The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-28
SESSION ONE OF
BEST EVER HELD
Review Of Work Accomplished
BY Presbyterian General AS
scinbly at Greei1vilc.
LONG STRIDES FORWARD
The Various Reports Submitted
Showed Notable Progress
Past Year.
(snecigl to Tic Times Dispatch

Especial to Tie Times Dispntch)
GRDENv1LL1, 8. c., May T--The
General Assembly OF the Presbyterian
Church, which has Just closed here, has
been OF remarkable interest and agrees.
sion. Rapid and long strides have been
taken, and yet these advances have been
carefully directed and are along con-
sentative lines.
4Greenvile, s. c., Is an ideal place for
the gathering Of such body MS this
In view Of the mountains. surrounded
by diversified scenery, sustained by ten
large cotton factories. with attractive
homes and open-hearted people; the well
come was pleasant In every way. a city
of twenty-five thousand. the more than
two hundred delegates were easily enter
tanned. and because not a great city, the
people were interested In the delibera-
tons, and filled the church at almost
every meeting. The pastor and his as
ststants were tntiring. and every con-
veniencc had been provided. The First
Church building was we'll adapted for
such gathering. and all OF the sur
roundings pleased and satisfied.
Personnel.
This assembly was composed Of the two
extremes, the fathers, men of towering
strength and long experiences; the breth-
rem young and full Of zeal and enthu-
sasm. Many pronounced this the strong
est body that had met for many years.
The most interesting figure was the Rev.
Mr.. Johnson, OF Texas, ninety-seven years
young, with a hearty clasp Of the hand
and heartfelt blessing for all with
whom he came In contact.
The Northern Assembly invited him 10
visit them at their expense, but the
churches in far away Texas called the
more eloquently. and he returned at
once to them Seventy-eight years ago
this patriarch joined the church near
Greenvlle. and while here assisted in the
marriage Of q great grandson.
Moderator Hall made an excellent pre-
siding officer. calm, fair, serious. ne
controlled the body as but few men
could have done
The reports from the various parts OF
the churchs territory showed remark
able progress during this year Large
additions to the membership, lareg con.
tributions to the various causes, and
large plans emphasized this fact. The
new executive committee on schools and
colleges, with G. H. Cornelson as score
tar.\ the establishment OF dispositions IN
connection with the work of the COM
mlttee OF publication and the appoint
S1nent Of committee to visit Montreal,
NJ c., to see II this will be a suitable
place TO establish an assemhly's summer
school, were steps forward.
Deliverances.
The assembly failed to sustain the com
plant of DR.. Laws and others against
the Synod OF Virginia. This synod left
the control OF questions affecting pollg-
omy In mission fields in the hands Of
the missionaries. The assembly sustained
the complaint OF the First Church, Fort
not tho ~ n
purely technical grounds, and only failed
as many believe. In not stating this fact
clearly in the findings OF the court.
The question Of closer relation with
other churches failed at least for the
present. This many believed, was the
evidence of victory In this matter: others
argued that this would agitate the ques-
ton of organic union with the Northern.
Presbyterian Church. IS
1.-THE banquet Of the alumni OF Union
Theological Seminary. Richmond. reveal
ed the fact that nearly half Of the min
listers Of this assembly were alumni of
this time-honored institution.
j. l.. Mouse, of st. Louis. was toast
master, and Drs. Walk and McKelway,
of North Carolina; Stricken, Of Virginia.
and McPheters. OF South Carolina; Rice,
OF Georgia, and RevET. p. Squires. of
Tennessee, responded. An alumni asso-
citation was formed, with DR.. T. Fl. Reloe,
of Atlanta, as president, and a. =. F.
Gilmour of Richmond. secretary and
treasurer. Each synod is to furnish a
vice-president, who Is to preside at the
synodical meetings A plan was adopted
by which an alumni endowment fund was
started.
The business Friday was pushed rapid
ly through. but not heedlessy. and when
the afternoon session was closing the
delegates seeing that the business was
about done, hurrledly but sorrowfully left
the old friends and the new friends and
journeyed homeward. Last night the
assembly adjourned.