Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-22
.GAVEL PRESENTED
GEN. HARR1soH Il THE ORATOR.

Gsuuaon u AuxnO&1ey COmp0oo0 q 0eveH0l
Pieces Of Weed, An Of which Are Hts
torical and symbolieal-Assembiy De-
elassS Thae - Gsassal Il g An RigAts-
I, Report On sAe New York Building Fsvors
I. Retention Of the Same.
Eagle Lake. Ind. May 2z.-Yesterday
u regarde6 as one Of the most i'm
portant days Of the session CT the gem
eral assembly Of the Presbyterian
church. 1t was opened by the presenta-
ton Of q gavel to the moderator by
General Harrison. The gavel was COM
posed Of oak. poplar. black walnut
birch and maple. The oak. Harrison
said, represented the Calvanistic frame
work Of the church; poplar. the free
civil government fostered by the
church's love Of finish, or d.yidual-
ism; birch. with dropping branches and
clinging leaves. typifed the shelterins
care OF the church for the lambs of
God. and maple. with its message of
sweetness, stood for the retiring mod
orator and his sermon.
Wood Was All Historic.
The various pieces Of wood were Ill
historic. The oak was from the frst
church in Indiana and from the Han
over theological seminary, the mother o;
Mccormick seminary, Chicago. Theblack
walnut was from the First church. Of In
dianapolis. All the constituent parts
represented first things. An enthusiast
at the close Of the speech inquired in q
loud tone Whats the matter with
Harrison?" and was greeted by the US
uAl response. Before proceeding to bus
mess chairmen Of committees were an
nounced, among them were vice mod
orator, John Wanamaser: bills and
overtures, DR.. John L. Wit1row. Chi
cago; judicial business, Dr. Henry C.
Minton. San Francisco: ministerial re-
lief, Hon. James A. Mount, COVE. nor OF
Indiana.
The New York Presbyterian Building.
The committees on the Presbyterian
building at New York, whose r:port
was presented, was appointed q year
ago and has made partial reports sew
eral times in the interval. It's conclu-
sions have been awaited with interest
The assembly listened with eagerness
through the reading of about sixty
octave pages and showsd a desii to
hear the whole case. The applause
which greeted the speakers vas irdica.
tive OF agreement with the conciusl9n
Of the committee and adverse to the
long report Of a minority of one, which
was presented by Elder EicDougall, OF
Cincinnati. General Harri son made the
majority report. which was to retain
the building for the time beirS. The
matter went over as unfinished bust.
ness
Financial Report on the Building.
The financial statement in regard to
the Presbyterian building was read. II
showed that 80 per cent. Of the Office
portion Of the building is alreadyrented
On April l the actual rental amounted
to $S2, 43S, out of total rental value ir
the entire building Of $125.3 5;. or over &
per cent. On the above basis the in.
come account showed a credit balanc.
OF 1907 over all expenses. When enrire
ly rented there will be a net income
Of $4,000. or per cent. on the invest.
ment OF the boards in the building. Chs
cost Of the building was &!.ssO. 900.
Sunday School Work Discussed.
The evening session was devoted to I
popular meeting of the board Of pub
locations and Sunday school work, DR.
Withrow presiding. Addresses wert
made by Rev. DR.. James A. worden
superintendent, and two Sunday schoo
missionaries - Rev. Joseph Brown, O
Wisconsin, and r. F. Sulzer, of Mime
sofa. Members Of the assembly hat
their first opportunity to hear Johl
Wanamaker, and he was greeted witt
rounds Of applause.