The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-18
Received $50 Votes on Second Ballot
to 224 for DIR. Fisher, of
Hanover College.
DEATH BEFORE THE OPENING
REV. w. ECHOLS EXPIRES SUDDENLY
IN THE CHURCH.
Features of the First Days Session of
the Great Presbyterian Gath.
ering-Reports.


General Assembly. the law-making body of
the church. began its northumberland
twelfth annual meeting to-day at the
Washington and Compton-avenue Presby-
terrain Church. Nearly 1000 commissioners
and delegates, comprising ministers and
laymen, representing all the Northern and
Western States and Territories and many
of those in the South. with the synods of
Central and Southern China, North China
and India, are in attendance.
Rev. William A. Echols, Of Middlesport,
o., commissioner to the assembly, repre-
senting the Athens, o., Presbytery, dropped
dead this morning in the auditorium of the
church. He was seated in pew in the
rear of the church when attacked with
heart disease. Three physicians who were
hastily summoned did all in their power to
resuscitate the minister but without avail.
He expired in ten minutes. The remains
were taken in charge by an undertaken.
The deceased had arrived from home this
morning to attend the assembly. Before
going to the church he complained of being
i'll and consulted a physician, who pre-
scribed for him. The church was crowded
at the time, there being nearly $500 persons
present and the sad incident cast a shadow
of gloom over the assemblage and delayed
the opening exercises.
OF the commissioners and delegates there
were 500 present at the first session, the re-
mainder of the audience being made up OF
ministers and members of churches of other
denominations in st. Louis. After the open
ing exercises j. B. Clayton, of Athens, o.,
asked unanimous permission to provide for
the care and transportation to the home OF
his relatives of the remains or Kew. Dr.
Echols
Seminary. read the Scripture lesson, and
was followed by DR.. d. w. Nassau, a mis-
sionary from China, who delivered the lot
NAL invocation. Several selections were
sung by the quartet of Washington and
Compton-avenue Presbyterian Church, at
the conclusion of which Rev Dr. H. r:
Sample the retiring moderator, delivered
his sermon. A recess until p. m. was
then taken. ~
Owing to the street-car strike Rev. DR..
F. w. Sneed chairman of the committee
on arrangements, had fixed the houI ioI
converting in the afternoon at o CLOCK, al
which time the commissioners assempieu'
remaining in session until after $3.50, when
adjournment was taken until evening. Inc
election of moderator 10 succeeu rev. ~;
F. Sample, ID. D., LIZ, D., after splri'eo
contest, resulted in choosing Rev. =: "A.
Dickey. d. D., of Philadelphia, president
of the Presbyterian Hospital
ELECTION OF MODERATOR.
The invocation of the, afternoon was
made by Rev. Samuel W. Pratt, of Camp
bell. N. Y. It was then announced tha'
nominations for moderator were in order.
Rev. ]. G. Reaser, d. D., of ST. Charles
Mo. placed In nomination Rev. Charles A
Dickey, d. D., of Philadelphia. DR.. Reaser'
in his nominating speech, eulogized DR..
Dickey, closing by saying that as presi-
dent of the Presbyterian Hospital, he had
secured 81 900 900 for that institution. The
nomination of Rev. DIR. Dickey was sec
onded by Rev. George b. Stewart, -. d.
of Auburn, N. Y. -
DR.. Stewart made the statement: wmcn
was regarded as significant by the as
sembly, that Rev. DR.. Dickey was a rep
resentative of advanced orthodoxy OF
the church and would give Impartial rui,
ings. In rapid succession the names OF
Rev. Daniel w. Fisher d. D., LIZ D., pres
ident of Hanover College, Indiana, and
Rev. William McKibben, d. D., of the Lane
Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, were pu,
forward and seconded The roll was tnen
called by synods and presbyterfes.
When the result of the ballot was an.
nounced Ii was found that 5i3 votes mac
been cast, 2s7 being necessary o, TO ch0 ;s,
er 1872 and Dr. McKibben 205. As no one had
been chosen DIR. John M. Worral moved
that the stated clerk be requested 10 caS'
the ballot of the assembly for Rev. Dr'
Dickey This was voted down, as unanl.
NOUS consent was necessary. The name OF
DIR. McKibben was then withdrawn and
the second ballot taken. DR. Diekey re-
ceived $50 votes and DR.. Fisher IA. Rev
DR. Dickey was declared elected.
Rev Dr. Dickey was then usnered to the
rostrum and greeted with hearty applause
After the hand-clapping had ceased the
retiring moderator, Rev. DR.. Robert r,
Sample handed the symbols of the church
and the gavel to his successor.
In becoming speech DIR. Dickey thanked
his brothers for the honor conferred or
him The benediction was then pronounced
by Rev. Dr. Reaser.
The first days exercises of the synod
closed with a communion service held al
Church tonight at o'clock. This was the
first devotional service of the session, and
the solemnity of the occasion impressed
those in attendance. n deep spirit of con-
secration pervaded the service, and al
times silence of the beautiful symbolic re-
membrance of Christ's death and resurrec-
ton was of a deeper significance than
spoken words.
The service was presided over by the re-
firing moderator Rev. Robert F. Sample
ID. D., LIZ ID. He was assisted by Rev
DIR. A. T.. Taylor and Rev. DR.. John M
Worral. The bread and wine was served
by elders chosen from every synod. The
service was not completed until after
o'clock, when adjournment was taken until
o'clock tomorrow morning.
1t is stated on the best of authority that
Rev. DR.. Dickey, Rev. DIR. William H
Roberts and some friends passed the even
ing until a late hour making up the i'm
portant committees to be announced to-
morrow morning. Rev. DR.. Sample will be
chairman of the committee on bills and
overtures. and by precedent Rev. DIR. VIII.
liam McKibben will be chairman of the
judicial committee. the most important
committee of the assembly, before whom
will come the appeal in the McGiffert case
and other troublesome questions slated fol
controversy.