Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-05-23
PREACHERS N DEBATE
Question Of the Adoption of
Prayer Book Causes Much
Fiery Oratory
VAN DYKE MAKES HIS REPORT
Author of the Book Defends the Pub
lication and Argues for Its Adoption
Canadian Minister Makes Bitter
Attack-Larse Sums of Money for
Missions.
Special to Times epul.lican

Special to Tines-RepullicaK
Des Moines May 23.-Over the ques-
ton Of the adoption of printed pray
er book for discretionary use In Pres
byterian churches of the world. the
general assembly of this great relg-
iouS organization went into a heated
| debate, which closed only at the adj
journment hour without definite re-
suits and Will be resumed at the first
opportunity presented in the assem-
bly,.
General excitement prevailed when
Henry Van Dyke, professor of litera-
ture at Princeton University, as chair
man of the committee on book of forms
made his report. He stated that the
intention of the committee was not to
thrust the book upon any one, but to
present it for the use of those who de-
sired. He said that it would be found
of use in the home where the father
who presided at family worship was
swept away by death and left his fall
tering children to carry on these SER
vices. He said it would strengthen
many churches and need be used only
when desired.
MIR. Van Dyke justified the printing
of the book by reading from a resolu-
ton passed by the last assembly, which
stated that at the completion of the
work, if the committee deemed 1t was
complete, it should have copies print
ed. He said the prayer forms would
be help for those to whose lips words
of thanksgiving came falteringly.
He said that there was just one point
on which he would fight, and that was
against having it called Van Dykes re-
port, for DR.. Moffat and DR.. Hill and
John Converse and many others We're
as much a part Of ii as he. When he
closed Stated Clerk Roberts read a res
olution favoring the adoption Of the
form.
Immediately half dozen men We're
on their feet demanding recognition of
the moderator. DR.. Halsey of Chi
cago secured this and made motion
that Rev. Mr.. McCauley Of Cincinnati,
O., be given the floor to oppose the
resolution and that after his address
speakers for and against be heard all
ternately and be limited to fifteen min
utes.
Debate Started.
The attempt to put a limit on the
speakers raised a warm discussion, in
which it was vehemently denounced
by some as degeneracy from the OBJ
ject of what was planned to be a de-
liberate body. 1t was with difficulty
the moderator maintained order. and
only after several amendments had
been proposed and voted down was it
decided to limit Rev. Mr.. McCauley to
thirty minutes and the following
speakers to ten.
Rev. Mr.. McCauley paid his high
est respects to Mr.. Van Dyke, as an
author, Christian and man and stated
his opposition to the book of forms
was merely a matter of principle and
Of the book. He said the adoption
Of the book would make the church
ritualistic and would be entirely for
eign to the spirit of the church. While
the book might be easily accepted by
others and would have an effect upon
the future, he said that all climes and
times must be taken into consideration.
The adoption of the form book he said
would mean to set it up to be pointed
to as Presbyterianism and that the
book would forever brand the church
as sanctioning it as a church creed
and form.
Rev. DR.. Young Of Pittsburg. gained
the floor and spoke favorably of the
resolution. Rev. DR.. Johnson, of Mon
treal, Canada, then bitterly opposed the
measure, stating that it would be a
dangerous experiment in his country.
The most intense feeling was evil
dent in the debate at times bordering
on discourtesy, despite the exhortations
of some Of the more dignified COM
that the matter be ap-
preached and debated in an attitude
Of prayer The request was made
by the moderator that all applause be
but when dramatic, tall,
rk-haired DIR. Johnson, a Scotch
man from Montreal, stretching himself
to his full six feet four and waving
his hand frantically, declared that the
book smelled of priestcraft and the
applause broke out in a tremendous
uproar.
$1,GOO,OOO to Missions.
Tuesdays sessions We're devoted
largely to home missions and in adopt
ing the report of the home missions
board the assembly voted that $1,000
900 be set aside for work next year,
an increase Of 100000 The assembly
gave a vote Of Endorsement to the
Platt bill in the United States senate
for the suppression Of polygamy
The report Of the standing commit
tee on the college board to the Pres
byterian general assembly shows
large increase in the number Of indi-
vidual givers to colleges, and conse-
luently a large increase in the amount
Of gifts. The past year also marked
an increase in the ordinary offerings
Of the church, there being 271 more
churches and 1924 more
indivual contributors, increasing the
total gifts to s1,1ss,5oO beyond the pre-
eeding year. an unparalleled record.
Important was gift of
5000. 900 to the endowment of Occident-
al college in Los Angeles, and a similar
gift to Pennsylvania college for wom-
IN at Pittslourg. Generous offers were
also received from Andrew Carnegie.
The recommendation of the committee
1eal largely with increased effort along
the line of organized work in securing
Death of Mrs. Wright.
SDecial to Tf,,aS EepIiielica