The record-union., 1895-05-20
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
PULPITS OCCUPIED BY
VISITING MINISTERS.
Discussion of the Subject of Control of
Theological Semlnaries to be
Resumed To-day.
Special to the REcoRD-USroN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
PITTsBURG, May 19.-Pittsburg Presby-
terians boast especially OF their orthodox
Presbyterianism, and claim that the
smoky atmosphere has had no effect in
obscuring the clearness of their Calvin
istic scion. But it is many day since
the place was last taken possession of so
completely as to-day by the forces of the
denomination. Churches of all sorts and
varieties opened their doors and pulpits,
aud it took q long column of small type
to set forth all the appointments made
aud accepted by the divines of the
Presbyterian General Assembly. The
greatest interest was felt, however, in the
sermon of the moderator, DR.. Russell
Booth, who preached. as usual, in the
church whore the assembly sits. He was
greeted by a large audience. His text
was taken from the Gospel of John, 18th
chapter and sd verse: "And l. if l 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 TOR any utterances on ques-
tions in hot debate they were dlsap-
pointed, as the only thing that could be
construed into such an Interpretation
was the emphatic statement that las
against intidellty orthodoxy now has its
innings"
Parts of two days have now been de-
voted by the Presbyterian General As
selnbly to the discussion of the subject of
assembly control of theological semi
naries. Tomorrow the matter will be
resumed with vigor. Thus far all at
tempts to limit debate have been voted
down overwhelmingly, but word has
gone forth that decision must be
reached at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon.
Many, however, doubt the ability of the
leaders to put this programme through.
The attitude of tho liberals favors post
ponement, in the expectation that il dis
cussion of the report of the committee of
conference with the SeminGries is thor
oughly accorded it will be weakened aud
lose votes every day. Already the time
occupied is SO long that the Cemmis-
sioners are reminded OF the endless dis
cussion in the Briggs and Smith cases.
The result promises to be that the cause
of the missionary boards of the church
will be pushed aside, and the external
question will usurp place which does
not belong to them.
The Pacific Coast Is here again with
pressing invitation to the assembly TO
meet in 1896 in Seattle. Three years ago
the meeting place was Portland, Or,
anu ds suat tluo tHe DIIggS Case WAS up.
Its effect upon the church west OF the
Rocky Mountains was not all that could
be anticipated. Now, with the burning
questions out of the way. more favor
able impression is hoped for. DR.. Alex
ander Allison and Elder w. K. Ballard,
from the First Church of Seattle, are en-
gagged in canvassing open and informal
sentiments in favor OF their city. They
promise good rates, excellent accommo-
dations and meeting place second to
none in the country. The question is
be necessary for the hackers of Seattle TO
raise guarantee fund to make it possible
to take 600 commissioners SO far and to
keep them SO long. The other place
mentioned is Saratoga, where the assem-
bly, met last year, and where the COM
missiOners can be entertained at less ex-
pense than anywhere else in the country.