The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-22
PREsBYTERIANs OF THE NORTH.
The General Assembly in Session at
Saratoga.

Saratoga, y. Y, May 21.-The 1OSth gem
eral assembly Of the Presbyterian church
in the United States Of America opened
its sessions here to-day in the First Pres
byterian church with the usual sermon
Of the retiring moderator. Nearly 200
commissioners, half ministers and half
elders. occupied seats on the floor of the
auditorium. and as many more ladies'
and visitors were crowded upon the floor
with the delegates. Upon the platform
were seated those who were TO assist the
moderator, Rev. Dr. Robert Russell Booth
OF New York, in the service, and IN the
rear of the pulpit was the choir, greatly
augmented from the local choirs for this
occasion. The service, according TO the
church, began promptly at II O. clock. Or.
Booths sermon occupied more than an
hour in the delivery.
The committee on theological seminary
and control, which has now been before
three consecutive assemblies, was in ses-
sion all night giving the last touches TO
assembly. The work Of retouching is sun
incomplete, and several more all-nIght
sessions may be necessary to get the
phraseolOgy in the desired form.
The same old matter Of the histories
and characters of the charters Of the sew
eral seminaries and the change necessary
in such TO bring the institution under
closer seminary control must be restated
with additions in the way of suggestions
resulting from another years cOnsulta-
tons and conferences with the boards.
The actions of the several seminaries
on the overture to surrender certain pow
ers over their funds, property, faculties
and instructions is generally known. So
also is the recommendation of previous
assemblies that further powers of control
over the Presbyterian seminaries was
necessary after the experience with Lane
and Union. 1t would seem that nothing
more was to be said on the subject. But
time changes many things, including men,
and II now appears that many Of this
committee, after a three years struggle
with the conditions of trusteeship and adj
ministration of the Presbyterian semina-
ries have come here prepared
to surrender some of the
ground already gained by previous
assemblies in the direction of closer re-
lauonshtp between these institutions and
the assembly. The desire to take the back
track was so strong when the committee
met on tuesday IL became evident al once
that more argument and conference was
necessary than could be crowded into one
day. Yesterday nearly the whole day and
night was spent in the committee room
over this report, and early this morning
the work was resumed. Part of the report
is now in the printers hands and the rest
will be ready as soon as the former harsh
language and severe recommendation is
translated into soft words and velvety
phrases.
Promptly a o'clock the general assem-
bly, was formally constituted by Stated
Clerk Roberts, Moderator Booth being in
the chair and the business Of the ses-
sion began.
The Rev. DIR. John L. Withrow of New
York, the liberal candidate, was elected
moderator by a large majority, over the
combined vote-Of DIR. Montfort of Cincin-
natl and DR.. Reed of Pittsburg.