New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-20

| pies societies will be held tomorrow afternoon
In the evening there will be general meeting Win
addresses by DR.. Thomas Marshall (1ed secretarV'
the Rev Dr. Arthur J. Brown and the Rev Dr.
| John r. Davies This conference VIII meet from
day to day through the session OF the Assembly u
| receive reports from special committees ON sun
day. May 81 there will be foreign mission prayer
meeting with this subject: THE outpourihg OF 'ne
,1o,, sn,r4t unou the Church at home. that 1t may
awake TO the Masters call. and upon t"e u"e'a"
eelized world that 1t may turn TO uou'
-rho ,astor of the First Church. in when the AS
,h,y will he held is the Rev. Dr. William Durah''
who was installed there three years ago He
1raduate Of Yale College and Princeton Seminary
IIjs first pastorae in Albany, the cry III "''
no was horn and where for nine years he had charge
of the Sixth Presbyterian Church Other pi9toi"
nroc.dne the present one were in the F1rst fresDy
,erian church Of. Morristown, y. j., ana the
Boundary Church, OF Baltimore -Four years "so
when the Briggs trial was going on IN Ne"-ioiA'
DR. Durant cut short a visit to England as ne was
member OF the New-York Presbytery at that ume'
that he might be present at the opening OF the trial.
He sat throughout the trial and voted not 10 sus-
tain the charges against the Union Seminary pro-
fessor DIR. Durant is a man OF large capaci'y anu
thorough culture, with scholarly tastes ana more
than ordinary ability as writer and preacher ne
is hgh-minded broad-mnded and generous inose
who know him best appreciate most ruby MS s'eI'
ing qualities. Two years ago Dr. Durant was d
Commissioner 10 the Assembly held In his church'
and voted In behalf of Professor Henry L. smith,
who was suspended at that time from the ministry
1t is no slight thing TO provide suitable accommo-
dations for coo or 700 Presbyterian ministers ana
elders with hundreds more who are delegates TO the
womens meetings, or are mere onookers In Sara
toga Every man whose bill is paid wants an ideal
place to stay, and every man who pays his own D!
doubly solicitous. Saratoga is fortunate IN nav
| ing at the head OF the Committee or Arrangements
the In this State who is able TO satisfy ali
| the demands laid upon him by the visitors. Dr. j.
n Crocker is sometimes called Archbishop and
while he does not lay claim to any unusual title, he
| deserves and receives many honors. Since April
he been corresponding not only with the stated
clerks of all the presbyeres. but also with all the
commissioners and others who have sgniiicd their
intention to be present, seeking 10 suit Individual
tastes with desired accommodations and comforts
while in Saratoga. and supplying each one OF the
than 1000 visitors expected with card OF In
PRODUCTION 10 his house of entertainment The main
features of the system devised by DR.. Crocker in
ranging for former meetings of the Assembly at
Saratoga have been adopted for the convenience OF
committees and visitors in later meetings of the body
at other places. When the delegates arrive they
of the Assembly with every detail well IN hand
making all the resources OF Saratoga contribute TO
keeping all local facilities and conveDences in shape
expedite the Assemby's business. To say that no
is stated clerk of the Albany Presbytery and super
ntendent OF the Synods missions fails TO describe
his real labors and influence fol good among the
churches in the State OF NewYork that need inan-
cial help. or a peacemaker or a wise counsellor,
an able preacher or strong character 10 stimulate
and confirm them in conservative and upward
course, and whatever he does is exceedingly well
done.
The steady growth OF the Presbyterian Church
may be seen by the following table. giving the num-
| Der OF ministers. churches, additions confession
of faith and communicates and the benevolent con-
| tr1butions at various periods since 1860 The COM
parative statement covers the last six in
| cesson:
| Additions Commun- contri-