Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-20
Governing Bodies of the Presbyterian
Churches Holding Conventions.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY At WINOEA, MINI.
Southern Church Assembly Meets
at Charlotte, N. c.
BIG CROWDS ATTEND ALL

WINONA ASSEMBLY. EAGLE LAKE,
Ind. May 2.-Alternate rain and sunshine
today greeted the opening of the one hun
dred and ninth general assembly Of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States
OF America. AT the hour appointed for the
opening session the platform was occupied
by long line OF commissioners, waiting to
be assigned to permanent seats This fea-
ture, by which delegations were seated to-
gether, an innovation.
The assembly was opened with prayer
by Rev. Arthur ]. Brown, secretary OF the
board of foreign missions. The devotional
exercises were conducted by DIR. John L.
Withrow. the retiring moderator. Tho
Scriptures were read by DIR. George l..
Spinging OF Orange. n. j.. and the assem-
bly, was led in prayer by the Rev. DIR.
Father" Byron Sunderland of Washing
ton. The platform was occupied by a num-
Der of prominent divines besides those al
ieady mentioned, the clerks of the assem-
bly,. Drs. VIM. II. Roberts and VIM 4.
Moore. DIR. Wilson of New York. DR. Lo-
gan of Scranton. Dr. worrall of Danyille
and several others. The opening sermon
10y the retiring moderator, DR. Wfthrow
was upon the "Chiefest Grace of Chris
tianity, and was based on lst Peter Ith
chapter and Sth verse
After reviewing some of the apparept
DANCE; to the church arising out of the
indiffer ence on the part of a considerable
element among the people, he made a
strong plea for harmony in the church
What was needed. he said was such fer
vent charity among them that conflicts be-
tween Christians would be unknown When
such condition should prevail among
Christians, men of the world would NOT
mock at the text, Behold how good and
now pleasant IL is for brethren TO dwell
together in unity" For they would no
longer see faction pulling the hair of fac
tion as soon as the amen ended !. pious
and halcyon day, which they might hone
Tor, the world outside the church tossed
as the world was with troublous thoughts
ana civil commissions, would see such com
oftions OF amity and calm within the COM
inunlon OF saints as would make multitndea
crave admission as a sailor did a safe har-
hor Thus could the world be won and bv
no other means. The poor heart of buman.
ity never became SO hopeless as not to he
heve In the power of charity and the felici-
ty of fervent love to MT n To q het,.r ne.
ena make 1t happy there. And this n ex
pected first and most from those who clairn-
ed TO be His who said II command Won
that ye love one another" "
The interest in the question of r,o,iara,o-
ship has been lively all day and n has been
discussed ON all the incoming trains. Ths
general opinion seemed to favor DR. Henr,
Z. Minton of San Francisco, as a represen,
tatlVe OF the far west Objection to him
was based on the fact that he IS nro
lessor In theological seminary. Another
candidate is DIR. Sheldon Jackson. the
United States commissioner of education
IN Alaska, and one of the most widely
known home missionary workers In tha
whoie cnurch. 1t was rumored that his
name was to be presented by ex-President
Harrison Other candidates have been
mentioned, but nothing definite has tran
spired.