The morning call., 1895-02-26
A PROPOSITION DISCUSSED BY THE
PRESBYTERY AT IT'S
SESSION.
IDA B. WELLS ON LYNCHING
NGREGATIONALISTS DISAGREE
OVER AN INVITATION TO Pro
FESSOR HERON.


different branches of the Presbyterian and
Reformed churches, submitted by the Gen
eral Assembly for comment and sugges-
ton, was discussed by the Presbytery of
San Francisco at its meeting yesterday at
length. The plan provides for supreme
ecclesiastical council, composed of eight
delegates from each denomination included
in the federation. This will hold meetings
yearly. and the assessment for the dele
gates expenses is to be in proportion to the
number of communicates in each denomi-
nation. Much fault was found with the
plan, some contending that federation is
step toward the final unity of all Protestant
churches, others that such step impedes
final unity. The opponents of the plan
were led by Rev. H. c. Minton, and its
supporters by Rev. T. r. Farrand. The
sentiments of the presbytery were finally
crystallized by Mr.. Minton into written
statement to the General Assembly, which
passed almost unanimously, as follows:
The Presbytery of San Francisco respectfully
replies concerning the matter of the proposed
plan of federation. We approve the idea of
federation and this plan in general, but suggest
the following exceptions
First we object to equal representation in
the council and suggest some such diminish
ing ratio of representation as that followed in
sending delegates to the Pan-Presbyterian
Second, we suggest that the expenses in
CURED be proportioned to the representation.
Third, we suggest that the matter is of suf-
icient Importance to be submitted formally to
the presbyteries as al overture provided for
in our form of church government
Rev. d. III. Irwin formally accepted
call to the pulpit of ST. Johns Church and
named his installing committee as fol-
lows: Rev. DR.. Mackenzie, sermon; Rev
| r. Scott ohQroa 10 n Sfnr Re
ming Smith, charge to people. The install
lation service will be held on the evening
of March u.
Rev. j. E. Scott was elected stated clerk
and treasurer of the presbytery for the
unexpired term of Rev. Franklin Rhoda.
for the position were nominated, and
second ballot was necessary for a choice.
Rev. w. e. Smith, who is filling pulpit
at Menlo Park, was granted permission 10
labor without the bounds of the presby-
terry, and the home mission committee was
instructed to inquire into the finances of
the Central Tabernacle, of which Mr..
Smith was formerly the pastor.
Rev. E. G: Depuy reported that the
French church is growing, but is still very
weak. His pastorate includes both sides
of the bay, but his parishioners are not
able to pay him living salary. The pres
bytery will confer with that of Oakland, to
the end that Mr.. Depuy may receive at
least $1,000 year.
The case of Kenneth J. Duncan, the
former pastor of the Howard street
Church, was brought up by report of the
judiciary committee, asking for more time
The committee has been instructed to
formulate charges against the minister and
correspondence on the subject is being
conducted with the Oregon church authori-
ties, under whose jurisdiction Mr.. Duncan
now is. After a long discussion the COM
mittee's request was granted.
The presbytery adjourned, to meet March
IL, at noon.
Rev. Philip Coombe read before the Con-
gregational Club yesterday a paper on
"Christian Union and It's Possible Basis
Christian union he began, sis an at
tractive term; inspiring, scriptural, rea-
sonable and possible, it's only possible if
every one co-operates. 1t can never be
accomplished if all must become Metho-
dists, Baptists or Episcopalians. 1t is not
possible on the grounds of the great
episcopate, for that is unscriptural.
1t can only be by accepting only one
Bishop-Jesus Christ. Other Bishops have
no divine sanction, and none of them can
trace their theological pedigree. This,
then, is the only possible way of securing
union, and with Christ as the Bishop
every minister of every denomination NAV
fill any pulpit"
After general discussion on the paper,
Miss Ida B. Wells, the colored anti-1ynch-
ing apostle, addressed the meeting. 1t
was then proposed to invite Professor
Heron of the theological seminary. OF the
Iowa University to address the club at its
next meeting, and ask ministers of other
denominations to hear him. Considerable
opposition to the proposal was manifested
and the talk became very bitter.
DR.. G. o. Brown of the First Conerega-
tional Church denounced DIR. Heron as
'divisive" man, who caused division
wherever he went. He had caused rupture
in Princeton College. His teachings were
anti-scriptural and his sociological doc
trines were dangerous to society.
Rev. M. }. Ferguson OF the First Chris
tian Church, Rev. +. b. Pullen and Rev.
DR.. Crucan of Santa Cruz defended the
professor, styling him the most notable
Congregationalist of the country, and con-
tending that it was due to UNCONVENTIONAL
courtesy and Christian unity to hear him.
How far they would indorse his views re-
manned to be seen.
The invitation was finally extended.
Miss Ida B. Wells talked to the Metho.
dist ministers yesterday on the subject of
lynching and severely criticized the apollo
getic attitude in respect to the matter
maintained by the Southern churches and
the Southern press. Her remarks brought
to his feet Rev. Mr.. Bailey of West Berke-
ley, who formerly lived in Kentucky and
preached from South Methodist pulpit.
He stated that the Southern Methodist
loved the negro and that the Nashville
Christian Advocate had maintained not
uncertain attitude in regard to lynching.
Rev. G. b. Jackson and Miss Wells cues
toned if love for the negro had caused the
split over slavery in the South Metho-
dists and stated that the reason the
Southerners would not revive slavery if
they could was because now they had a
better thing-they secured the negros la
bors for nothing by means of unjust laws,
but were at no expense for his support.
They also quoted from the Advo-
cate to show that it had apologized
for the lynchings and had in a certain case
stated that the punishment fitted the crime.
Mr.. Bailey was discounted and commit
tee of four was appointed to draft resolu-
tons against mob law. The committee
men are Rev. s. j. Carroll of Oakland, Rev.
w. w. Case, w. r. Goodwin and s. D. ST.
monds of this city. The resolutions will
be presented to the union next Monday.
The members of the Glorious met yester-
day and deciced to hold special devotional
exercises each Monday during Lent in lieu
OF their regular meetings. No paper was
read before them nor was any general dis