New-York tribune., 1900-05-28
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
COMMISSIONERS EXPENSES OVER sun.
DAY PAID-REVIEW OF WHAT
WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
ST. Louis. May 27-while the General Assem-
bly, adjourned yesterday IL decided that 1T
would he extremely inconsistent to adopt strin-
gent Sabbath observance resolutions and then
have the Commissioners travel Sunday. The
hotel bills of all the delegates who could not
reach home yesterday will be paid until to-mor-
row morning. This arrangement insures also the
presence of a large number of visitors in the
city pulpits to-day. The Moderator was heard
in the First Presbyterian Church. of which he
was pastor a quarter of century ago. The
present pastor is the Rev W. j. McKittrick. for
decade the pastor of Hope Chapel, in New
York
Two New-Ycrk men were heard this evening
az the celebration of the Menard Street Mission.
of which the Rev Charles Stegle is pastor-the
Rev DR.. A. w. Halsey secretary of the Board
of Foreign Missions. and the Rev. John Ban
croft Devins of The New-York Observer This
mission is the largest in st. Louis. For twenty
five years it has had for It's superintendent w.
II. Markham 1t is estimated that ten thousand
people have been in it's Sunday school. and from
that number many cergymen. missionaries,
physicians. bankers and business men have come
to bless the world. The heat was oppressive
to-day. and yet there was an attendance of SO2
at the Sunday school session. Addresses were
made by the Rev. DR.. Richard S Holmes. of
Pittsburg; the Rev S. c. Palmer. of this city,
and others.
WORK OF ASSEMBLY SUMMED UP
Summing up the work of the General Assem-
bly, just adjourned, the most important action
taken was the appointment of a committee
canvass the sentiment of the Presbyteries
creed revision. The Moderator. the Rev. Dr.
Charles A Dickey, is chairman of this commit
tee. and associated with him are fifteen repre-
sentative men of the Church. eight ministers
and seven elders. Some of the men radical
revisonists while others just as strongly
opposed to any action the subject This
committee may recommend to the next General
Assembly any overtures which it thinks ought
to be sent down to the Presbyteries for final
action. or, if it chooses. it may recommend the
appointment of another committee to formulate
overtures.
The Peoria overture another important meas
ure, adopted after spirited debates. that
consumed parts of three days. This overture
originated in the Presbytery of Peoria, from
which it derives it's name and places the ap-
pointment of committees in the hands of the
Assembly. Its adoption. while only secured by
a majority of twenty-eight was regarded
blow at the power of the Moderator and the
Stated Clerk. who have heretofore appointed all
committees The adoption of this overture was
a great personal victory for the author, Colonel
James NJ. Rice. of Peoria and the Rev Dr.
plea for 1t undoubtedly turned the tide In lts
favor
In the realm of theological law the Assembly
displayed much consideration for the peace of
the Commissioners by disposing Of every vexing
appeal brought before it in such a manner that
no trials resulted. The famous Warszawiak
case from New-York. which has caused proba-
bly, trouble than any other case in years.
was settled in a way that simply terminated
the matter, the committee stating that so much
time would be spent in settling the many vexing
questions that it might just as we'll be dropped
MGIFFERT CASE DROPPED.
The McGiffert case was also disposed of by
the courtesy of the principal minister in
terested This case had progressed to the stage
where law only the issue involved. Dr. Nc
Giffert having withdrawn from the Presbyterian
Church. The committee reported that the ap
peal of Dr. George W. F. Birch was regular and
we'll taken. He considerately dropped the
upon this finding, much to the satisfaction of
his fellow Commissioners
Another matter which interested all the Com
missioners was the election of permanent
clerk to succeed the late Rev. DR.. William E
Moore of Ohio. To succeed him. the Rev. DR..
William B. Noble. of California. chosen,
both his fitness for the place and a desire to
recognize the Pacific Coast being responsible for
the selection. Another straw showing the drift
westward followed the selection of Philadelphia
as the place of next years meeting. when the
committee recommended that the invitation of
California PreSbyteries to the Assembly be act
ed on next year. This is taken to mean that
the Assembly will meet in California in 1902
or the popular meetings neid Whlie the assem-
bly, was in session, the echo meeting or the
recent Ecumenical Conference was the most
largely attended and characterized with the
greatest interest This meeting was held in the
Odeon and addressed by distinguished
speakers. Governor James A. Mount presided
and made an able address. Missions the
subject discussed by all the speakers, of whom
there were four DR. Charles A. Dickey. S. j. Mic
coils George F. Pentecost and John H. Con-
verse
The next meeting of the Assembly will be held
in Philadelphia, beginning the third Thurs
day in May 1901 when great efforts to appro-
priately celebrate the dawning of a new GEN.
tury will be made committee. of which John
Wanamaker is chairman. being in charge Of the
celebration.