The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-23
OF Presbyterian General Assem-.
bly...Two Plans Proposed Yot-
cd Down With a Shout.
MEASURES WERE UNPOPULAR.
For First Time in a Generation
all Departments of Church
Free From Debt.

plans to reduce the membership, one by
third and the other by more than q
half. The committee on reduced repre-
scntation appointed year ago was
scarcely given courteous treatment. 80
pronounced was the feeling against get
ting farther away from the people.
Two members Of the committee pre-
sented the two proposed plans-one
making the basis Of representation 5000
communicates and the other making
the basis thirty-siN ministers in the
presbyterles instead OF twenty-four, as
Mt present. Colonel L. F. Hitchcock,
Of the committee, argued for the repre-
sentation by synods according to mem-
bership. and declared that there was
no doubt that 672, the present member
ship of the assembly, was far too large.
1t was plain from the Interruptions that
Colonel Hitchcock was on the unpopu-
lar side, and when he sat down ex-
pressions OF the democratic spirit came
out strongly and profusely.
They call this u mob" said DR.. Page,
Of Topeka. III 1t is n mob, God grant
that there may be more such. God pity
the Presbyterian church. with the bulk
of the wealth Of the United States in
It's Golfers, II 1t cannot afford q large
assembly"
1.-THE time has not come to reduce
the assembly. and hope 1t never Will
come" cried DR.. George w. p. Birch,
Of New York. I'VE oush: to keep as
near the people as we can. The back
woods presbyterles now hold the bal
ance so true"
Impressed by the strength of the OPP
position 4 friend of reduced representa-
ton proposed to send the overture down
TO the presbyteries. asking their advice.
The motion was laid on the table with
great alacrity.
A Mighty Affirmation.
DR.. john W. Dinsmore, OF San Jose,
offered substitute motion. thanking
and 'discharging the committee, and in
definitely deferring the question of re-
duced representation. When the vote
came there was mighty yes and 4 few
feeble noes. The decision against an
other part of the committees report
was closer. BY vote of 1874 to 16S the
assembly decided not to increase from
five to ten the number OF ministers nyc-
essary to constitute a presbytery.
The judicial committee came In with
reports on n number Of matters, and
was granted permission to refer to spec
ial committees for trial such cases as
required supreme adjudication. The ap-
pcaled case Of Herman WarsawIack,
suspended for alleged gambling, from
the Fifth Avenue church. New York,
two years ago. was referred to a COM
m!ttee. The Rev. Mr.. Baclsus, OF KAN
sas, got q committee TO try his appeal
from the synod Of that state.
An appeal from the decision Of the
Indianapolis synod in the matter Of un-
fermented wine at the Lords supper
WIS not sustained. The appeal Of 4. NJ.
Mccullough. of the synod OF Baltimore,
was recommended to the consideration
of the Baltimore synod.
The appeal Of Charles II. Lane from
the decision OF the synod Of New York
will be tried by special committee.
DR.. W, Il. kirkwood, of Empor!a,
Kansas, presented the report OF the
committee on the board of education.
The report held that the expense Of the
board was not undue and that II could
not be reduced without consolidation OF
the boards. which was not wise. The
standard Of ministerial education was
declared not to be declining and the
day Of shrlnRage In the number of can
dldatcs for the ministry was said to be
in the past. The reelection Of the
members of the board whose terms ex-
pire this year was recommended
The Chicago and Schuyler overtures,
calling for a commission to Investigate
the whole subject of ministerial cduca-
ton. were approved by the committee,
and 1t was recommended that n COM
mission of not less than eleven be ap-
pointed for TINT purpose. The report
was adopted intact. Rev. Edward B.
Hodge, corresponding secretary Of the
board OF education. addressed the as
sembly in defense and explanation.
The McGiffert matter was made Il
specla! order for Thursday. The feel
Ing now Is that drastic action viii be
taken.
Mob OutrngcS In the South.
The dcnunclation OF recent mob out
RACES In the south. made In the report
of the committee on freedmen, was
finally referred to the committee for re-
consideration.
DR.. l., w. Glass, Of the prcsbytcry of
Baltimore. Is arranging simultaneous
meetings tomorrow morning at $3.50 In
the interests Of reunion OF the elders
OF the assembly north in Minneapolis
and the elders of the assembly south in
Richmond.
Colonel james Rice, of Peoria, Ill.,,
the father OF the Peoria overture. aimed
Mt reducing the moderntor's power. says
he expects vigorously to push his pet
measure. Ovcrturcs now before the
committee on bills and ovcrtures In
favor OF an nnti-polygNmy amendment
to The national constitution and in favor