Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-22
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Resumption of the Theological Semi
nary Debate.


nary Debate.
In the debate on theological seminary
control yesterday at Saratoga by the gen.
eral assembly, DIR. Craig defined the theory
of the Presbyterian Church to be that the
various congregations constitute one church
and these churches collectively gathered
into one body are regulated by one great
unity The smaller part is governed by
the larger part, and the larger part is
governed by the whole. This is managed
by series of tribunals which eliminate
in the general assembly. On this princi-
pie he held that the general assembly
represented the church. Under this system
he had no fear of intriguing the control of
the theological instruction Of the church to
the hands of the general assembly.
Who ever thought, he said. that it was
an act of tyranny for this great court,
which presents the unity of the church. to
go down and exercise its supervision over
the agencies it uses in the educational and
benevolent work Of the church? 1t has the
right now to visit any of its boards, and to
attend to them, and no one disputes that
right. He did not think the assembly could
be stopped in the exercise of the same right
in the case Of theological seminaries. But
the strange anomaly has occurred that
visitorial power it is stopped at the pre-
cincts of every theological seminary in the
country. He referred to the protest of
Lane Seminary as an instance.
Rev. =. Galloway of Jersey City opposed
the majority report He held that the
moral right on the question forbids the
changing of the conditions by the general
assembly. or the seminaries under which
the latter send their endowments. He
warned the assembly that the adoption of
the report would bring untold troubles into
the church
DR.. Paul F. Sutphen Of Newark proposed
substitute for the majority report, that
the whole subject be laid on the table until
the next assembly.
DR.. Young moved to table this substitute,
and the motion was carried by a vote of
10 to /.
DR.. John Fox of Brooklyn offered a SUBJ
be continued one year, with instructions to
communicate the resolutions to the several
seminaries for further consideration and
conference, the seminaries to make critf-
cisms and suggestions in regard to the
resolutions.
The motion to table this substitute was
carried, and DR.. Fox took the floor to OPP
pose the report.
The hour of recess having arrived, the
seminary control report was made the
order of the day for today at 230 O'Clock,
and 1t was ordered that the vote should be
taken at $50 o'clock p. m.
n new F1eId OF inquiry.
DR.. George w. F. Birch of New York
opened a new field of heresy inquiry at
the afternoon session. by introducing the
following resolution:
Whereas. 1t is currently reported that a
diligent effort is being made to introduce
what is known as the bible study lesson
system" as substitute for the 'Westmin-
ster system" in the Sabbath school instruc-
tiOn of churches. Tharofnra
Resolved. That the matter be referred
to the standing committee on publication
and Sabbath school work.
This resolution is aimed at what is
known as the Blakelee system of Sunday
school instruction. 1t was started to re-
place the old-fashioned method, which had
come to be regarded as out of date in the
progressive churches. Many Presbyterian
pastors have introduced the new system in
to their Sunday schools In the place of
the Westminster system. which DIR. Birch
regards as much better. The resolution
passed without dissent.
Following Dr. Birch's resolution the rep
resentatives of the commissioners appointed
to review the work of the boards of freed
men and of education reported.
Among the overtures reported by the
committee on bills and overtures was one
which recalled the Breckenridge case Ii
comes from New Albany, Ind, and calls
upon the assembly to give expression to an
opinion on personal purity in members of
congress. By vote the assembly referred
the overture back to the committee on
bills and overtures for consideration. The
chairman of this committee Willis G..
Craig. and the moderator, Mutchmore, are
both Kentuckians. The overture will come
up again with recommendations from DIR.
craig committee, some time during the
week
DR.. Briggs is expected to arrive today.
In order to be present at the sessions which
are to be given up to the Smith trial. Mrs.
Briggs arrived yesterday, and Joined the
family of Prof Smith at the Worden.