Gilpin observer., 1899-05-25
CHURCH CONGRESSES.
Presbyterians, Congregs ti0nalists and Uni-
tarians In Conferences.


Minneapolis, May 24.-In the McGif-
fert matter the committee on bills and
overtures is considering two reports,
and 1t is likely that they will be pre-
sented as majority and minority re-
ports. One is understood to favor
committee to wait on DR.. McGifert
and invite him to recast his theology
on Presbyterian line, or have the kind
ness to resign without further palaver.
The other, it is said, Is along sterner
lines, and looks to DIR. McGiferts in-
voluntary withdrawal from the church
at the earliest possible date.
Though reunion with the church
South got no hearing before til. assem-
bly,. a meeting of the elders sent this
dispatch to the elders of the church
South at Richmond:
I'm the name of our common master.
we send greeting and pray in your be
half. Read Numbers. 6:24-2J-2G: The
Lord bless thee and keep thee. The
Lord maketh his face to shine upon
thee and give thee peace. and Ephe-
| slams 4:15-16: But speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him i'll all
things, which Is the head. even Christ.
From whom the whole body htly
Joined together and compacted by that
which every point suppleth according
to the effectual working in the measure
Of every part making increase of the
body unto the edifyins of itself in
| love-"
The work accomplished during the
day includes an expression of approval
Of the work of the alliance of the Re-
formed church, holding the Presbyte-
rian system, and the addition OF the
Duluth and Platte overtures, recon-
mending that II committee of SIX minis
ters and five elders be appointed to re-
port to the next assembly plan for
| celebrating the end of the nineteenth
| century.
Without dissenting vote the general
assembly of the Presbyterian church
today accepted the report of the com
mittee on bills and overtures In favor
Of making no attempt this year at
union with the church South.
More than sixty Overtures had been
received from the presbyteries request
ing that some action in the direction
Of union be taken. There has been
much preliminary talk about the mat
er, and some enthusiasts had even pre-
iicted that this assembly would take
the first steps toward union.
1t appears that the church North has
decided to hold back until the church
South gives some signs of reciprocat-
ing the reunion sentiment which is so
strong in the north.
Hartford, Conn. May 24.-The sew
anty-third annual meeting of the Con-
.regational Home Missionary Society
began it's sessions here to-day.
The summary of results in the Unit
ID States is as follows: The number
Of missionary laborers in the service
Of the society last year. together with
those engaged in experimenting the
work is 1.S4S. employed in forty-four
states and territories. The number of
congregations and missionary districts
which have been fully supplied. or
where the gospel has been fully sup
Piled. or where the gospel has been
preached at stated intervals. is 2.S1o.
The number of those who have
preached in foreign languages, 243.
The number of Sunday school and Bi-
BILE class scholars is not far from 14G.-
$40 The organization of 100 new
schools is reported. and the number un-
der the special care of missionaries Is
2.OG4.
The additions to the churches, as
nearly as can be ascertained. have
been 7,194. Thirty-four churches have
been organized in connection with the
labors of the missionaries within the
year. Sixty houses of worship have
been completed and 1O1 are in prepara-
tion for the gospel ministry.
The society began the year with n
net debt of $1O6.50O The receipts of
the national society during the year
from contributions. legacies and other
sources were 1904 go.
.icty for missionary labor and expenses
during the year have been S313,462.
and the auxiliaries have expended
S221.575 In their various fields. The
net debt of the society at the close of
the fiscal year is S133.469. an increase
In the debt during the year of S26,69i.
At the session tonight ajOr General
o. o. Howard presided,possibly for the
last time, as he announced his inten-
tion to resign mt this meeting in order
| that he may devote his whole time to
the building up OF Lincoln University
at Cumberland Gap. Tennessee. in
memory of Abraham Lincoln. The an
nunl sermon was delivered this even
ing by Rev. DIR. John Henry Barrows
Of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.
Chicago. May pat the second an
nual meeting OF the Western Unitarian
Minister'S Institute. held here today.
Rev. Odello Cone of Lawrence. Kan.
sas. read paper on "rhe So-Called
Prophecies of Jesus In the Synoptics."
In conclusion the speaker said that
In view of several misleading state
ments In the Bible the presumption Is
overwhelming that Jesus never uttered
prophecies of his death and resurrec-
tion In such terms as the Gospel repre-
sented. Papers We're read on mu-
niclpal ownership and "rhc Spiritual
Mission of Tragedy" Ministers are
In attendance from Illinois. Michigan,
Missouri. Wisconsin. Minnesota. Iowa.
Kansas and Nebraska.