The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-21
FREEDMEN'S MISSION.
Report of Work Done by Pres
byterian Board For Past
Year.


st. Louis, May 21.-The report of the
board of missions for freedmen and the
consideration of the Westchester overture
occupied the morning session of the Pres
byterian general assembly today. The
nrSt pleasant day since the opening Of
the assembly, together with the refresh
ing rest of Sunday increased the number
of visitors in attendance and as the pro-
ceedings progressed the interest in the
work of the assembly grew materially.
the appointment of committees
on the records of SYMBOLS.
DR.. Roberts, the stated clerk, read a
telegram containing fraternal greetings
from the general assembly of the Presby-
terrain church south, in session at At
lanta, Ga
A report which gained interest as the
discussion proceeded was that of the
board of missions for freedmen. The re-
port was presented by Rev. E. Trumbull
Lee, D. D., of Cincinnati, who told of the
work done during the year past. The re-
ceipts he said were sufficient to maintain
he work at a cost of 1892, 57S and also
pay $17,S97 of the debt. The receipts of
1900 for current work We're $5.O35 in excess
OF the year before, which would have left
so, 46S as balance, if the expense had been
kept within the limit of 1899. They were
l hsiance T. sS SW We Tb by lS,tS2, cHtdpg the the
debt was 5000 which was paid out of the
surplus. The balance in the treasury is
$l.SO2; The extent of the work is hown
by the following figures: Ministers, 1879
churches and missions, 339; added on ex-
animation 1,S41; added on certificates. 1873:
schools, 324; Sunday school scholars, 49,
$40, number of schools, GA; number of
ers, 2S1; pupils, 1882.
was 81, 1872, an increase over the amount
reported last year of $7,1S3. The Presby-
terrain Freedmen gave to the support OF
their own churches and minister's, $33, 9S1,
an increase of $1.S54.
DR.. Lee said there were many indica-
lions that the Importance of the problem
of the education and elevation of the
southern negro was taking a deeper hold
upon the minds of thoughtful men, both
/ north and south. Industrial schools DR.
Lee continued, seem to have come more
prominently to the front of late and to
have caught the public favor: so much SC
that at times there seems to be a danger
of showing other schools of training and
other lines of development aside as for
eign to the problem. DR.. Lee made a few
supple mentary remarks on the report an6
set It severely scoring Rev Henry
Fran for his statement made in Carnegie
hall, New York city, Sunday that enamel.
patton was a proved failure. He sale
that the board of freedmen was one Of
the large boards of the church. Thu
speaker gave a of figures which
showed unusual results from the persona
efforts of the freedmen themselves.
Following the speech of DR.. Lee, Rev
E. P. Cowan, D. D., of Pittsburg, secre
ing for increased interest in the work O
evangelizing the freedmen He was fol
president of the Agricultural college, a
Orangeburg, S. c. Prof. Miller is a col
ored man. He was educated for the 1ega
profession. Prof. Miller set forth tn
claims of the industrial schools of tn
freedmen in an eloquent address, whicl
held the close attention of the assembly
Rev. E. A. Terrence, a colored preacher
of Hot Springs, Ark, spoke along tn
same lines.
of the assembly when he made known hi
position on the proposed revision of tn
should be trained under the Calvanism O
the Westminster confession of faith. AT
ter the tumultuous applause had die
away, DR.. Dickey, the moderator, said
few more speeches like that would do n
harm.
The report was adopted as a who'll
Rev. DR.. George VIM. Knox, presiden
of Union Seminary, presented the repor
on the question of ministerial representa-
ton in church judicatories. The overtur
embraced a proposed change OF section z
chapter 10, of the form of government b.
substituting the following amendment:
A Presbytery consists of active mem
bers. namely: all pastors and one rulinI
elder from each congregation within
certain district, also all ministers residing
in such district appointed by the Presby
terry or a superior judiciary to some par
ticular work of the church under contrc
of the appointing Judiciary while engage
in such work; and all other ministers o
it's roll"
In the Presbytery all members shal
have the right to sit and speak. to sserv
on committees and shall be eligible to of
flee, but active members only may vote
No ~Presbytery shall consist of less tina
five ministers who are active members.
The principle embodied in the over
ture,'' said DR.. Knox, lis that the me
who do the work. of the church Shout
shape the policy of the church. 1t divide
the vote of the PreSbytery in two classes
those who vote and those who do nc
vote. The voting power is given to thos
men who are on an equality in the Pres
bytery.' O
Rev. F. Penticost, of Yonkers. n. Y
made an Eloquent appeal for the over
ture and opposed an amendment to tn
overture which was introduced in tn
discussion to embrace in the voters thos
clergymen who had been honorably re
tired.
The assembly voted to hand the over
ture, as it was submitted. down to tn
different Presbyteries of the church 70
their action, which will be reported t
the next general assembly.
At this point the assembly adj rne
until afternoon.
Mr.. Frey Is Here.