The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-25
The New York Building Again the
Cause of Heated Passages Between
Several Commissioners.
STRIFE DEPLORED BY MANY
MODERATOR JACKSON SEEMINGLY
UNABLE TO PRESERVE ORDER.
Reports of Three Boards Submitted--
Queen Victoria COngratulated-
Visitors at the Park.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WINONA PARK, Eagle Lake, Ind, May
a. - The Presbyterian General Assembly
now in session here has collectively and
individually lost its head The moderator
himself, if indeed a difference of degree ex-
lists where nearly all are so stirred up Is
q little more cleanly decaptated, figura-
lively speaking. than the commissioners
under his moderation AS a missionary
he has been a glittering success, but as a
moderator he is finding his limitations. Re-
marks of a personal character are hurled
back and forth about the auditorium, and
the chairman seems utterly unable to stop
the war of words. The trouble to-day was
again over the report of the committee on
the Presbyterian building in New York.
which came up as a special order at 4
O'Clock this afternoon. The time for debate
was heightened half an hour. but, after
ninety minutes of warm discussion and a
perfect deluge or oratory, the case is no
nearer a settlement that at the beginning
Rev. Duncan Brown, of Tarkio, Mo, who
was speaking when the time for adjourn
nent came last Saturday, set the ball in
motion with a continuance of his clear and
logical speech. He said what he had to
tian grace, and the more optimistic began
to think the session would close without
any expressions. Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman
had prayed for divine guidance just before
the opening of the debate, and it seemed
that the spirit of his prayer was on the
assembly, but the opposition could not keep
quiet, and before Mr.. Brown finished he
was frequently interrupted by enthusiastic
members whose zeal far excelled their
knowledge of parliamentary law and cour-
tesy. The moderator did not exert his ex-
ecutive hand to check them and the
stormy proceedings continued. Those who
knew nothing about the business were as
anxious to speak as those who knew all
about it, and dozen men were on the
floor at once. waving their hands and
shouting for recognition. Perhaps Rev. H.
w. Hines, of Kansas City, spoke for more
than he knew when he said: Thank God,
1 have no side in this matter. I've been
on both sides of the question, and now
I'm in the middle"
Rev DR.. Wilson Phrener a member OF
the board of home missions, spoke ex Of
ficio for the board, and though some OF
his points in favor of the majority report
were well taken he, too, got off the SUBJ
ject and indulged in questionable remarks.
so that his speech interlarded with
frequent points of order and questions Of
privilege. Speeches had been limited to five
minutes, but when DIR. l.. W. Allen, of
Newark n. j., attempted to speak for the
home mission board he said he could not
say what he felt he ought TO say in that
time. In the course of his plea for longer
time he said: Brethren, 1 speak in the
spirit of Christian love and sacrifice"
which sentiment brought forth cries OF
Bah! Bah! from some of the commits
sioners and laymen in the assembly.
ELOQUENCE IGNORED.
Rev. George L. Spinning, whose elo-
quence so swayed the assembly irf the cleo
tion of moderator, tried again the powers
of his persuasiveness, but this time the as
sembly was not open to persuasion and his
speech was much like a chip in a whirl-
pool. The assembly finally managed to ad-
journ, but there were many heart burnings
as result of the debate.
Tonight the commissioners are talking it
over. Many of them ashamed of the as
sembly and few Of them are ashamed OF
themselves. When away from the scene of
conflict and the spirit Of opposition, over
the quiet of their teacups, it is source of
wonder to most of the commissioners that
such fierce fight should be waged and so
much il-feeling engendered over matter
of mere dollars and cents, in which no
principle is involved. 1t is plain business
proposition in which it is possible for two
opinions to exist, but which every one adj
mits could best be settled in a calm and
thoughtful deliberation. The matter will
probably be brought up again tomorrow,
though there is no knowing when it will
be brought to a vote. Most of those who
are talking tonight think it is likely that
the majority report will be adopted with
the amendment. or an amendment similar
to the one proposed by Rev. Duncan
Brown.
AT the afternoon session of the assembly
Hon. John Wanamaker was recognized and
said: MIR. MODERATOR rise 10 a question
of privilege believing that the assembly
would like to be reminded that to-day is
the anniversary of that most noble woman
who reigns over the British kingdom In
asmuch as the compact between Scotland
and Ireland, which embraces the Westmn-
ster Confession of Faith, and her Majesty.
the Queen, attends the Presbyterian Church
while residing in Scotland and in some
measure belongs to our body from whom
all her Scottish chaplans are appointed, il
seems meet that some notice should be
taken of her birthday at this particular
time, when the English nation celebrates
her diamond jubilee. 1t has been well said
of her that one does not know which to
admire more. the queenness of the woman
or the womaniness of the Queen" Mr..
Wanamaker introduced the following.
which the assembly ordered by a rising vote
TO be sent to the Queen:
This day being the seventy y-eghth ami
versary of the birth and sixtieth anniver-
sary of the coronation of her most gracious
Majesty, Queen Victoria, whose reign has
lasted longer than that of any other mon
arch in the last thousand years, this Gem
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
in the United States of America deems IL
fitting and does hereby send most cordial
Christian greetings 10 both the illustrious
Christian sovereign and the subjects Of her
gentle, generous and righteous rule over
the destnies of the empire upon which the
sun never sets