Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-05-28
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
One Hundred and Eighth Annual Session
Of pFeSbyterianS.
BEGUN THURSDAY AT SARATOGA
Sermon Preached BY Retiring
Moderator.

Sermon Preached by Retiring
Moderator.
Saratoga, N. ", May 81 The l0Sth
General Assembly Of the Northern
Presbyterian Church was opbned this
morning, at II O'Clock. in the First
Presbyterian Church, whefeS so many
previous assemblies hav6 meg
Prayer was offered by DR.. Rev.
William Durant, pastor of the church.
The Psalm was read by the Rev. Will
liam L. Carr of Danville, Va,
colored commissioner, and the scrip
ture lessons, were read by the Rev.
William s. Marquis of Rock Island.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Joseph
NJ. Goheen of Kolhapur, India.
The opening sermon was delivered
by the Rev. DIR. Robert Russell Both
OF New York, the retiring m9derator,
on tho subject of "Christian Union
and Denominational I,syalty.ss
Saratoga, N. vi. May 81. Rev. DIR.
John L. Withrow of Chicago, was
elected moderator OF Presbyterian
General Assembly this aff moon, receix
ing BIB votSens, l63 for Rev. Dr. David
r. Breed Of f.ittsburg. Pa, and "a for
Rev. DIR. Francis @. Montfofk of Gin
Ieinnati, editor of the Herald and Pres
| bytery. Tho election WAC male upani.
nous. DIR. Withrow was regarded as
the candidate Of the liberal party in
| the church.
The newly elected moderator was
conducted to the pIatformf and in,
Quoted into Office by tht retiring
moderator. DIR. Robert RUSSELL Booth
Of New York. Dr. Withrow Expressed
a high appreciation of the honor con
ferred upon him and expressed bis de-
Termination TO use his best endeavors
as servant of the assembly.
DIR. William Durant, chairman Of the
committee of arrangements, presented
! TO tho moderator gayal which had
been provided by the local association
of the Daughters of the Revolution.
1t is of wood which grew on the field
whore Burgoyne surrendered, and was
made by coxswain of Admiral Far
ragut's flagship.
DIR. Withrow, the new moderator, in
stituted new departure at once. One
OF the most arduous duties of newly
elected moderator ia in the appoint
ment of ,Dumerousf committees, upon
one of which every commissioner finds
/ d LII iluS Dbbu uibtOinulJ w hsh
the advice of the clerks and of few
prominent commissioners. At the close
OF the afternoon session DR.. Withrow
called for meeting OF two representa-
tives from each preshytery with whom
he might advise in the matter.
Saratoga, N. r., May 70. The sec
ond days session of the Presbyterian
General Assembly opened with devo
tionai exercises led by the Rev. George
d., Lindsay of GaIena, III.
Tho business of the day consisted o.
the reception of the reports of thi
special committees appointed in 1885.
Some standing committees We're an
nounced with chairmen, as follows
Bills and overtures, ex-Moderato
Robert Il. Booth of New York iudicia
business, DIR. Francis @. Monfort o
Cincinnati; church policy, DR.. Johl
II. Davies of New York; home mis-
sons, DR.. w. P. Kane of Bloomington
foreign missions, DIR. Benjamin O
Henry OF Canton, China education, DR.
Everett B. Thomson of Crawfordsville
Ind. church erection, Or. William r
JenSin of Montclair, N. j.. theologi
cal seminaries, DIR. David r. Breed o
Pittshurg ministerial relief, DIR. Georg,
b. Stewart of Harrisburg; aid for col
loges, DIR. Thomas F. Clelland of Du
4 luth benevolence, the Rev. Henry G
Smith, the newly professor o
theology at Lane Seminary Cincinnati
The report of the committee on de
nominational missionary periodical wa
made by DIR. McIutosh Of Philadelphia
DIR. John Fox of Brooklyn reported
on the temporalities of the church
recommending that the constitution o.
the church be changed SO that propert
of tho churches can be committed t
the board of deacons when possible.
Saratoga, N. Y, May % AT to
days session of the Presbyterian Gen
eral Assembly special reports on ne,
editions of the constitution of th
! church and of the digest of the deliy
erances of the assembly were made b
the stated clerk, DIR. Roberts.
The final report of the morning calle
, forth warm discussion. 1t related t
Sabbath observance, and was presente
by Elder William r. Worrell of Ne,
York. Tho report denounced all worl
; on Sunday; various theories of indi
yidual liberty, excursions, ball games
; bicycle riding, lax views of the Sab
bath, social entertainment and th
I, Sunday newspaper. Christian peopl
we're criticised for their lax observauc
of Sunday. The resolutions, whic
were adopted, reaffirmed former deliver
auces as TO the perpetual binding ohli
cations of the Sabbath. They ais
commended the efforts made in Sun
day schools and young peoples socie
; ties for the better observance of tn
Sabbath; appointed the last Sunday !
: October as day for the special consid
: GRAFTON of the subject and commende
the work of the American Sabbat
Union and its auyiliaries.
Elder L. p. Main of Kearney, Neb.
a introduced resolution expressin
"lack of sympathy with the crimint
: prosecution of those persons who hon
a estly and conHcientIousy observe til
seventh day of the week instead of th
q first," but he met with opposItio
: and his motion was tabled.
3 The General Assembly adjourned a
: O'Clock this afternoon in the midf
, of the vote on resolutions of the 6pecii
: committee on the relations of youn
: peoples societies to the church, Res,
j lutions had been adopted directing ths
: statement OF relations" be sent /
Y the separate societies to be read b
them, and reafiirming the action OF th
Assembly of 1893. The former recon
mendation was reached only after
. long discussion apd under the operatio
of the previous question.
just at the hour of adjournment
motion was made to strike out II
| ofbar rannn, N, N 1at of tba nor,