New-York tribune., 1905-05-25
PLAN BIG CATHEDRAL.
PresbyterianS Take First Step for
Structure in Washington.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.I

Winona Lake Ind May 24-The General AS
sembly took It's first step to-day toward starting
Presbyterian cathedral in Washington. The
project was originated by Justice Harlan Of that
city. Last winter he sent memorial suggesting
the establishment of such church to several hun
dred prominent clergymen and laymen, most of
whom approved the plan. Instead of presenting
1t to the Presbytery at Washington he brought II
directly to the assembly
Chancellor MacCracken of New-York Uni
versity and DR.. Henry c. Minton of Trenton. ap-
proved the appointment of a committee to con-
slider the proposition; DR.. C1okey of Glensville
Ohlo tried to get the assembly send the Harlan
memorial as 1t Is called, to the Presbytery of
washington Tor its commendation before the as
seHDiy appointed committee He opposed the
memorial on the ground that It seemed to be CON
nected with the establishment of elaborate forms
ana ana ceremonies which he feared would be saddled
upon the Presbyterian Church If the proposed
cathedral church were erected
, oesplse forms and ceremonies of wrorship in
.iIe church. said Justice Harlan in reply 'The
Pio!oSed church is not to be an historic cathedral
pucn cathedral implies an ecclesiastical boss and
""I nave none Of it. We propose to state what
UuL n capitol stands for and what our duty Is as
'eI ia'ls' The following was then adopted:
Mhleereas, The national capital is o ea1d of o
Iiahoing Ii and strategic importance for the U ae ION
he bL HLhdcation of the doctrines and mission of
WbcreaSsh Iet Sh f Oh ChTist; and
II Is the high duty and privilege Of the
ica ~, tGIlsn church in the United States Of Amer
naona the opportunity offered at the seat of the
eOVel iltneHt Tor larger evangelism and
state therefore 's Uf u uic chuTCh ana
HtesoiVed, That. while recognizing that the whole
81 ~ PItSenJed FOR the action OF the assembly
III n IIlT memorial Of Mr.. Justice Harlan In which he
PrCaCnes a plan for establishing a church large
enough and sufficiently endowed ia enahIs e. IN
E SE naine ae OF our common Presbyterianism to do
~ Iait OF the work of influencing and guiding
] uLe me OF the nation at its governmental centre
PJIopSTly belongs in Its origin and deyeIOnment IN
me PresbyteTy of Washington City this Assembly
HIelout IN any wise committing Itself In advance
does appoint committee consisting OF tbroa min,
advise with the Presbyfery of WashinRtor ;itV
anu IN the event OF that presbytery's favorabie
c0hslaefatlon OF the whole movement to define more
CIVaIIY ana TO develop fully what is desire
IN a report which the committee shall mako T. iFo
Assembly or 1905 for its approval or disaDproyai.
DR.. A. w Halsey. the secretary Of the Board of
Foreign Missions, who has recently returned from
seven months trip to Africa. electrified his audi
enee this morning as he depicted some of the hor-
rors on the Congo.
Il have been asked" said the speaker 'since
coming here, If the atrocities the Congo are as
pad as they are described. They are as bad, and
worse, know, from what I have heard, and espe-
clally from what | have seen"
Dr: dalSey gave a glowing picture of the work
Of the missionaries of the board in Africa and in
other parts of world and praised the generosity
OF Mr.. Converse and Mr.. Wanamaker, of Philadel-
phia; DR.. Sllliman, of COhOes y. Y, and Mr. Took
the needs and opportunities presented by the for
eign mission field and had contributed largely to
the board Several missionaries from the foreign
field followed Mr.. Halsey-Messrs. LOwre, Marshall
vler, recently in India. The board has S37 mis-
sionaries under its care, and raised and expended
lastyear Sl8S,0O; for the coming year ii asks
81, 10000. The Assembly approved the policy Of
board which throws the responsibility of theo-
logical qualifications for foreign missionary service
upon the presbyteres recommending the candidates.