The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-22
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
DR. WITHRoW, THE Liberal CAM
DIDAJE, CHOSEN MODERATOR.

tie the Dissensions IN the Church by Ar
bitrstion, hat Calls On the Assembly 20
staHd Fast by the Church Standards.
SARATOGA. May 2l.-Tho 1osth General Az.
sembly Of the Presbyterian Church opened its
sessions here to-day in the First Presbyterian
Church with tho usual sermon from the retir-
irg Moderator. Six times has the Assembly
had It's scat in this city and In this church. II
being the rule Of the body TO gather here when
no other city 10 offered. Nearly 700 commits
sioners, half ministers and half elders. occupied
seats on tho floor Of tho auditorium, and as
many moro ladies and visitors were crowded
in. On the platform were seated those who
we're TO assist tho Moderator. the Rev. DR..
Robert Russell Booth of New York, in the ser
vice, and In the rear OF the pulpit was tho choir.
greatly augmented from the local choirs for
this occasion. Tho service. according TO the
lock OF Discipline of the Presbyterian Church.
began promptly at IL O'Clock. ....
DIR. Booths sermon occupied more than an
hour In the delivery. Its theme was Christian
Unity. After examining the scriptural view Of
this unity. which, he said, is q union of be-
levers only. and showing the futility Of the Of
forts in the past to accomplish church unity by
establishing an organic union. he referred at
length to the dissensions in the Presbyterian
Church. This Church. he said, was established
upon solid scriptural grounds, and there were
qualities of good. Inherent In its doctrine and
polity. which properly call for the loyal respect
and earnest support Of all who are associated
within 1t by the pledge of a faith plighted to
God and to man. On this point DR.. Booth spoke
with warmth OF the position of the Presby-
terian Church In reference to the Word of God.
He said:
That which of old was written In the first
chapter OF the Confession of Faith concerning
the infallible truth and divine authority of
the whole Word Of God has been reiterated and
reaflrmed as the profound conviction of this
Church. speaking and acting as an organic
whole, in the light of all the hostile criticism
and all the calm inquiry which this latest age
OF intellectual life has spread around her. Just
rs little as she faltered in this faith when half
a century ago Prof. Bauer and the school of
Tubingsn declared the mythical origin Of the
holy Gospels does she falter now that a new at
tack assails the truthfulness of the sacred his
tory and the faithful witness of miracle and
prophecy The record of this Church upon this
subject has been made In lines which none can
misiuterpret, and 1t Ia worth our while to pause
and recall 1t at this time"
He quoted the words of tho late Henry B.
Smith Of Union Seminary as an expression
of the views OF the Church on inspiration Of the
Bible at the time of the reunion Of the old and
now schools. THE testimony of DIR. Smith to the
plenary inspiration of the Scriptures" said he.
was accepted without q dissenting voice, was
movement; aud the oonstrUctive Statement in
the plan of union was In strict accordance with
i, Each sas a aanaiaionsd Te speTv a t5o% nf ta nra day tll
q; ot the ahs c Ga shd tho y Esw e fs.,sn sas sf io Ps ,ss
and practiceT This Church is therefore bound
IN honor to maintain the traditional view Of
ever in the past, that this book. tho Bible. so far
from being full Of human errors. contradic-
+ in Al IL parts ms, ,Sspi5Ss Sd historically true.
the thsoioslcaf system Of sSe Church. The much,
this confession. which the ofice bearers OF the
Presbyterian Church. were sworn to maintain
was a distinct advance on tho presentation OF
truth made by the Nicene and Apostolic creeds.
The a Ffs. ssssllfa 'e cha sysse% and q Is @eaRods Of
evangelization
.,d hs's %hioEE t. Sa sns d asssTlsai s sss,t Sss ana ' ION the
Ssiiss, s=s;.s ss s,ssd sns 5s s.,S iss 81 Ii .sssssiissi
work Of the Church; He then proposed a method
to an end. He pleaded. for arbitration. for.
brotherly conference, for mutual concessions.
fions an in am the ehu na1Sp't oven d Do ths son aser
Biblical Interpretation. and over theological
"It adds to the painfulness Of the present con-
erto been put forth to secure q removal Of these
and that srSitration Of differences Which we
have SO highly approved as a method in inter
point in our proceedings. whether it would not
eTiy conference which might avail 70
ans AFFORD aSIt some uSS Clear indications as e what Is
desired, in the way of an extension Of Presbyte-
d dian in1:rssy But. = s%ps % a % as 8 i aF ssrs Il for m she G las. {
time in such q place of public authority. l appeal
Assembly to take some proper measures to as
certain what 1t is that divides us and what is
r reconciliation iGp OF Of parties seies% at Var ia e..''e anu inc
Promptly at 3 o'clock the General Assembly
e sas ' Moaera.S sGn Boosh 6ei NJ 'i IN the U chair. H and
the business of the sessions began.
The first attention aaa WA. ,i Giye Fo to The The e elect Ws of
declared to be In order. The Rev; pr. Thomas
and Col. Alexander r. Retchnm Of New YORK
sscPnded the nominatioS, The Rev. d, VIM;
Il aiq sFs s. j, + Z; Z Md nj Ri 81 Of i MInHsseSta; s sRs Ssei
The Rev. Dr. John R. Davie. of New York
a. sound in the faith, stancn in his defence of
the Word of God, ana loyal to the Government
believed in the power of the General Assembly
TO control the theological seminaries ana the
from DR.. Withrow,", said Dr. Davies. in pri-
waite conferences, and l would not stand here to
nominate him L / did not know his mind on
these subjects"
The Rev. DIR. William p. Kane Of Blooming
ton. Ill. one of the leading liberals Of the West,
seconded the nomination OF DIR. Withrow. Tho
Rev. DR.. yilleroy ID. Reed of Philadelphia also
seconded DIR. Withrow's nomination.
The nominations were declared closed with
the presentation OF these three names. The bal
lotlng. which began At 4:20 O'CLOCK. resulted in
the election OF DIR. Withrow by a large majority,
the vote being: Withrow, 3l5; Breed, l62;
Monfort. "a.
At the call OF the roll for votes for Moderator,
DIR. Booths name being reached with those OF
the New York delegation, he announced that he
desired not TO vote for either candidate. DIR.
Booth, after announcing this decision, appointed
. committee to escort the Moderator-elect to
the platform. After the customary exchange
OF greetings the new Moderator called for the
report OF the local Committee OF Arrangements.
A gavel made of wood taken from the field OF
Burgoyne's surrender was presented to the
Moderator as coming from the local chapter OF
the Daughters OF the American Revolution.
The Daughters were present in regalia, and they
arnan In ilA nallerY nj the Iimn nf ina nraaaL.Ia-