Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-19
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.


PITTsBURG, May 1S.-The Presby terrain
general assembly commenced Its third day s
proceedings at nine o'clock this morning.
After devotional exercises the minutes of the
preceding meeting were read and approved.
Dir. Vandyke offered n resolution setting
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 Thursday of said
week be- devoted to prayer for schools and
colleges, and especially tor those who are des-
titute of religious instruction.
The committee appointed last year to meet
similar committees from the other evangeli-
cal churches at Xenia, Ohio, to consult with
reference to a plan of united effort In the
cause of temperance, report the following,
which the committee recommends to all the
churches OF the Land for their adoption, as
the combined testimony of the church of
Christ on the subject of temperance:
Frst-Drunkenness is an evil of great pro-
portions, having inherent and appalling ma
Lightly. 1t is strongly lntrenched by custom,
cupidity and appetite. 1t works widespread
ruin in society, and destroys souls and bodies.
Second-The manufacture, sale and use of
intoxicating liquors, except for medical or
scientific purposes, are venomed evils, dis
honoring to God and destructive to man.
Third-To aid either of these great evils
by selling grain or hops to brewers or distil-
lers. by making machinery for brewing or
leasing property on which intoxicating
liquors can be made or sold, or drank, is to
criminally participate in this most abhorrent
sin.
Eourth-While in certain instances it re-
suits from inherited infirmlty, Drunkenness
may be regarded as misfortune. 1t is at the
same time sin against God and ones own
body, and also crime against society.
FIfth-Human power alone, whether as a
pledge or an organization, profession or
otherwise, is entirely inadequate to the COM
plete and permanent reformation of the
drunkard. Reformation from drunkenness,
OF any other immortality, to be effectual,
must combine human effort and divine in
fuence
Sixth-The christian church sympathizes
and should sympathize, heartily and actively,
with all honest, intelligent effort to reform
inebriates and prevent and suppress intern
perance.
Seventh Christians must oppose the manu-
facture, sale and use of intoxicating bever-
ages by all practicable meteorological prohi-
bition, mora! suasion, and the practice of
total abstinence are demanded.
Eighth-The church of Jesus Christ is an
adequate agency, if faithfully consecrated to
the endeavor, for the reformation of inebri-
ates and the suppression of intemperance.
fefred to a committee.
Rev. Mr.. Kirkpatrick offered resolution
providing for the assembly setting apart and
recommending day of fasting, humiliation
and prayer to God, in view of the financial
depression and social troubles viii ,h threat
en- the peace and prosperity of this nation.
Referred to the committee on church policy.
Mr.. Axtoby, of the Erie presbytery, offered
the following, which was referred to COM
mittee:
WHEREAS, Both Sabbath school music and
Sabbath school songs have been furnished by
irresponsible, and often mercenary persons
and musical adventures utterly incapable of
preparing truths to be sung into the impress
sible souls of children and youth; and,
whereas, the Presbyterian church contains
and may command the most eminent music
al and lyrical talent, therefore,
ReSoloed, That we overture the general as
sembiy to initiate such measures as will re-
suit in an unoblectionable hymnol ogy for Sum
day schools and the purest and choicest
music for the hymns and songs.
Rev. W. c. Roberts, from the committee
on ministerial relief, read a report showing
that notwithstanding the depression in bust
dess during the past year, no year since the
fund was organized has it been so signalized
with offerings as this. One hundred and
thirty-eight more churches have contributed
to the cause than last year, and receipts were
two hundred dollars more.
Rev. DIR. Hale, secretary of the relief
board, read lengthy address on the history
of the board, and referred to the efficient
work of the veteran Robert Carter, of the re-
lief committee
DR.. Baird presented an overture from the
presbytery of Red Stone on the triennial as
sessments. Referred. DIR. Baird also pre-
sented the following: The presbytery of Phil
adelphla, at It's nesting of May 6, 1878,
adopted the following paper and directed its
stated clerk to transmit it to the general as
sembly:
Wurpp.s TLo oIo,,.o =: H. - ..llol
apostles creed which asserts that Christ de
scended into hell is offensive as an unscrip-
tural Interpretation, and the retention of 1t on
the one nand conveys an erroneous idea to
those who recite or read it, and on the other
hand, prevents the general use of the creed
Itself, winch is otherwise so admirable and
venerable. therefore,
RESOLVED, That the general assembly be
overturned to take the requisite constitutional
steps TO return to the earliest and scriptural
form OF the creed as found in the Greek
language.
j. B. MILLER, Stated Clerk
Rev. Mr.. Patterson, of PHILADELPHIA. de-
hVered lengthy address on the resolution,
and was followed by DR.. Edward. and Rev.
Mr.: Young, of West Virginia.
Further debate was postponed to give place
to other business, when Dr. Imbrye moved that
the old committee in charge of the German
work in the church be re elected for the en-.
suing year. Agreed to.
Rev. DE-. Kenner asked and obtained leave
to present report on the validity of Roman
Catholic baptism. He stated that the COM
mittee had been appointed by the general as
sembly of 1876, and was continued with
changes, by the assembly of 1877, and that.
after due consideration, they would recon-.
mend resolution that il is unwlse and inex-
pedient for the assembly 10 make any new
deliverance on the subject.
The reverend gentleman said that remarks
were hardly necessary. He hoped that the