Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-22
Presbyterian General Assembly
Clearing Up for Tomorrow.
CREED REVISION COMES UP THEN
Resolutions of Regret at Death Of
Rev. M. D. Babcock.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAII

PHILADELPHIA May 22.--The Collins
sioners Of the Presbyterian general assem-
bly, found much business awaiting them to-
day, and the rapidity with which the var
ious matters were disposed of evidenced the
assembly's intention to have for considera-
ton as little unfinished business as possible
after the settlement of the creed revision
question. The regular order called for the
report Of the committees on foreign mis-
sions. publication and benevolences, and
the report of Rev. Richard 8. Holmes Of
Pittsburg on his mission Of raising money
to pay the Indebtedness on the PreSbyter-
ian building in New York.
The building is said to have cost the
church SITE, 227. The debt has been re-
duced one-half. and DR.. Holmes is en-
deavoring to secure this sum by appeals to
wealthy individuals, to congregations
church societies and pastors.
The first matter to come before the as
sembly at the morning session was the re-
port Of the committee on church polity,
presented by Rev. DR.. George T. Purves of
New York, chairman. The report contain
ed decisions on overtures submitted by
various presbyteries.
Overture From Chicago.
An overture from the Chicago presbyIery
asked for the appointment Of committee
to reconsider the form Of the so-called West
Chester overture. and to frame such an
amendment to the form of government as
shall provide for the restriction Of voting
in presbyterfes to those ministers who rep
resent churches, or are actively engaged In
the service of the church.
The committee decided that as the So
called West Chester overture had been
Overwhelmingly defeated at the last gen.
eral assembly it was not deemed advisable
to again submit it to the preSbyterieS An
overture from the Brooklyn presbytery ask
Ing permission to erase from the roll the
names of two ministers whose whereabouts
have been unknown for the past twenty
five years was favorably acted upon by
the committee.
Rev. DR.. John w. DinsmOre of California,
chairman of the judicial committee, report
ed that the committee had acted upon a
number of cases. Among them was the
appeal of John E. Dayton and others Of
the Church Of the Covenant, Williamsport
\ factional disturbance in the church re-
suited in the locking out Of the pastor The
assembly decided that as the case affected
the constitution of the Presbyterian Church
it should be tried and issued according to
the provisions of the book of discipline.
Rev. Dr. w. Fl. Roberts, stated clerk, re-
ported the vote of the various presbyteries
upon oVertureS referred to them by the as
semby of 1900. Among these overtures was
one defining the ministerial membership in
preSbyterleS, which was rejected. BY q
vote of 19s to II congregations were given
emeritus when they are prevented by age
from performing their duties.
Rule as to Candidates for Ministry.
BY vote of 1877 to Is the presbyteries de-
cided that candidates for the ministry shall
not be licensed to preach until one year
after graduation.
Rev. DR.. James d. Moffatt, president Of
Washington and Jefferson College pre-
scented the report of the committee on for
eign missions, which recommended:
That pastors and sessions adopt some
member may be induced to make at least
an annual contribution to foreign missions;
that the effort inaugurated to secure a
martyrs memorial fund, the annual inter-
est of which shall be employed in support
ing the successors Of the noble men and
women who laid down their lives in Pao-
ting-fu, be most earnestly commended to
the various organizations and to individuals
contributing to our foreign mssions that
we rejoice to learn that the civil author
tiles. and particularly the President of the
United States. have made earnest effort to
secure in reconstructed China that kind Of
religious liberty we enjoy in our own land;
that We urge the raising of not less than
$1,OOOO for the ordinary work of the
board"
The following minute was incorporated in
the report:
I'VE record our profound sorrow upon
the Intelligence which has reached us dur
ing the sessions OF this assembly Of the
death Of the Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock,
ID. member Of the board and express
to his bereaved family and church our SYM
pathy and our prayers for the sustaining
power Of the Holy Spirit