New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
SADNESS IN TIE ASSEMBLY
PRESBYTERIANS MOURN THE DEATH
OF DR. BABCOCK, OF NEW-YoRK

Philadelphia, May IS CspeciaD.-"Dr Maltbie D.
Babcock. OF New-York. died to-day at Naples from
typhoid fever"
This simple announcement read from the plat
form of the General Assembly this morning by
DR.. Roberts, the stated clerk. produced profound
impression. Dr. Babcock was not merely the pas
tor OF one OF the most important churches in the
Presbyterian denomination but also of the
most popular men in that body. There has been
scarcely pulpit in the leading cities of the
country during the last dozen years which has not
had its committee listen TO his preaching with a
view to calling him. and several calls were pre-
sented before he willing to leave Baltimore TO
take up the work laid down by his friend Henry
van Dyke in New-York 1t was this fact and the
suddenness of the announcement-nothng being
known here of his ilness-that caused a wave Of
sadness the telegram read.
DR.. Minton, the moderator, broke the painful
silence by calling upon DR.. George T. Purves DR..
Babcock's warm friend and nearest neighbor in
Fffth-ave., to lead the assembly in prayer Toucn-
ing, indeed. We're his references to Mrs Babcock
who accompanied her husband in the party visiting
the Holy Land, and TO the church so sorely be-
reaved. AS he closed the prayer some one started
the hymn
There's land that is fairer than day
which sung with great earnestness by the
commissioners.
The Peoria plan of electing standing committees
had its first yesterday, and so far heard it
bitches and enough defects noted. however to call
for committee to consider them and suggest
how the plan could be made nearly perfect.
At the suggestion of DR.. Roberts. who is COM
missioner as well as stated clerk. Dr. Chauncey T.
Edwards. of Peoria. Ill, made chairman of the
committee. The standing committees thus estab-
hshed read this morning, and withdrew to
select their chairmen. When this is done they
viii be ready for business,
DAY SET FOR CREED REVISION.
The thirteen reports of the special committees
Were distributed to-day. One was read and dis
cussed and two others set down for discussion
next week-that on judicial commissions Mon
day at 4 p and that the revision OF the Con-
fession OF Faith on Thursday at $3.50 Nothing
must interfere according to vote Of the assembly,
with the creed debate when once it has been
started II is probable though not certain, that an
entire day will satisfy all sides, but the debate
occupy days.
Dr. Richard S. Holmes OF Pittsburg. the
chairman Of the special committee on missionary
and benevolent offerings whose report was consid-
cred this morning. This committee was appointed
TO consider the relation Of the young peoples So
cietes OF the Presbyterian Church and the women 3
boards OF home missions and of foreign missions
with the Church itself. A committee year ago re
ported the assembly: ''It IS time that broader
principle should be enunciated which will place not
only one society but all societies and associations
connected with the Presbyterian Church upon one
common basis"
Dr. Holmes said that this utterance the commit
tee had made the cornerstone of all its delibera-
tons. and IL seemed necessary to propose 10 the
assembly certain changes in the constitution or the
church which should be so general in their charac
10 embrace all organizations that exist or
that may hereafter exist, and which should define
the ne ture relations ana responsbtes OF an such
societies or organizations one overture proposed
defined a church in terms which DR.. Purves. Of
New-York, and others thought were altogether too
sweeping. II read follows:
the session the deacons the communicant mem
bers with their baptized children the Saba n
m r-ffh iFG GC rEa hEr
various societies or agencies organized for the car.
Christian life. ali of which are under the super
vision Of the pastor and church session subject TO
and all of which, together with such persons are
entitled by church regulation or State law TO take
part in the management of temporal affairs. consti
tute the congregation"
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF SOCIETIES.
Another overture would place the Sunday school
and the various societies agencies of the con-
gregation under the supervision of the session. a
chapter also proposed entitled. ''Of the
Organizations Of the Church: Their Rights and Du-
ties" One section in this chapter relates TO the
collection and distribution of money for benevo-
church The chapter provides that this work shall
sight ana dlrectlon vested by the constitution IN
the session and in the higher judicatories." Still
lances who go from church to church from carry
ing off liberal contributions given in response TO
their hearrending appeals stipulates that the vri-
Gus societies or agencies of the church, well as
regularly to the session of the church for ap-
prevail and no Offering or collections shall be
made by them for objects other than those
ed with the church. without the approval of the
session
Dr. Herrick Johnson. Of Chicago, while approv-
ing the principles contained in the report, rose
say that the of the foreign board of the
Northwest We're not IN raVor OF the recommenda-
tions contained in the report. To this Dr. Holmes
replied that the women of the Northwest had never
the report DR.. Johnson Informed the Pitts
burg pastor that he wrong. the report had
been handed 20 him by member of the Chicago
board. Professor George L. Robinson. of Chicago.
said that he, too, had the report in manu-
n
ems boards that opposed the proposed oversight
and control
DIR. PURVES POINTS OUT DANGERS.
Dr. Holmes replied briefly TO the objections that
were raised against the report, after which DR..
Plrves pointed out some of the dangers which lay
in the proposed overtures, and his motion the
report was referred to the committee church
polity TO confer with DIR. Holmes and his commit
Tee for conference and further report. this
was done, however, J. Willis Baer, the secretary
OF the United Society of Christian Endeavor, made
earnest address in advocacy or the report
In the afternoon the commissioners went to the
University OF Pennsylvania, where they were ell
tertained at luncheon and congratulatory speeches
were made. After their return a Sabbath school
evening DR. Purves and DR.. George B. Stewart
were heard the interest of the board of aid for
colleges and academies. of which the Rev DR. Her
rick Johnson is president and the Rev. DR.. Ed
ward G Ray is secretary and treasurer This meet
ing was followed by Illustrated lecture entitled
! s.Tiome Missions in Pictures" by the Rev. d. E
Finks. of New-York People VINO 5n had never seer
graphic presentation Of the needs and the oppor-
/ tunties of the work
! GENERAL. ASSEMBLY'S SYMPATHY.