The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-23
THE CHURCH Summaries.
THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION BY
THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY,.
DIR. Young Opens the Debate, Speak
ing for the Majority Report of the
Committee and DIR. Moore for the
Minority-Other Church Meetings.

ject of the proposed closer relations
between the general assembly and the
various presbyterian theological semi
naries with a power of absolute control
over them on the part of the general as
sembly, which was sprung upon the, COM
missioners near the close Of yesterday
afternoons session, has been the sub
ject of conference ever since. When it
was proposed TO made the decision
special order a member of the board OF
directors of Mccormick seminary at
Chicago objected very vigorously, say
ing that such an agreement would cut
off many from taking part in the debates
since they had been appointed to preach
in out-of-town pulpits
The final arrangement provided for de-
f ting today's regular order for 10 o'clock,
substituting the two reports Of the COM
mittee, which has been considering these
two 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 a renewed battle be-
tween the seminaries and the assembly
Some of these intitutions 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.
After the devotional services. led by the
moderator, miscellaneous business was
considered for half an hour. a report
came form the committee on bills and
overtures on reunion with the Southern
presbyterian church. Without discussion
a resolution was adopted by rising vote
and with applause, providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee of nine TO take
into consideration the whole question of
organic union with that church on the
basis of the common standards of doc
trine held by both bodies. The clerks
were authorized TO send fraternal greet
ings to the other churches now in session,
the Southern presbyterian church at
Nashville. the Cumberland church at
Eugene, Or, and United presbyterian
church at Albany, Or Elder John j.
McCook of New York was appointed
vice-moderator, a new departure in the
practice of the assembly.
The subject of the theological semi
naries was opened by DR.. w. c. 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
providential and was intended TO lead 70
careful examination OF the methods
heretofore in vogue and the substitution
of a better system. The speaker then
went on to review the work of the COM
mittee and to explain the provisions Of
the ajoity report. claiming to have
given the widest liberty to the seminaries
and to have still secured the right to the
assembly TO direct and conrol them, with
full power to enforce any rights that
may be obtained. The principles of the
report were declared to be reasonable
and moderate.
The legal questions involved in the
new proposals of the committee were
discussed by Lawyer Thomas Mac
Dougall Of Cincinnati. He took for his
text the first recommendation of the
committe, That each and all of the
seminaries Of this church be required TO
secure at the earliest moment practicable,
such changes in their charters, or amend
ments thereto, as will provide for the
assembly's control that is desired to be
secured.
.'Seminaries,' Mr.. MacDougan said.
ARE civil corporations which come TO the
presbyterian church saying that they
wish the patronage, approval and bust
ness of the church in educating ministers.
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, explaining the
report of the minority. The original APP
DOintment of the committee had nothing
to do with the property Of the seminaries,
but only with the regulation of the
teaching force. Previous decisions Of the
assembly have been from the beginning
in a line quite the opposite of that now
proposed. SynOds and presbyteries have
the right Of original jurisdiction over its
members and professors. In the as
sembly there is power Of visitation and
the right to remove causes Of complaint.
The assembly has also power of review
and control upon sufficient information
and may thus also remove abuses. The
minority does not wish TO bring in the
civil power when its own power is suffi-
cent to meet the requirements 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 till o'clock on Mon
day A report from the judicial commit
tee which has the Smith case in its
hands. had been set for today, but at the
last moment 1t was deferred till next
week