The herald., 1897-05-23
/ IT'S PAINFUL
To See Church Collections
Grow Small
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
SoUABBLIN0 OVER THE NEW
YORK BUILDING
State Epworth Leaguers Elect ohicers
and Decide to Meet Next Year
at Los Angeles
Associated Press Special Wire.

| ASSoCAdkeo IEcSS GUeClAl w lTe.
EAGLE LAKE, Ind, May 22.-The
Presbyterian general assembly took up
the report of the board of ministerial
relief.
The committee recommended ap-
proval of the change of the rule by which
legacies are to be expended for current
work instead of being invested as per-
manent funds. The selection of DR..
Benjamin L. Agnew of Philadelphia as
Secretary Of the Board was approved.
The annual report of the Board of Re-
lief of the Presbyterian General Assem-
bly, shows receipts last year of $160,S55
and expenditures $1S2.264
While the permanent fund already
amounts to 1851, 1888 it is the judgment
of the Board that it should be very large
ly increased, as there is a steady in
crease in the number of applications for
aid and the amounts now granted
should be larger. 1t was painful to no.
tice that since the centennial fund was
raised collections from churches and
Sabbath schools had gradually fallen
off, there being a decrease of $24,S31 In
nine years. While the church was more
than one-fourth larger than nine years
age, the collections were considerably
|
| less
There is no truth in the statement"
These were the words uttered by DR..
Wilson Phraner, a member of the board
of home missone of New York. and were
directed against the statement of Rev.
]. S. Knowles of Mount Carmel, who has
styled himself "Elisha's successor" The
statement thue denied was to the effect
that one of the secretaries OF the home
mission board in New York was receiv-
| ing two salaries-one from the board and
one from a friend. The denial was ex-
plicit, alleging that the statement never
was true and is not now true.
After adjournment considerable indig-
nation was expressed by various COM
rnissioners that such a mountain should
have been made of so small molehill,
just euch friend.
Consideration of the report on the
Presbyterian building in New York oc-
cupied the remainder of the morning
ses;ion. and the sole speech was made by
Honorable John Wanamaker. After
speaking Of the reasons leading to the
appointment of the committee, he went
on to give results reached. These were
that there was no evidence found that
the boards had done anything beyond
| the authority given by former general
assembly; that the men in charge of the
boards were men successful in great
business enterprises in New York; that
these men were full of love and loyalty
| to the church; that there was no reason
to expect a miracle for the special bene-
fit Of the Presbyterian church to relieve
it from the difficulties which beset the
whole business world. The committee
recognized the good business ability
and sagacity of those in charge, and the
speaker expressed the conviction that
the boards ought to have moved five
years ago, and assert that the building
is one worthy of the Presbyterian
church. The remainder of the speech
was directed against the minority re-
port, stating that it dealt with question
settled by previous assemblies, and that
they cannot now be reopened. At the
close of the session unsuccessful at
tempts were made to close the debate
and take vote Immediately.
Notice was given that many commits
srioners wished to be heard, and a pro-
test was made against gag rule. The
ds-CliiOlJ NdS QSCldIeu I'll
this afternoon.
The afternoon session was opened by
the appointment of a commission to try
the judicial case of the synod of Mis-
souri, against Rev. w. ]. Lee, a Gus
pended member of the Presbytery Of St.
Louis. 1t was decided to continue the
discussion of the question of the build
ing in New York on Monday afternoon
next ae second order, and the report on
home missions was made second order
for Monday morning. The afternoons s
discussion was Of desultory character.
without much plan or conference. but a
great variety of views was brought in.
DR.. Jay Clisbee, while disbelieving in
petty economies, advocated the sale of
| the new building of the boards of mis-
sions. The statement that they occupied
quarters with rental value of S25, ,OOO he
said, would have the effect of discour-
aging liberal contributions. The as
sembly then adjourned until Monday
morning.
| EPWORTH LEAGUERS
| OAKLAND, May 22.-At the third
| days session of the sixth annual con-
vention of the Epworth league rumors Of
| political deals over state officers were
| spread and fourteen children, delegates
| from Alameda, were made the brunt o.
assertions that the conference was be-
| ing packed in the interest of certain
candidates.
| A very warm debate resulted over the
qualifications of delegates as electors uf
state officers. In the first instance the
Junior delegates were given voting
power and then, upon the charges being
made by r. II. Strother that many of the
southern delegates thought the confer.
ence was being packed in the interests
of northern delegates, the children de-
clined to vote and left the hall. The
question as to their constitutional rights
was waived. Most of the officers elected
are from the southern part Of the state
They are as follows: President, N. New
by of Los Angeles; first vice-president
l.. ]. Shuman of Selma; second vice.
president Hattie Austin, Santa Rosa,
third vice president, Misc Estelle Dukes
of Downey; secretary, Sam Brown ol
San Jose; treasurer, Miss Hattie Glove
of Salinas; superintendent of junior
work, Mrs M. L. Richardson of Wood
land
The place of meeting of the next con.
vention will be Los Angeles.
TIE religious services of Sunday will
conclude the conference.
General Miles Detail