The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-05-22
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
BOOTH CHOSEN MODERATOR
Work of the Assembly Begun Amid
Great Good Feeling.

enurcn, SIKH avenue. I1ttsDurg, ihursuay.
There was nothing unusual about the open
ing, which was conducted with Presbyterian
simplicity and dignity.
Moderator Mutchmore called the assembly
10 order ot IL o'clock. Choirmaster W. b.
Edwards led his choir in the rendition Of the
anthem, "Send Out Thy Light" Rev. d. N.
Adams, d. D., Of Red River, Mimi, offered
an invocation; Rev. DIR. Page of Topeka,
KAN, read the fret Scripture lesson. and DR..
W. l.. EcEwan of the Third church announc-
ed hymn. Following this Rev. DIR. Nor
cross OF Carlisle, Pa, oGered prayer, and the
stated clerk, Rev. DR.. W. II. Roberts, read
the second Scripture lesson.
DR.. s. A. Mutchmore, the retiring mod
orator, delivered the opening sermon,
The assembly proceeded to the election OF
a moderator. DIR. Muchmore warned the
delegates against excitement and undue feel
ing, reminding them Of the fact that the as
sembiy was a court OF Gods house and the
proprieties Of the case demanded that they
should take up the business before them
with earnestness and gravity.
Nominations were called for. Ex-Gov-
James A. Beaver presented the name OF
Rev. Robert Russell Booth, d. D., OF New
York.
Rev. @. W. Backus, d. d. OF Kansas City,
presented the name OF Rev. DIR. wm. Page, OF
Of Leavenworth, Kan.
Rev. Samuel s. Cryor, ID. d., OF Albert Lea.
Mimi, nominated Rev. II. NJ. Adams, ID. d.,
synodical missionary OF the state Of Mime.
sofa.
Elder @. W. Shield OF Kansas City, Mo-,
spoke an additional word In favor Of DR..
Page. and the nominatins closed.
been cast, 275 being necessary to a
choice. OF the votes cast Dr. Booth re-
ceived 300 DIR. Page 165. and DIR. Adams 49,
DIR. Booth was declared elected, and the elec-
ton was made unanimous
Rev. Robert Russell Booth, d. D., the new
moderator, is pastor OF Rutgers (Riyerside)
church, New York. He Is BON OF WILLIAMS
A. and Aida (RusselD Booth; was born in
the city OF New York in 1880; graduated
from Williams college In lS49 and
from Auburn Theological seminary
In 1852 After spending some months
In Europe and In the east he was, In No
vember, 1858, 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.
tor OF the First Presbyterian church Of
Stamford, Conn. In 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
church for thirteen years, and he has been
pastor OF the Old Rutgers (Riverside) church
ten years. Thus, he has been pastor during
bis 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. P. Craig. Los Angeles
presbytery, and Charles ]. Deacon, Cedar
Rapids pfesbytery.
Friday DIR. G. Young, D. D., read the re-
port Of the Committee on SeminarIes. He
sa!ai Ill.,. omm,,,oo .,.,.a .. tho oon,.,.no..
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 1t 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 semlnaries, 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 avowe3 purpose OF
leaving the tenure aud title to all property OF
the semidaries exactly where they are now,
In the hands OF the various boards oftrustees,
and 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-
affirms 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-
.AA tn tha su
stance, OF the assembly's plan by all the
seminaries.
Thlrd-That committee be appointed to
have further charge OF this matter, and &c
make report to the next General Assembly.
The seminaries which offer to adopt all The
recommendations are Omaha and Dubuque.
Princeton board twill endeavor to secure
such action as will insure to the General AS
sembly the right to be represented in the
courts and enforce proper CONTROL" The
board OF the Western seminary, Allegheny,
''sees no reason TO ask any change In exist
ing relatians to the assembly," Danville
will adopt the recommendations as bylaws.
San Francisco being under synodical care,
has deferred action.
DIR. Cunningham read the report OF the
special committee on Lane seminary, which
outlined that the board OF directors OF that
institution are willing to adopt all the recon.
mendations OF reorganization and increase
OF the General Assembly DIR. Cunningham
recommended that no debate take place and
the report was adopted and the committee
continued, owing to the good work they have
done.
The committee ON Sabbath observance re.
ported as follows:
The special committee on Sabbath ,obser-
vance would respectfully emphasize the
need OF vigilance and united action ,on the
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 insidioui
and active. Vigorous and organized attempts
are being made to destroy the legal and
moral safeguards OF this sacred day. A
secularizing Sunday literature invades oui
homes; Sunday traffic, Sunday excursions
Sunday concerts, Sunday social entertain.
ments, and Sunday travelling for gain OF
pleasure, In many places prevail. - I
Even among protesting Christians there ars
those who, while admitting that physical
domestic and industrial interests OF the people
require the maintenance Of the weekly res
day, do not seem TO appreciate its religious
obligations. The present situation is seri.
ous-demandine the Immediate consideration
Of the patriot. the philanthropist and tn,
Christian.
A Yellow Fever Epidemic.
Word which has come from st. Lucia
West Indies. announcing that an epidemic OF
yellow fever has hroka an out thara n I'M ono ths