a large number of instances pastors, or stated supplies, or elders, were at fault in not drawing attention to the cause? Neither churches nor Presbyteries would justify the Board in thus administering its trust in disregard of the duties assigned it by the General Assembly. How can they reckon themselves without blame in neglecting their part of the same duties laid upon them by the same authority?

6. The great care taken by the Board in administering its trust, especially in exceptional cases, leads your Committee to remark that similar care on the part of Sessions, Presbyteries, and instructors of young men, would remove hindrances and increase satisfactory results. Need we say candidates should not be recommended by Presbyteries who are well known to possess sufficient means to educate themselves, or who are wasteful in the use of funds, or in any way unfit either in ability, conduct or character? Need we add, candidates should be carefully examined before Presbytery, especially as to whether they have already gone astray in theology, and should also be expected to be in constant and close relations with the pastors and Committees of Presbytery, and to be faithful in all appropriate Church work and in holy living?

The Bible ideal of the ministry should be so disclosed, so made real by the instructions of parents and preachers, and in the life of the minister, and so supplemented and completed by the treatment of the minister by the Church, that this realized ideal will draw to it the most consecrated young men of promise; and more should be done to lead sons of families of wealth to enter the sacred office. Indeed, a greater effort on the part of pastors and elders to inspire young men to study, to make more careful preparation for life, would, by advancing the education of the whole Church, afford a more cultivated eldership, and bring larger numbers forward ready to judge more correctly of their duty to enter the ministry. It should never be true that the nearer to a theological seminary, or the more closely the ministry is scrutinized, the less it is esteemed, or the less willing our young men are to give themselves to its service, or the less liberally do the churches bestow their means for preparation for it, or for its support.

7. If such studies and arguments as those by Dr. Morris, and such activities as those of Christian Endeavor Societies, and such movements as that among students towards missions, have added to the number offering for the ministry, why may we not expect that other motives, and a more profound sympathy with the work of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of souls, may hasten the day when there shall be men to preach the Gospel to every perishing soul, and consecrated means forthcoming for their ample support? 8. There should be special caution lest in the devotion of young men to school and to books they be separated from the work of God among His people. The ministry must possess more than voice or learning, or the mastery of its theory. It must live

Christ and go about doing good. Not a few are embarrassed in their work, or remain unemployed on account of some defect in manner or habits, or both, which might have been removed by proper and careful attention on the part of advisers or teachers. Some are waiting calls because imperfectly educated; some because deficient in consecration; and many because they have not met at first, and step by step, the Presbyterian test of consecrated infancy, and of the possession of the mind of Christ, in the choice of vocation, as well as in their beliefs and conduct. Let every Christian, especially every office-bearer, elder or minister, ask himself what is the mind of Christ with reference to their duties to this Board. A large share of our ministry must come under its care; they must supply our pulpits at home, and a multitude of other important places, teaching or directing under the command of the Church; they must answer the Macedonian cry from distant parts of the world. Every Board of the Church. will be paralyzed if there are not men to do its work. The Master selected His disciples and taught them, but gave no heed to a multitude of other matters now greatly exalted among His followers. The hosts of the Lord cannot go forward without leaders. In the entire circle of our Church activities the one central demand is the supply of men?

We recommend:

1. That the Minutes of the Board be approved.

2. That Elder Samuel B. Huey, Esq., be elected a member of the Board to fill the place of Samuel Field, Esq., deceased, in the class of 1892, and that Elder R. S. Walton be elected to fill the place made vacant by William Few Smith, resigned, in the class of 1892, and that Elder William Wood be elected to fill the place made vacant by James S. McGee, declined to serve, class of 1893. The term of service of the following members expires this year, viz.: Ministers-Samuel A. Mutchmore, D.D., J. H. Munro, D.D., Edward B. Hodge; Ruling Elders-James F. Gayley, M.D., Charles H. Mathews, Esq., George Peirce, Esq. The Committee recommend that they be reclected for the ensuing three years.

3. We observe with satisfaction in the statistics before us, that there were aided 3 Indians, 103 Negroes, 6 Mexicans, 38 Germans, 2 Japanese, and representatives of other nationalities, and we would be specially urgent that all placed in any relations to these races and nationalities, to influence them. religiously, seek carefully from among them men fit to become preachers of the Gospel to their own people. They are needed not only to go abroad, but for the conversion of multitudes among us, by the neglect of whom we not only imperil their own salvation, but the institutions of liberty committed to our care for the more speedy con version of the world to Christ.

4. In view of the fact that young men able to support themselves either when entering upon their studies, or becoming able to do so before closing them, have mistakenly received the benefi

cence of the Church, we recommend that the Board be given larger discretion in such cases, and that teachers afford them needed information.

5. In view of present delinquencies, and the ample authority of Presbyteries, we recommend that all Presbyteries adopt the plan now followed by some with most satisfactory results, in calling for a report from each church, once a year, both as to candidates and donations for this cause.

6. We repeat the urgency of our predecessors that parents and pastors and teachers be watchful to find young men for this special service of the Master, after the pattern of the Scriptures.

7. We commend the care taken by the Board in the acceptance and oversight of candidates, and invite Sessions and Presbyteries to renewed fidelity in bringing men into the ministry.

8. We recommend that the whole question be prayerfully restudied and restated, that there may continue to be an increase of men, and that there may be a corresponding increase of means consecrated to this purpose.

9. But since neither the amount of funds, nor the number of candidates offered, should be the measure of our efforts, we urge that the churches should not measure themselves by themselves, nor their future by the inadequate past, but that they seek to know and do what the Master expects of us, both as to men and means, for the conversion of the world in our day and generation.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

JOHN EATON, Chairman.

The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported on a Paper which had been referred to it, viz.: a Paper "On Certain Forms of Worldly Amusements," recommending that a Special Committee of two ministers and one elder be appointed to consider the same, and to report to this Assembly. The recommendation was adopted, and the Moderator appointed the Committee as follows: Ministers-Joseph W. Torrence, D.D., Abram W. Halsey; Ruling Elder-David Lytle.

The Assembly adjourned, and was closed with prayer.

MONDAY, May 25, 8 o'clock P.M.

A popular meeting, in the interests of the Freedmen's cause, was held in the Fort Street Presbyterian Church, as provided for by the Report of the Committee of Arrangements.

TUESDAY, May 26, 9 o'clock A.M. The Assembly met, and was opened with devotional services.

The minutes of yesterday's sessions were read and approved.

The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported, recommending the reference to the Committee on Concerts of Prayer of Overture No. 55, from the Presbytery of Lackawanna, on the Day of Prayer for Colleges; Overture No. 56, from the same Presbytery, on the Week of Prayer; Overture No. 63, from the Presbytery of Sacramento, asking the Assembly to recommend that the present ecclesiastical year be devoted, in a very special manner, to evangelistic work; and Overture No. 58, from the Presbytery of Los Angeles, on a pastoral letter to ministers and churches. Adopted. The Committee also recommended that Overture No. 31, from the Presbytery of Chester, on the subject of Roman Catholic schools among the Indians, and Overture No. 32, from the Presbytery of St. Paul, on the same general subject, be referred to a Special Committee, to inquire into the facts, and to suggest to the next General Assembly what action, if any, should be taken. The recommendation was adopted, and

Ministers Joseph T. Smith, D.D., William A. Bartlett, D.D., and Ruling Elder Charles Lyman, were appointed the Committee.

The Committee on Commissions reported an additional Commissioner, the Rev. Elwood M. Wherry, D.D., of the Presbytery of Lodiana, and his name was enrolled.

The Report of the Committee on the Seal of the Church was made the third order for Friday A.M.

The Report of the Committee on Unemployed Ministers and Vacant Churches was taken up. The seventh recommendation was considered, and the blank for salary was filled with the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, and necessary expenses. The Report was then referred to a Committee consisting of: Ministers-George D. Baker, D.D., Edward D. Ledyard, D.D., John H. Worcester, Jr., D.D.; with Ruling Elders-George Junkin and John J. McCook, to report to this Assembly, on the constitutionality of the measures proposed in the Report.

The following telegram was received and read:

BROOKLYN, N. Y., May 26.

To Dr. William Henry Green, Moderator:

I have to announce that Dr. Henry J. Van Dyke, Professorelect of Systematic Theology in the Union Theological Seminary, died instantly last night from angina pectoris.

[Signed]

CHARLES CUTHBERT HALL.

In view of this sudden event, the Assembly was led in prayer by the Moderator, and the Moderator and Stated Clerk were directed to send in the name of the Assembly a message of condolence to the family of Dr. Van Dyke, which was immediately done. The Moderator then appointed the Rev. Charles A. Dickey, D.D., and the Rev. Thomas A. Nelson, D.D., a Committee to prepare a suitable minute on the death of Dr. Van Dyke.

The Moderator announced the Committee on Concerts of Prayer as follows: Ministers-John L. Nevius, D.D., William Adams, D.D.; with Ruling Elder-Morris H. Stratton.

The Standing Committee on Home Missions presented its Report, which was read and accepted, and, after addresses by the Rev. D. J. McMillan, D.D., one of the Secretaries of the Board, and others, was adopted, and is as follows:

Your Committee feel that there is no more important subject claiming the serious and prayerful attention of the Assembly than that which we now present; not merely because of the financial interests involved nor yet because of the necessity of the work itself, for the preservation and extension of righteousness in our land, but especially because of its relation to the life of the Church. The vigor of that life is not only measured by obedience but determined by obedience. The work of missions holds the secret of the spirituality of the Church, and spirituality will throw off threatening evils as a healthy body throws off a cold. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: . Wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, . . . but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." For its own sake, therefore, as well as for the sake of the perishing, the Church needs a great missionary awakening. This conviction gives emphasis to the Report we now present.

It is necessary first of all to get clearly before us the work to which we are called in this land. It is to be feared that many have no just conception of its extent and variety. The mere reading of the annual Report of the Board is a revelation of the practical boundlessness of our field and the multiplying agencies required to meet the obligations laid upon us by every consideration of patriotism and Christian stewardship.

In addition to the Report of the Board, your Committee have availed themselves of other sources of information and now bring before you a somewhat detailed statement of the work entrusted to this great Church of Christ.

While such a statement may seem repetitious to those already informed, it is necessary before intelligent action can be taken by the Assembly-such action as seems imperatively demanded in this time of emergency.

The picture called up in most minds by the term Home Missions