Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-23

PITTsBURG, Pa, May 16.-The Briggs
contingent of the Presbyterian General
Assembly was routed to-day and the
conservative element OF the church won
q, splendid triumph. Rev. DR.. Robert |
Russell Booth of Rutgers Church, New
York city, was elected moderator, TO
succeed Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Mutchmore |
of Philadelphia, who retired from that |
high ecclesiastical post The victory of |
the anti-Briggs element is all the more
complete, since the liberals had been |
making a vigorous campaign TO elect the |
moderator.
The General Assembly met here to-
day in the Third Presbyterian Church. |
Several hundred delegates were present,
representing the churches all over the
land. The opening session was occupied
entirely by the delivery of the sermon
of the retiring moderator, Rev. DIR.
Mutchmore.
ELECTION OF MODERATOR.
At the afternoon session, after the
names of the commissioners enrolled
had been read, the first thing in order
was the nomination of moderator.
Ex-Governor Beaver of Pennsylvania,
took the platform amid applause lie
spoke of the event which had taken
place 25 years ago on the spot on which
he stood-the grandest event in Presby-
terrain ecclesiastical circles. 1t seemed
to him he heard the voice: Take the
shoes from off thy feet; the ground
whereon thou standest is holy ground"
oh that we could forget the little, miser.
able differences that divide us. The
voice of the church is for pastor pre-.
eminently d pastor. 81 will name you
one" said Gov. Beaver, "who has five
Antk IF a. tI,o
presidency of colleges, in order to be
able to declare the unsearchable rich
ness of Christ from the pulpit We
want a man who declares that the Word
of God from the Old and New Testa-
ment is the only rule to direct us.
will bring you such a man, who believes
that the polity of the Presbyterian
Church is not only scriptural but apos-
tole a man who believes in the gov.
eminent of the Presbyterian Church,
and that government should govern. |
will name you a man whom l know
personally and thoroughly; man whom
/ love; genial as he is able; of ex-
perience in affairs of the church and
parliamentary usage; qualified in every
way to preside. | nominate the Rev.
Robert Russell Booth, D. II. of the
Rutgers Church, New York, and lately
moderator of that great Presbytcry.
The Rev. Andrew G. Zenos, d. d., Of
Chicago. seconded the nomination of
DR.. Booth.
The Rev. Samuel S. Cryor, D. D., of
4. - Minnesota, said he desired to nominate
man capable of leadership; man who
had gone into the army, and had subse-
quently refused several calls in order to
devote himself to home missions. Ic
placed in nomination the Rev. Robert
n. Adams, ID. D., of Minneapolis,
synodical missionary secretary Of Min
nesota. This was seconded by the Rev.
George G. Pollock, ID. d., of Litchtield,
Mass.
The Rev. Clarence w. Backus, D. d.,
of Kansas City, Kan, said he was in
hearty accord with the sentiments ut
tered lie wished to nominate man
distinguished as Presbyterian minister
in the great home mission field and as a
soldier in the late war. He nominated
the Rev, William N. Page, D. d., OF
Leavenworth, Kan, and the nomination
was seconded by the Rev. II. L. White
LII. D., Columbus, o.
DIR. BOOTH ELECTED.
The result of the vote was as follows
Whole number of votes cast, 54S; neces,
sary to choice, PA. The Rev. DIR
Booth, 300; Rev. DIR. Page, 1865; the Rev
DR.. Adams, So.
On motion, the election of DR.. Bootl
was made unanimous. The Rev. DIR
Booth, on taking his seat, in few we'll
chosen words returned thanks for thu
honor conferred
CAREER OF THE NEW MODERATOR.
DIR. Robert Russell Booth is a gradual,
OF Williams College and Auburn Semi
nary. His first pastOrate was at Troy
lie then went 10 Stamford, Conn, ant
was then called to succeed Thomas II
Skinner, the famous pastor of tn
Ancient Mercer Street Church, New
York City, now known as the Churcl
Of the Strangers. He remained tner
until the reunion of the old ana ney
schools, when the Mercer Street Churc
was merged into the University Piac
Church. He continued as pastor of til
combined churches until his healt
failed, and he entered upon an OK
tended tour of the foreign mission field
Returning to New York, he found III
ancient Rutgers Church, at Madiso
avenue and lwenty-cighth street, dt
serted and abandoned BY pastor an
congregation. He undertook the wor
of its revival This he accomplishc
with signal success He is strongly OF
posed to the teachings of Dr. Briggs.
Or. Booth and his advisers wUrke
until late hour making up the men
bership of the Assembly committee
The important committees this year wi
be on on bills and overturcs, by whic
the question Of the treatment 10 Unia
Seminary students will be consideret
on Theological Summaries, which wi
take up the questions relating to the!
institutions. on home end fOrnir