The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-21
Presbyterian Commissioners by 4:,2
To 0S. Decide to Continue the Move
ment for Assembly Control.
SEVERE BLOW TO LIBERALS
RESULT OF THE VOTE 4 SURPRISE
TO NEARLY ALL MEMBERS.
Regarding Prince
ton and the Western Seminary
Other Religious Meetings.

PlTTSBURG, Pa, May 20.-This after
noon, by a vote of 432 TO 9S. the Presby-
terrain General Assembly decided to con-
tinue the movement which is intended to
give the assembly absolute control over its
theological seminaries. The resolutions and
recommendations. which were adopted by
overwhelming majorities are given below.
An attempt to get yea and nay vote
Jailed for lack OF a vote of one-third of
the commissioners in its favor only los
responding 10 the demand. The result OF the
vote was a surprise to even the best OBJ
servers ana it was credited. to some ex-
tent, to the letter published this morning
purporting to reveal liberal plot to Sc
cure the moderatorship for a supposed lib
eral candidate. Jubilation marked the faces
of those who supported the resolutions of
the conference committee and the features
of moderator and clerk were wreathed in
smiles. The resolutions as they were
adopted were:
Ffrst-That it is the of the as
semoiy that the assembly of 1894 did not
intend 10 prepare the way for any change
erty OF the seminaries or to do ANYTHING
Wnlch can affect the autonomy of the semi
We're intended to have the meaning and ef.
Iect as recited in this committees report.
This mi. assembly. in reafiirming the resolu-
the avowed purpose of leaving the tenure
and title to all property of tae seminaries
exactly eS where they are now in the hands of
further purpose OF securing the veto power
TO the assembly, as an effective force, by
charter provision. and of safeguarding nv
charter declaration the trusts held and IN
be held by boards of trustees against per-
''Second-That this General Assembly reaf
firms the action of the assembly of 1884, and
IN view or the progress made, and the impor-
lance of the interest involved declares
that in its judgment the effort should be
continued to secure the adoption in sub
stance. of the assemblys plan by all the
SemnarieS.
'Third--That committee be appointed
TO have further charge of this matter and
10 make report 10 the next General AS
sembly.
'Fourth-That the committee be instructed
In the prosecution Of its work and in the
report 10 the next assembly to give full
declarations of the reunion compact of 1870.
In its relation to. those seminaries now
under synodical and presbyterial control"
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The following recommendations were also
adopted: With regard to Princeton Sem
mary that, while respecting the judgment
of the boards, and not prepared to say
that it is Incorrect the assembly is of
the opinion that in order TO put the mat
ter beyond all possible question, it would
be we'll for the boards TO do what they
express their willingness TO do, viz. To
endeavor to secure action as will insure
to the General Assembly the right to be
represented in the courts and to enforce
it's proper control over the seminary and
Its property. y
With regard to the Western Theological
Seminary. in Allegheny, Pa, it was rec
commended that the directors be requested
TO secure the necessary legislation to en-
able the General Assembly to carry out
the principle set forth in the action OF
the "a assembly Sc bly, OF 1s The action with re-
was the recommendation that the board
of directors be requested to secure such
legislation. not imperiling their charter
as will insure the General Assembly the
right to be represented in the courts and
to enforce its proper supervision over the
seminary and its property.
The final resolution was couched in these
words
In regard to the seminaries which have
simply answered that action is not expe-
dent, or the proposed amendments would
be OF doubtful validity. or the way is not
nino 10 act as s s these
seminaries assigned no specific reason for
their action. The assembly cannot. there
inaries beyond the earnest request that
they reconsider their action, since the
adoption, substantially, OF the assemblies
plan by all the seminaries will give assur-
ance TO every donor and TO all our men,
bers that these institutions are amply Sc
cured to the Presbyterian Church..
Afterward the old committee was reap
pointed with the addition OF three minis
ters, of whom the moderator was to be
ton was added at the urgent solicitation
of representative of Auburn Seminary,
but it underwent great change between in
PRODUCTION and adoption At first 1t pro-
vided for approval of the government of
those seminaries under synodical and pres
byterial control. but in its final form this
anproval was eliminated. Their great
cess promises to embolden the conservatives
for drastic measures against the students
of Union Seminary. The vote to-day was
declaration of war to the knife. and >the
only end will be surrender or secession.
fraternal letter was sent to the General
Assembly of the southern presbyterian
Church at Dallas. Tex.
which was mentioned in the Associated
press dispatches last night. and which
raised a breeze in the Presbyterian General
Assembly. 1t purported to be an attempt
TO forestall the action of the assembly in
choosing moderator in favor of the liberal
side Before the resumption of debate on
the seminary question: TINS morning, the
Hon r. r.. White and DR.. William n. Page
rose to questions of personal privilege and
repudiated any connection with the letter
or with it's statements. After the refer
ence of certain papers in regard TO theo-
logical seminaries to DR.. r. L. Monfort
committee on seminaries the discussion was
liam O. Thompson, president of Miami Uni
versity at oxford. o.. Ex-Governor Beaver,
Dr. F. C. Monfort. Prof. a. c. Zenos. Rev.
II. Il. Stevenson. representing Auburn me
illogical Seminary. and by Charles T.. Knox,
president of the German Seminary. at New
ark ~. j. These speeches were all able,
but probably had little effect on the vote
of the assembly.
A union meeting of the woman's foreign
missionary boards Of this country was held
this afternoon in the chapel of the First
Presbyterian Church. Some OF the women
protest against assuming the debt of $780,
600 which the standing committee on foreign
missions propose TO turn over TO them. They
recommend "a saving of expenses by having
biennial assemblies of the commissioners,
with intervening assemblies of the women,
which latter would cost the church nothing.