The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-29
ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS
PREsBYTERIANs CONCLUDE THEIR
LABORS.
PERSONALITIES INTRODUCED
REVISION COMMITTEE TO REPORT
A YEAR HENCE.

Question of Chairmansbip of Revi-
ing-Dr. MOffatt Secured the Elec-
tiOn of Moderator NHinton-This
DispIeased the Friends of Rev. DIR.
Dickey, Chairman of the Old Com
mittce, Who Sought a Reconsider
alton but without Avail.
Philadelphia, May 2S.-The One Hun
dred and Thirteenth Presbyterian Cen
eral Assembly was dissolved al 6:15 o'clock
tonight by Moderator Minton, after hav-
ing been in session for nearly two weeks
during which many matters of the, ut
most importance to the church were con-
sidered. Chief among these was the
question regarding the revision Of the
Confession of Faith. After discussion
continuing nearly four days this momen-
tous subject was referred to a special
committee of 81 members. who will make
recommendations as to the manner in
which the creed should be revised, and
present them to the next general assem-
bly,, which meets in New York.
To-day for the first time since the as
sembly convened, the equanamity of the
commissioners was disturbed by the in
PRODUCTION of personalities. The trouble
occurred during the discussion on tho
Craftsmanship of the Revision Committee.
Rev. ] D. Moffatt suggested a change
in the minutes of yesterdays session, so
the records would show that new com
mittee had been appointed to revise the
creed regardless of the old committee, of
which Rev. DIR. Charles A. Dickey of
this city was chairman. His suggestion
was adopted and DR. Moffatt of Cumber-
land, Md, moved that Moderator Minton
be elected chairman of the committee.
This incensed the friends of DIR. Dickey,
and, although DIR. Moffatt's motion pre-
vailed the subject was revived later in
the' session by a motion to reconsider.
The matter was finally adjusted by DR..
Dickey. who advised the assembly against
reconsidering the motion, saying he was
confident there had been no attempt to
cast any reflection upon him, but that the
commissioners merely desired to honor
his successor as moderator.
Wanted Committee to Elect.
DR. Dickey's friends wanted the cleo
tion of the chairman to be made by the
committee, in which event it is conceded
DIR. DiclSey would have been reelected.
The motion, however, was lost. There
are still six members of the Revision
Committee to be appointed, but Moders-
tor AIinton said to-day he had not yet
made any selection.
The closing hours of the assembly were
devotedVto routine matters. The report
of the Committee on Temperance urged
ministers to call the attention of con-
gressmen in their districts to the neces-
sity of completion of legislation now pend
ing regarding the drink traffic in the ISL
ands of the Pacific.
The report also urged the government
to take effective action toward the sup
preston of the liquor traffic in all of our
new possessions. The committee on the
Peoria plan of electing standing commit
tees approved the system. In accordance
with the resolution offered yesterday by
John II. Converse of this city, a special
committee on evangelistic work was ap-
pointed.
The assembly donated $1,000 40 Laura
Street Church, Jacksonville, to reimburse
ing the recent fire.
Rev. w. E. Boggs, of the First Presby-
terian Church, Jacksonville. Fla, made an
appeal to the assembly for aid. His
church was destroyed in the recent con-
iagration and many of his parishoners
were rendered almost destitute. He said
he needed $4,000.
In dissolving the assembly Moderator
Minton made an eloquent address and be-
fore the final benediction was pronounced
the commissioners sang the beautiful
hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"