New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-17


usually asked to suggest the men whom they would
like to have appointed chairmen OF the committees
which deal with their boards As the chairman
writes the report which Is presented to the AS
sembly and makes the speech the work OF the
Board. II Ia naturally desired that he should be. II
not champion OF the policy OF the Board. at least
an earnest friend Of the which he presents
Last year the chairman of Of the committees
was not only not an ardent advocate OF the Boards
policy. but was understood TO be an opponent OF
that policy. and as the result Of the renchant re-
port and animated discussion which followed It's
presentation, a special committee appointed 10
confer with the Board and to report at the next
Assembly.
In addition TO the special and standing COM
mttees there thirty-one committees on synod
ical records. Each standing committee consists
Of eleven ministers and ten elders ard each COM
mittee on synodcal records Of four ministers ana
three elders. With this great number of COM
mttees and the large membership Of each COM
mittee. every one Of the commissioners receives an
office. and a great deal more work than most or
them care to undertake
HOW TO BE TEMPERATE ABOUT TEMPER
ANCE.
The topic which the greatest heat every
year is temperance. Usually an afternoon or even
Ing Is given up to this subject, and sometimes IL IL
carried into second session. \ largo number OF
the commissioners are Prohibi,ionists. and they
try to swing the assembly in favor Of total abst-
hence for the individual and prohibition for the
Nation. Two years ago. at Pittsburs, the assem-
bly, went far declare that the time mad
come when Christian men should make their IN
fuence felt directly and with power at the ballot
box, and all Presbyterian voters were ursed 10
vote against the granting Of licenses for the sale
Of intoxicating liquors. The commissioners also
declared by overwhelming vote that' as 'heie
was a well-grounded belief that danger lay III the
use of fermented wine at the communion taoie,
Il was the sense OF the assembly that unfermeh'eu
fruit OF the vine fulfilled every condition III 'he
celebration Of the sacrament
Last year the assembly was more cohscr'a..o'
but declared since 'intemperance Is one Oh tue
greatest obstacles to the evangel2auoh vi INV
world. the Church should use every agency Wi'n'''
It's power to educate the rising generation III 'ne
true principles of Gospel temperance: should seek
TO arouse the conscience OF all WITHIN ns NM
ence to the evils OF intemperanee: shouid hsist III
enforcing all laws that tend TO restrain ana con-
troll this gigantic sin, ard encourage 10y al piop
means the growth Of a healthy puphc sc''''''''
and thereby bring about such changes !" '"' 80"
as will tend to destroy this great evil ana tr''' II
70 the privilege and the duty of the Church TO use
every agency in its power-moral, educauohai anu
leeal-to accomplish this purpose. but that II
should ever be remembered that the mlshues'
weapon God has placed In the hands Oh '"o
for the pulling down Of this tremendous s'1"
hold of sin Is tho glorious Gospei Oh 'ii' i'''
Jesus Christ. , ,ho
Tho shirt Of reunion is again in the air. ana lhe
,o,ncor mon in the Northern Church and III the
Southern Church alike are willing TO discuss re-
ur,ted Church so far as North and South are co"
oarned and the Iaymen of Louisville have secured
scores of signatures to the Following !eSo'u''o"'
which is TO be presented TO both assemphes'
peso,ved That we earnestly favor the union OF
tho two branches of the Presbyterian CHURCH. com
inc non W. Known as the Northern and Southern
branches: that We depore the present state CT 81
op1 hal
nrogress of Christianity and injurious to that D1aS
q IN wh iSs interest," Of the
Christ and for It's advancement we are m'', tw6
and hearty bsng Wns to consider only the
ent and future good OF the Church and IN TINS aI
Sr ch Mg as individuals and officers and in
the capacity of sessions and mstnrs M
will bring about action on TINS subject al 'e hoN'
meetings of the general assemblies
AN INVITATION FROM PHILADELPHIA
Action will be taken this year upon the adoption
~ the westminster Standards, which were reported
10 the British Parliament In 16,1 and adopted the
following year. In view of that fact the follow,
ing action by the Presbytery Of Philadelphia VIII
doubtless settle the meeting place OF the as
sembly:
Whereas 1t is proposed In the year lseS TO ce h
brate tine The Westminster Confession OF Faith
az" Whereas. There will he eminent fitness In the
General Assembly meeting that historic ami,
yersary year in the Witherspoon Building, named
moderator of the General Assembly, and who was
prominent in the preparation OF ane od NV
of American Church as II was app'oNeu Wy
synod: therefore n,u,,h,o
Resolved That the Presbyery OF PhiladeIpnai
extends a most cordial invitation TO the General
Assembly TO meet in ls9s in Philadelphia. IN wilmer,
spoon Hail. in which, as Il will seat fteen hnndrTo
foraby held and where in adjacent rooms IN x ,ne
same budag o G0%m5Sss as Assembly
rhp T epI G 1n
t tee on the next place Of meeting and that the
Commissioners from this presbytery to the NEXT
the acceptance of the foregoing invitation.
Although the assembly does not begin until
Thursday at II a. m. conference OF missions mas
been prepared which VIII begin on Tuesday at
H. m and continue through Wednesday. To this
conference are invited all foreign missionaries ana
men or members OF foreign mission committees
So and reprca"ntatives OF the woman's boards
and womans synodical and presbyteriall societies;
The order OF business at the assembly Is as FOL
lows: On Thursday at II a. m the Moderator WI.
preach. After thu sermon the formal constitution m
OF the assembly takes place AT p. m. the roll is
called and the new Moderator elected. In the
evening tho communion service is hed or ana tine
mittees. On Friday morning the thirteen speGiai
rG he ine asi is Tsaa and
action can be taken without debate. the matter
made a special order for an hour two or three
days ahead. Reports oyertures memorials and
yiduals are first handed to the stated clerk and
then distributed to the proper committees.
POPULAR AND STATED MEETINGS.
The boards Of the Church submit reports which
are handed the standing committees appointed
ia diges. them and make suitable recommends
lions The regular slime allowed for the report OF
these committees varies from one and half to
two and a half hours. but this time Is often modi-
fed by exciting topics In the assembly or In the
ronorts of "A certain committee. In the recent
horesv trials the smaller boards were glad to have
half an hour each. The several boards are TO be
considered az follows: Ministerial Reief, Satur-
day. 10 a. m; Freedmen, Monday, 10 a. m; Educa-
ton z D. m: Home Missions. Tuesday, 40 a. m
Aid for Colleges and Academies. TUESDAY. = p. m.
Foreign Missions Wednesday, 10 a. m: publication
Church Erection Thursday p. M; Benevolence,
THURSDAY 20 p. m: Temperance. Friday 3 y. m.
In addition 10 these business meetings there are
seven so-called popular meetings, held in the even
ing when no business Is transacted, ana where at
,nndance by the commissioners Is voluntary. They
are: Friday. Presbyterian Board OF Publication and
Sa bba IN school Interest OF the Church: Sunday.
yonnp neople's meeting In behalf Of home and for