The times., 1899-05-24
M'GIFFERF PUZZLES
THE PRESBYTERIANS
The General Assembly Wrest-
ling With the Case.
One Faction FavOrs Heroic Meas
ures, Another Mild PersuaiOns.
DIR. Radcliffe suggests silence on the
Question of Uniting the Church
North md South.

Minneapolis. May 23.-Although the
Presbyterian General Assembly adjourned
this afternoon in order to 90 on trolley
trip to Lakes Harriet and Calhoun, a
large amount Of work was turned of in the
TWO sessions and by the committees.
The case Of Prof. McGiffert is still talked
about on all sides The committee on bills
and oyertures has already wrestled with it,
and it is known that two forms of reports
have been before the committee. One re-
pot. it is understood. favors the heroic
remedy of recommending the New York
Presbytery TO tackle the case ana try DR..
McGinert The other favors the appoint
msnt OF a special committee which shall
be instructed 10 call upon and labor with
DT. McGiifert to see if 1t is not possible 10
get him TO modify his views or eise quietly
withdraw from the Church and spare il
heresy trial.
The supporters OF the Peoria overture
are very hopeful of the outcome OF their
proposed measure providing Cor a more
democratic method of selecting Assembly
committees. This matter may come up
before the Assembly at any time now, and
when 1t does its supporters will exert
themselves to get hearing for il.
heated controversy is likely TO be pre-
cipitated when the reporl of the conduct
OF the Church periodicals during the past
year comes before the convention. Up to
January there were two official monthlies
the Church at Home and Abroad and
The Assembly Herald" At that time
both were consolidated and the single pub
lication is now known by the latter name
The combination was brought about he
cause OF the fact that while one paper was
succeeding well enough the two were found
70 be losing venture, both financially and
IN point of service II now traDspires that
the combine" has been big failure Imam
eially under the new mana cement. which
toOk hold Of it on It's inception. 1t is re-
ported to have run behind TO the extent
OF about 5000. This is why charges Of
mismanagement may possibly be made.
The morning session of the Assembly las
given UP TO a discussion OF the work
being done by Presbyterian home missions,
and the fact that the debt OF $4,000 ex-
listing a year ago. has been wiped out vas
the cause Of great enthusiasm. Reports
from various fie!ds were also considered
very encouraging. Preceding the discus
sion of the home missionary work several
most interesting reports were made by the
standing committee on bills and overtures-
Dr. Radcliffe Chairman of the commit
tee, reported that in the opinion of MS
committee the time had not come for unit
ing the two great branches of the Church
in the United States In the whole mat
ter as conditions now are said DR.. Rad
cliffe the committee is of the opinion
that the only course for the Church is 10
maintain a dignifed silence The con
ditions,' it was said, were few old timers
in the Church South, who. after thirty-hve
years, have not been able 10 get them
selves reconstructed" The report was
adopted. There was cropping out of what
might be looked upon as denominational
jealousy when DR.. Radcliffe reported on
the overture from the Presbytery of Bal
timore protesting that the naval cadets at
Annapolis are not allowed religious free
dom. The complaint alleged that the ca
diets, Presbyterians and all, are nominally
forced to became Episcopalians. The mat
ter had beer investigated and it developed
that there is more smoke than fire lin the
scare. The matter was not decided De
cause OF lack of time. but there is moi
likely TO be any trouble over it.
Aid for schools and for colleges was tbs
subject taken up at the afternoon session