The San Francisco call., 1895-05-20
CONTROL OF SEM|NAR|ES,
Adjustment of the Question
Vexing Presbyterians Not
Yet in Sight.
Seattle Making a Strong Campaign
to Secure the Next
Assembly.

PITTSBURG, Pa, May 19.-Pittsburg
Presbyterians boast especially of their
orthodox Presbyterianism and claim the
smoky atmosphere has had no effect in
obscuring the clearness of their Calvinistic
vision. But it is many day since Pitts
burg was taken possession of SO completely
as to-day by the forces of the denomina-
ton. Churches of all sorts and varieties
opened their doors and pulpits, and it took
a long column. of small type to set forth all
| of the appointments made and accepted by
the divines of the Presbyterian General
| Assembly.
The greatest interest was felt, however,
IN the sermon of the moderator, DR.. Rus
sell Booth, who preached as usual in the
church where the assembly sits. He was
greeted by large audience. His text was
taken from the Gospel of John xii :32:
And /, if be lifted from the earth, will draw
| all men unto me.
His subject was the vicarious and atom
ing death of Christ, and the sermon was
clear and powerful. If any of the audi,
ence hoped for any utterances on questions
in hot debate they were disappointed, as
the only thing that could be construed into
such an Interpretation was the emphatic
statement that, GAS against infidelity
orthodoxy now has its innings"
Parts of two days have now been de
voted by the Presbyterian General Assem-
! bly, to the discussion of the subject o.
assembly control of theological eeminaries
Tomorrow the matter will be resumed
with vigor.
Thus far all attempts to limit debate
have been voted down overwhelmingly
, but word has gone forth that discussion
must be reached at four o'clock Monday
afternoon. Many, however, doubt the
, ability of the leaders to put this pro
gramme through. The attitude of Liberal.
favors postponement in the expectation
that if the report of the Committee of Con
ference with the seminaries is thoroughly
accorded it will be weakened and lose
!, every day. Already the time occupied il
so long that the commissioners are re-
minded of the endless discussion in the
Briggs and Smith cases. The result prom
ises to be that the causes of the mission
ary boards will be pushed aside, and thai
external questions will usurp place
which does not belong to them.
The Pacific Coast is here again with q
pressing invitation to the assembly to
|
meeting place was Portland, Or, and at
that time the Briggs case came up. Its effect
upon the church west of the Rocky Noun
tains was not all that had been antici.
pated. Now, with the burning questions
out of the way, more favorable impress
sion is hoped for.
DR.. Alexander Allison and Elder W. r,
Ballard, from the First Church of Seattle
are engaged in canvassing and are
forming sentiment in favor of their city.
They promise good rates, excellent accom-
modations and meeting place second to
none in the country.
The question is likely to be one of ex
pense and it may be necessary for the
hackers OF Seattle to raise guarantee fund
to make it possible to take 600 commission
ers SO far and to keep them so long. The
other place mentioned is Saratoga, where
the assembly met last year and where the
commlss ioners can be entertained at les.
expens Sc than anywhere else in the coun
try.