The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-29
THE SESSION JUST CLOSED THE
SHORTEST HELD IN EIGHT
YEARS.
LAST DAY WAS IMPORTANT.
TEMPERANCE QUESTION WARMLY
DEBATED DURING THE COURSE
OF THE AFTERNOON.
CONTROL OF Summaries ALSO UP.
A Modified Resolution, Presented by
the Committee, Was Accepted by
q Large Majority.


Presbyterian general assembly ad-
journed tonight after the shortest ses-
sion in eight years. In spite OF the de-
sire to finish up it's business tonight,
there was little unusual haste. and the
debate on temperance in the afternoon
showed that the assembly was ready
to defer adjournment If necessary In
order to attain a suitable and reason
able decision Of questions that remain
ed to be decided. The proceedings of
the day were important, the final dis
appearance of the question for the
assembly control Of the seminaries be-
ing not the least significant of the as
sembly's general attitude.
When the assembly gathered this
morning, it was understood that an
effort was to be made to complete the
sessions today. The rush characteriz-
ing closing hours began at once. The
committee on bills and overtures re-
ported briefly upon petitions as to GER
tain liquor bills and Sunday legisla-
ton pending in congress. The state
ment was amde that sufficient informa-
ton was not at hand for deliberate
judgment, but a general statement was
adopted covering the subject.
DR.. John Clark Hill, of Chicago, pre-
sented report on theological semi
naries, giving facts and statistics as
to EACH The matter of the assembly
control Of seminaries came up in the
same report. The institutions at Oma-
ha, Dubuque and Lincoln reported the
charter changes, which had been asked
by..oprevious assemblies. The same
seminaries reported that such changes
as were desired by the present assem-
bly, are impracticable and unnecessary.
The Auburn seminary replied that the
present plan was entirely satisfactory,
and that improvements cannot be de-
vised. Mccormick seminary declared
it's loyalty to the church, but said ii
did not see the way clear to make the
changes recommended by the assembly.
Newark, German seminary, also replied
that it did not see it's way clear to
make any charter changes. In closing,
the committee recommended the fol-
lowing resolutions:
That the assembly accepts as sincere, the
repeated positive and explicit written declara-
ton of seminaries. that they are loyal to the
church. and that their teachings and prop
critics are. in their judgment, fully safe
guarded to the general assembly, but If at
any time in the future, these seminaries
should find that changes could be made in
| their respective charters, as the general as
sembly has desired, it will be gratifying to
| the whole church 10 have such changes made.
The original form of the resolution
stated that the replies Of the semi
naries were satisfactory" but, against
| this, protest was made by Mr.. Birch,
| Of New York. 1t would be better, he
said, to say nothing and let the mat
ter disappear, and he moved to strike
| out the preamble and resolution. A
commissioner asked whether the matter
would not disappear anyway, if the res
| olution were adopted, and, upon hear
| ing an affirmative reply, the assembly
| became impatient to vote. The mo-
| ton to lay on the table was lost by q
heavy vote, and the amended resolu-
ton, as given, was adopted without
ment was proposed by DR.. Withrow
| had a great effect in influencing the
| action of the assembly.
| According to a constitutional rule
| declared adopted on the affirmative
| vote of the requisite number Of pres
| byteries, it will hereafter be necessary
| for candidates for licensure and ordi-
| nation to pass satisfactory exam
| ination in the English Bible.
| The business transacted by the as
| sembly at the afternoon session was
| of a miscellaneous character. A COM
mittee of arrangements for the next
assembly was appointed, consisting Of
Rev. S. c. Dickey, manager of the
Winona assembly; DR.. Charles Little,
of Wabash, and Doctors Roberts and
Moore, clerks of the assembly. Rev.
w. S. P. Bryan, representing the al
| lance Of reformed churches through
| out the world holding to the Presby-
terrain system, brought fraternal greet
ings from that body. The principal por-
ton of the afternoon was occupied by
the report of the temperance commit