Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-17

Pittsburg, Pa, May 16.-At II o'clock
this morning the 1O7th General Assem-
bly, of the Presbyterian Church opened
in the Third Church of this city There
were nearly 600 commissioners present
when the opening hour arrived, and it
was noticeable fact that this assem-
bly, is composed almost entirely of
young and unknown men.
The preliminary services were begun
by prayer by DR.. Robert N. Adams, of
Minneapolis, who is spoken of by the
western members for moderator. This
was followed by Scripture reading by
DR.. William N. Page, of Leavenworth,
Kan. After music DR.. George Norcross,
Of Carlisle, Pa, read a passage from
the Scriptures, followed by prayer by
DR.. w. H. Roberts, the Stated Clerk.
The retiring moderator, DR.. Samuel A.
Mutchmore, then delivered his sermon.
What was considered a significant
fact by many was that DR.. Robert
Russell Booth, of New York, did not
occupy a seat upon the platform, but
took a chair in an obscure corner,
while a western opponent participated
in the opening exercises.
The first business session Of the
Presbyterian General Assembly open
ed at o'clock this afternoon with the
Committee on Commissioners report OF
the roll.
Following this was the call for nom
nations for Moderator.
GEN. JAMES A. WEAVER,
Ex-Governor Of Pennsylvania, took the
floor to nominate DR.. Robert Russell
Booth, of New York. He referred elo-
quently to the historical interest that
attached to the Third Church and the
part in the cementing of the church
that DR.. Booth had taken twenty-five
years ago. He said:
1--WE want a man for Moderator who
believes that the Scriptures teach what
man should believe. We want a man
who believes in the government of the
Presbyterian Church, and believes that
it should govern"
He then named DR.. Booth for the
Office and the nomination was greeted
with cheers.
Rev. Andrew C. Zenos, D. D., of Chi
cago, seconded the nomination on be-
half of the Western contingent.
The Western commissioners were
determined not TO let the Office Of mod
orator go without a fight, and Drs
Samuel S. Cryor, of Albert Lea, Mimi,
nominated Gen. Robert n Adams, Of
Minneapolis. He referred to Gen.
Adams's brilliant military record and
to his thirty years work is the church
as a home missionary. He was fol-
lowed by DR.. Clarence B. Backus, OF
Kansas City who placed in nomina-
tios DR.. William n. Page, Of Leaven-
worth, Kansas. DR.. Backus entered
A PLEA FOR THE WEST
in the choosing of a moderator, and
based his claim on this ground. DR..
George c. Pollock, of Litchfeld, Mimi,
and Hon. Z. f. White, LID, OF Co
lumbus, O., spoke in behalf of DR..
Page and DR.. J. J. Lampe, Of New
York, presented the claims OF DR..
Booth.
Nominations were then closed and
Isaac d. Fry, Of Cincinnati, and H. T.
Nash, of st. Louis, were appointed tell
ers. The first ballot resulted as fol-
lows: Booth 300, Page 165, Adams SO;
total 548.
On motion the election of DR.. Booth
was made unanimous, and the new
moderator was called to the platform
and made a pleasing address.
DIR. w. l.. McEwan presented the new
moderator with a handsome gavel,
made from olive wood in Jerusalem,
and sent to the assembly by the Rev.
Edwin S. Wallace, Presbyterian min
lister and United States consul at Jeru-
salem.
The following assistant clerks were
then appointed, after which the AS
sembly adjourned until tomorrow
morning:
Rev. William Greenough, Philadel-
phia; Rev. John a. Ewalt, Columbus;
Rev. w. p. Craig, Los Angeles; Rev.
Charles J. Deacon, Cedar Rapids,
Mich.
The first order of the day tomorrow
will be the presentation Of the report
of the Assembly Committee on Confer
ence with Theological Seminaries.
This is one Of the most important ques-
tions TO come before the Assembly and
the report is awaited with interest.
The report Of the Committee on Sab
bath Observance will also be present.
ed tomorrow.
This evening the Lords Supper was
celebrated at the Third Church.
Commissioners from the West were
raising an issue Of exciting import
ance They say that the trouble is
the Home and Foreign Boards are
"honeycombed with Briggsism," and
therefore the people will not contri-
butte. Some are in war paint and are
even cunning for secretaries, and may
demand a reconstruction of the boards.
Should such an issue be reached the
seminary control question will be put
in the background. The subject may
come in connection with the reports Of
the standing committees on the Home
and Foreign Boards.
GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATED.
Boston, May 16.-The golden jubilee
of the ordination TO the priesthood Of
Archbishop John J. Williams, of Bos-
ton. began at the Cathedral Of the Holy
Cross this afternoon with high mass Of
Thanksgiving. The sermon of the day
was preached by Right Rev. D. VI.
Bradley, Bishop Of Manchester, N. II.