The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-19

MUCH OPPOSITION DEVELOPING
AGAINST THE REPORT.
Compromise scheme That Promises TO
Have Good Supporf-ActiOn of 9th
er Religious Conventions.

seminaries, which it desires. At the close of
the morning session adjournment was taken
till Monday morning and at that time the
debate of the proposed plan of gathering in
the seminaries into close and guarded
field will be resumed. The net result thus
far attained has been to divide the assembly
into two clearly marked parties, and it
is judged that the line of cleavage is near
the numerical center of the body 1t seems
probable that the vote of 4 to /, that was
recorded last year. will be wiped out in
large part and the disproportion greatly
reduced. The committee which is urging the
adoption of the plan providing for closer
relations between the assembly and the
seminaries saw itself compelled, by the
strength of the opposition which has de-
veloped, to import Thomas MacDougal, of
Cincinnati, a member of the committee,
to present the legal side of the case This
he did In a speech of an hour and a
quarter, but he labored under heavy
handicap on account of a pamphlet which
he recently published attacking the integ-
rity and faithfulness of the board of home
and foreign missions in New York for using
funds given for missionary purposes in the
erection of a large building on Fifth
avenue. The peroration of his speech was
his pamphlet and the degree Of his success
will only be shown by the final vote
There is a plan on foot to secure the
adoption of an alternative report replacing
that OF the committee. IL is proposed to
recommend that i'm view of the answers
made by the directories of the existing
seminaries, setting forth their unwilling
ness to make any charter changes, these
seminaries be let alone and that the re-
strictions that have been devised by the
committee be applied only to institutions
that may hereafter be chartered. This plan
VIII have strong backing and will meet with
good support Those who have had expert
ence of previous assemblies, however, enter
tain some doubts of its adoption, but it is
certain that the support which it will get
will astonish the conservative forces
The assembly has not yet learned the
value of time, and, instead of holding an
afternoon session to-day, adjournment was
taken till Monday. 1t is safe 10 say that
the case will be different a week hence
The rush of business will startle those who
are unaccustomed to the closing scenes of
assemblies and legislatures
MDOUGAL PREJUDICES HIS CASE.
In view of the resolutions adopted yester-
day concerning Sabbath observance, the
suggestion Of Mr.. MacDougal that the COM
missioners spend their spare time on Sun
day In reading and pondering the report of
his committee was quite unfortunate and
1T served to prejudice his case still further
in the eyes Of some Of the commissioners.
Union Seminary, in New York, is the bete
nor OF the conservative elements in this
assembly. This was shown in the morning
session, when it was referred to as the
cause and occasion of all this disturbance.
DR.. Briggs was scarcely mentioned. and the
odium which attached to him has been
New York. One Of the speakers declared
that when they repudiated their agree
ment with the assembly they took out val
erly to the church as such One
of the strong objections to the re
port of the committee on seminary
control is that it involves recourse to the
civil court for the settlement of ecclesias-
tical differences. The answer TO this, made
by a lawyer like Mr.. MacDougal was re-
garded by some as a sort of special plead
ing and his references to creatures of
Caesar appealing to Caesar failed to carry
conviction to all.
Thus far nothing has been heard of the
plans for deposing DIR. Briggs. which were
said to be under serious consideration. But
were active in the condemnation two years
ago are now absent from the scene. 1t
may be that these plans are now simply
bly, at latter date.
The arrangements for the celebration of
two branches of the church are noted be-
low. They point to an occurrence of con-
siderable Importance, but there are not
| was a mistake. Nevertheless the occasion
promises to be one of no small brilliancy
and interest.
ing rapidly filled after the devotional serv-
| ice of the morning, in anticipation of the
| assembly control of theological seminaries
| connected with the denomination. The pop
ular interest in the subject appeared 10
have waned, if the vacant seats in the gal
| lery was any Indication. The first quarter
| of an hour was given to miscellaneous busi-
| ness, and the floor was again accorded TO
Dr. Mckinney, whose speech last night was
| interrupted by adjournment. His argument
concerned the objection that the plan pro-
posed will act as barrier to union with
| speaker claimed that that church had-taken
more extreme action than that now under
| the plan was fully in accord with the polity
| and policy of the Presbyterian Church, and
those who object to recourse to the civil
courts by ecclesiastical bodies were char
| acterized as ''superspirtual advocates" The
| speaker proceeded to consider the attitude
of the seninaries, and regretted their un-
| last assembly suggested and urged by an
| overwhelming vote. He closed with a plea
| for a. large majority in favor of the COM
| mittee Recommendation.
| PRESIDENT WHITES ADDRESS,
| The Hon. f. F. White, of Columbus. the
| new president of the board of directors
/ of Lane Seminary, was granted the floor
but before he began an attempt was made
| to limit the time of debate. 1t was briefly
discussed, but Overwhelmingly defeated. The
| moderator announced plenty of time, nc
| favor and a clear field. Judge White be-
gan in a very cool and deliberate way te
set forth the position of the parties on the
question He asked that the assembly com,
to a clear understanding of the condition
| of affairs. 1t was urged that the last as
sembly had sent down overtures to the sem
| mary directories, and that the answers tha
have come back should be regarded as fina
and conclusive. and that they. should b,
| treated with respect. On the contrary, IN,
committee has asked the assembly TO ac
cept is judgment and dictum In place O
1 the mature judgment CT the directors o
the seminaries, under advice of counsel AM
those thoroughly acquainted with the facts
This was called "a large contract"
After reviewing the position of the sem
inaries and showing that its plan is i'm
practicable in regard to some OF them
Judge White urged that the matter b,