The herald., 1898-05-20
I166TC StRllO'
~ IN alx1nA1 Ansz1GBIx OF
I2nsBxT1HrANs
sll RETIRING MODERATOR
0reahs e ths Mission Of the Great
church Ia Influencing the
Worlds Affairs
n.soclated Press special wirs

XXU2318bG0 8kOUo 0YSSs0A " -
WfNoNA LAKE. Ind. May 1s.-The
10th session Of the Presbyterian church
ms called to order today.
The Rev. Sheldon jackson. d. D., the re-
tlfing moderator, in the opening sermon
htoke OF the American Presbyterian
church, It's position, opportunity and re-
ooousibilities. HIS text was from Deut.,
s:xxxi. He said In part: IN 10 not without
nlknificance that Americans should have
remained hidden from the civilized world
until the close Of the fifteenth century. For
ares history had recorded tn brick and
stone. papyrus and parchment, the rise and
etowth.. the decay and fall Of nations In
Asia. Africa aud rtufope; but the history
of America remained blank; its very ex-
lttence was unknown.
ssThis Is the continent which God has re-
served for his church; this Is the iano
which God has given his church to possess
Ito take and to hold as base OF opera
ttone for the conquest of the world. From
lts heixhts the church Of the United States
sends out It's beacon light eastward to the
sacerdotalism and Journalism OF Europe
and the heathenism Of Africa; westward to
the dead conservatism Of Asia ana south
ward to the benighted millions OF the ne
gtected continent
sWas there ever better base? Was there
ever a stronger leverage for uplifting the
race? And on this vantage ground God has
placed the American Christian. the re-
snltant combination Of English tenacity,
scotch sfrewdness, German steadiness.
Celtic vivacity. Dutch stufdiness. Hugue-
not seriousness and Scandinavian thrift
tie very, best and highest type Of character.
Z character that, brought under the sway
Of the power Of the religious motives. full
u faith and the Holy Ghost. becomes in
vlncible In the concerns OF the world.
tssWhile We recognize and admire the dash
of the Methodists and zeal Of the Baptists,
the energy OF the Congfegationalists. the
i0yaity Of the Lutherans and the stateli-
meas OF the Episcopalians, while we recog-
niSs most fully ali branches Of the church
q the Christ as our brethren, as different
the corps Of the same grand army; as fight
Ing under the same nag and obedient TO
the commands Of the same leaders, yet, in
this year during which we are celebrating
the 2sOth anniversary of the adoption Of
our Westminster standards. upon an oc-
ca1ion. like this. and In such presence, 1t
viii not be improper and invidious to give
special prominence to our own corps Of
our army Of Christ.
s'As in colonial or revolutionary times, SO
ever since the Presbyterian church has
been among the foremost leaders in reform
and good government The tendency Of
It's doctrines being to make brainy, whole
eouled and resolute men-men of affairs,
1t Is not strange that its members are
found In the uppermost seats of scientific,
professional commercial and political life
that it forms the judicial character sought
fcr by the supreme and other high courts
Of the land that ten times the nation
turned to the Presbyterian church for its
president-Jackson. Van Buren,. Harrison
Polk, Buchanan. Lincoln, Cleveland, and
Harrison.
1.-THE Presbyterian church Is a leading
church in liberahty. According to the
census of 1890 1t contributed for mission
ary services a larger sum than any other
demnomination. The Presbyterian church
of the United States has the most COM
plete, most efficient and the most perfect
Bystem Of organized work in existence.
:"At the c1ose of this century, we face "A
future Of great unrest; Of reconstruction:
of marvellous and rapid changes. And the
church must lead and control these changes
or be overwhelmed by them.
1--WE are living In one Of those great
crisis OF the worlds history. The age de-
mands consecrated men and women: con
.secrated energies and consecrated wealth
Shall It have them?
!" Begin to possess, that thou mayest in
herit the land"
At the afternoon session DR.. Wallace
Radcliffe of Washington, D. c., was elected
moderator. The regular order of busines.
was taken up. Five hundred and fifty.
eight commissioners answered to the roll
call.
DR.. Trumbull Lowe of Cincinnati pre-
bented the moderator with gavel, aftel
which the assembly adjourned until to
morrow to allow the moderator to selec
his various standing committees. In thu
evening the sacrament of the Lords supper
was celebrated, DR.. Jackson presiding.
~ Cumberland Presbyteria1s
MARSHALL. Mo-. May 19.-The genera
conference Of the Cumberland Presbyte
rian church organized here to-day. Gen
eral H. H. Norman, ruling elder of Muir
xreesboro. Tenn, was elected moderato
over Rev. s. K. Holtsinger, D. D., OF Sal
Diego. Cal, the vote being 129 to 70.
Tonight welcoming addresses were de
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