The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-28
NEW YORK PRESBYTERY

Adopts a Resolution ReTpeetfully Taking
Issue with the General AslsnbIy Cpn-
eerning L.ieSnSureE.
NEW YORK, April gi.-ThD meetinG
Of the New York presbytery to-day for
the purpose Of voting on the report Of
the committee on the minutes Of the
general assembly, proved to be the
lIvellest session that that body has had
IN q long time. The matter was up be.
fore the presbytery last week, but &C
ton was deferred until to-day
A year ago the preSbytery asked the
general assembly for advice Ia the mat
ter OF receiving candidates for the min-
iStry. The general assembly replied as
follows:
1--WE recommend that, IN accordance
with the provisions Of the form Of gov
ernment previously cited, the preSby-
terry OF New York be instructed ana
enjoined not to receive under its care
for licensure students who are pursuing,
or purpose to pursue their studies IN
theological semInnries respecting
whose teachings the general assembly
.disavows responsibility"
The committee on the minutes Of the
general assembly consisted OF Rev Dr:
John c. Bliss, Dr. w. w. AtterhurY ana
George II. Hyde. These gentleman pre-
sented their report last week. The re-
port stated:
"Your committee reports that, having
examined the minutes Of the assembly,
we find the only subject requiring the
special attention OF the presbytery 70
be that presented In answer 70 the as
sembly to the overture from this pres
bytery for instruction relative to its
duty towards students applying to be
taken under It's care who are pursuing
or purpose to pursue, their studies IN
theological seminarles regarding whose
teaching the general assembly dlsaV0Ws
responsibility.
'In answer the general assembly
gives the presbytery certain instruction
for which all due consideration ehonlo
be given by US as TO 3yterles; 3. AZ m m
assembly further proceeds 70 enloin the
presbytery as to It's action with ref
erence to the lIcensure OF these stu
denta. It thus attempted to arthortta-
tiyely control the presbytery In this
matter. It seems to US that the general
assembly exceeds its constitutional
powers and infrlnges upon the inherent
rights OF the presbytery, which are
specially reserved to 1t by our constltu-
tion, as to the exercise of Its functions
IN the reception and licensure OF can
AtHnNaRN
Dr. John Hall caused a sensation
when he said that his idea Of what the
presbytery should do would be to say
In reply to the general assembly: That
the presbytery OF New York desires 10
report respectfully TO the genera! as
sembly that 1t only desires ministers
from the presbyteries' ordinations on
beinR satisfied OF their acceptance OF
the standards Of the church, and that it
n the presbytery's intention to apply
the same principles in the preservation
Of scriptural doctrines TO all applicants
for licenses"
The Rev. Charles L. Thompson Of
fered a resolution that the statement
Of DIR. Hall be adopted as substitute
10 the resolution OF DR.. Alexander az
the previous meeting. DR.. Alexander
mad moved that the language IN the
report OF the committee be consloetsa
as the expression OF the opinion OF the
presbytery. The motion TO SUBSTITUTE
the statement read by DR.. Hall for the
report OF the committee caused no END
Of confusion. The report Of the COM
mittee had been accepted a.week ago,
hut that was all that was done about
II. and DR.. AlexandeF's motion that it oe
considered the expression OF the opin-
ion OF the presbytery was penulnB
when DR.. Hall readshi statement TO-
day. r,...,-
son'g motion for the substitute.
After a three hours discussion, tne
substitute was adopted by aiyote OF 81
IA AZ