Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-20
TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Presbyterian Ministers and Elders
Gathering at WinOna.
The Opening Sermon Will be
Preached by Dr. WithrOw, the
Retiring Moderator, After Which
His Successor Will be Elected.

1
assembly, which will open at the Lake
Winona camp grounds tomorrow
There are about 100000 followers Of
Calvin, all told, and they are repre-
sented in the general assembly by
about 600 delegates, of whom 300 are
ministers and the rest lay members.
The Moderator, DR.. J. L. Withrow, OF
Chicago, will call the assembly to
order.
1t is said that the convention will be
harmonious one. If there is to be no
| contention, then either the liberals or
the conservatives must have buried
the hatchet. This is hardly probable,
for at the last general assembly the
former won their first victory for many
years by electing their candidate for
Moderator, and the conservatives could
| hardly be expected to give in this time
without a struggle. There is apt to be
sectional division on other points
than the election of a presiding Off
Ger.
The first session will be opened, ac-
pOrGing 10 Custom, by the qreaching
of the annual sermon by the retiring
Moderator, the Rev. John Withrow,
d. D., LII. D., of Chicago. Then will
come the election of his successor
After this the regular business will be
taken up in order. At least three i'm
portant committees are to make re-
ports, and these are bound to be inter-
esting. There is the committee OF
eleven, of which DR.. Withrow is chair
man, which was appointed to look into
the subject of the missionary buildings
in New York.
Then there is the committee on tenn
porality. which is expected to give its
opinion as to whether or not men
who are not members of the church
should be allowed to fill church offices.
1t has been the practice in the past to
allow men to act as trustees who are
not church members. DR.. John Fox,
of Brooklyn. author of two books which
have recently attracted considerable
attention. is the chairman of this COM
mittee. Another committee Of nine
will report on the work of the Home
Missionary Board and recommend
ways and means of extending it.
It is barely possible that the old
question of the admission of women as
Law delegates to the general assembly
will be again revived. Many women
are expected to attend the assembly,
and il is reported that the sentiment
in favor of their cause has been in
creasing. and may become powerful
enough to win the day. 1t is not prob
! able. however. that this issue Will Sc
cure the prominence which it has at
tained in the General Conference of the
Methodist Church in past years.
The proposed union Of the Reformed
| Church with the Presbyterian Church
| is almost certain 10 be brought up and
once more discussed. It is not expect
ed that the Presbyterians will offer any
opposition to the union. The doctrines
and the faith of the two bodies are very
much the same. and the union OF all the
Calvinists would make a powerful or
ganization.
The coming assembly is the one hun
dred and ninth. and is one of the few
that have been held in theWest. Be
sides the 600 delegates, ii is anticipated
that a large number of Presbyterians
who will have no voice in the proceed
ings but who are, nevertheless, inter
ested in its doings, will be present
Owing TO its nearness to Chicago many
members of the church from that city
! will attend. and excursion trains will
run. not ONLY from Chicago, but from
points in Indiana. 1t is probable that
| fully 5000 persons in all will gather
| on the grounds.
For amusement. there will be oppor-
tunities for sailing on the lake, and an
old race course is to be converted into
bicvcle path. where races on the silent
steeds NAV be held for the delectation
of the delegates.
There will be the usual lively but not
acrimonious contest for the position Of
moderator to succeed DR.. Withrow.
Now that ex-President Benjamin Har-
risor has declined TO be candidate,
the leading candidates are Rev. Shell
| don Jackson. of Alaska; Rev. Dr.
| Henry c. Minton, OF san Francisco
and Rev. Dr.. R. G. Sample, OF New
! York.
special committee is to report on
the education and care of candidates
for the ministry. regulation OF the
mower of the General Assembly and the
! Presbvteries. which may create friction
/ at the very beginning. A report antic-
mated with much interest will be that
| of tho committee "tO confer with the
| Home Mission Board regarding its
method Of general administration, and
suggest what changes, if any, are ad-
visable therein
/ AS to the regular work or the assem-
blv. the docket is full. On the evening
of Friday there will be a popular meet
ing in the interests of Board Of Publi-
cation and Sabbath school work. Sab
/ hath afternoon will be taken up with
a meeting of women's executive COM
mittee of home missions. and the even
| ing with young peoples work for home
and foreign missions. Saturday morn
! ing ministerial relief will be taken up,
when the new secretary, Rev. DR.. B. L.
Agnew. will make his first address in
! his new relation to the church. The
Free6men's cause will be considered on
Monday with an address by Rev. Dr.
2 p Cowan. and education in the af-
ternoon. A popular meeting will be
held At night when several colored min
is,ars will sneak. Tuesday morning is