New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-29
THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLE

rho work ~ the PRESBYTERIAN General Assem-
h,v which has lust ended sessions. can be best
described In the terms which have become SO
familiar in partisan politics 1t is not strange
tim, this should be So since the presbyterian
Church has been for some years and Is YET jill
tho ,hrocs OF n tremendous conflict between TWO
rival parties Each Of these parties believes that
II represents the real mind Of the Church. ana
has not hcsitated 10 employ every ieei'iih".e
party method TO achieve a party triumph IL
unnecessary 10 say Of course. that each parry
believes that the Holy Ghost guides the counseiS
Of the Church: bnt history shows that the pen'i
IN Divine guidance IS entirely compatible with Il
great deal Of partisan activity and wire-puiiihg
ON the part OF churchmen. We do not say TINS
by way OF criticism, but because u u Iac'or
that must always be taken into account IN re-
viewing the work OF an ecclesiastical council.
That the General Assembly settled the ques-
lions which came before IL from party point
~ view Is undenlabe The conservatives had
the ma joriy and they properly disresardn 'he
views Of the minority. Just the liberals would
have done had they been in the majority mat
ia ono ~ the necessities Of party government,
whether In the State or In the Church. The ma
ior,y can only discharge It's responsibility by
ne said against It. II this fact is borne In mind,
there will be no difficulty In understanding the
policy ~ the conservative majority in the Cen
cral Assembly Its great object was simply to
retain It's dominance In the Church With this
end I'm view It's leaders sounded various inspiring
"keynotes" the rank and file" were exhorted
TO stand firm. and CLOSE up the ranks against
the enemy. That the Issues to be decided consti-
,l,n Of fhn
needs not TO be stated. For no ecclesiastical
council ever assemblies without facing crisis;
but somehow the impending crisis generally dis
solves into thin air before the sessions are ended.
Under these tactics. entirely legitimate from
every point Of view except that Of the religious
ld.allst the conservative majority In the Gen
eral Assembly did what every one knew before
hand II would do and those who sympathlze with
II will doubtless point with pride" 10 It's achieve
mcnts while they view with alarm the fell
designs ~ the wicked liberals. ON their side. the
liberals will naturally look upon the work Of the
conservatives rs a triumph OF craftsmanship: and
yet when they get on top. IL they ever do. they
will adopt exactly the same course.
But waving the party aspect Of the question. IT
must be admitted that the sessions of the Gen
cral Assembly were characterized by dignity and
| tnrlStlun courtesy. me HlaJoiltN WiS'i! ~
| Trained from doing some things that II might
have done. and which would have prcciptated
a schism In the Church. The only thing really
accomplished by 1t was 10 rratirm It's policy.
especially In regard to scminarcs not approved
by the Church. The conflict between the con-
scrvatives and the liberals mas not been ended by
this General Assembly. II will continue to he
wagcd by both sides with undated zeal until the
points at issue lose themselves In other more
vital issues that will grow out Of the life Of the
| Church and It's relation to the various activities
| OF the age.