Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-17
Important Matters Coming Before
Presbyterian General Assembly.
NOW MEETING IN ST. LOUIS
Sharp Contest for the Position Of
Moderator.
MINISTER ROPS DEAD

nual session of the Presbyterian general
assembly, The .awmakng body of that
church. began today at the Wasi,irstc'
and Compton Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Nearly 1000 commissioners and delegates,
representing all tae northern AMI western
states and territories and many of these
in the south, with the synods of Catawba.
Central and South China. North China and
India. in attendance. Among them
were many eminent divines and prominent
laymen.
Washington and Compton Avenue Tres
byterian Church. in which the main delib-
erations of the body are held. had been
decorated and fitted with everything that
would minister to the comfort and conve
nience of those in attendance.
Matters of great Importance are to be con-
sidered during the present gathering. and
it probably will be two weeks before final
adjournment is taken.
To Select u Moderator.
Special interest is centercd in this after
rooms work when a successor to Rev.
Robert F. Sample, DID,, LID. moderator
of the assembly. Is to be elected. Rev. Dr.
McKibbon of Cincinnati and Rev. DR.. Chas.
Dickey of Philadelphia, two of the sew
eral candidates for the position, arrived
yesterday.
Scarcely less interest Is being taken in the
selection of some one to take the office OF
permanent clerk Of the assembly. recently
made vacant by the death of Rev. Dr. VIM.
F. Moore of Columbus. Ohio who filled the
position for sixteen years. There are eight
or ten candidates for the position of perma-
nent clerk. New York will present the
name Of Rev. DR.. T. Ralston smith, stated
clerk of the Presbyterian synod 1.211 of the
empire state Pennsylvania has two can
didates-Rev. DR.. B. G. Gimmell of Cresson
and Rev. DIR. Charles B. McClelland OF
Pittsburg, stated clerk of the synod Of that
city. Other candidates are: Rev. Dr.. Henry
Branch, stated clerk Of the presbytery OF
Baltimore, Md; Rev. DIR. Edward T. SW1g-
gett, stated clerk of the synod of Ohio and
also stated clerk for the presbytery OF Gin
cinnati, and Rev. John II. Miller. DID. VINO
is the candidate of the synod OF Missouri.
Much preliminary work was accomplished
at today's session.
Minister Dropped Dead in Church.
Rev VIM. A Echols of Middlesport,
Ohio, a commissioner to the Presbyterian
general assembly, representing the Athens.
Ohio, presbytery, dropped dead at 1870
a m. today in the auditorium of the Wash
ington and Compton Avenue Presbyterian
Church. He was seated in a pew in the
rear of the church when attacked with
heart disease. Three physicians tried to
resuscitate the minister but without avail.
Dr. Echols arrived today. Before going
to the church he complained of being ill,
and consulted a physician.
The church was crowded at the time OF
Rev. EcholS' death, there being nearly 2,5Uj
persons present. The incident cast gloom
over the assemblage and delayed the open
ing exercises. OF the commissioners and
delegates there were 800 present al the first
session. the remainder of the audience be-
ing made up of ministers and members OF
churches of other denominations in st.
Louis.
After the singing Of the doxology Rev.
Frank w. Sneed. pastor of the Washington
and Compton Avenue Church. introduced
Rev. John NJ. Worrall of Danville, KY.
who delivered the opening prayer
]. b. Clayton Of Athens, Ohio. asked
! unanimous consent of the general assem-
bly, for permission to provide for the care
and transportation to the home of his
relatives of the body of Rev. Dr. Echols.
Rev. DIR. Craig of Mccormick Theological
Seminary read the Scripture lesson and
was followed by DR.. Nassau, missionary
from China. who delivered the formal in
vocation.
Rev. DIR. r. F. Sample, the retiring mod
orator, then delivered his sermon.
A recess until pm. was then taken.