The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-04-29

in many years by elccting their candidate
for moderator, and the conservatives could
hardly be expected to give in this time
without a struggle. There is apt to be II
sectional division on other points than the
election of presiding officer.
The first session will be opened, accord
ing to custom, by the preaching of the an.
nual sermon by the retiring moderator.
Then will come the election of his success
sor After this the regular business will
be taken up in order. Just what impor-
tant issues will be brought up cannot be
prophesied with any accuracy, but there Is
no fear that the programme will be dull
one.
At least three important committees are
to make reports, and these are bound to
be interesting. There is the committee Of
II, of which DR.. Withrow is chairman,
which was appointed to look into the sub
ject of tho missionary building In New
York.
Then there Is the committee on tempo
rality, 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 prac-
tice in the past to allow men to act as
trustees who are not church members. DIR.
which have recently attracted considerable
attention, is chairman of this committee.
Another committee, Of nine will report
on the work of the home missionary board
and recommend ways and means for ex-
tending it.
1t is barely possible that the old question
of the admission of women as lay dele
gates to the general assembly will be again
revived Many women are expected to at
tend the Winona assembly, and 1t Is re-
ported that the sentiment In favor of their
| cause has been increasing and may have
become powerful enough to win the day.
| 1t is not probable, however, that this issue
will be given the prominence which 1t has
attained in the general conferences Of the
Methodist church in years past,
The proposed union of the Reformed
church with the Presbyterian church is al.
most certain to be brought up and once
more discussed. 1t Is not expected that
the PresbytCrians will offer any opposition
to the union. The doctrines and faith OF
the two bodies are much the same, and
the union of all the Calvinists would make
large and powerful organization.
The coming assembly is tho one hundred
and ninth and will be oEe of the few which
have been held in the west. Besides tho
900 delegates IL is anticipated that large
number of Presbyterians who will have nc
voice in tho proceedings, but who are
nevertheless interested in its doings, will
be present. Owing to its nearness TO Chi
cago, many members of the church from
that city will attend, and excursion trains
will be run not only from Chicago, but
from points in Indiana 1t ia probable
that fully 5000 persons in all will gathel
on the grounds.
The members of the Winona association
are making extensive preparations for thu
reception and entertainment of larg'
crowd, for they wish TO produce pleasant
impression on tho elders There will bI
opportunities for sailing on the lake, anC
an old race course is to bo converted into /
bicycle path, where races on the silen
steeds may be held FOR the delectation 0
tho delegates.
HOWARD SPENCE SINCLAIR