36S teach
erS.
The speech of the secretary, repre-
sent.ng the board, was made by DE-.
Duncan J. Mcmillan. of New York.
Discussion BY the members of the as
sembly continued during most Of the
remainder of the session.
Opposition to the projected ew build
ing OF the home and foreign mission
boards. Which is to be erected In New
York at cost of nearly $780, 900, was
made by Elder McDougall, Of Cincin-
natl. The subject will be specially con-
sldered by the general assembly at 10
O'Clock Saturday.
SEMINARY CONTROL. SETTLED.
The question of the theological SEM
mary control. so far as the general as
Sembly OF the Presbyterian church is
concerned, is settled. BY vote of al
most to the report of the majority
OF the committee that considered the
matter was adopted today. The report.
which was given in full on Friday night
last In the account OF the proceedings
OF The assembly sent out by the Asso-
ciated Press, provides for gaining the
power and right to approve the an
poiutments OF professors and directors,
and asks the directors of the seminaries
to ceclare trust in favor of the Pres
byterlan church, which the general
assembly may enforce in the civil
courts. at the SAME time, a committee
IS provided which shall confer and ad-
wise with the Seminaries and seek to
gain their consent to the proposed plan.
Ihe report was put through the as
selnoly III spite or urgent requests for
delay, and in the face of protests from
those who desired that the church and
the institutions affected might be con-
suited. The eX-moderator, DR.. Craig.
and the chairman of the committee, DR..
Young, were on the platform, and MIR.
McDougal, the legal adviser of the com.
mittee, was directly in front of the
moderator, watching the progress of
the debate very keenIy and
INTERPRETING QUESTIONS,
10 the confusion OF speakers on the
other Side. BY the intervention of a
motion to adjourn yesterday there had
been no time set for taking the vote,
mus leaving the time OF speakers ull-
limited. Not till late in the afternoon
then only after special suggestion
from the platform. Earnest advocates
OF the majority report volunteered sug-
gestlons to the assembly as to what it
should 40 to accomplish a given pur-
pose, Without the formality of address,
ing the moderator. At one point the
moderator protested that his was
dlfficult post, with twenty of you fell
lows calling to me at once"
The scenes OF confusion were not
equal TO those OF yesterday, but they
were marked. An episode, during
which he was accused of foreshadowing
tine action for the assembly to make
was concluded by all explanation that
failed to explain. The speaker said in
closing, that he gave notice of a protest
against the action of the assembly. A
voice from the floor called: "Out of
order. No action has been taken"
The moderator remarked: He'll be in
order presently" and explained after
ward that he meant that the speaker
would have taken his seat and SO be in
order. The fact was elected that the
boards of directors of the seminaries at
Princeton and Allegheny had expressed
IN! Inc desire that no changes be made.
ms ieil upon unwilling ears, and had
small effect upon the vote. Mccormick
seminary at Chicago and DanyiIle semi
nary are already upon
THE PROPOSED BASIS
ana VIII nave to make no change in
their charters. The senaratinn of Iinian