The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-29
ASSEMBLY ADJOURNED
FINAL WORK OF QUIET SESSION
NOT MARKED BY INCIDENT.
Action of the New York Presbytery
in Dropping DR.. Briggs In
acknowledgement Business.

WINONA LAKE, Ind, May 2S.-The one
hundred-snd-tent General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church finished it's business
and adjourned to-day to meet at Minneapo-
lis year hence. The ten days session of
the assembly was remarkably free from
dissension and a large amount of routine
business was transacted.
At to-day's session the New York Pres
bytery's action in erasing the name of
Charles "A. Briggs from the roll Of the
church was approved. The presbytery's ac-
ton was taken at DR.. Briggs's request.
Resolutions were adopted declaring the
loyalty of the church, and pledging it's pray
ers for the chief magistrate of the Nation
and the success of the national arms. Over
lures in reference to organized union with
the Southern Presbyterian Church was an
swered to the effect that no further action
was needed than the deliverance of the as
sembly of 1894. Resolutions were adopted
expressing the assembly's gratitude to the
British nation for its fellowship in the pres
ent war with Spain.
Stated Clerk Roberts headed off a major
ity of the members of the assembly, who
were about to commit constitutional error
this morning. Elder j. P. Faris, of Missouri,
offered resolution by which $1,000 was to
be taken from the general fund of the
church and be placed at the disposal Of the
permanent committee on temperance. DR..
Roberts stated that such a move was in di-
rect violation of the provisions Of the con-
stitution of the assembly, and that while he
would be glad to see the matter carried
through, to do so would only be to invite
trouble for some future assembly.
a report on theological seminaries was
Doh 10nd
that Princeton Seminary had obtained legis-
lation giving the assembly power as a party
at law to enforce it's authority over the
teaching and government of the seminary.
A protest was made against the proposed
action of the House of Representatives au-
thorizing the erection OF Catholic chapel
Dr. Roberts, from the committee poAIy,
reported against biennial or triennial meet
ings OF the assembly, which had been asked
for by a dozen presbyteries. on account of
the great cost of each meeting amounting
TO about $4,000 After discussion the as
sembly decided against the proposed change,
but directed the appointment of a committee
of nine to consider the question of reduc-
ton of the number of commissioners by
changing the ratio of representation.
At the afternoon session of the assembly
the finance committee reported that the
transfer committee Of the assembly has in
its custody funds to the amOunt of STA 294
the income from which is paid to various
benefciaries, particularly the board of min
hands of the treasurer of the assembly
amounted to sS6690. The per capita tax for
the expenses of the assembly was reduced
to 4 cents per COMMUNICATE The proposal
to increase the rate of the entertainment
for commissioners from $1.25 to $1.50 per day
was met with vigorous opposition lest the
church should think commissioners were en-
gagged In junketing trips. but was finally
adopted by vote of ia to 81. Statistics
from 162 prebyteries were reported which
showed the existence of $500 Young Peo-
pies societies in the church, and the clerk
was directed to print the statistics in the
be made to complete the statistics. A spe-
cial resolution was adopted recognizing the
work Of the societies and bidding them God
speed. A sharp discussion over q memorial