Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-09

me M..ninE,on nan Presbysery.

At the spring meeting or the Wasb,n,,
Cisy Presbytery last night at the 1sth-st,oa.
Presbyterian church, there was large attans
ance OF members and outsiders, every seat IN
the church being filled. Rev Dr Ryron S ~
derland stated that as moderator he ha6 6en- nn
lected Rev. DIR. Paxton, pastor OF the New vs., 81
Avenue PRESBYTERIAN church, TO preach fhe
opening sermon. DIR. Paxton delivered An eIo
quent and able sermon Rev. j. E. Nourse was
elected moderator TO serve the ensuing terro
Rev. Mr. Lyman was elected temporary clerr'
Judge Drake offered the following. which was
made the order OF business at 10 O'Clock to-dar
"1t being matter OF common fame that mem.
bers OF churches In this Presbytery are ad-
dicted to attending theaters, the Presbytery
would bear solemn testimony against the prac-
t1ce as a worldly conformity Inconsistent with
Christian vows, as spiritually hurtful, as coun
which the general assembly OF our church has
denounced as "a school OF immortality" ana as
directly tending TO obiterate the line OF de-
markation which should always be distinctly
drawn and plainly visible between the follow
ers OF Christ and the world, and the Presbytery
earnestly eDjoin upon pastors 10 preach against
such practice, and upon church sessions TO dis
of!s olp''ne church members VINO are S0'i'' 'ne'e-
SHARP DISCUSSION TO-DAY.
This morning the consideration OF the paper
was resumed, and Judge brake expressed the
hope that IL would be adopted Rev. DIR. wills
said that while the theater as at present con-
Quoted was a school or vice there are other
evtlS-dTinking wine, running cars on sunday,
piaying cards. attending the opera and the use
OF tobacco-which should be condemned, ana
he asked why select only one or these evils He
tie highest civilization OF all ages. The dramas
OF Shakespeare, The performances OF "Macoeth"
or .sHamlet- are not OF themselves sinful. He
suggested an amendment striking out the last
clause Judge Drake proceeded 20 argue that
such amusements were condemned by the WORD
OF God Rev. DR. Paxton asked where the word
OF God condemned theaters, remarking tnat
Jesus neither instituted nor condemned amuse-
ments. Judge Drake remarked that IN terms
the tneater was not spoken OF. DIR. Sunderland
called attention TO Paul having gone into the
Judge Drake thought it trtffing for a member OF
this body to thus act. DR.. Sunderland denied
that ft was tr1fiing TO make the remark ne
here to lecture the ministers. Judge Drake re-
piled that he was the peer OF DIR. Sunderland;
that all here were equal. After some further
Judge Drake continued his argument claiming
that the church should take stand on this sub
Ject.
REFUSAL TO TABLE THE SUBJECT.
the eta table. be Nj. NIB Bailantyne " hoped the % motion
would not be adopted. The moderator asked II
1t was intended to lay on the table temporarily.
table to stay there as far as he was individually
concerned. The motion to lay on the table was
losG-9 In the affirmative, nays not counted.
COMPROMISE MEASURE.
Rev. DR.. Chester offered a substitute, that,
owing to the spirit OF worldliness now prevail
Ing, thus presbytery desire TO urge upon the
membership the duty Ito come out and be sep
arate," to avoid attendance on amusements the
tendency OF which is TO evil. Judge Drake
asked why should his paper give way TO one
directed to sin In general? Why shovid his
paper be thrown under the table, that it should
60 forth that they will not condemn what they
admit to be demoraliZing. Rev. Mr.. Little fa-
vored reference, because he endorsed all Judge
Drake had said. but there were other practices
which he condemned. DIR. Chester said that
certain things were spectfed fn the bible-elan-
der1ngs, &c.,-and although the theater fs not
mentioned, neither he nor his family attend.
POSTPONED.
DR.. sunderland said IL was very likely that
they should commence at the house OF God. the
churches having recently become more lax In
discipline. He suggested that the committee
should take time and consider the matter fn al
its bearings, and report at the fall meeting.
The subject was referred to committee 0t
i've, to report at the fall meeting. Rev Dr.
Craighead, Of the N. Y. Presbytefy; Rev DR..
Hfll. OF the Baptist church; and Rev. DIR. Do
mer, OF the Lutheran church, were invited to
sit as corresponding members. Manassas and
Vienna, Va, were placed In nomination as the
selected. Mr. Edward Warren, OF the Metro
politan church, was introduced as q CANDIDATE
for the ministry, recommended to the board of
education, and taken under the care OF the
PreSbytery