The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-05-29
U. P. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
37TH SESSION.
Some of the Prominent Members Of the
Assembly.

The thirty seventh General Assembly OF
the United Presbyterian church met In the
Sixth church, North Highland avenue, Pitts
burg. Wednesday evening. There was q
large attendance OF delegates. Every pos
slble preparation for the entertainment of the
delegates was completed early in the week
and the United Presbyterians of the city are
ready to reap some enjoyment from the meet
ing.
An immense audience was present at the
opening exercises. Promptly at tho hour
appointed the gayel of the moderator fell and
the house was In order.
The opening sermon was delivered by
Prof. John A. Wilson, ID. D., the retiring
moderator.
DR.. Wilson took his text from solomon's 8
song. viii. 25, "Who is this that cometh up
from the wilderness leaning upon the arm OF
her belovedY' His subject was "Ihe Church
and her Beloved" He said:
1his is but our thirty-seyenth General as
sembly. Yet how great is tho progress OF
that single generation! Verify, our church
has been looming up out Of the wilderness" "
And because she has gone forward, she has
been preserved and prospered. But what OF
the future? The conditions OF success will
continue the same. II we go forward, devils
ing more and more liberal and aggressive
measures, then shall our light rise in obscur-
fly and our darkness be as the nooday.
Much progress has been made. For this
let us be thankful But let US remember that
all has not been done. The way and tho
work still stretch out before us. Many
enemies must yet be met. Some OF Isnrels
battles were fought in sight of the promised
land. Let US be optimists, hopefnl, trustful,
grateful men, but let us not shut our eyes to
the condition and the signs OF the times.
The Assembly clerks are prominent figures
In the convention. Rev. William J. Reid, ID.
D., the principal clerk of the assembly, is
pastor of tho First church. Pittsburg, and is
now in the thirty-fourth year OF his pastor
ate. His labors have not been confined TO
his own congregation. He has done his share
of general church work. He has been for 20
years principal clerk OF the General Assem-
bly,, and for nearly eight years editor OF the
United Presbyterian.
Alexander Gillnllen Wallace. d. D.. second
clerk OF the assembly, was born near Bridge
VILE Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May
2, 1929. He graduated at Jefferson college
In lS49 after which he studied theology In
Allegheny. He was licensed by Mononga-
hela presbytery in 1852, and ordained by
Blairsvile In 1854. He at once took the pas
torate. OF two churches. one at McKeesport.
Allegheny county, and the other at Bethel,
Westmorland county. He remained with
the church at McKeesport until 1857. and
with that at Bethel until 1868, when he left
10 take charge of the church at New Bright
on, Beaver county. He was elected second
clerk OF the General Assembly in 1868,
and has held that Office ever since.
The assembly elected DR.. ]. A. McDougall
moderator Thursday morning without con-
test and then lost no time in getting down to
business. The question of assembly control
Of the theological seminaries came for dis
cussion.
The reports OF the boards show n crafty
Ing degree OF prosperity In the whole work
OF tho church. In the United Presbyterian
perhaps less than In any other, has the finan-
cial siringency been felt. Promptness and
faithfulness In meeting all financial demands
has always been characteristic OF this
church.
The reception OF fraternal delegates from
the Presbyterian General assembly was a
pleasant feature OF the afternoons proceed
ings. DR.. II. Fl. Jessup, the wit OF the as
eembly to which he belongs, and an honored
worker in the foreign field, coupled with
Gen. Beaver, made n strong delegation, and
they were heartily received. II Is evident
the relation between these churches is grow
ing closer year by year.
most interesting feature OF Fridays ses-
sion was the appearance on the iloor OF Rev.
A. G.. Carson. d. D., OF Xenia, O., who arose
to speak from personal privilege. DIR. Car
son is a representative OF the element In the
church that Numerically opposes the en-
ployment OF Instrumental music. He talks
tuently, and In profile bears striking re-
semblance 10 the late Benjamin +. Butler.
DR.. Carson at a previous assembly entered
upon record protest against the decision OF
the assembly OF 1883 authorizing the use OF
the use OF the organ In divine worship. This
morning he said that he wished TO change his
protest to a sentiment OF dissent. For quar-
ter OF an hour he talked deliberately and
earnestly on his views, which have not
changed since his protest was recorded. He
still is firm against the principle and says
that lie cannot change his ideas. He had
either the choice OF remaining In the church
and submitting TO a form of worship which
he could not conscientiously approve or di-
rectly Withdrawing. The latter alternative
left him no church TO enter md as witness
for Christ, he now wishes to remain in the
United Presbyterian church, but recorded a.
dissenting. At length DR.. Carson dwelt OF
the difference between protesting and dis
senting, and ut the conclusion OF bis remark,
motion 10 have his change Of expressed
sentiment recorded in the minutes prevailed