The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-05-23
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
BOOTH CHOSEN MODERATOR.
Work Of the Assembly Begun Amid
Great Good Feeling.

church, Sixth avenue. Pittshurg, Thursday.
There was nothing unusual uJout the opeu-
ing, which was conducted w,,h Presbyterian
simplicity and dignity.
Moderator Mutchmore called the assembly
10 order st IL o'clock. Cdvirnaster w. Is.
Edwards led his choir In the rendition OF the
anthem. "Send Out Thy Light Rev. ID. N.
Adams, ID. D., OF Red River. Minn., offered
an Invocation; Rev. DR.. Page OF Topeka,
KAN, read the fret Scripture Lesson. and DIR.
w. L. EcEwan of the Third church announc-
ed a hymn. Following this Rev. DIR. Nor
cross OF Carlisle, Pa, offered prayer. and the
stated clerk, Rev. DIR. W. II. Roberts, read
the second Scripture lesson.
DIR. T. A. Mutchmore, tne retiring mod
| orator, delivered the opening sermon,
| The assembly proceeded TO the election OF
a moderator. br. Muchmore warned tho
| delegates against excitement and undue feel
ing, reminding them Of the fact that the as
sembly was a court VI Gods house and the
proprieties Of the case demanded that they
should take up the business before them
VITA earnestness and gravity.
Nominations were called for. Ex-Gov-
James A. Beaver presented the name OF
Rev. Robert Russell Booth, ID. D., OF New
| York.
Rev. @. W. Backus, D. d. Of Kansas City,
presented the name OF Rev. DIR. VIM. Page,of
Of Leavenworth, Kan.
Rev. Samuel s. Cryor, ID. d. OF Albert Lea.
Mimi, nominated Rev. X. NJ. Adams. d. d.,
synodical missionary Of the state OF Mime.
| sofa.
Elder q. W. Shield OF Kansas City, NO.,
spoke an additional word In favor OF Dr.
Page. and the nominatins closed.
The tellefs reported that 5Is votes had
been cast, 216 being necessary 10
4 choice. OF the votes cast Df. Booth re-
ceived 800, DIR. Page lG5, and DIR. Adams. SO.
DIR. Booth was declared elected, and the elec-
ton was made unanimous.
Rev. Robert Russell Booth, ID. D., the new
moderator, is pastor OF Rutgers (Rlverside)
church, New York. He Is n son OF Williams
A. and Aida (RusselD Booth; was born in
the city OF New York In 1880; graduated
from Williams college In ls49 aud
In 1852. After spending some months
In Europe and in the east, he was, in No
yember, 1853, ordained and installed col
league with Rev. DR.. Beman OF the First
Presbyterian church OF Troy. n. y, which
position he occupied for three and half
| years. Early in 1857 he was installed pas
lor OF the First Presbyterian church Of
stamford, Conn. 1n March, 1861, he became
pastor OF the Mercer Street church, New
York, and remained such until 1870. when it
was consolidated with the University Palace
church. and he served as pastor OF the United
ehurcn for thirteen years, aud he has been
pastor OF the Old Rutgers (Riverside) church
len years. Thus, he has been pastor during
his entire public life.
Following the election OF moderator, as
sistant clerks were nominated by the stated
and permanent clerks and elected. They
are: Rev. William Greenough, Philadelphia
presbytery; Rev. John A. Ewalt, Columbus
presbytery; Rev. w. +. Craig. Los Angeles
presbytery, and Charles J. Deacon, Cedar
Rapids presbytery.
Friday DR.. c. Young, ID. D., read the re-
port Of the Committee on Seminaries. He
said.
"The committee stated a: the conferences
with the seminary boards that the powers
sought by the general assembly are now pos
sessed by 1t over majority OF the semi
naries.
The committee recommends the adoption
Of the following resolutions:
First-That IL Is the sense OF this assembly
that the assembly OF 1894 did not intend TO
prepare the way for any change In the tenure
/ or management OF the property of the semi
naries, or to do anything which can affect the
autonomy OF the seminaries. and that the
said recommendations were intended to have
the meaning and effect as recited in this
committees report. This assembly, in re-
affirming the resolution OF the assembly OF
| 1894, does so with the avowea purpose OF
leaving the tenure aud title TO all property oi
the semidaries exactly where they arc now
In the hands OF the various boards oftrustees
aud with the further purpose Of securing the
veto power to the assembly, as an effective
force, by charter provision, and OF saIe'
guarding by charter declaration, the trusts
held and TO be held by board OF trustees
against perversion or misuse.
Second-That this General Assembly re-
afiirms the action OF the assembly OF 1894
and in view OF the progress made, and The
Importance OF the interests involved declares
that In its Judgment the effort should be con-
tinued TO secure the adoption, in sub
stance. OF the assembly's plan by all th'
, seminaries.
Third--That committee be appointed tC
, have further charge OF this matter, and 4
make report to the next General Assembly.
, The seminaries which offer to adopt all Tho
recommendations are Omaha and Dubuque
Princeton board Twill endeavor TO secur,
such action as will insure to the General AS
sembly the right to be represented in the
courts and enforce proper control" Tn,
board OF the Western seminary, Allegheny
''sees no reason TO ask any change in exist.
Ing relatians to the assembly" Danvillt
will adopt the recommendations as bylaws
San Francisco, being under synodical care
has deferred action.
Dr. Cunningham read the report OF tn,
special committee on Lane seminary, whicl
outlined that the board OF directors OF tina
institution are willing to adopt all the recon-
mendations OF reorganization and increas
OF the General Assembly. DR.. Cunningham
recommended that no debate take place anC
the report was adopted and the committe,
, continued, owing TO the good work they hav
| done.
The committee on Sabbath observance re
J ported as follows;
The special committee on Sabbath obser
vance would respectfully emphasize tn
need OF vigilance and united action on III
: part of those who value the Lords Day.
, The antagonistic forces which tend to un
dermine the American Sabbath, both as
civil and religious institution. are insidiou
and active. Vigorous and organized attemp,
are being made TO destroy the legal an,
moral safeguards Of this sacred day.
secularizing Sunday literature invades ou
homes; Sunday traffic. Sunday excursions
: Sunday concerts, Sunday social entertain
ments, and Sunday travelling for gain o
pleasure. In many places prevail. -
Even among protesting Christians there AT
those who, while admitting that physical
domestic and Industrial interests OF the peopl
require the maintainance OF the weekly res
, day, do not seem 10 appreciate its religion
J obligations. The present situation Is seri
D | Ous-demandinp the i'm mediate consid erati o