The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-10

At yes.erday's morning ard afternoon
sexsions OF the Presbyterian synod mat
tsrs Of a routine nature occupied ihs
time Of the gathering. while the evening
session was given over 70 short and timely
addresses ~ attending ministers.
Of tbs two most important matters con
s.dered yesterday. one occupied nearly
the whole OF the afternoon. and the other
was left for final action on Monday. The
FIRST was the reelection OF Rev. Thomas
II. Gum, OF this city. a. synodical mis-
sionary. This carried wlth II the contiHa-
anee Of this very important branch Of the
church work. Dr. Gum has been the mis-
s.onary OF this synod since its organiza-
tlon seven years ago. he has lately es-
fablished headquarters IN this ciEy. Or.
C,uun travels o. az average OF 1000 milas
yearly ever the country embraced by the
district OF Washington. which inciu1es
Northern idaho Washington and Alas-
pa Few men are better acquainted with
tire resources and the people Of Washing
ton than he.
The other matter referred 10 was the
proposed removal OF the Whitworth col
lege 20 Port Townsend. This was laid be-
fore the synod BY the report Of the com
mlttee on aid for colleges at the morning
session The synod did not 80 into the
merits Of the question al that time, pre-
ferring 70 leave IL until Monday.
synodfcaI Missionary Reelected.
Rev. Thomas NJ Gum. synodicaI mis-
slonary Tor the Presbyterian Synod Of
Washington. was yesterday reelected 10
the Office which he has held for nearly
twelve years. DR. Gums election vas d
source Of great qualification 20 his friends,
a. Il was brought about after a lengthy
DISCUSSION over the advisab.Hty OF dlscOn-
tlauins the Office altogether. This was
one Of the main questions 10 come before
the synod Il was decided after pro-
traetsd debate. TO continue the office for
another year. and In the meantime 10 call
upon the four presbyterles IN the district
10 express their wishes In the matter. to
report at the next meeting Of the synod.
The matter was brought up by the re-
port OF the committee on bills and over
lures which conveyed the Information
that the Olympia and Puget Sound pres
byferies had petlu0ned that the Office be
abolished. a minority report against the
aboilshment Of the office accompanied the
majority report. which favored it.
Then began the debate. IN which both
sides exhausted their arguments. No
especial heat was manifested and Il did
not appear that the issue was raised on
account Of any personal feeling in the
matter. The reasons urged by those ad-
vocating the majority report were that
the separate presbyteries and ministers at
large ought TO be well able to take care
OF the work. and that the money allowed
by the board OF home missions for the
mlssionAry's salary and travelling ex-
penses should be spent In other directions
Rev Mr. A. l.. 5futchison presented an
amendment 20 the effect that the synod
continue the Office for another year. and
In the meantime ask the four presby-
teries 20 submit their wishes IN the prem
ises.
The fact was brought cut that the rep
resentatives from Eastern Washington
opposed the majority report Of the com
Yniltee They Insisted that the office was
necessary 20 the cause Of the church and
cited many illustrations IN DR.. Gums
work 20 show that promising fields would
have been lost but FOR his efforts
Dr. J. r. Thompson suggested that II
Eastern Washington wanted a synodlcal
missionary. the delegates from that sec
ton Nigh, nominate one and the synod
would elect him He declared that the
services Of the travelling missionary were
not needed IN Western Washington
Or. Roberts brought the fact % the at
sention Of the synod that even n the Of
flee were abolished the full amount OF the
appropriation by the board OF home mis-
sious would not be spent IN this synod
bur for the benefit Of the church AZ large.
Rev. Mr.. G!ichrist said that the whols
policy OF the church 70 this respect was
wrong tie advocated placing the rsspon-
slhllty for tho missions with the com
mitteef Of the various prcshyteries and
the ministers az large He cited figures
showing that IN the past seven years nf-
ty-eiaht churches had been Organized and
fweutv-fonr had aied
Rev II " Condit replied nv stating
that - The twsntv-four bat seven had died
IN Eastern Washington anH the remain
der n Western Washington where. II had
been stated. there was no need for the
services ef che syuodical missionary.
Or Gum made a very Appropriate aa-
dress az thls stage Pm the debate saw
iug that be wished the members 20 elm
inate his personalitv from the controversy
Ne spoke ~ several cases whore he was
able 60 save a church society I'm the thin-
ly settled portions ~ the state ans .brs
preeervs tho Geld FOR the church lie
said further that his services or those -
nsrso7 f''.ns the of'lce were more need.
~ 81 Western Washington than fr thA
eastern part ~ "a state tie had In
dnavored % ace with thn rriaero~ r,s,,-,s.
tiers ~ 'he various rveshv:eriss ard ro.
20 override ther "a authority. lie has
~n'eavere3 - make y srvrar ms, tha
wcrk dons Nv h.m in The different pres
Sc AANA%A 100000