New-York tribune., 1900-05-18

/ presbyterian
| while a majority was needed to secure an cleo
| ton.
The vote stood as follows: On the first ballot
| Dckey 236; NcKibbin 2O5: Fisher. 1872 On
| the second ballot, Fishers name having been
| withdrawn. Dickey $50; McKibbin 224. the ma
| Jortty OF Fishers strength going to Dr.. Dickey
The new Moderator received his office with
| modesty declaring that he has never personally
cared especially to be the presiding officer of the
| Assembly but he added that he felt that if he
was TO receive that honor there no city in
the world, excepting possibly Philadelphia,
where he would be glad to have it in st.
Louis where he had enjoyed much of his
early pastorate. large vase Of red roses was
handed 10 the Moderator by DR. Sneed on behalf
of a member OF his church.
DEATH ON FLOOR OF THE ASSEMBLY.
The day has been an eventful one. whose sig
nificance has scarcely been understood by those
who have taken part in its proceedings. The
large church was nearly filed this morning with
an audience representing the culture, the wealth,
the education and the bone and sinew Of the
Presbyterian Church throughout the world, and
especially the flower of Presbytertanism in this
city. The retiring Moderator, the pastor of the
church and the stated clerk Of the Assembly
were just about to confer concerning the de-
VOtiOnal services preceding the delivery OI the
sermon the feature of the opening day, when
hurried call was made for physician.
Before one could be secured of the Com
rnissioners the Rev William a. Echols, OF Mid
dlepor-4 Ohio, a graduate of Marietta College
and OF Lane Seminary had died from heart dis
ease. Without a word he fell 10 the floor and
did not recover consciousness. His body was
sent back to his home, accompanied by a brother
Commissioner who had parted from him only
few minutes before the death summons came.
Tender reference was made this great
shadow over the Assembly in the prayer of the
veteran missionary. the Rev. DR.. Robert Mas
sau for forty years in Africa. Every attention
possible given to the body under the direc-
ton of the Stated Clerk, the Rev. DR.. William
H. Roberts. and at his suggestion the entire
expenses including those Of the delegate accom-
panying the body. are 10 be borne by the As
stmbly.
ILL HEALTH OF THE COMMISSIONER.
Commissioner Echols had not been we'll and
had been advised not TO attend the meeting to-
day but though his death occurred before the
exciting hours Of the day began. it thought
in nowise 70 be hastened by his ignoring the
advice given. His record shows that he has done
efficient work as home missionary in the Da
kOtas and a pastor in Indiana and Ohio.
DR.. Sample broke the record for short sermons
less than an hour in delivering the opening ser
mon The one to-day occupied only fifty min
utes and It made a pleasant impression upon all
present The paragraph touching the proposed
union with the Southern Church VIII doubtless
lead to the appointment of a committee to dis
cuss some plan of union, organic or federative
The statement that the doctrinal questions had
never caused a division in the Church was an
item Of news TO many who have been disturbed
g thpre
was a tinge Of sadness in the discourse the
clear cut ringing plea for the Gospel of Jesus
Christ as the only solvent of the problems
fronting the Church to-day frightened what
otherwise would have been considered a pessi-
mistic view OF the situation before the Presby
teran body.
DUTY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The sermon OF DR.. Sample. the retiring Mod
orator from the text. Speak unto the chill
dren of Israel that they go forward" The
preacher said in part:
Divisions in Church have never resulted solely
from doctrinal differences but mainly from Oppos-
ing views of administration or questions OF ma
tonal government. This fact indicates the pre-
valIng ana st5acIast Ioyaity OF our Church 20 us
doctrinal standards: Notice some Of the problems
Capitalization Of population, Eapidly advancing.
urban, nearly 80 per The problem
Of the city has raised anxious Inquiries which
statesman iurst answer. The problem OF
intemperance most appalling in great cities still
waits a solution. The drink habit is less general
than II a century ago; heaithful sentiment
has restrained IL and multitude to sObriety,
but untold misery remains. Moreover. liquor inter
ests dominate legislatures. corrupt courts, brtbe
executives. debauch rulers desecrate the Sabbath
ana turn many away from the house of prayer.
Just the traffic in ntoXicants in Manila, Ha-
vana. Porto Rico and Alaska rnisrepresents Chris
tian civilization and sets the worlds salvation far
down the years. The increasing desecratiou of the
Lords Day presents Il serious problem. The Sab
bath imperilled by growing tendency TO secular
IT, neglect its religious privileges, substi
tute the vulgarities Of the Sunday press for com
munion with higher and Eweeter themes, 10 devote
sacred hours travel to excursions of pleasure
and social functions Sill another problem
is associated with the ratiOnaism OF the age. In
higher grades OF life in schools of learning. in
popular literature and in few centres Of Jheologi-
cal thought IT is doing its work. II threatens the
foundations OF public morality ana OF all saving
truth. Wherever II extends religious experience
loses in depth and In power: revivals few
unknown; Wordliness Increases; symbolism gains
ground and formal ceremonies impair spiritual
Worship Again. We cannot detach ourselves from
existing social conditions. These must be
rected far they wrong Sociology is be-
coming an earnest study. Social ethics social
economics social afinites. questions of race. color
municipal rule international affiliations. capital
and labor and combinations, legitimate COM
petition and production, relations or employers and