The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-26
Declaration I'm the Report that "Thfs
In a Protestant Christian Coun-
try Severely Criticised.
QUESTION OF MUCH INTEREST
PROPOSITION IN REGARD TO THE
s2,ooo,ooo BUILDING AT NEW YORK.
Chance to Dispose OF the Structure
Presbyterian Assemblies.

SARATOGA, ~. Y, May 25.-The Presby-
terrain General Assembly to-day decided TO
take no action IN reference TO church unity,
favoring the report which was presented on
this subject and which called for declara-
ton thai this is protestant Christian coun-
try III the forenoon hour had not expired
before action could be had il would have
discharged its committee on the relations of
young peoples societies TO the church. But
the surprise OF the day came at the opening
OF the afternoon session. when a paper was
submitted in regard to the 100000 Presby-
terrain building in New York by Rev. William
" Hubbard. Of Auburn. ~. Y. 1t had been
known that there was a strong feeling in re-
gard to this building but il was not antici-
pated that 1t would take this shape The
subject was made an order for tomorrow
morning. but it is believed that by reason of
the opposition OF the missionary board IL will
probably go over until Thursday. The dis
cussion. when the subject is brought up,
promises TO be animated at least. The paper
contained two propositions and two resolu-
tons. in brief follows:
proposition No. Last September John
s. Kennedy, of New York City, in conversa-
ton concerning the new Presbyterian build
ing, No. l56 Fifth avenue. New York, made
the proposition that IL the church were not
entirely satisfied with the new building as
an investment and did not see its way clear
10 own the same. he was perfectly willing
TO purchase IL at the original cost, and would
give one years time in which 20 determine
whether this proposition would be accepted;
Lenox Kennedy. II the boards or home and
foreign missions return 10 and occupy No.
g Firth avenue as their official home. in the
confident hope that the boards will continue
70 occupy the same as their permanent home,
I will alter, enlarge or improve the prem
to make them abundantly adequate to all
their needs, provided this offer is accepted
by the bords on or before Sept !, 1856.
Resolved. that the General Assembly rec
ommends TO the boards Of home and foreign
missions to sell said investment and to &C
the same into execution.
Whereas. Miss Rachel Lenox Kennedy
has indicated her willingness to place the
historic Lenox homestead, at the corner of
Twelfth street and Fifth avenue, in such con-
dition as will fully adapt it to the needs and
uses or the boards, in the confident hope that
the boards will continue TO occupy the same
their permanent home. this General As
sembly in accepting this gift tenders her its
sincere thanks and expresses on behalf of
the entire church full appreciation of her
generosity and fidelity to the church OF her
The docket for the forenoon session
of the assembly contained only two
items on the regular order-the report on the
work of the board OF missions TO freedman
and the continuation of the discussion with
regard to the relations OF young peoples
societies TO the church. The committee on
bills and overtures reported that steps be
taken to secure uniformity of worship in all
churches. 1t was recommended ''that no
action be taken. as the present freedom is
more edifying than any strictness of uni
formity could be-"
Before taking up the regular order the
moderator made a plea for harmony in the
subsequent proceedings of the assembly. The
report of the standing committee on work
s6a fo1 - H.
, v,lleroy ID. Reed, of Philadelphia The re-
port OF the board showed receipts for the
year of $146992 and expenditures of 49, 63
The present debt OF the board is 1851. The
board has under its charge ISL ministers,
134 churches and Sunday Schools 70 day
schools, with go teachers and 9,511 pupils.
During the year 2.0S3 have been added TO the
boards churches The freedmen themselves
contributed $4,000 to the support of the
churches and schools. At the close of the
report. the assembly was addressed by DR..
Reed d. and BY Dr. E. P. cowan. secretary
When the second order was taken up the
floor was accorded to Rev. Charles ID. Lane,
of Mount Vernon, N. Y He moved
thar the committee on young peoples
ccties be discharged from further consider
he said it was the desire of the church that
these societies be let alone. He insisted that
nothing was necessary to insure the de-
nomlnational loyalty of the societies Of
the Christian Endeavor. whereas the present
pan OF the committee meant Presbyterian
Ism. with ISM" spelled in big letters. The
motion was ruled out of order a point
made by DIR. Breed, the chairman Of the
committee, though the resolution before the
house provided for the continuation Of the the
assembly. saying that the committee had
taken a middle course. and that it had no
intention OF suppresslng the societies OF
Christian Endeavor. Ii was simply a ques-
ton whether the members OF the societies
shall be Presbyterians first and members
The discussion of the subject continued
till adjournment at 1880 o'clock and was
The report OF the committee on conference
with the theological semInaries was made
second order for "Wednesday afternoon. The
afternoon session was devoted TO the reports
or the board OF education and the COMMITTEES
The recommendations appended to the re-
port on education commended the work OF
the board and the economy of its admins
tration. They also warned the board not TO
the day OF prayer for colleges was Changed
back from the second Sunday TO the last
Thursday Of January.
The report on church unity was presented
BY DIR. Joseph T. Smith. OF Baltimore. liz
contained plan for a federation OF Presby-
terrain and reformed churches. which was
TO be represented in federal council. Among
the specified duties of the council was to
take such action as may concentrate the
influence OF all the. churches in the mainte-
nance OF the truth that nation is a pro-
testant CHRISTIAN nation. and of ali that Is
therein involved, This phrase and dehni-
lion met Win violent opposition from Judge
Wilson. OF Philadelphia, and Mr.. Monfort.
OF Cincinnati though stoutly defended by DR..
tire plan was characterized as indefinite and
unnecessary In minority report and after
discussion, connned 10 members OF the COM