Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-22
900 Commissioners


The assembly is composed of 900
commissioners, equally divided be-
tween the clergy and elders, and rep
resenting 2s5 local Presbyteries. The
last meeting of the general assembly
! held in Chicago. was in 1877.
An interesting contest is expected
| between the progressive and reaction
airy elements over an Interpretation of
/ that portion OF last years report of
| the Board of Home Missions which
sought to abolish the department OF
Church and Country Life. organized
to enlarge and improve the work of
the country church and adapt itself to
the practical needs of the community.
The last general assembly adopted
report expressing the fullest sympathy
with the work. but directing that the
department be discontinued as soon
as practicable The department has
continued its work under the direction
of Rev. Charles L. Thompson of New
York, but he is expected to resign his
post because of old age. He is rs
years old It is said that many infiu
| entail leaders will make a determined
effort to have this department and its
work continued.
Reports from score of standing
and special committees dealing with
many important phases of religious,
social educational. political and in
dustrial life will be considered by the
assembly in the 10 days it is in ses-
sion.
Opens General Assembly
Rev. John Timothy Stone, D. D..
pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian
church and moderator of the body,
| opened the general assembly at 1890
| o'clock with a sermon in which he
reviewed the progress of the church
and enumerated its principal activi-
| ties during the past year 1t was the
second time in the history of the
| Presbyterian General Assembly that
| the retiring moderator convened the
new assembly in the church of which
| he was pastor.
Rev. William H. Roberts of Phila-
delphia, who has acted as stated
clerk for years, called the roll after
the assembly had been convened.
The first important item of business
was the organization of the new body
| by the election of a moderator and
other officials There were fewer can
didates for moderator mentioned than
| in previous years and as a result lit
tie canvassing for votes. This was a
result of the precedent established
last year when Dr. Stone was unex-
pectedly elected from the floor of the
assembly after half a dozen candidates
had spent many days electioneering
among the commissioners
Beautiful Church
The Fourth Presbyterian church, Lake
Shore Drive and Chestnut street, in
which the general assembly is in session,
| was recently built at a cost of $3.50 900
and is said to be the most beautiful and
best equipped church of that denomina-
| ton in the world. 1t is situated in one
of the most aristocratic residence Sec
| tons of the city although not more than
one mile from the retail shopping and
theatre district. 1t was dedicated May
8, has a seating capacity of 1900. and will
be a seven days week church" de-
voted to every kind of institutional &C.
| tivity.
The church consists of group OF mar
BILE buildings of Gothic type, built in a
! QudOrhISie. Inc interior UllSHlnS Is
magnificent but severely plain. The sane
tuary suggests the cathedral effect, but
| is without the least vestige of display.
| There is color in 1t and much delicate
carving of both wood and marble, but
nowhere is there either decoration or or
nament contradicting the simplicity that
dominates the entire conception of the
long nave and the lofty chancel.
Along each side of the Gothic ceiling is
a row of marble columns. The chancel
window is an elaborate work of Christian
! symbolism. The other windows are color
mosaics devoid of figures. Blue prevails
in the coloring of the ceiling vaults with
gold and old rose sparingly used In relief.
| The organ, a gift by Mrs. Emmons
Blaine, is one of the finest in the coun-
| try. Adjoining the sanctuary and con-
| nectcd by cloister is the manse
| occupied by the pastor and his family.
In another corner of the grassy quad
rangle, is the Sunday school building,
which contains the William w. Bor-
den composite edifice on either side of
| the Sunday school structure are two
! club houses, one for men and one for
women. Each contains parlors, read
| ing, writing and lounging rooms. Be-
| tween the club houses is a gymnasium
equipped with shower baths for the
alternate use of men and women. In
| the mems club house a floor is devoted
| to a boys department
In the women's club house there are
classes for women and girls in do
nestle science, dressmaking and mil
linery. There also are ssound-proof
practice rooms for the use Of musical
students. In the basement of this
group Of buildings is an immense din
| ing room and kitchen furnished like
an Oxford refractory. Nearby are the
business Offices of the church. In the
| center OF the grassy court, separating
the buildings is an Ornamental foun7
:, tain, r IF