The herald., 1895-05-18
!. Grand Assembly OF the Presby-
: terianS at Work
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The Seminary Question Still an Inn
pOrtant Issue
Exhaustive Report Of the Committee on the
Subject-A Discussion Followed by the
Reading of the Report
Associated Press Special Wire.


meeting of the grand assembly or the
Presbyterian church today was largely at
tended in anticipation OF the report OF
the committee on control OF semlnarles'
one of the principal subjects to come be-
fore the assembly. The committee salu
at the conclusion of a lengthy report: In
case of heretical teaching on the part OF
any professor no valid action would be
taken by the general assembly until that
teaching has been heretical according to
the constitution of our church. ana in
case of violation of the charter. no sur
ticent remedy exists i'll independent
action of the civil authority, which has
right to interfere. but which cannot be
compelled to do so."
The committee reports that Omaha and
Dubuque have adopted all recommended
tions of the general assembly. The direc'
tors and trustees of Princeton declare they
"do not antagonze, but, on the contrary.
cordially acQuesce in and are fully IN
sympathy with the sentim ent of the reso-
lutions contained in the report OF the
general assembly, committee OF confer
ence, with the theological seminaries
made to the general assembly at its sess-
ion in 1894, namely, that the church
should control instruction given in its
theological seminaries; and the funds
held for the purpose OF theological IN
struction should be used only Tor such
education in doctrines set forth IN the
standards OF the church.
The directors and trustees further say
they are advised by counsel learned in
law, and believe. that the character 81
the seminary now embodles substantially
all that the assembly seeks to accomplish
by its recommendations and therefore the
amendment OF the charter by the inser-
ton of the same, unwise and unneces-
sary. But" they further say, "lf the
assembly should still, be OF the opinion
that such amendment should be OBJ
1ained, the boards will endeavor to secure
, such action as will insure to the general
,assembly tile right to be represented in
the courts and enforce its proper control
over the seminary and its property.
y The committee recommends that the
assembly reply to Princeons offer that,
whlle respecting the judgment of the
board, and not prepared to say that it is
incorrect, the assembly is of the opinion
that-in order to put the matter beyond
ali possible question, it would be well for
the boards to do what they express their
willingness to do, viz: endeavor to Sc
cure such action as will insure to the
grand assembly the right to be repre-
scented in the courts and enforce Its
proper control over the seminary and its
property.
seminary at Allegheny being satisfied the
seminary now stands in such close rela-
ton to the Presby yterian church. that both
its teachings and its use OF all its property
can be controlled by the general bly,,
it sees no reason to ask any change III
existing relations to the assembly. The
board Of trust has declared its readiness
to secure needed legislation to enable the
general assembly to carry out the prlncl-
pals adopted. The committee recommends
that the general assembly request these
boards to take such acction. The board
Of directors of Danville has resolved to ac-
Aept the recommendation as to by Avs,
as part of their constitution. The board
of trustees states it has an irrepealable
charter which cannot be amended with
out danger to the future. The commit
Gee recommends that the assem- bly, request
the board of trustees of Danville to secure
such legislation not imperiling the charter
as will insure to the general assem- bly,
the right to be represented in the courts
and to enforce it's proper supervision over
the seminary and its property.
San Francisco being under synodial
care has deemed it best to defer action
on the recommendation until after the
next meeting OF the synod. Regarding
the seminaries which have simply an
swered the action is not expedient, or the
proposed amendments would be of doubt
full validity for the way is not clear to act
as at present informed, no opinion is eX-
pressed inasmuch these seminaries
have assigned no specific reasons for their
action.
The committee recommends adoption
of the following resolutions:
First-It is the sense of the assembly
that the assembly of 1894 did not intend
to prepare the way for any change in ten
ure or management of the property of
seminaries or do anything which can
affect the autonomy of the seminaries,
and that said recommendations are in
tended to have the meaning and effect as
received in this committees report. This
assembly in reaffirming the resolution of
the assent bly, of 1894 does SO with the
avowed purpose OF leaving the tenure and
title on all property of seminaries exactly
where they are now, in the hands of
the various boards of trustees, ana with
the further purpose of securing veto
power to the assembly as effective force
BY charter provision and of safeguarding
by charter declaration OF trusts held and
to be held by the boards of trustees
against peryersion or misuse.
Second-That the general assembly re-
affirms the action of the assembly OF 1894,
and in view of the progress made and
importance of interests involved declares
that in its judgment the effort )u-'
be continued to secure the adoption j
substance of the assemblys plans by all
seminaries.
Third-That committee be appointed
to have further charge of this matter and
make report to the next general as
sembly.
There is no baking powder so good as