some of the largest Presbyteries had no hearing. There are some bodies more deliberative than our Assembly.

This Assembly dealt with two matters of great importance and in its dealing with one reached the highest point the Assembly has ever reached in the assertion of its power. The Book of Common Worship which the Board of Publication had printed as Published by the Authority of the General Assembly," For voluntary use" was received with rather lukewarm favor. Some criticised the book itself; but most of the criticism was concerning the seeming "ritualism" which its authorization would imply. The decision reached was that no "authority" should attach to its publication. It has no more official authorization than any privately published Order of Worship. Undoubtedly this decision will be acceptable to the whole church. Whether or not the churches can be educated to so much of a ritual remains to be seen. It was chiefly designed to supplement the lack of culture in the ministers and to avoid the exhibitions of bad taste too often given in our pulpits. Perhaps it will be better to train the ministers and cultivate their taste and tact.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, so far as its General Assembly can unmake it, is no more. If the General Assembly of the Cumberland Church was the essence of its being, then it has ceased to be. For, this General Assembly has adjourned sine die. Our own church has sufficiently modified" its Calvinism, what is left of it, to be acceptable to the daughter who nearly a hundred years ago went away. "With applause, laughter, tears and songs," as the Des Moines Register puts it, the "union was consummated." There were

shouts, handclappings, amens and hallelujahs." The Praise God" was sung and "Blest be the tie that binds" and “Jesus shall reign." There were two who did not join in the doxology. Like Horatius at the Bridge, these refused They certainly have a right to their opinion and showed great strength of will in being able to resist the stream of emotion which swept over the Assembly. Yet, it

to be stampeded.

was useless, even if heroic. Whether the General Assembly had any right to go back of the votes of the Presbyteries, in order to clear the track for union, seems to admit of but one answer. Nevertheless, this was a case in which the right to be above law seemed clear. The end seemed fully to justify the means. The verdict might be guilty," but also forgiven." As Dr. Moffat said: The situation was a mistake; no amendments should have been sent to the Presbyteries while negotiations were going on." Certainly this union is a step in the right direction. There are too many Church organizations. Some common business sense would not hurt the churches, so far as parting their issues is concerned.

On the whole this Assembly will be memorable for its attitude as to "ritualism” and for union." Such of the commissioners as were not injured while being photographed, and in other ways, probably had a good time and the church will bear the expense cheerfully.

ALLEN MACY DULLES.

An Address by Rev. John Sparhawk Jones, D. D.

at the

Memorial Service in Willard Chapel.

A natural feeling prompts us to commemorate their virtues and services who have done nobly and acted well their part. Concerning many nothing can be said by way of meritorious mention. To state it plainly, the reason for their existence is obscure, lies latent, does not transpire in anything they have done for others or made of themselves. Every human life has been called "a plan of God." No doubt so it is. "Known unto God are all his works and ways." But such knowledge is too wonderful for us. Now and again, however, one appears to whom somewhat has been given to say, or some stroke of work to deliver; to whom a task of some kind has been allotted, which raises him above the plane of mediocrity, makes him a character a marked individuality; one who stands for something, an incarnation, an influence, a force. This is a great mystery, the disparity that exists between human beings-those temperamental peculiarities, structural elements of character, that mental calibre, that blending and balance of qualities, that total equipment which in the case of one makes for success, in another spells disappointment and defeat. Something, it is true, perhaps much, depends upon one's time of day. One has a better chance than another for large and enduring influence. The state of the world and what in particular calls for attention, is a dominant factor, determines what is practicable and what not. One age is a flat, sandy solitude broken by no voice, disturbed by no conflict, incapable of any great action; another is tremulous, volcanic, inflammable, ready to be lit by the breath of a fiery apostle or by any sudden impact. It is also true, however, that be the time ever so inviting and ripe, 'tis the gift of only one or a few to do the effectual thing. There is never a glut of forcible, sagacious souls who discern the

time and have the courage to use it. Moreover it is an obvious truth that be one's day of action what it may, dull and routinary, or epochal and significant, no child of man has a choice or option accorded to him. With each one it has been and is Now or not at all." We cannot stipulate what shall be the interests and issues amid which we shall live and do our work. This is the sphere of a divine decree. The only question open to any one is whether he will use his circumstances and materials according to opportunity and ability. Each one must live primarily for his own world and if one contrive to serve his own generation, he has done creditably and all that can be reasonably expected of him and more than many actually accomplish. For it is the high privilege of relatively a few to be eminently useful and to relate themselves to the best welfare and larger interests of mankind; while a countless multitude are burdens, wastes, drags, mere consumers and "only seem born to eat up the corn." Now and then, nevertheless, one happens along who has ideality, who can see and expound a new horizon, to whom has been delivered a new or neglected truth or new statement of an old truth, who has an eye to see and a tongue to tell what he has seen; or if he be a man of action, one who has the courageous conscience to move victoriously against a chronic abuse, a standing nuisance, a corrupt, greedy clique, some organized iniquity and prescriptive wrong, and end it, and so get the atmosphere cleared for a while. And such vigorous individuals, whether they be closet thinkers or toilers in the actual, always make the world their debtor, reach out hands to bless posterity and live beyond the term of their natural lives.

The occasion that assembles us today and the interest of this hour centers in one recently gone from us, whose life of fidelity and service not only made him a high example, but also make it plain that he was among the minority from whom God chooses those by whom He will help and bless the world. My acquaintance with Dr. Darling dates from seminary days.

Forty years have fled since we first met. Later he came to Baltimore, to be associated-like myself-with Rev. Dr. John C. Backus, of blessed memory, in his large and interesting charge. It seems quite superfluous to attempt an appreciation of one so well known to many, perhaps to most, within hearing of my voice. But be it said, that no one could know him and not directly perceive that he rose above the mediocrity of the conventional man. For one thing, he seemed to have inherited a natural virtue and whatever may have been the facts, impressed those who knew him as one who had little knowledge of those strong temptations and passionate struggles that storm across human souls and make them a cockpit of wars. "The law of mind" seemed in him to be firmly seated above the law in the members" and those subterranean forces of sheer human nature, whose frequent eruption occasions humiliation and remorse.

No doubt, he had his secret conflicts and agitations, but they did not report themselves at the surface in a violent and vivid manner, disturbing his own serenity or the peace of others. He was able to hold himself well in hand, was ever calm, self-restrained, gentle, temperate, judicial, wise and prudent and so escaped that foolish talking and indiscreet conduct by which some pierce themselves through with many sorrows. Sobriety and a solid common sense were among his fundamental characteristics. He had a cautious, equilibrating mind, which made him a safe counselor to the perplexed and troubled and conscience-stricken.

As a companion and conversationalist, Dr. Darling achieved conspicuous success and shone in a bright light. One of his marked characteristics was a total self-suppression and selfforgetfulness. No trace of egotism in any of its protean forms, no self-assertion or self-consequence marred his intercourse with others. Self-conceit is the dead fly that spoils much precious ointment and disrates characters which otherwise would be quite complete. Persons of superior ability and intellectual attainments not infrequently betray a conscious