Evening journal., 1920-06-28
NOTED Church
LEADER DEAD
Rev. DR.. Roberts Was Pres
byterian Assembly Clerk
for SO Years
HOPED TO SEE
CHURCH UNITY

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. June 2S-The
Rev. William II. Roberts, stated clerk
OF the Presbyterian General Assem-
bly, for thirty-six years, who resigned
recently, died Saturday afternoon in
the Presbyterian Hospital, OF CHRONIC
bronchitis. He had BEEN an invalid
for several months, and on June A,
he was removed from his home in
Wayne 10 the hospital. His condition
was reported worse on June AZ, when
members Of his family were sum
mOned TO his bedside. lie rallied
slightly on the following day, but
subsequently became weaker.
The funeral viii be condueted on
Wednesday morning at it.O o'clock
in the Second Presbyterian Church,
Twenty first and Walnut streets.
The Rev. DR.. j. Ross Stevenson,
president OF Princeton Theological
Seminary and close friend OF Doctor
Roberts for many years, viii have
charge OF the service. The Rev Dr.
Samuel S. Palmer. Of Columbus, o.,
moderator OF the General Assembly,
viii also attend. There will be ad-
Palmer and the Rev. Or. Robert Hun
ter. OF the Board Of Ministerial Re
lief and Sustentation.
At an earlier hour there will be a
service at the Roberts horAe in
Wayne al which the Rev. DR.. Charles
r. Erdman. OF Princeton Seminary.
will oficiate. That service will he Of
a private nature and attended only by
Doctor Roberts family.
lntement will be In West Laurel
DR.. Roberts was stated clerk of the
Presbyterian General Assembly for
thirty-siX years. during which The
Presbyterian Church forged into the
front rank OF Protestant religious
bodies. and many gave him the credit
Tor much N the generalshin which
made its remarkable achievements. Hf
was the pioneer In many movements
for church unity. and in addition q
heing one of ihe most efficient men ir
the General assembly. was held IN
hirf esteem throughout 'he country
Dr. Roberts had been IN since the
Fall OF 1919. and at the General As
sembly session at the Academy Oi
Music last May, requested the ap-
polntment of a committee TO take
charge Of his Office and arrange for
The carrying on OF the work OF me
church In the event OF turn for the
worse in his condition.
The venerable stated clerks speech
made from a rolling chair 20 the 100
commissioners, was regarded as nj.
farewell address by nearly all present
and there were tears in the eyes o
Or. John willis Baer, the retirni
moderator. as he voiced appreciation
OF presbylerians for Or. Roberts
splendid services. DR.. Roberts late
placed his resignation in the hands 0
the committee, and the member
promptly voted % continue him a.
stated clerk emeritus, at his full sal
airy OF $1,000 a year, as long as hl
lived.
Dr. Roberts was born at Hollyhead
Wales, January 81. 1914. and th
union OF The Welsh Presbyterian
Church with the Presbyterian Churcl
In the United States Of America
which was consummated In the Acad
emy OF Music a fortnight aCo. whel
he was present. was one " the mos
joyful events OF his career.
IN all great movements 10 bring tn
Protestant denominations into close
unity for a generation. Or. Robert
has been a leader, and in many case
the instigator.
one OF his notable achievement
was in 1923, when he raised si2
O39O63 for the denomination's Twen
tieth Century Fund. at that time sal
10 have been the largest amount eve
subscribed for the church.
For thirty-two years DR.. Robert
has been American secretary or IN
Alliance OF the Reformed Churches. Il