The times., 1899-09-29
Religion THEIR Theme
Pan-Presbyterians Listen to the
Reading of Various Papers.
Rev. DIR. Mathews Reviews the Work
OF the AIIiance-He Holds That 20,-
scented by It-Dutics OF Church Of
HcehoIders Women Deaconesses.

Three sessions Of the Presbyterian
York Avenue Presbyterian Church, and
throughout the entire proceedings lively
interest was manifested, both By the dele
gates IN attendance and the public. The
time OF the sessions was occupied by the
presentation Of papers on religious topics
and their discussion, in a general manner,
by delegates vino had special information
or suggestions touching the topic in hand.
The committees appointed at the first
days session perfected their organization,
and the whole conference launched at once
into the business to be done in a manner
that demonstrated the ability of those in
charge as weil as made the good results
desired TO be accomplished a certainty.
The manner in which each paper was re-
sponded TO when an opportunity was given
for the delegates TO express themselves be-
tokened an enthusiasm and hearty interest
on the part of all present for the better
ment of church organization and for the
extension of Christianizing influences.
The morning session opened promptly at
10 O'Clock, and the devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. DR.. Lang, President of
the Alliance. After a report had been
made by the business committee, Of which
Rev. DR.. Kerr, of Richmond, Va, is chair
man, with reference TO a few minor details
of the council, and the report had been ac-
cepted, Rev DIR. Mathews, of London,
General Secretary OF the Alliance, presented
a paper upon the work of the alliance.
The paper presented, in concise and we'll
1 -. l.. ~
growth of the alliance between the Pres
byterian churches of the world. 1t also
presented some of the difficulties which
were encountered owing TO the different
shades OF orthodoxy held by congregations
in the Presbyterian Church. In summing
up DR.. Mathews saw an occasion for con-
graduation in what has already been ac-
complished, and predicted in the contin-
uance of the movement closer union and
a more thorough solidifeation and harmony
of action of the various members, so to
speak, of this gigantic body. In this con-
nection he mentioned the interesting fact
that over 10000. 600 individual Presbyterians
were represented in the alliance. Rev. DR..
George b. Strickler, of Richmond, Va, pre-
sented a paper on aScripturaI Authority of
the Presbyterian System DR.. Strickler
was followed by a paper on the Gradual
Growth of Sacerdotalism in Doctrine and
Teaching in England by Samuel Smith,
esq, member OF the English Parliament
A telegram was read from the Interna-
tional Congregational Council, now in ses-
sion in Boston. announcing that DR..
Richard was on his way to bear in person
their greeting to the Pan-Presbyterian Al
lance. After an announcement, by DR..
Radcliffe. Of the intended excursion to
Mount Vernon on Saturday, an adjourn
ment was taken till O'Clock.
The afternoon was devoted to the discus
the Presbyterian and Reformed churches.
Rev. DR.. Ross, of Newcastle, England, and
r. R. Simpson, esq, of Edinburgh, Scot
land, presented the subject jointly in two
very able papers, following which an hour
was devoted to general discussion 1t was
brought out that the practice of appointing
women as deaconesses in the old country
had met with the most satisfactory results.
The evening services were preiuded by
musical programme Of half hours dura-
fion by the choir of the Fifteenth Street
Church. At o'clock the meeting of the
alliance proper began and was devoted to
a discussion of "Calvinistic Forces in the
Formation of National Life" The subject
was presented from the British standpoint
by Rev. Principal Salmond, d. D.. Aber-
deem, Scotland, while Rev. DR.. William H.
Roberts, OF Philadelphia, spoke as repre-
senting the United States.
Today's sessions, which will be three in
number, will be in accordance with the
programme already published.