New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-23


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE1
Saratoga. Nav 22-The General Assembly be-
gan Its second days work with half-hour OF
PRAYER II closed the days session with five MIN
utes OF PRAYER Just previous 10 the closing bene-
dicton there had been a debate of two hours on
the young peoples societies in the presbyterian
Church. The discussion was caused by the re-
port OF the special committee appointed last year
at Pittsburg with DR.. David X. Breed, OF 'ha'
city as chairman. Aside from the report upon
theological semnaries. this is one OF the most I'M
portant papers that will be presented this year.
For a long time IT has been felt by the pastors IN
many Presbyteres that the young people were
not being trained in Presbyterian doctrine or pol
ity or history by their Christian Endeavor meet
inss: that the idea of interdenomnational fellow
ship was taking the place of loyalty TO the Pres
byterian Church. and that some steps should be
taken to bring the young people into closer reia-
ton with the history and work and future Of their
own denomina ton This movement has been
strenuously opposed but never more openly or
more vigorously than on the floor of the Assembly
to-day Dr. Breeds committee presented an ex-
haustve report covering the work Of the commit
tee during the year.
The list Of the communications received includ-
ed overtures letters from Presbyteres some ask
ing that the Christian Endeavor Society should be
adopted as an essential part Of the equipment OF
the Presbyterian churches. and that 1t have
place in their reports; others asking that West
minister League should not be formed: another
that Presbyterian Young Peoples League
should be formed still another that Westmin-
ster League should be formed for the entire
Church. etc The Brotherhood Of Andrew and
Philip desired TO be identified with the organized
forces OF the Church, as did also the Boys Bri-
gade. Considerable space was given in the repor.
to the committee from the Presbyterian rally at
Boston last July. The Aseemblys committee
praised the work Of the Christian Endeavor move
ment, and said that the Presbyterian Church is
deeply indebted to its promoters for the emphasis
with which they have sought to lay hold Of and
consecrate the young lives which are precious to
the Church. The report contained very COM
plete statement of the relation existing between
the societies of young people and the Church, as
sorting that 1t is the relation OF a child TO its
mother, involving thereby mutual obligation.
STIRRED UP THE COMMISSIONERS
No objection taken to this part of the
report to the request Of the committee
that it should be transmitted to every young
peoples society under the Of each Pres
bytery but when the committee went further
and intimated that the plans for Presbyterian
unions recommended by n former Assembly be
carefully considered by each Presbytery the
gauntlet was thrown down and men who had
been casually watching the proceedings or
standing In front of the church In the hot sun
waiting for the photographer to take an i'm
preston, suddenly developed into debaters of
no mean order. Man after man came to the
platform burdened with the responsibility Of de-
Tending the Christian Endeavor Society, and
aiming to prove that this great movement was
not stealing away the hearts of the young peo-
B. Stewart. of Harrisburg made an impas-
stoned address against that feature of the report
which suggested a rival society. In vain did
DR.. Breed contend that this was not what the
report contemplated. DR.. Arthur W. Spencer,
Of Camden. n. j.. also made an earnest speech
in favor of Christian Endeavor work. but the
Rev. William j. Mewhnney, of Pleasant Grove
N. j., challenged the Assembly TO adopt the re-
port recommending Presbyterian Unions de-
claring that If this was done the Presbytery Of
Morris and Orange, which he represented would
refuse to obey the mandates Of the Assembly.
There was no applause when Mr.. Mewhnney
took his seat.
The Rev r. d. Dworth, of Roseburg Ore
q home missionary, opposed the whole Christian
Endeavor movement but he was not enthusi-
asticaly received, in fact. he so disturbed
by Interruptions that he declared that he should
not feel nattered 10 secure the SURFACES or
the Assembly. DR.. J. Clement French, OF New
ark and the Rev. Sidney @. Law. OF New
York. also spoke for the Christian Endeavor
Society. When vote was taken the Christian
Endeavorers were in the majority, and. while
the Presbyterian societies will receive the state
ment the Presbyterians will not be asked to
organize q new society that may be considered
q rival to the Christian Endeavor movement.
MISREPRESENTATION FELLOWSHIP
The Rev. c. S. Lane, Of Mount Vernon, y. Y
moved that DR.. Breeds committee be discharged
although the committee had asked to be con-
tinued In the midst Of the discussion the town