The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-18
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
Efforts of the General Assembly to Get
the SemfnarieS.

Efforts of the General Assembly to Get
the Semfnaries.
Pittsburg MAY 1.-THE business meet
I ing Of the general assembly of the Pres
! byterian church today was largely at
/ tended. IN anticipation of a report from
/ the committee on control of Summaries.
/ one of the principal subjects to come be
! fore the assembly. The commit tee said,
/ "a the conclusion of lengthy report:
In The case Of heretical ieaGaing on
I the part of any professor no valid action
I could be taken by the general assembly.
unless that teaching had been adjudged
J hereiical according 10 the constitution
/ % our church. and Ia the case of viola
{ ton OF the charter. no sufficient remedy
/ exists IN the independent aston Of rhe
/ civil authority which has the right 10 in
/ terfere. but which cannot be compelled
/ to do So"
The committee reported that Omaha
/ and Dubuque have adopted all the recon-
! rnendations of the general assembly. The
directors and trustees of Princeton de
| clare they do not antoga1ize, but, on
the contrary, cordially acquidSce IN and
| are in fullest sympathy with the reSo-
buttons contained in the report of the
general assembly's committee of confer
ence with theological Summaries, made
TO the general assembly at its session of
1891 namely: That the church should
cortrol instruction given in its theologi-
cal Summaries. and funds for the pur-
pose OF theological instruction should he
used for only such education IN doctrines
as are set forth IN tire standards OF the
church"
The directors and trustees further say
they ara advised by counsel learned in
the law. and believe that the character
of the seminary now enGood.es substan-
TALLY all that the assembly seeks 10 ac-
conlphsh by its recommendations. and
therefore deem the amendment of the
Of mo
wise and unnecessary. But" they say
further, IF the assembly should still be
of the opinion that such adoption should
be obtained, the boards Will endeavor TO
secure such action VIII insure 10 the
general assembly the right 10 be repre-
senre in tbs, courts, and to force its
proper control over the seminary and It's
property"
The committee read the assembly's re-
| ply to Princeton's offer. that, while re-
specting the judgment OF the boards.
and not prepared 20 say that II Is moor
rect. the assembly Is of the opinion that
in order 70 put the matter beyond all pos
slble question, ii would be well Tor the
boards TO do what they express their
/ Willingness to do, viz: Endeavor 10 Sc
/ cure such action as Will secure TO the
general assembly the right 10 be repre-
sented In the courts, and TO enforce its
! proper control over the seminary and its
/ property.
! The board OF directors Of the Western
1 seminary at Allegheny being satlshed
| that the seminary now stands in SUCH
( close relation to the Presbyterian church
/ that both It's teachings and its use or all
/ it's property can DE controlled by the Sen-
! eral assembly sees no reason 10 ask any
/ change in existing citations 20 the assem-
/ bly, The board of trustees has declared
! It's readiness to secure necessary legisla-
| ton TO enable the general assembly 10
! carry out the principles adopted. The
| committee recommends that the general
/ assembly request these boards to take
| such action
! The board OF directors Of Danville has
! resolved to adopt the recommendations
| as 10 be-laws as part Of their constftu-
| ton The board OF trustees states II has
| an irrepeaIable charter, which cannot be
| amended without danger Of forfeiture.
| The committee recommended that the as
J semhlv request the board OF trustees OF
/ Danville 10 secure such legislation, not
/ Imperiling the charter, as VIII Insure 70
! ,he general assembly the right To he rep
| resented in the courts. and to enforce its
rroner supervision over the seminary and
/ It's property.
san Francisco. being under synodical
I care has deemed II best - defer action
/ on the recommendation until after the
. next meeting or the synod.
Regarding the semnaries which have
/ simply answered that the action is not
( expedient. ~ the proposed amendments
/ would he % dot!htful validity. or that the
way is not cIearat 10 act, as at present in
formed. no opinion IS expressed. iras-
+ much as these Summaries assigned no
! specif~ reasons for their action
! The committee recommends the adop-
/ ton OF the following resolution:
I 'Fi-St-Tt is the sense Of this assembly
/ hat tho assembly OF 1894 lid not intend 70
I prepare the aay for any change In tenure
/ or management Of thu property Of the
/ sensfnarfes or 80 do ANYTHING which can
: afeet The autonomy - tro ser2i17~ies ard
I that sai1 re-Ornrnera1ti ions We're intended
/ 20 nave meaning a.a effect rs re~ited i'm
mis- committees rero~+ This assembly. iH
~eaf7rr7inc tho resolution - the assembly
I of 1S4l does So with the aVnWed purpose
J 81 leaving the tenure ard fltle - an prop
/ cry - Se-ninsries exactly where they arc
( nov 81 the hands ~ various boards ~
trustees and With the further purpose OF
+ securing A veto power - the assembly as
an cT>-,tve force by charter provision.
( AMI ~ safe guarding hv charfer the de-
! }arsrtoa - trusts hold and 20 he held hy
hoa us of trustees against perVevsion or
! r.z~use
Second Thl- This general assembly 70
sH3r-0s re a~t}on Of the assembly 90 1897.
! and fo view 80 tra progress made. ana me
( i~7rorta~-e - she Interests involved. de-
! clare that in tts Judgment. Efforts should
he continued - secure the adoption in
substance - ne assemh,y'S plans for al
se.efrarirS
"'TAirs-That n committee be appointed
! 20 have further charge Of this matter ant
~ make a report - she next general as
! seu1iv"
IN rHe afte~0071 ar hour ana @ half VAS
given to debate Three speakers took
~l~f ir s. ~ the close an atte-~vt was
made 20 So: an hou- for taking me vote
',',f g VAS not s5oDted. ItS effect would
heve been ~ Iiult the tirne ~ each speak
Pr - ter minutes Toro-roHNs ouentnr
T0es-1 v.tt h@ made ~ Er1 r ". Waite
~ ''1lI y7haS. rhe newly elerte3 president
- he directory ~ Lane seminary at Gin
oiraatl which rejected the attempts Of
Pitchers Castoria.