The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-09
THE REFORMED CHURCH.
The Annual Session of the General SynOd-ThI
PrOcet dings of the Eighth DnY.

PrOcet dings Of the Eighth Day.
The members assembled Yesterday morning at the
usual hour President G. II. Stitt in the chair After
prayer by Rev. j. u. Emrck, roll call and the adop
on of the minutes Of the previous session. the usual
time was occupied in devotional service, conducted
by Rev. Geo. Tamage. The report of the Committee
on the Widows sFund was then made, showing the
amount of cash Contributed to have been $29, 1920
The report was accepted and the accompanying re-
solutions were taken up Seridtinl. An invitation
was accepted inviting the Synod to visit the Academy
OF Natural Sciences and resolution passed that
the members proceed there in the afternoon in
body. The report of the Committee on Publication
was then taken up and debated at length.
The following resolutions were next presented ana
Resoped That so much of the deficiency of revenue as
refers TO the expenses of delegates be referred to the
Resord That Professor Berg be allowed $500 for house
rent for the current year. ,, ,-,,,.
Rev. D. r. Thompson offered the following resolu-
tions, which were adopted:-
nsogsd That & j. be to the families h and
grating West South to do far practicable in
companies which may afford facilities for the establish
Resoiued That the ministers and elders of the churches
be requested to assist in this matter with good counsel
Resored, That the Board Of Domestic Missions be re
quested to give attention to this subject and If they lind
practicable make it the business OF their Secretary to
aid with such information and advice as he may be able TO
give the formation and settlement of such companies, and
not only from among me ne members G b fne n heorea
The report of the Committee on Doctrines was
The irst resolution recommending that dispen-
sation be granted William L. Johnson Tor lcensure
was adopted. MIR. johnson is a coOred man, mem
ber Of the Southern Reformed Church of New York,
and graduate OF the Lincoln University oxford,
Pennsylvania, where he has been diligent student
for four years, having obtained full collegiate and
theological course and graduating with high honor.
The second resolution was one allowing Mr. Will
liam Ferris dispensation from the study OF the He
brew language, and that he he authorized to apply
to the North Chassis OF Long Island for an eXamina-
ton, with view to his being licensed TO preach the
Gospel. The Chassis Of Long Island who made the
application say that the applicant possesses all the
other requirements for icensure excepting the one
from which he asks q ulBpensatlOn.
After considerable discussion, showing much diff
ference of opinion, the resolution was adopted.
The committee, in their report, also refer to the
documents heretofore relerred) relative to Freema-
sonry as follows:-
masonry-one from the Chassis OF Holland and the
other from the Cassls OF Wisconsin-haye been read
Both the papers are in response to the indefinite
action of the Synod last year on similar overtures
from the same sources The Glasses, after com
planning of the action OF the Synod as inconsistent
and unsatisfactory for the reason that II mas never
before refused to utter its voice against prevailing
SINS proceed TO denounce Freemasonry rs destical,
idolatrous profane and antl-C tl-Chrstian-Opposed to
the Son Of God and hostile TO the Church.
Your committee have neither the time nor the
books OF reference at hand 10 verify or reIute the
assertions and arguments contained In these papers
Many Of them they believe TO be exaggerated, II not
entirely UnfQunded To render decision, there
fore, either for or against your memoriasts would
be unfair, because the verdict would necessarily be
giveo upon eG pdrte testimony. .
At the same time we cannot Ignore subject pre-
sented with so much earnestness. Our western
brethren appear to be greatly troubled ana perpeXed
They are sincere in their convictions that Masonry
is sin against God and they ask the Synod to
denounce it as such but they must not complain If
majority of their brethren do not share thef VIEWS
and cannot be convinced 10y their arguments.
Without attempting defense or history OF Masonry,
your committee would remind their brethren that,
In our own country at least the Order has numbered
among its members some OF the purest ana noDlest
men statesmen Christians and not a few ministers
OF the Gospel. =, -,
There are now great many pious persons IN the
Masonic fraternity attracted perhaps by lts peneVo-
lent features, but they do not substitute Masonry
| for religion. lie who does this is not true Chris
| tian- We cannot admit that simple membership IN
| this fraternity is incompatible with membership IN
me Church. or inconsistent with Christian character.
But at the same time your committee believe thai
the path OF safety for Christian lies OUTSIDE OF all
secret oath. bound societies, which may come undef
the entire control OF unregenerate men, with wnom
the follower of Christ can hold no profitable Fellow
| ship" The committee in conclusion, present the
| following resolution ,..,.. -. s,..i
esolre That the members OF our churches be advised
TO refrain from uniting with those taernites when are
held together 10y oaths OF secrecy but IN he exercise G
Christian liberty cOmmunl can't mas ohVseh " Joh
such societies. he shall that account be held an
| swerable TO ecolesiastical discipline - -.,-- 81,
| The Synod, without acting on Ine motlVll p au
journed until 81 O'Clock this afternoon, instead .,
as heretofore AT that hour they will lresume the con-
sideTation Of the foregoing,