The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-17
EMINENT DIVINES
Gather For the 112th Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church.

st. Louis, May 1.-THE Presbyterian
general assembly, the law making body
of that church, began its 112th annual
meeting today at the Washington and
Compton Avenue Presbyterian church.
Nearly 1000 commissioners and dele
gates representing all the northern and
western states and territories and many
of those in the south with the synods
OF central and south China, north China
and India are in attendance. Among
them are many eminent divineS and
prominent laymen.
Washington and Compton Avenue
Presbyterian church in which the main
deliberations of the body are held has
been decorated and fitted with every
thing that will minister to the comfort
and convenience of those in attendance.
IN the lecture room there is a Presby-
terian book store, postofice, a tele-
graph station, telephone connections,
writing tables and stationery.
Matters of great Importance are to be
considered during the present gathering
and it win probably be two weeks before
final adjournment is taken. At present
special interest is centeTed in this after
noon's work. when a successor to Rev.
Robert F. Sample, ID. D, LII D., mod
orator of the assembly, is to be elected
Rev. DR.. VIM. McKibben of Cincinnati,
and Rev. DR.. Charles D. Dickey of Phil
adelphia, two of the several candidates
for the. position, arrived yesterday.
Scarcely less interest is being taken in
the selection of some one to fill the office
! of permanent clerk of the assembly re-
! Gently made vacant by the death of
/ Rev. DR.. VIM. e. Moore of Columbus,
| o., who filled the position for sixteen
years. There are eight or ten candi-
dates for the position of permanent
| clerk and they come from all parts of
| the country. California has one in Rev.
| DR.. Vim. E. Noble, of Redlands, while
| New York presents the name of Rev.
| DR.. T. Ralston Smith, stated clerk of the
| Presbyterian synod Of the empire state.
| Pennsylvania has two candidates, Rev.
! DR.. B. +. Gemmill of Crisson and Rev.
| DR.. Charles S. McClelland of PittSburg,
stated clerk of the synod of that city.
! Other candidates ars: Rev. DR.. Henry
Branch, stated clerk Of the Presby terry
! of Baltimore, Nd; Rev. DIR. Edward T.
Swiggett, stated clerk of the synod of
| Ohio and also stated clerk for the Pres
| bytery of Cincinnati; and Rev. John H.
Miller, D. D., who is the candidate of the
| synod of Missouri.
Only preliminary work will be done
| today, the real business of the assembly
| coming up tomorrow.
There were 800 present at the first SeS-
sion, the remainder of the audience be-
ing made up of ministers and members
| of churches of other denominations in
| St. Louis, and among them was a fair
Sprinkling of ladies.
The first session opened when Musical
Director D. J. Mcdonald arose and led
in the singing OF the Doxology. Rev.
DR.. Frank w. Sneed, pastor OF the
| Washington and Compton Avenue
church, introduced Rev. John NJ Wor-
rail-, of Danville, Ky, who delivered the
opening prayer.
Rev. DR. Craig of Mccormick theo-
| logical seminary read the scripture les
son and was followed by DR.. Nassau,
a missionary from China, who delivered
the formal Invocation Several selec-
tions were sung by the quartette OF
Washington and Compton Avenue Pres
hVtpri9p church. at the conclusion OF
which Rev. r. F. Sample the retiring
moderator, delivered his sermon.