The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-21
BREAKING OF THE MACHINE
THE POLITICIANS OF THE GATHER
ING TREATED TO A GREAT SUR
PRISE.
EVENTS OF THE OPENING SESSION.
Little Accomplished in the Way of
Routine Business by the Church
Commissioners.

1nQ1CdteQ yesterday, Cnere were Dut LWO
candidates for the moderatorship OF
the Presbyterian general assembly, DR..
Sheldon Jackson, the home missionary,
and DR.. Henry G. Minton, the seminary
professor. Both represent the work Of
the church on the Pacific coast, but the
rank and file of the commissioners
rallied to the standard bearer Of home
missions. The politicians of the as
sembly were treaed to a great surprise
and the election Of DR.. Jackson by a
vote of 313 to 238 was characterized
by many delegates as breaking of
the machine" It was claimed as vic
tory for the more liberal branch of the
church, and was in line with the cleo
ton of DR.. Withrow last year. The
new moderator, in taking the chair,
disclaimed any personal elements in his
election, but charged 1t to the desire Of
the church to forward the home mis-
sionary work Of which he was an expo
nent The meetings of the assembly
have been arranged to begin at a. M,
with a half hour devotional service, and
to continue till noon. The afternoon
session will last from $3.50 Until 5.
Today's afternoon session began at 8
o'clock, and was occupied by the roll
call and the election of moderator.
When the call for nominations was
made, J. Wilbur Chapman, Of Beth
any church, philadelphia, placed Or.
Minton, of the San Francisco Theology
ical seminary, in nomination. Th;a
nomination was seconded by DR.. Hen
ry Ward, of Buffalo, N. Y, and by
Rev. S. Palmer, of Oakland, Cal. For
a moment it looked as though there
were to be no further nominations
when Elder H. J. Morrison, of Rich
land Center, Wis, rose In the rear OF
the house and nominated DIR. Jackson.
After some difficulty, the speaker was
induced to take the platform, and
made brief speech. The nomina-
ton was seconded by DIR. George L
Spinning, of Orange, N. j., in an ad-
dress that was frequently interrupted
with applause. He began by saying
that no man who had not a message
had a right upon the platform. He
said this highest honor of the church
ought to be conferred upon repre-
sentative of the cause of home mis-.
sions, not the representative of
coast or part OF the
church. The nomination was also sec
onded by Rev. Richard M. Hayes, of
Oregon. DR.. George Mcmillan, OF
Richmond, O.. also spoke for DR.. Jack
SUI. WNAC SAOSSO oeAAN @A.S
election proceeded with the result al
ready stated.
When the ballot was declared, Drs
Spinning and Hayes were appointed a
committee to escort the successful can
didate to the platform, where he was
welcomed with few remarks by Dr.
Withrow. The new moderator respond
ed briefly, and after a few notices, the
assembly adjourned until evening,
when the sacrament Of the LORDS sup
per was celebrated.
Dr. Withrow presided. He was as
sisted by Dr. Stephen w. Dana, of Phil
adelphia, who administered the bread,
and DR. Wilson Phraner, Of New YORK,
who served the cup. The elements were
distributed by twenty elders, headed by
ex-President BENJAMIN Harrison and
John Wanamaker.
Dr. Sheldon Jackson, the moderator
of the Presbyterian general assembly,
was born at Minaville, N. Y, in 1884.
He was graduated at Union college In
1856. and three years later ant Princeton
Theological seminary. With the ex-
ception of a portion of the period OF
the civil war, when he was engaged In
hospital work in Tennessee, and In the
employ of the Christian commission in
Alabama. his life has been devoted in
the mission field in almost every state
and territory west Of the Mississippi
river as presbytery and synodical mis-
sionary.
Alternate rain and sunshine today
greeted the opening Of the general as
sembly this morning, AT ihe
hour appointed for the opening
session, the platform was oc-
cupded by long Line Of cemmisglepers t nasmemant
seats. This feature, by which dele
gates were seated together, was an in
noyation. Fifteen minutes late, the
assembly was opened with prayer by
Dr.. Arthur J. Brown, secretary OF the
board Of foreign missions. The devo-
tional exercises were conducted by DR..
John L. Withrow, the retiring mod
orator The Scriptures were read by
DR.. George L. Swinging, of Orange N.
J., and the assembly was led In prayer
by the Rev. Dr. Father Byron C'1n-
derland, Of Washington. The opening
sermon by the retiring moderator. DR..
Withrow, was upon the "Chiefest Grace
Of Christianity"
Baptists Elect.
PITTSBURG, Pa. May 20.-The second