The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-30
1wr,tten for The Times. !,

NEW YORK. Sept. 2S.-Presbyterfan
readers admit that action taken by about
pnc-thtnd the whole number of Presbyte-
-ians. which have now voted. shows so
strongly In favor of some creed changes
that the committee which propounded
the questions viii be compelled to report
To the General Assembly that it ought
TO take up the matter PresbyteTies are
voting for and against. but SO far the
proposition to let the old Confession re-
main and construct a new and short
statement OF faith leads. Cleveland vot-
ed Eve 10 one for revision and Princeton
three TO one against 1t, but these votes
We're anticipated. 1t Is not now a ques-
ton of majorities, so the leaders say,
but merely whether any considerable part
Of Fresbyte-ianism North demands any
changes in its doctrinal statements II
so many as one hundred out of the two
hundred and ttirty-two Presoyteries ask
for revision the present committee viii
be compelled TO report the matter to the
General Convention. With the present
ratio kept up TO the end, the number de-
string change will, it is estimated, ex-
coed that proportion.
The last General Assembly gave Presby-
teries, at thei- meetings now holding,
great many things to consider beside
creed revision. There are no fewer than
!
body One Of them authorizes the office
of pastor emeritus, which has heretofore
been regulated by custom: another limits
the aime of iicensure Of candidates for
the ministry: a third. giving TO Presby-
teries the power to compel members I'M
employed to serve in vacant puipitS. and
whenever a pulpit has been vacant for one
year. the right TO furnish the supplies
and to continue to do SO until the church
itself fills the vacancy in the regular way;
and a fourth provides that in Presbytery
meetings only active pastors shall have
the right to vote. The last question is
aimed at relief of Presbyteries in large
cities like Chicago and New York. where
there are many resident ministers who
are not pastors of churches All Presby-
teries in large cities say they have suffer-
ed much from non-pastors' votes. Yet
1t is shown by the voting in Presbyteries
that have met thus far that this overture
viii be overwhelmingly defeated.
AS TO MISSIONS.
Churches everywhere are responding to
the recommendation Of the Missionary
Board secretaries. recently made, that a
week of prayer for China missions be
held, beginning October 18th, and that on
one day during that week formal mem
orial service be held for missionaries and
native Christians who have lost their
lives In China during the recent uprising.
Late reports from China grow worse and
worse: for a time it seemed as If there
had been little but fright. The secreta-
ries' recommendation also mentions gifts
to be made during the week in question,
to be used in re-estabiishing and extend
ing the work. In the matter of indem-
nifty, it has been decided that only the
most moderate of demands should be
made. Some favor making nc. demands
at all and doubtless this course would
obtain with American societies were it not
for the belief that the Chinese look upon
leniency as weakness. Present indica-
lions are that the week named VIII be
observed by almost every church in
America
There is an astonishing amount Of in
terest felt in the report OF the late Ecu
inenical Conference on Foreign Missions.
1t viii be remembered that at the sessions
last April the attendance was SO great
as to surprise everybody, those in charge
of it most of all. 1t has been arranged
to publish edition Of 10000 copies Of
the proceedings. So great IS the demand
that the edition is to be $4,000, and almost
all have been ordered by individuals. The
report Will be ready October 18th.
LARGE CLASSES.
Theological seminaries OF the country
never bsfore had such Big entering classes,
and much the same experience is had this
fall by institutions which receive students
who later on read for orders. Princeton
Seminary, Union Seminary. Hartfod. Har-
ward. Chicago. Auburn. Grocer, Newton,
the General, and other seminaries repre-
senting all religious bodies have 10 to 30
per cent larger entering classes than on
any previous year. Roman Catholic semi
naries are also crowded. AT Mortified
the Seminary ana Mt Her1non have
together SS6 pupils. a larger number than
ever before. The same story comes from
Winora, from the Chicago Bible-Training
Institute, and from Chautauaua reading
courses. In the latter the active season
Is at least fortnight ahead. The Jewish
Chautauqua, which is modelled upon
Bishop yincents idea, has been introduced
into England. and it is likely English jews