The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16

pre5bytery: the Rev. DIR. G. W. i. Birch,
stated clerk of the New York Dresbytery:
Judge w. N Lanning. Of Trenton. and
Elder j. w. Gray, of Indiana. IT has been
contemplated to recommend the orsani-
cation Of judicial commissions in the Pres
DyterieS and Synods. but 1t Is understood
the committee has decided that TO recon-
mend so much might be to defeat the re-
form as a. whole. The recommendation
viii be the naming of five members each
year. to serve three years, making thus
a judicial commission Of fifteen members,
a number sufficiently large, it is held, to
afford all shades of opinion within the de-
nomination representation upon the i'm
portant tribunal
The Importance OF this recommendation
vii be understood When it is explained
that such commission means something
quite new in the presbytcriai system of
church government in this or any OTTER
country. Its Importance will also be APP
prcciatcd when the fact IS pointed out
enc perhaps not known to everybody, that
the General Assembly. which is a legis-
lative body, sits also as the judicial body.
Experience proves that there are many
men elected each year to the legislative
body who. by nature and training. are
wholly untitled to sit as judges. Not only
50. but legislative and judicial duties get
mixed up. with the result that it is i'm
possible in practice to bring important
cases to trial FOR long periods of time,
sometimes not at all. or at least not until
the whole denomination has been upset
by discussion pro and con. There wHs
for example no regular course for the
NcGiffert case to take. Everybody talked
about it. and distraction followed. Much
the same was true Of the more famous
Briggs case.
JUDICIAL COMMISSION.
The new judicial commission, if made
to form part Of the General Assembly.
will be permanent body. and VIII be
granted privilege TO sit when the General
Assembly Is not in session. 1t will have
jurisdiction in matters both administrative
and doctrinal. and the purpose will be to
place upon it the most judicial minds
among the ministers and elders in the
Presbyterian body. The committee men
toned was named TO recommend some
such plan as the foregoing, and 1t is said
to have already arrived at an understand
ing upon most of the details. AS has
been said, the recommendation will be
further formulated at meeting OF the
committee to be held in Philadelphia on
January 4tl.
The Chinese Ambassador to the United
States, in a recent address. pointed to the
spectacle of Christian mission boards cry
ing for revenge and property indemnifI-
IL
N both the United States and England
have voted. the NEST Of them at least to
make no effect to collect indemnity. Some
months ago the Secretary of State at
Washington asked ali American societies
having work i'll China TO give him the
amounts Of their financial losses All
have now replied the total amount foot
ing up to s.25,ro0. but net one society did
more, il is understood, than to state the
sum and 10 give the basis upon winch
losses We're estimated. Not 4 society has
urged action by our Government. and 1t
is said in missionary circles here that
not a Canadian or British society has
done SO.
FORCES IN CHINA.
The largest missionary force in China
is the Inland Mission, of London and To-
ronto. Its money losses during the late
uprSing arc said 10 nave reached S4oo,oo
and as much of its work was in West
China it may be that not all money and
life losses have yet been reported. Inc
Marquis of Salisbury said. not long since.
that the missionary societies appealed 1or /
gunboats when ihei: workers got into !
trouble Thereupon the Inland Mission !!
him to specify one instance, |
in its 50 years in China. when 1t had asked !
its Government for protection or Tor aid |
This mission has made 1T known in the |
present case that it will not, in spite OF /
losses larger than any other one orSanl-
zation, make 4 single move to reimburse
itself American societies Will, it is said !
follow this course.
There was introduced into Congress at |
its session early in .his year resolution
10 submit 10 the voters Of the country !
a proposed amendment to the Consttu-
ton OF the United States, prohibiting poly |
sanly The resolution was referred TO |
the Committee on Judiciary in the hands !
OF which it now is. 1t is well known
that it is exceedingly difficult 10 get
for a Constitutional amend
.nent through Congress. and the anti
polysalny one has been taken up by the
NATIONAL Woman's Council for Religious
and Patriotic Service and Z strong effort
is being made by that body to secure
favorable action by the present Consress:
The council is INSTRUMENTATION and
nearly all the evangelical denominations
are represented in it. The council! IS allied
With the League for Social Service, ihe
orca niZatIon which was largely response
HE for the fight against Mr.. Roberts last
year.