Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-29
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FINISHES ITS LABORS.
THE MODERATOR MADE CHAIRMAN
OF THE NEW COMMITTEE ON
REVISION.
REV. DIR. DICKEY's COMMITTEE
HAS CEASED TO EXIST, AND is ST.
PRECEDED BY THE NEW
ONE.

~ iiAh, L d., 1Ady CO., Ii
18th Presbyterian General Assembly
was dissolved at 6:15 clock tonight
by Moderator Minton after having been
in session for nearly two weeks, during
which time many matters of the ut
most Importance to the church were
considered, chief among these was the
question regarding the revision of the
confession of faith.
After a discussion continuing nearly
four days, this momentous subject was
referred to a special committee of 81
members who will make recommended
tons as to the manner in which the
creed should be revised and present
them to the next General Assembly
which meets in New York.
To-day for the first time the Assem-
bly, convened the equanimlty of the
commissioners was disturbed by the in
PRODUCTION of personalities. The trou-
BILE occurred during the discussion on
the Craftsmanship of the revision COM
mittee.
Rev. DR.. j. d. Moffatt suggested a
change in the minutes Of yesterdays
session so the records would show that
a new committee had been appointed to
revise the creed, regardless of the old
committee, of which Rev. DR.. Chares A.
Dickey, of this city, was chairman. His
suggestion was adopted and Rev. DR..
James E. Moffatt, of Cumberland, Nd,
moved that Moderator Minton be elect
ed chairman of the committee. This
incensed the friends of DR.. Dickey, and
although DR.. Moffatt's motion prevail
ed, the subject was revived later IN the
session by Rev. DR.. S. J.. Niccolls, of ST.
Louis. DR.. Niccolls moved to reconsid-
er the motion, but as he had not been
present during the earlier debate he
was declared out of order. The motion
to reconsider was then renewed by Rev.
W.. d. Crockett, of Canton, Pa, and
many of the commissioners participant
ed in the debate that followed.
Realizing the DeIicacy
Of his position Moderator Minton relin-
pushed the chair to Vice Moderator
Pitcairn. The matter was finally ad-
Justed by DR.. Dickey, who advised the
Assembly against reconsidering the
motion, saying he was confident there
had been no attempt to cast any re-
Elections upon him, but that the COM
missioners merely desired to honor his
successor as moderator.
Dr.. Dickey's friends wanted the cleo
ton OF the chairman to be made by the
committee, in which event it is conced-
ed DR.. Dickey would have been re-elect-
ed. The motion, however, was lost.
There are still six members of the re-
vision committee to be appointed, but
Moderator Minton saIu to-day he had
not made any selection.
The closing hours of the Assembly
were devoted to routine matters. The
repors of the committee on intemperance
urged ministers 20 call the attention Of
congressman in their districts o the
necessity for the completion or legisla-
ton now pending regarding the drink
traffic in the islands of the Pacific. The
report also urges The government to
take effective action towards the sup
preston of the liquor traffic in all of
our new possessions. tne committee
on the Peoria plan of electing standing
committees approved the system. 1t
was the resolution offered yesterday by
John Converse Of this city, a special
committee on %evangelistic work was
appointed.
In dissolving the Assembly Modera-
tor Minton made an eloquent address
and before the final benediction was
pronounced, the commissioners sang
the beautiful hymn "9lest be the tie
that binds"