Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-18
CARE FORTHE OLD MINISTER'S
Question of P~enSioning superannuated
Preachers Before the Assembly.
SOME ACTION WILL BE TAKEN THIS WEEK
Instances of Aged and INDECENT Pulpit
workers Suffering Are Cited and
strong Plea for Their
Help Made.

NEW YORK, May 17.-The Presbyterian
general assembly met today with Vice.
Moderator Daniel R. Noyes, presiding. The
several standing committees were requested
to prepare their reports for hearings be-
fore the assembly next week. Rev. Dr.
James T. Riggs Of East Orange, N. j., Of
fered a resolution calling upon the mod
orator to appoint a committee of three to
draw up and bring in a report indorsing
the work Of the American Bible society.
The vlce-moderator announced that the
committee would be appointed next week.
The report of the standing committee
on ministerial relief was taken up. Rev.
DR.. Benjamin l.. Agnew of Philadelphia, in
discussing the report, told Of the various
plans the committee had considered in an
effort to care in a proper manner, for re-
tired clergymen. DR.. Agnew said a plan
had been submitted to an insurance COM
pany, by which that company was to pay
5000 annually to each of the clergymen, and
5000 to each Of the widows. The company
asked for a premium that was unsatisfactory
and the plan was not considered favorable.
Another Effort Mnde.
Another effort was made to raise a per-
manent fund of $4,000, 900 or $4,000, 900, the
interest on which was to go towards the
sustenance of the retired clergymen.
when the large manufacturing concerns
can see their way clear to provide for
their superannuated employees" asked DR..
Agnew, "why should not the church do so?"
DR.. Perry made a plea for the old Presby-
terrain clergymen, and mentioned many i'll
stances where superannuated clergymen had
suffered cruel treatment. rs this worthy
Of the wealthy Presbyterian church," he
asked. II know of one instance not long
ago where a minister 70 years old, died
and had to be given a p~auper's funeral
in a church where there we're over seventy
m~illionaires. Shame on such a church"
The report OF the committee on min
~isterial relief was accepted, and 1t was
agreed that there should be a further dis
cussion OF 1t next week.
Merriam House Question.
A committee was appointed to look into
the question Of the Westminster house
Of the Presbyterian church at Perth Am
boy, N. j. There has been some question
of closing the home, and the report had
advised that this be done and that the
ministers who are there now should be
transferred to another home. There was
some difference Of opinion among the COM
missioners, so the matter was laid aside
for further discussion.
The vice-moderator then announced the
names of the committee on evangelistic
work. The chairman is John II. Converse Of
Philadelphia. Among the other members
Of the committee are: Rev. W. r. Chiches-
ter, d. D., Chicago; s. G. Palmer, D. D., Of
St. Louis.
Bishop Andrews Of the Methodist Bpis-
copaI church was introduced to the as
sembly. He expressed pleasure and salts
faction at meeting the members Of the as
sembly. Bishop Andrews Will formally ad-
dress the assembly before the final ad-
journment.
When today's adjournment was taken the
delegates visited the American Tract So
ciety's building and then went to the New
York university. where they were received
by Chancellor MeCracken and a committee
OF which Miss Helen Gould was a member.
CumberIand's short session.
sPRINGFIELD, Mo-, May 1.-THE Cum
berland Presbyterian general assembly was
in session only two hours this morning.
when adjournment until Monday was taken.
Rev. B. f. Whitmore OF California, led the
devotional exercises. s. v. Stephens, d. D.,
secretary Of the church's historical associa-
tion, read his annual report, and Rev. J, p.
Henry Of Pittsburg. addressed the assembly.
bearing greetings from the western section
OF the Presbyterian alliance. Rev. U. p.
Mcmillan OF Louisville. KY, Introduced a
resolution that promises some discussion. It
provides for a standing committee Of seven
to nominate members of the board and
members Of permanent committees. whose
terms expire At this morning. Special COM
mittees were appointed on pulpit endowment
and to consider a proposition Tor church
representation at the Louisiana Purchase
exposition. DR.. b. p. Fullerton Of 81. Louis
ls a member Of the exposition committee.