The record-union., 1895-05-18
Rights of Seminaries Debated by
the General Assembly.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE HAVING
THE SUBJECT IN HAND.
Recommendation That the Action Of
the Assembly Last Year be Re-
affirmed. and That Committee be
Appointed to Have Further Charge
of the Matter and Report to the
Next General Assembly.
EpeciaIt to the RECoRD-UNIoy.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIox.
PITTsBURG, May 1.-THE business
meeting of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church to-day was largely
attended in anticipation of the report of
the Committee on the Control of Semi
naries, one of the principal subjects to
come before the assembly. The commit
tee said at the conclusion of its lengthy
report:
''In case of heretcal teaching on the
part of any professor, no valid action
would be taken by the General Assembly
until that teaching had been adjudged
heretical according to the constitution Of
our church, and in case of violation of
the charter no sufficient remedy exists in
the independent action of civil authority,
which has the right to interfere, but
which cannot be compelled to do So"
The committee reports that Omaha and
Dubuque have adopted all the recon-
mendations of the General Assem- bly,.
The directors and trustees of Princeton
declare they "do not antagoniZe, but on
the contrary cordially acquiesce in and
are in fullest sympathy with the senti-
ments of the resolutions contained in the
report of the General Assembly. The
Committee OF Conference with Theolog-
ical SeminarieS made q report to the Gen.
eral Assembly at its session in 1894 that
the church should control the instruc-
tion given in its theological seminaries,
and that the funds held for the purpose of
theological instructions should be used
only for such education in doctrines set
forth in the standards of the church."
The directors and trustees further say
that they are advised by counsel learned
in the law, and believe that the character
of the seminary now embodies substan-
TALLY all that the assembly seeks to ac-
complish by its recommendations, and,
therefore deem an amendment of the
charter by the insertion of the same un-
wise and unnecessary. But" they fur
ther say, ''if the assembly should still
be of the opinion that such an amend
ment should be obtained, the boards will
endeavor to secure such action as will
insure to the General Assembly the right
to be represented in the courts and en-
force its proper control over the semi
nary and its property.
1.-The committee recommends that the
assembly reply to Princeton's offer that,
while respecting the judgment of the
boards, and are not prepared to say that
it is Incorrect the assembly is of the
opinion that in order TO put the matter
beyond all possible question, it would be
press their willingness to do, viz: to en-
deavor to secure such action as will in
sure to the General Assembly the right 10
be represented IN courts and to enforce
its proper control over the seminary and
lis property"
The Board OF Directors of the Western
Seminary of Allegheny being satisfied
that the seminary now stands in such
close relation to the Presbyterian Church
that both its teachings and its use of all
its property can be controlled by the
General Assem- bly,, sees no reason to ask
for any change In the existing relations
to the assembly. The Board of Trustees
has declared its readiness to secure neces-
sary legislation to enable the General
adopted. The committee recommends
that the General Assembly request these
boards to take such action.
The Board of Directors of Oanville has
resolved to adopt the recommendation as
to the bylaws as part of their constitu-
ton. The Board of Trustees states it has
an irrepealable charter which cannot be
amended without danger of forfeiture
The committee recommends that the as
sembly request the board of Trustees of
Danville to secure such legislation, not
iinperiling the charter, as will insure to
the General Assembly the right to be
represented in courts, and to enforce its
proper supervision over the seminary
and its property. San Francisco, being
under synodical care, has deemed it best
to defer action on the recommendation
until after the next meeting of the synod.
The committee recommends the adop-
ton OF the following resolution:
First-It is the sense of the assembly
that the meeting of 1894 did not intend to
prepare the way for any change in the
tenure arrangement of the property of
the seminaries or do anything which can
affect the autonomy Of the seminaries,
and that the said recommendations were
intended to have meaning and effect as
recited in this committees report. This
assembly, in rsaf1irming the resolution
of the assembly of 1894, does so with the
avowed purpose of leaving the tenure
and title to all the property of the semi
naries exactly where they are now, in
the hands of the various Boards of Trus-
tees, and with the further purpose of Sc
curing the veto power TO the assembly.
Second-Thlt this General Assembly
reaffirms the action of the assembly of
1894, and in view of the progress made,
and the Importance of the interests in
volved, declares that in its judgment the
effort should be continued to secure the
adoption, in substance, of the assembly's
plans by all seminaries.
Third-That committee be appointed
to have further charge of this matter,