The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-05-29
MINISTERS Do NOT
ASK FOR CHARITY
Presbyterian Assembly Turns
Down Resolution Providing
for System of Pensions.
ALMOST UNANIMOUS
SENTIMENT OF OPPOSITION
Animated Discussion Leaves
Long-Standing Subject of
Contention i'm Statu Quo.

LEN EN-, May 2S.-PrcSbytCrian
ministers do not want charity, They
made this clear in the general assem-
biy today when, by an almost unani-
nous vote. the commissioners defeat
| Ell resolution prepared by DR.. j.
| tray Bolten Of Philadelphia. providing
Tor a graded pension scheme for dis.
abled or supcrannuated ministers
The trouble over the pcHsioning OF
| ministers has been ono Of long stand
! ing, having started in friction be
| tween the board of ministerial relief
| and the board for ministerial susten-
| latIon- Both have similar objects, and
DR. BoIten S resolution carried with it
motion TO refer the whole matter ot
loInt action of these boards to spe-
cial committee
Animated Discussion.
In his address OF the subject, Dr.
Boiten made frequent use of the words
charity and ' humiliation.' and TO
thcSc terms the commissioners as 4
whole took liberal exception. He was
OF the opinion that ministers do not
want charity after they become I'M
able to work and that they should he
given pensions after twenty years
service. He believed this would re-
move the faint Of charity from the
support thus received.
new Johnston of Colorado Springs took
exception, with the support Of a large
majority of the commissioners. He re-
buked those who had made use of the
term 'charity.' aud said that the
minister who receives aid after he has
given his best efforts to the church
is not IN object Of charity. but rather
richly deserving Of the support of the
church. He said the plan first suggest
ed 10 the assembly that the sustenta-
tion board should look to wealthy Law.
men for contributions to the fund for
such relief was the most unbusncSslille |
proposition he ever heard cXpouuded !
from a committee Of business men He /
was unanimously supported in rcsolu- !
ton that recommended the objects of |
sustentation 10 the church and urged |
individual gifts. Here the matter |
ended
More Committee Troubles.
The committee on polity found its |
report IN trouble when DR.. Joseph A,
Vance Of Chicago moved 2 substitute
resolution for an overture. upon Which 4
the committee moved that no action
he taken, IN which it was provided
charge 10 another. who shall fail 10
signify within twelve months the
church with which they wish TO be
affiliated shall he taken into the iuris
dicton of the church designated by
the pastor Of the church they have
left. This resolution was sturdilv
fought by members of the polty com
mttee on the ground that after much
study they had not been able TO make
a report,
However. upon a vote, approval OF
the resolution seemed unanimous.
The assembly unanimously adopted
the report of the judicial commission,
which is the "suprcme court of the
body. sustaining the Prcsbytcry OF New
Y ork IN the Westminster church case,
in suspendIng four elders. in dissolv
ing the church. in taking possession Of
the property for church services. and
in organizing new church therein.
The pohty committee made both
and minority report on the
subject of reduced representation to
the assembly. but because of an i'm
lercd that both reports he passed un.
ill tomorrow, when the matter Will
be threshcd out.
Roberts Holds On.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
Ibis afternoon TO GUST Rev William
Fl. Roberts. sstated clerk and trcasur-
n of the Presbyterian general assem-
5lv for tho past twenty-five wears, from
MS position rs treasurer.
The attempt was ulahc by The op-
,oncnls of Or. Roberts during the dis
.ussiou of the report of the finance
committee. which recommended thai
he care of the funds Of the assembly
5c taken from DR.. Roberts 5 bands.
The opponents Of DR.. Roberts cX. ,
1laincd that they east no aspcrsious d:
lpon him or his management of thc
'unds Of the assembly, but demanded
he change on the plea that it was poor
business Judgment 10 place the dispcns- ;
Nc of over 100000 annually III the :
lands Of mau who was already bur ;
iencd with the cares Of another Office.
\ lftcr viiriolc discussion. during which
Vice Moderator &, :. Holt Of Chicago
strongly defended DR.. Roberts. II was
In Enl,nrl.