The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-30
PRESBYTERIAN PEACE CONGRESS.
summer Conference at Northheld Has n
New Aspect this Year.

Evangelist Dwight L. Moody said yesterday
to Sun reporter that 1t was more than likely.
II not certain. an effort would be made to
use the usual summer conference OF Presby-
terian ministers. which opens at Northleld.
Mass, on Aug. i. as q means OF bringing the
wranglinR factions Of that denomination to
some kind OF an understanding But the noted
evangelist added also to this. that he had per-
sonally nothing at all to do with the matter.
The so-called Mortified conferences are
held in the latter part Of the summer every
year. There IL no direct Presbyterian rea-
son Tor choosing the little Massachusetts,
town AZ gathering place. for the only notable
institution OF the place Is an undenominational
seminary for girls. Mr.. Moody is connected
with that seminary. however, and the regular
appearance Of his name under the invitations
TO these conferences may explain much. The
gatherings are entirely unofficial In character.
but are attended by Presbyterian ministers
from all over the country. Meetings are held
overv weekday during the three weeks Of the
conference and several series OF lectures are
delivered. 1t Is easy to perceive that time.
place and circumstances will be favorable for
all effort OF the kind now said to be pending.
1t is impossible at present to ascertain the
truth Of the report that a layInan. or several
laymen. perhaps. was the first one to suggest
the idea OF turning his years m Getting at North
field into great reunion embracing all the
factions of tho sundered church II is known,
on the. other hand. that the Rev DR.. John b.
shaw, Moderator Of the New York Presbytery.
aud he Rev: DIR. Wilton Merle Smith, pastor OF
me central Presbyterian Church in West Fifty
seventh street, were the first official represen-
tatiyos Of the Church to take IN the idea. They
did so with great eagerness. backing their in
Nltations by an offer to nay the expenses Of
those clerRyinen who could not afford to pay
FOR themselves, The necessary means were
said to be coming from fund raise for that
special purpose. the chief contributor to which
was an unnamed layman.
The cndenvors OF the two pastors are said
to have been SO auccessful that more than fifty
OF the SiNty-nye minister's belonging to the
New YORK PreSbytery will DO found at North
Held during the conference. and their num-
bers will be- at further swellcd by the attend
ance OF several mem bers Of the faculty Of the
Union Theological Seminary Not even Mr.
going to, happen at tho conference. MANY
Signs INDICATE however that the conservative
faction OF the Church will use It's utmost
powers to coax or to force the minority faction
INTO submission apparent II not actual One
OF the chlef weapons OF attack will he found
IN the prediction, heard so often OF late. that
the Presbyterian Church will go to pieces IL
. do not know anything about all that" was
the only thing Mr.. Moody had to say Yesterday
have only issued the call to the conference.
But guess the factions are pretty well tired
OF Wrangling bv this time and ready to go to
work for the Church"
don: the Rev. q. Campbell Morgan. Congrega-
tionaiist OF London. and tho Rev. George A.
Selyn OF Scotland will be present at Mortified.
but 1t is said that their presence has nothing
TO do with the efforts to patch up truce within
the New York Presbytery.