New-York tribune., 1902-05-16

will do although one can reasonably predict
what the commissioners Will not do. Two Of the
candidates defeated in the Fifth Avenue Church
yesterday afternoon owe their small vote II not
their defeat. in large measure to the unwise
methods made by we'll meaning but oficous
friends in their behalf The rebuke thus admin
istered will, il is hoped. not soon be forgotten.
Speaking for a Western synod or signing his
name moderator of that synod and thus con-
veying the impression that he spoke for the
synod. of the commissioners, more Jealous
than wise, hurt the candidate whom he sought
TO help. Members of presbytery appreciating
heartily the labors of one of their fellows made
a similar mistake.
The defeat of DR.. Duffeld of this city. can
also be explained; any defeat can be explained
The explanation in this case as given by those
who speak by the Book Is that the commission
ers do not favor local candidate. Only opce
in thirty years has man been chosen from the
presbyJery which entertains the assembly In
1876 the assembly meeting in Brooklyn elected
DR.. Henry J. Dyke, the father Of the pres
ent moderator.
The defeat of DR.. Holmes has sad feature.
DR.. Holmes has done a splendid work for the
Presbyterian Church, and many people had
sured him Of their great desire TO help him
ceive that recognition at the hands Of the
Church which his labors merit. One OF the most
impressive speakers in the present assembly had
promised, Dr. Holmes says, TO nominate MIN.
Yesterday 1t was found that he had promised TO
nominate another man. having forgotten his
first offer. In his perplexity he offered to nomi-
nate the two men. both friends Of long standing,
or not TO nominate either: the latter course was
frally taken. and he neither spoke nor voted for
any candidate. Another powerful speaker,
Of the most convincing in the assembly, ap-
parenty did not feel that he could support
openly Dr. Holiness candidacy, but he assured
the Pittsburg pastor that he would refrain from
speaking in behalf of any other commissioner
To his suprise-a stronger word might be used
appropriatcly-Dr. Holmes saw his friend rise in
behalf of one of the five rivals. AS the speaker
started for the platform DR.. Holmes left the
He could not trust himself TO listen to
the words Of the one upon whose silent influence
he had much depended.
DR.. VAN DYKES POPULARITY.
The election OF Dr. Dyke is just tribute
10 his reputation is d pastor and writer. He is
desel1edly popular in both spheres but his cleo
ticn at this time is due chiefly 10 his work
the revision committee. From many members
of the committee testimony has come showing
how excellent has been his work and how
ciliatory has been mis- attitude toward those who
differ from him theologcally. He has done
T'Ich Dr. Johnson said yesterday. to bring
about a unanimous report. He has signed
document which bears the name of some Of the
strongest conservatives in the Church.
DR.. Dyke was born in Germantown. Penn,
and graduated from Princeton University
IN 1919. and from the seminary In the same town
four years later. Princeton. Harvard and Yale
have each given him the degree of D. D. He
licensed by the presbytery of Brooklyn in
1876. and served pastor Of the United Con-
gregational Church Newport from 1S19-'S2
when he was called 10 the Brick Church, in this
city. which he filed and kept full until his
resignation two three years ago. to accept
professorship at Princeton. His successor Dr.
Babcock, was his intimate friend and after Dr.
Babcock's death year ago. the church turned
again 10 its old pastor and offered him liberal
salary TO serve supply during the vacancy.
DR.. van Dyke promised to come back on the
sole condition that he should serve without a
salary and. finding that he could be secured
only in that way. his generous offer ac-
cepted and again he has his oldtime audiences.
He is one of the most popular preachers in
the colleges of the land, one of the best known
writer's in this country. and a friend to more
young men, perhaps. than almost any other
preacher in the denomination. Young men love
him and trust him. and his friendship is greatly
priced by those who secure il. One Of his elders
said TO the writer last week: DIR. Dyke is
the best loved pastor in the Presbyterian
Church. Certain IL is that the Brick Church
is not in a hurry TO obtain successor to DR..
Babcock while the present arrangement can be
maintained.
ALL THE CANDIDATES HAPPY.
Judging from the remarks made last evening
by several OF the unsuccessful candidates. DR..
van Dyke is the only who yesterday
who is TO be pitied: at least three Of the five
whose virtues named. in at
great length, We're heard TO say that they
the happiest men in the body
The new system of appointing standing COM
mittees had its second trial last night. After
The communion service held in the church. the
commissioners formed themselves into twenty
TWO eIectng districts. according to the pr sCrbed
plan. Election District No. 3. for example, con-
tained the representatives OF five presbyteries
from the Synod Of New York. Brooklyn, Co
teen ministers and sixteen elders The Rev.
DR.. John Bancroft DeVins, Of the New
York Presbytery. had been appointed to receive
the papers and to convene the committees. The
Kew. DR.. David @. Wylie chosen chairman,
and DR. DeYins secretary. Eight ministers were
then nominated and elected to serve these
standing committees: Judicial, home missions.
tducatlon church erection ministerial relief, aid
ior colleges, benevolence and temperance. Ten
elders were then chosen TO serve on these COM
mlttees: Bills and oYertures. polity, foreign mis-
sions publication. theological seminaries. freed
men, correspondence, narration. leave of absence
ana nnance- In ten minutes the eighteen men
nao Deen selected, and, after a prayer of SilaS
-. broWnen, the committee adjourned. The
men thus chosen. together with those from the
o.her electing committees, will meet to-day
men.
THE WORK FOR TO-DAY
This morning the chief business will he the
reading Of the reports Of the special committees
on Inc Assembly Herald" the constitution,