The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
And Request Proprietors of Newspa-
the Assembly Tomorrow.
PRAISE FOR THE PRESIDENT
FOR CLOSING THE PARIS EXHIBIT ON
FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
of Commfttees-Candi-
dates for Permanent Clerk-Oth-
er Religious Assemblies.

part of to-days session of the Presbyterian
General Assembly was spent in considering
the report of the special committee on Sab
bath observance. During the discussion
high praise was accorded to President Nc
Kinley and Secretary Hay for the instruc-
lions sent to Commissioner Peck, OF the
Paris exposition. and to Ambassador Por-
ter, at Paris, touching the closing of the
United States pavilion and offices at the
exposition on the Sabbath.
The report strongly urges that Presby-
terians throughout the land should abstain
from numerous forms of Sunday desecra-
tons now being more or less INDUCED In,
and makes the broad request that railroad
companies reduce Sunday transportation to
a minimum. and that Congress and state
legislatures shall appropriate no more
money for exhibitions. without the proviso
that such exhibits shall be closed on Sun
day. separate resolution was adopted by
a large vote requesting proprietors of St
Louis newspapers not to print the proceed
ings of the assembly in their Sunday edi-
tons.
The attendance of delegates at to-day S
session was greater than during yester-
day, a number of belated ones having ar
rived. There are several full-blood Indians
in the assemblage as delegates. among
them being Thomas H. Aungie and Rev.
Henry T. Selwyn, of Greenwood, s. D.,
who are both opposed to revision of the
creed and Mr.. Stephen Weston, Choctaw.
Promptly at $50 o. clock Rev. DR.. Dickey,
the new moderator, called the assembly to
order, and appointed Mr.. James H. Con-
verse, of Philadelphia, vice moderator. He
also announced the appointment of chair
men of the following committees:
Committee on bills and overtures, Rev.
Robert F. Sample, New York; judicial COM
mittee, DR.. William McKibben. Cincinnati;
policy, DR.. Daniel Webster Fisher; home
missions, DR.. Richard s. Holmes; foreign
missions, DR.. Charles Cuthbert Hall; edu-
cation, DIR. George B. Stewart; church erec-
ton, Dr. William H. Clark; theological
seminaries, DR.. David r. Kerr; freedmen,
DR.. f. Trumbell Lee, and aid for colleges,
DR.. Willis H. Craig.
The announcement was then made that
1t was time for the presentation OF synodi-
cal papers to the General Assembly. These
were gathered up by pages, who gave them
to the stated clerk. After action by the
committee on bills and overtures these pa
pers will be reported on later.
PERMANENT CLERK.
Provision was then made by the General
Assembly to place the election of perma-
nent clerk in the hands of a committee
composed of one commissioners from each
synod, to be named hereafter by the mod
orator. This committee will give hearing
to all who wish to nominate candidates,
and will eventually present two names Tor
consideration by the General Assembly.
Among the candidates for the position of
permanent clerk. made vacant by the death
of Rev. DR.. William e. Moore. of Column
bus, O., are Rev. DR.. w. B. Noble, DR..
John Branch, DR.. John Miller, DR.. G. w.
F. Birch and DR.. B. w. Gemmell
The special committee on Sabbatn oD-
servance reported that the present condi-
ton of the Sabbath question in the Onited
States has more threatening aspects and
more difficult problems than encouraging
features.
Among the recommendations made on the
subject by the special committee on the
celebration of the twentieth century pro-
vision for memorial fund was sug-
gested, to be known as THE twentieth
century fund for the endowment OF
Presbyterian collegiate and theological
institutions, for the enlargement or mis-
sionary enterprises. for the erection OF
church buildings and payment OF DEBT on
churches and educational institutions, ano
for other work of the boards at the opuon
of the donors" 1t was suggested that pro-
vision be made for the appointment of a
central committee to consist or Tour MIN
listers and three elders, with headquarters
in Philadelphia, the committee to nave
general supervision of the work.
nh Of flop v,vy1it re- n a.
ha Theological Seminary, OF wnich Dr. Il:
Trumbull Is chairman. was In the form OF
an appeal for an endowment for the semi
nary. to insure its permanency and for rem
dering its usefulness undisturDed rms
seminary has been in existence nine years
and is the only school of its kind in the
Presbyterian church between Chicago and
the Pacific coast
Conference in Chicago was read, convey
ing congratulations and expressive of good
will of that body. 1t was voted to send a
cordial response to be delivered by COM
mittee composed of one minister anu one
elder.
COMMITTEE APPORTIONMENT.
Majority and minority reports were made
by the special committee on the method of
apportionment Of standing committees OF
the General Assembly. The majority re-
port recommended that the standing COM
n.ittees be appointed by the moderator. as
sisted by committee of ministers and ell
ders, the latter committee TO be also APP
pointed by the moderator. This is the
method now in vogue. The minority report
thinks it advisable to divide the territory
covered by the General Assembly into
twenty-five election districts, equal in size,
by combining the smaller synods and d.
viding the larger presbyteries when neces-
sary for the election of the standing COM
mittees, each committee to select its own
chairman.
Other special reports submitted were from
appeal, vacancies and supply. digest edi-
lions of the constitution, reprinting of min
utes and on ministerial representation.
Rev. DR.. S. j. Niccolls, of this city. pre-
scented the special report OF the committee
on ministerial education. In which he
ministers and of guarding against the lax
examination of candidates.
Just before the adjournment at noon Rev.
DR.. Frank Sneed, chairman of the commit
tee on arrangements, welcomed the as
semblage to ST. Lolis and presented Mod
orator Dickey with gavel made from wood
taken from three historical churches OF
this city.
At the afternoon session Rev. j. w Hath
away, of New York city, took the lead In
the consideration of the report of the
special committee on Sabbath observance.
DR.. Hathaway is a member OF the commit
tee He heartily commended President Nc
kinley and Secretary of State Hon. John
II. Hay for instructions sent to Commits
sioner General Ferdinand w. Peck and Am
bassador General Horace Porter TO close
the United States pavilion and offices at the
Paris exposition on the Lords day and 10
endeavor to secure concerted action of the
American exhibitors TO the same end. He