The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-05-20
THE PRESBYTERIANS
Seminary Control the Great Bone
Of Contention.
OTHER MATTERS sUBORD1NATBD.


Over Presbyterian Educational Institu-
tions Causes Extended Arguments.
PITTsBURG, May 2O.-Everything was
pushed aside today in the assembly that
free scope might be given to the question
Of seminary control, and the end is not yet.
Nearly all of Saturday was consumed in
arguments for and against the report pre-
sented by DR. w. G. Young. This was to
the effect that the General Assembly had
no right to hold property but that the
election of trustees of the seminaries
should be approved or rejected by that
body 1t is proposed to give the General
Assembly the same power as possessed by
theattorney general of any state to inquire
whether or nota corporation is complying
with the terms of the charter. The argu
ments were resumed today and nothing
else will be considered until it has been
decided whether or not the church shall
control the seminaries
A proposition looking to a compromise
has been made by some of those who op-
pose what is now technically known as
seminary control This is that all new
seminaries should have their charters con-
tain what the committee desires placed in
the old charters. Namely, that the church
should have a safeguard thrown about the
teaching and the property of the several
Institutions. Another concession is that
specific requests hereafter shall conform
to this rule With those two concessions
made the so called liberals think that they
can carry the assembly.
Thus far all attempts to limit debate
have been voted down overwhelmingly,
but word has gone forth that decison
mn ba nt 1 n afTpr-
noon Many, however, doubt the ability
Of the leaders TO put this program through.
The attitude of the liberals favors post
ponement III the expectation that If the
report of the committee of conference with
the seminaries is thoroughly aired it will
be weakened and will lose votes every day
The conservatives, on the contrary, want
decision, quick, sharp and overwhelm-
\ ing.
| Already the time occupied is so long
that corners are reminded of the endless
discussions in the Briggs and Smith cases.
The result promises to be that the causes
of the missionary boards of the church will
be pushed aside, and that external ques-
tions will usurp n place which does not
belong TO them.
The Pacific coast is here again with
Ipressing invitation to the assembly to
meet in 1895 in Seattle. Two years ago
the meeting place was Portland, Ore, and
at that time the Briggs case was up. Its
effect upon the church west of the Rocky
mountains was not all that had been an
lticipated. Now with the burning ques-
tions out OF the way more favorable i'm
lpression is hoped for, DIR. Alexander
Alison and Elder w r. Ballard from the
First Church of Seattle are engaged in
canvassing opinion and in forming senti-
ment in favor of their city.
The question is likely to be one of ex-
Ipense, and it may be necessary for the
hackers Of Seattle to raise "a guaranty fund
to make il possible to take 600 commission
ers so far and keep them so long. The
only other place mentioned is Sarat oga,
where the assembly met last year, and
where the commissioners can be enter
tanned at less expense than anywhere elso
, in the country.
The large amount of time already con-
. sumed by the seminary discussion seems
likely to have consequence that other
matters such as the treatment Of the stu
dents Of Union seminary, in New York,
and of the new MISSION house on Fifth
avenue, New York, will be considered
only in the brief intervals between the
= regular orders of the day.
In some respects it is fortunate for the
, assembly that it has moderator of such
, great executive ability as DR.. Booth Thus
Z far he has won golden opinions from many
) who voted against him.
e Churches of ali sorts and varieties
g opened their doors and pulpits yesterday
E and it took II long column of small type tc
l set forth all of the appointments made
q and accepted by the divines of the Pres
byterian General Assembly. The greatest
Interest, however, was felt in the sermon
of the moderator, DR.. r. r. Booth, of New
n York, whS preached, as is customary, il
!. the church where the assembly sits. HI
e was greeted by a large audience, which
o contained a large proportion of assembl!
8 commissioners. DIR. Booth was ATTENDED
in the pulpit by Dr. William McEwin, tn
pastor of the church, and by DR. w. 4
J Moore, permanent clerk of the assembly
Dr. Booths subject was the vicariou
4 and atoning death of Christ, and the ser
:. mon was clear and powerful. If any o
e the audience hoped for any utterances OF
# questions in hot debate they were disap
a pointed as the only thing that could b
u tortured into such an Interpretation wa
l. the emphatic statement that ''as agains
Iintidelity, orthodoxy now has its innings.