New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-16
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
FOREIGN MISSIONS CONSIDERED AT
MEETING PRIOR To OPENING
IN PHILADELPHIA
tur TELEGRAPH TO TIE rEIsuxE.I


Philadelphia, May 15-Foreign missions is the
keynote Of the meeting held by Presbyterians
to-day in the WitherspOOn Building The
thought of the commissioners 10 the General As
sembIy and their friends has been turned TO the
countries and peoples beyond the seas. but as
the day closes and the knots Of delegates at the
several hotels become larger. and as delegations
arrive from the North and West as well as from
the East interest is centring more upon people
nearer home There have been more candidates
for the ModeratorshiD in other years than are
named tonight, but there has seldom been more
uncertainty as to who would WELD the gaveL
Indications point strongly now 10 DR.. Purves.
OF New-York His ability as a presiding officer
and his theological sOundness are both in his
favor Some of the brethren while admitting
that he would make an ideal moderator, say
that New-Tork had the honor two years ago.
and Philadelphia has the present Moderator.
The office this year should go further west. they
say The Western men. DR.. DinsmOre and DIT.
Minton, both have strong backing. bat evening
conferences may lead 10 the withdrawal of one
In favor OF the other. II DIT. Dinsmore yields it
will be The East against the West; in that event
DIT. Purves win doubtless win.
Or. William II. Roberts the stated clerk. is
being pressed by many friends TO allow his name
TO be presented; he has refused steadfastly, how
ever, 20 90 that, and IL he persists his strength
Will go 10 Dr. Purves. probably. DIR. Roberts is
one Of the ablest parliamentarians in the Church
and has many qualifications for the Office. in
addition TO his many years OF faithful service
as permanent and stated clerk. having held the
latter office for seventeen years. President MOf-
fat, of Washington and jefferson College. in
western Pennsylvania, il is understood, has
withdrawn his name absolutely.
At so tomorrow morning the commissioners
will be enrolled. Then Will come the sermon OF
the retiring Moderator the Rev DR.. Charles A.
Dickey, Of this city TO be delivered IN the Cal
vary Church. His topic has not been announced,
but il is not unlikely that il will deal with some
phase Of the problems with which he has been
wrestling during the year-the revision OF the
Westminster Confession Of Faith and the rails
ing OF the Twentieth Century Fund. Following
the sermon will come the organization OF the
Assembly and the election Of the Moderator. N
the evening the Lords supper Will be observed,
DR.. DiCkey again in charge OF the service.
Friday being reserved for the twentieth CEN
fury celebration. Saturday morning the reports
OF the special committees viii be made, inClud-
ing the one on creed revision. A day will be
set for the discussion OF the several reports
which are in print The revision debate will not
come OF until some time next week, perhaps
Thursday. the effort being to keep the first three
days of the week for the reports OF the mission
boards, and the other agencies OF the Church.
This will make the closing days eventrul ones in
the history OF Presbyterianism.