The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-20
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL As.
SEMBLY.

Sweeping DelIyerance upon Tenn.
perance and Church Music
Rev. John T. Oxtoby, Formerly
Of wheeling, Introduces Some
Resolutions.
PrTnBuReH, PA, May 1s.-The Pres
byterian General Assembly commenced
lis third days proceeding, ate o'clock
this morning.
Mr.. Vandyke offered n resolution set.
ting apart the first complete week in
January, 1879, as week Of prayer for
the conversion OF the world, and for
greater holiness in the Christian Church,
and that Thursdsy Of said week be de-
voted to prayers for schools and colleges,
and especially for those who are destitute
Of religious instruction.
The committee appointed last year to
meet: similar committees from other
Evangelical Churches at Xenia, Ohio, to
consult with reference 10 plan OF united
effort in the cause Of temperance, report
the following, which the committee re.
commends to all Evangelical Churches
Of the land for their adoption, as the
combined testimony Of the Church OF
Christ on the subject Of temperance:
/. Drunkenness Is an evil Of great pro-
portions having inherent an appalling
mailgnity. It Is strongly entrenched by
custom, cupidity and appetite. II works
widespread ruin in society, and destroys
mems souls and bodies.
2. The manufacture, sale and use Of in.
toIicatng liquours, except for medicine,
mechanical or scientific purposes, are
yenomed evils, dishonoring 10 God and
destructive to man.
8. To aid either Of these great evils by
selling grain or hops 10 brewers or dis
tillers; BY making machinery for brewing
or distilling, or casks 10 contain liquort;
BY leasing property on which Intoxicating
liquors may be made, or sold, or drank,
or BY any other way, Is 10 criminally
participate In this most abhorrent sin.
4. While In certain instances Il results
from inherited inirmity that drunken
ness may be regarded as . misfortune, Il
Il at the same time . sin against God and
ones own body.
8. Human power alone, whether as 4
pledge, an organization, = profession or
Otherwise, is entirely inadequate TO the
complete and permanent reformation OF
the drunkard. Reformation from drum
kenness, or any other immortality, 10 be
etectual, must combine human effort and
divine Influence.
6. The Christian Church sympathiIes,
and should SympathiIe, heartily and &C.
lively, with all honest, intelligent effort
10 reform inebriates and prevent and
suppress intemperance.
2. Christians must oppose the manu-
facture, eale and use Of intoxicating bey.
sragesby all practicable methods. Legal
prohibition, moral suaSion and the prAc-
tice OF total abstinence are demanded.
8. The Church Of Jesus Christ 10 an
adequate agency Il faithfully eonSecrated
to the ende1vor for the reformation ot
inebriates and the suppression Of intem-
perance.
After some discussion the report was
referred TO q Committee.
Rev. Kirkpatrick offered resolution
providing for the Assembly setting apar,
and recommending q day Of fasting, hu-
initiation and prayer 70 God, In view oi
the financial depression and social troub
les which threaten the peace and pros
perity Of this nation. Referred 70 The
Committee on Church Polity.
Mr.. oxtoby, Of the Erie Presbytery
offered the following, which wa referred
70 . Committee:
awHEREAs, Both Sabbath School musi,
and Sabbath School songs have been fur
niihed BY irresponsible and often mercen
nry persons and musical adventurers, utter.
y Incapable Of preparing truths TO be suns
into the impreilible souls Of children and
] WmaIAs Ths Ps,.ty.srias CAursl