The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-20
PITTSBURGH LETTER.
THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
QuestiOEs - Catholic Baptism
DtscU.sed-End OF n strike
-Phe StrOup Case.
FITTsBURGH. Nav Is, |

IITTSBURGH may 10, 1910
The General Assembly met at the usual
hour this morning, and proceeded TO
business after the usual half hours devo-
tion. The overture of the Dayton Pres
bytery relative TO reducing the represen-
tatlon, was referred. 1t advocates max
ing 300 the maximum and 250 the min.
inimum number Of the Assembly. The
Committee on Temperance submitted a
report which was referred back to the
committee tor correction, as it affirmed
the ability of the church alone to cope
with the evil of intemperance, thus ig-
noring temperance societies. Rev. OK
toby offered an overture from the Pres
bytery of Erie on the matter OF hymn and
Sunday school songs, the object being to
haYe music from responsible sources.
The overture is as follows:
WHEREAS, Both Sabbath School music
and Sabbath School songs have been fur
nished by irresponsible aud often mer-
censry persons and musical adventures,
utterly incapable of preparing truths to
be sung into the lmpreSsibIe souls OF
children and youths; and
WHEREAS, The Presbyterian Church
contains and may command the most
eminent musical and lyric talent; there
fore.
RcsoLued, That we overture the Cen
ersl Assembly to initiate such measures
as will result in an uno5jectionsble
hymnology for Sunday Schools, and the
purest and choicest music for the hymns
and songs.
The report OF the Committee on Minis
terial Relief was the first order OF the
day. 1t stated that 13S more churches
have contributed this year than last, al
though there is not yet enough to meet
the demands of the Board. Sixty-four
new cases haYe been added. Last year
the number of persons receiving aid was
1900 from 127 Presbyterles. The per-
msnent fund, from the interest on which
the Board derives income, was increased
to the extent Of S14, ,663 last year, $4,000
of the amount coming from the resldu-
ary legatees of John c. Green, Esq, OF
New York; S67,76 came from churches,
and 5000 in boxes were sent. A bal
snce Of 1927 remains in the treasury. A
recommendation that the officers OF the
Board whose terms have expired be re.
elected closed the report. They are Drs.
Reed and Sluef, ministers; and Messrs.
Fsrr and Crowell, laymen. DR.. Hale,
Secretary of the Board, gave historical
sketch of the Board stating that it was au-
thorized by the Assembly in l849.
DR.. Breed, of Philadelphia, made the
proceedings of the Assembly take live
iier turn than any of its predecessors
He presented an overture from the Pres
bytery OF Philadelphia, protesting
against the use of the expression in the
Apostles creed, which says that Christ
descended into hell, after his crueifction,
andrecommending the simplsr expression
IA found in the original Greek.
DR.. r. NJ. Patterson said he was re-
sponsible for the overture and that it
was passed in the Presbytery with only
two dissenting votes. He was not in
sympathy with the prevailing heterodoI
opinion about the place OF future punish
ment, but averred that the Objectionable
phrase offended the hearing of intelligent
people and of children. He held that
the Church does not believe in the literal
meaning OF. Christ's soul descending to
hell, as il was based on the mlslnterprets-
tion Of few passages of scripture about
which th0ologisns differ.
Furthe. discussion was deferred to
hear the report of the Judicial Commit
tee on the cases of Bancroft ct al. VS.. the
Synod OF Philadelphia; Rev. j. w. Mar
tin vs. Synod OF Philsdelphis; and of
Rev. |. NJ. Seay vs.. Synod OF New Jer
sey. The report was adopted. The first
two mentioned concerned the power Of a
Presbytery to dissolve church. 1t will
be referred to special committee to be
appointed BY the Moderator. The latter
is on the question Of womsn's preach
ing in the pulpit.
On the question OF the validity Of Ro-
man Catholic baptism, was reported upon
by DR.. Skinner, on behalf of his commit.
tee. The committee advised that 1t is
inexpedient to make deliyersnce on the
subject. In 1875 the Assembly declared
that a Session could pass upon the ques-
tion of rebsptizing Roman converts.
This concluded the business of the
morning session. All afternoon was
taken up by general prayer meeting.
This morning the jury in the Stroup
abortion case, mentioned the other day,
brought in = verdict Of guilty on both
counts. The prisoner was remsnded for
sentence, and his counsel gave NOTES of
motion for new trial. The verdict Is
considered by the people here as just
one, and how any other could be given is
not apparent. 1t is hardly probable that
a new trial will be granted, Al then DR..
Marshall, who was found guilty on the
same case week before last, and Stroup
will be awarded the punishment they SO
richly deserve, a season in the Western
penitentisry.
Prospective Ending OF II strike.
Word comes from Steubenville to-day
that the chimney blowers there gave no.
tice yesterday morning that they would
expect Pittsburgh wages and moves after
June lst. No matter whether this de-
msnd is complied with or a strike results
if the mon only remain firm, our chm.
ney factories will soon resume. The
manufacturers here do not insist upon
using the steam crimper, which prccipi-
tsted the strike, but simply want an
equalization OF wages so that they csn
successfully compete. BAYARD.
CONGRESSIONAL.