The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-21
who Made "a stirring Plea for the Mis-
siOnary Whose Work i'm Alaska
Has Brought Him Fame.
SERMON BY REV. DIR. WITHROW
..CHARITY" THE THEME OF THE
GIFTED RETIRING. MODERATOR.
Governor Mount Too Late to Make an
Address-General Harrison AS
sists MT Night Services.
1ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WINONA PARK, Eagle Lake Ind, May
20.-The Tooth General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of the North opened
here to-day. Rain fell part of the day,
but there was enough sunshine to show
the beauties of the place chosen by the
commissioners for their meeting. Rev. DIR.
John l.. Wthrow, the retiring moderator,
delivered an impressive sermon, appealing
to his hearers to be charitable in their
dealings with one another. Or. Sheldon
Jackson, of Alaska, was elected moderator
over DIR. IL. c. Minton by vote of 3ls
to 23S His selection was not expected, and
it was due to a speech by Rev. George
H. Spining of South Orange, n. j., who
is the chief topic of conversation at Winona
tonight. Indeed. he is attracting more at
tention than the newly elected moderator,
General Harrison, or any other of the many
celebrities here. 1t is the general opinion
that his brilliant speech seconding the NOM
ination Of DR.. Jackson for moderator, was
the principal factor as stated, in electing
that gentleman Before his speech no one
had any idea but that DR.. II. c. Minton,
of San Francisco, would have the office.
Rev. j. Wilbur Chapman, for whom a
strong movement had been organized, made
a speech in which he absolutely declined
to go before the assembly as a candidate
and nominating DR.. Hinton. His speech
was not we'll received, for some of his re-
marks were i'll chosen and lacking in tact,
but for all that it was thought that his
supporters at his own request would have
cast their votes for Minton. And perhaps
they would if it had not been for DR..
Spinning. When he took the floor, with his
fiery eloquence, his personal magnetism,
his bold figure and his striking logic, the
tide was turned. He pleaded the cause OF
the ''little missionary" from Alaska with
such matchless ardor than he captured the
commissioners, who could not get away
from his voice, and though there We're
MANY good speeches made after his for the
other candidate tonight the man from
Alaska was chosen. The Rev. Dr. Haines,
of indianapolis, has been quick to see the
power of DR.. Spinning and has invited him
to fill the pulpit of the First Presbyterian
Church. DIR. Spinning has consented and will
preach there next Sunday morning
The first day of the assembly has brought
all the expected visitors, the several spe-
cial trains to-day landing the last of them
at the assembly grounds. Despite the rainy
weather the guests have been kept pretty
comfortable and tonight there is promise
of a morn tndL VIII give WiHOHd pSltSr
opportunity to show her charms. Governor
Mount arrived at noon to-day, too late to
make the welcoming address to the visitors,
he was expected to do for the assembly
had already began it's session. Governor
Mount came alone and unnoticed into Q
back seat in the auditorium, where he lis
tened to the last part of DR.. Withrow's
sermon Governor Mount will remain here
until Saturday. when he will go back to
Indianapolis. perhaps returning Monday.
The sermon by the retiring moderator,
DR.. j. l.. Withrow, of Chicago, came di-
rectly after the opening exercises by rea-
son of Governor Mounts nonappearance.
DR.. Withrow was at one time pastor OF
the Second Presbyterian Church in Indian-
apolis and was very popular there.
1t had been the intention for General
Harrison to present the gavel to the in
coming moderator, but because Of the gen.
erals wish to keep himself in the back
ground as much as possible, this part of
the ceremony was omitted and Dr. With
row himself presented the insignia of au-
thority to his successor. General Harrison
will return to Indianapolis some time to-
morrow.