Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-19
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Presbyterian National Judioatory to Begin
Its Session Tomorrow.
Commissioners From Washington
Presbytery on Their Way 10 Mfnona
Questions to he Considered.


the First Church, Rev. DIR. Alexander OF
West Street Church Georgetown; with Rul-
ing Elders VIM. III. ii. Smith OF the West
ern and Samuel ID. Luckett of the Metro
politan Church-left Washington last night
Tor Winona. Ind, to attend the annual
meeting OF the general assembly, which
oegins Its session there tomorrow TO con-
tinue for about ten days or two weeks.
The general assembly is composed OF min
listers and elders appointed by the presby-
teries. of which there are 2o4. and the basis
of representation is one minister and one
elder for each twenty-four ministers of
winch the presbytery is composed. These
commissioners represent nearly 1000 min
listers and nearly 100000 communicative
and arc entirely distinct i'm their organiza-
tion from what is known the Presbyte-
ran Church of the United States. which
is the official designation of the Southern
presbyterian Church.
Election OF Moderator.
1t is expected that there will be some lit
tie excitement over the election of a moder-
ator. One Of the candidates for this posi-
ton is Rev. DR.. Sheldon Jackson who is
temporarily resident of this city, but who
goes to the general assembly as a repre-.
sentative from the presbytery of Alaska. in
which distant section of the country he has
spent many years of his life Others who
are named for the office are Rev. DR. Min
ton or California and Rev. DR. Semple OF
New York city. The former is a professor
In the leading Presbyterian theological
seminary on the Pacific coast and the lat
ter is pastor of one of the wealthiest
churches in New York city.
The names CT ex-Presdent Harrison and
AIT. John Wanamaker respectively, have
oeen mentioned in various quarters I'm con-
hectlon with the modera torsn:D but I'm The
opirhon OF some of the prominent Preshy-
terrain clerSymen In Washington it is hard
iy probable that layman will be elected
20 the once 1t has. they say. never been
liiied by layman, the constitution Of the
church seeming to render the elder ineligt-
Die to the performance of some of the du-
tles OF the position. When IL was attempt-
ed In 1887 to make leading elder eligible
10 the ONCE, and a vote thereon was taken
IN each OF the 1873 presbyteries there were
only ntty which voted in favor of the prom
osition.
Action of Southern Assembly,
Few years ago the Southern Presby-
terrain assembly elected an elder as modera-
tor, but it was only after the church. by
formal vote, amended the constitution so
as to permit it.
among the most important matters that
VIII come up for consideration before the
general assembly will be the report of the
committee on the mission hous. i'm New
YORK city, which has given rise TO ,nuch
discussion in former assemblies Among
eAAS mtnDtTS Oh lnlS committee
are ex-President Harrison and the prosanf
moderator of the assembly, Rev. DIR. j. l..
Withrow OF Chicago Ii is believed ,,ere
that this committee will report in favor of
retaining the mission house as the home
OF the boards of the church. The property
Is one OF the most magnificent buildings en-
9th avenue, New York city
The question of the debt of the various
hoards OF the church will, il is believed
also occupy large share of the attention
of the assembly
The foreign mission work of the church.
Wnlcn VIII, OF course. be presented for con-
siueration at the coming session. extends to
nfteen different countries. Its missionary
and benevolent work in the United States
IS carried on by eight different boards
Three of these boards are located IN New
York city-home missions foreign mis-.
slons and church erection three i'm the CITY
OF neutrality-suspicious. and Sabbath
Schooi work, education and ministerial re-
nef. one, the board of missions for freed
men, at Pittsburg, and one the board ~
and Tor colleges and academies at Chicago.
Inc contributions for congregational ex-
pelseS ior the year 1896 were sl0.4i3, 7s5.
ana the contributions for missionary ard
o'her benevolent purposes, S3,643. 230.
The Woman Question.
While there are no women commissioners
In the assembly. and TO effort has been
made to secure representation for the fair
sex In the courts of the PRESBYTERIAN
Church, as has been done In the Methodist
bodies. the woman question has I'm the mast
come TO the surface, now and then and
some think ii may do so this wear Last
year me presbytery OF Baltimore asked the
assembly Tor an expression indicating
clearly what should govern Presbyterian
churches concerning the occupation of their
Pulpits by women In reply the assembly
reainrmed the judicial deliverance of its
predecessor. in 1SsS sustaining the presbv-
terry OF Newark in holding that passages
OF scripture do prohibit the fulflIng by
women OF the offices of public preachers in
the regular assemblies of the churches"
Another phase of the woman question
which has not been settled yet, relates TO
the baptism of men who have more than
some time ago that in view of the exceed
lngly diflcult complications which often
occur In the cases of polygamists who de-
sire 10 be received into the church. the ul-
innate decision in all such cases in India
should be left to the synod of India THE
synod of Utah also had an overture relat-
ing TO polygamist converts. The commit
zee 10 which this matter was referred
could not reach decision, and 1t is regard
ed as more than probable that the matter
VIII be again brought up at the coming ses-
sion OF the assembly.
Committee Failed to Agree,
In the committee which considered the
subject at the last meeting two members
were of the opinion that only monogram
lists should be baptized, two were of the
opinion that the reputation of any wife
with whom marriage had been contracted
In accordance with the laws of the coun-
try should not be permitted without her
consent and only one member OF the COM
mittee was of the opinion that under cir
cumstances Of the most extraordinary
character only should those who continue
In marital relations with more than one
wife be admitted to the communion of the
church. The matter had been referred to
a special committee, because the previous
assembly could not reach a satisfactory
decision. The members Of the special conn
mittee were, however, no more successful
SO far as the question at issue was con-
cerned.
DIR. Briggs Again.
1t is believed that there will be an echo
Of the celebrated Briggs case when the spe-
cial committee. which was appointed last
year. reports on their " ori Of preparing a
constitutional rule. or formulating such
other action as may seem best regulative
OF the power of tie general assembly and
OF the presbyterfes to superiltend educa-
ton and care of candidates for the min
lstry. This committee was appointed as the
result OF the long-continued controversy In
the New York presbytery over Union SEM
mary students. Other matters which will
contribute to make the coming meeting OF
the assembly memorable will be the reports
he