The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-05-22

SARATOGA, New York, May H--The
1Osth General Assembly Of the Northern
Presbyterian church was opened hero
this morning at Ii o'clock in the First
PresbytetiRn church, where so many
previous assemblages have met. PrNy-
er was offered by DR.. william ,Durant,
pastor OF the church. The Psalm was
read by tho Rev. William E. Carr, Of
Danvtie, Virginia, a colored commits
sIoner. and the scripture lesson by the
Rev. William s. Marquis. Prayer was
offered by the Rev. Joseph n. GoScen.
OF Kolhapur. India. The opening SER
mon was delivered by the Rev. DR.. Rob-
ert Russell Booth, OF New York, the
retiring moderator, on the subject Of
"ChriSttan Union and DenomInatlonRl
Loyalty"
The text was taken from the gospel OF
st, John 1870 and q.
DR.. Booth spoke Of the misunderstands
IngS and conflicts which have divided
deprecated any work or act which might
agEraYnte present troubles. He said:
ION one hand there nra charges Of uN-
due severity in the administration OF dis
cipllnS with plea for liberty within
certain limits. which up TO this time
have not been defined. On the other
hand there Is fear or conviction that
essential truths nre at stake and q be-
hef that the church Is contending for
he nor and life in the stand which she
has recently taken in her discipline and
deliVeFRnces.
ut may be a dream; II may be 4 de-
fusion" said the preacher, but speak
ing rs Il were for the last time in EuchR q
place OF public authority, I appeal 10 the
sound Christian sense OF this venerable
assembly to take some proper measures
to ascertain what Il is that divides
US and what Is required for the abate:
nent Of strife and reconciliation Of
parties at variance"
The first business transacted this
afternoon, was the election Of q moder-
ator. DR.. Francis c. Monfort, OF Gin
cinnRti. editor OF the Herald and Pres
bytcEy, was nominated by DR.. Thomas
H. CleIlRnd. Of Duluth. The name Of
Or. David r. Breed. OF Pitt9burgh. wax:
presented by Rev. William n. Hubbard,
OF Auburn, New York, DR.. John K.
Davies, Of New York, made strong
speech in the interest OF DR.. John L.
WIthFow. OF Chicago.
The result Of the ballot was Wlthrow
SIS; Breed 1853, and MonfQrk 81. THE!
sefgTti0fi SIlS tiIeti made EtItEHUrss ~
newly elected moderator BNag conducted
to the platform and lnducted into office
by tho retiring moderator, DR.. Booth.
DR.. Whhrow expressed a high appre-
clAtIon OF the honor conferred upon him,
and expressed his determination TO Use
his best eudeRVors as q servant OF the
assembly, DR.. william DurOnt, chair
man Of the committee OF of'artangen1ents.
presented to the moderator a gnHel
which had been provided by the local
association OF che Daughters OF the
Revolution, II is Of wood, which grew
on the fleld where BurEoyne surrender.
ed, and was made by a coxEWain OF
Admiral Farragut's flagship.
After a resolution. which txed the
bours OF the daily sessions from 9
o'clock until 1880 and from $40 until 3.
the assembly adjourned until evening.
when the sacrament Of the Lords Sup
per was celebrated. DR.. Booth pres!d.
ed and was assisted by DEB. Breed and
Clelland and by Elders selected from
the various Synods.
DR.. WIthrow, the new moderator. In"
stltuted q new departure at once. Ono
OF the most RFluous duties OF q newly
elected tII1deFator is the appointment
OF numet 10 committees upon one Of
which eteFy commissioner finds
place. u has been customary to aAk the
advice Of the clerks and Of few promI-
ncnt commissioners. AZ the close OF the
evening session, DR.. Whhrow called for
a meeting Of two representatives from
each presbytery with whom no might
advise In the matter, and tie result Of
the experiment Is awaited with Interest.
Some interest was aroused by tho
publication Of q dispatch from Mr..
kingsley, treasurer Of Union seminary.
stating that Professor Henry p. Smith,
who was suspended by the general as
Hembiy Of 1894, 10 70 deliver = course OF
Icctures at the seminary during the
nuAt year. A false report was also
spread that hc was engaged to take the
place Of pr. Briggs IN the semiunry
during the years leave Of absenro rP.
cRnlly grained TO him by the board CT