The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-18

MR.. WEISSwASSER'S CASE|
1t Will Be Considered by q Com
mission Appointed by Presbytery.
AS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
Lnckawanna presbytery Is on Record as
Favoring Ono Every Thrce Years.
Details Of the Business Transacted
at tho Sessions Yesterday.

A large amount of important business
was transacted at yesterdays session
of the Lackawanna presbytery, one Of
the most important features being an
expression of opinion In favor Of hold
ing the general assembly trienially in
stead Of annually. as at present. Sew
eral exceptions were taken by the COM
mittee on seasonal records and, In the
main. the exceptions We're supported by
the presbytery.
Rev. G. L. Weisswasser was present
throughout the morning session and
the judicial committee. which com
prises Rev. DR.. Stewart, Towanda,
chairman; Rev. S. C. Logan. Rev. f. Il,
Hodge. Wilkes-Barre; W. IL. Jessup. of
this city, and James E. Burr, of Car
bondale. held u prolonged meeting to
discuss his application to be reinstated
in the ministry. Rev II. Won Krug
was present to act as interpreter. The
charges considered by the committee
were deserting his charge and desert
ing his wife.
At the afternoon session Rev. DR..
Stewart, chairman reported that they
| Iliu CouSlutIcu lIlt lToII IktN. -.
l.. Weiswasser, explaining the reasons
for his unauthorized departure from
the field of his labor, and asking to be
restored to the full privileges of the
ministry. The papers had been found
in order and they recommended that u
commission of eleven members be APP
pointed to consider the case and give
Mr.. Weisswasser a hearing, and that
the case be heard this morning at 10
o'clock.
The following were elected the COM
mission: Rev. C. f.. Robinson, Rev.
James Mcleod, Rev. f. Won Krug, Rev.
N. +. Stahl. Rev, S. C. Logan, Rev.
Felix Steinman, Elders Il. f.. Welles,
j. II. Torrey, James S. Brown, w. II.
Jessup and julius Wellner.
Papers in the Cusc.
A large package of papers We're
perused by the committee, which will
be handed over to the commission this
morning. The members of the COM
mittee declined to impart any infor-
nation as to their deliberations, stating
that the appointment of the commits
sion was all the information which it
was advisable to publish.
A charge affecting the character of
Rev August Lange, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, preferred by
members of the church. will also be
dealt with by the commissioners this
morning, who will report upon the two
cases to the session.
When the Lackawanna presbytery
was called to order yesterday morning
the meeting proceeded to dispose of the
unfinished business from Tuesdays
afternoon session. Rev. Charles E.
Robinson proposed that the name of
James II. Torrey be restored to the list
of candidates for lay commissioners to
the general assembly. The appointment
of the third lay commissioner having
been deferred from the previous session
a ballot was taken with the result that
J. w. Hollenback, of Wilkes-Barre, re-
ceived thirty-one out Of seventy-four
votes cast, so that another ballot was
deemed necessary. in which Mr.. Hollen-
back received fifty-eight votes and was
declared duly elected. The alternates
were elected as follows: For j. w. Hol-
lenback, J. II. Kennedy, superintendent
of public schools, Wayne county: for A.
w. Dickson j. II. Torrey, city solicitor,
Scranton; and for Judge w. II. Jessup,
Theodore Strong, of West Pittston.
Reduction Of Assessment.
The committee on bills and overtures
presented a recommendation upon the
overture from Cincinnati, Ohio, regard
ing the reduction of the assessment for
general assembly expenses. AT present
the assessment Is cents per commune
cant and this Is more than Is needed for
defraying the actual expenses, and an
opinion was expressed that 1t was not
wise to raise more money than was suf-
ficient for the purposes required.
DR.. Mcleod, in explaining the recon-
mendation Of the committee, said they
proposed a limit Of cents per COM
municant and quoted figures showing
the surplus in the funds from 1890 to
the present time. The recommends
tions Of the committee were adopted
unanimously.
The bills and overtures committee also
recommended the adoption of an over
ture amending the discipline in ques-
tions of judicatories against judica-
tories so as to allow presbytery to
appeal to synod in another state
where the circumstances necessitated
such action. The overture originated
from the Saratoga, N. Y, assembly and
was answered in the affirmative.
An important recommendation was
also made by the same committee re-
garding a proposal to hold triennial
general assembly instead Of annually,
as at present. DR.. Mcleod presented
the recommendation and in voicing the
sentiments of the committee said that
circumstances had now changed and
warranted the innovation. Previously
the church was small and now 1t was
large. and complaints and appeals. ex-
cept those relating to matters of doc
trlne. could be carried before the synod
and committee could be instituted as
court of appeal with assembly powers.
Would Dc Great Saving.
Speeches delivered once in three years
would receive more attention than those
delivered annually, and a saving of $780,
900 would be effected In the two years
during which the general assembly
would not be held. The general con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
church met but every four years and
the Episcopal church every two years,
and the success of their methods should
be an indication of what could be ac-
complshed by them
Rev. w. A. Beecher of Wyoming, in
speaking adversely of the proposal
drew attention to the fact that although
the Methodist church had double their
membership. they subscribed but one
half as much to home and foreign mis-
sionary work. After some further dis
cussion the overture was adopted.
{ Rev. c. I. Junlsin. Of the Grant Street |
Presbyterian church, Wilkes-Barre,
asked that his pastoral connection he
disaolved aa n flor M t,,re conaide ara tion |