The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-09


Weva EN- she sabbath-A ksey Csss
before E'resbysery.
LIVELY DISCUSSION BEFORE THE fnISpoH""
pREsBYrERy--cHcRcH TAIN 10
~r.paaApu OPERATOR WHO WORKED ON
suxpAYs--A BREEZY DISCUSSION On 'hh
SUBJECT.
AT recent meeting OF the Pittsburgh
Presbytery Rev. j. M. Smith, OF PITTSBURGH.
took the chair In the absence OF the Mode
rator, the Rev. T.. Z. Crane.
The most important discussion OF the
morning was that OF the report OF the
committee. OF which Dr. Wilson was chair
man. on complaint OF a member OF Mount
Carmel congregation that the Session oi
that body had refused 10 take action with
regard to the case OF young man named
Richey. He Is employed as a telegraph
operator at Woodlawn station, on the
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad, and, in
the pursuit OF his business, is called TO the
Office on the Sabbath day. The Session
had reported to the committee that they
had had a conversation with Mr.. Richey,
in which he stated that he had given
much time 10 learn the business and
that he had TO continue at il for support.
They did not like 10 do anything I'm the case
from the large question II would open, and
allowed IL 10 90 TO the Prcsbytery in hope
that IL would give them decision in the
matter. The committee reported that they
had decided TO send the case back TO the
Session, as Il was q proper subject Tor them
TO deal with and not for the Presbytery.
MIR. Reed, one Of the Session OF the church
referred to, objected TO the action OF the
committee, saying that the question had
caused them SO much trouble that they did
not know what TO do, and had referred IL
10 the Presbytery TO find out. Now he
would ask: "What shall we doy"
DIR. Wilson still thought 1t could not
come before the Presbytery in its present
shape. 1t must be decided at the point
where the responsibility lay. II complaint
were made against the Session, then Pres
bytery would give categorical answer.
Rev. Mr.. McKaig said the question had
been up several times, and demanded ac-
ton. The complainant was not satisfied,
and, II referred back TO the Session, that
body would probably persist in its course,
and do nothing.
The Rev. Mr.. McKibben said the ques-
ton could not be settled by saying they
believed in the Fourth Commandment,
but demanded a statement Of their posi-
ton. Still he could not see how the Pres
WIFI OILY
evidence in a case of such importance. He
thought that the trouble was that Presby-
terry thought the Session had no backbone,
while the Session thought Presbytery had
no backbone.
DIR. Jennings then rose to say that Richey's
case was only one OF many. Steamboatmen
and newspaper editors and printers-those
who 20 10 work on Sabbath evening-and
others might all have to have their cases
considered as soon as a decision in this
case was made. Rev. DR.. Scoyel then took
the floor to state that he would offer the
following resolution defining the Presby-
tery's ground on the subject Of Sabbath
observance:
"Presbytery takes occasion TO declare its
firm judgment that pursuing on the Sab
bath the usual employments and avOcations
OF life which are not comprehended under
the distinctions OF things OF necessity or
mercy is contrary TO the Fourth Command
ment, and not TO be justified by the plea Of
previous preparation for certain ayoca-
ton or the necessity OF temporal support
either for myself or defendants"
This he followed with most energetic
speech, protesting against any compromise,
and saying that it was point of danger
when the Church begins TO admit that there
Is difference between the way in which
the fourth and the other commandments
should be observed. "Workingmen,"
said be, " out Of their pittances will contri-
butte to keep some of their numbers from
starving while they are fighting for prn-
ciple, and shall the Church of God refuse
support to those who lose their places be-
cause they obey His wordy'
Mr.. Reed, the member OF the Session in
question, then made another statement of
the case, saying that Richey had made de-
fence to the Sessions, and had asked them
not to make fish out Of him and flesh out of
the others, who were guilty OF the same
transgression as he was. "We would
lose one third of our congregation il we
commenced to discipline them for sunday
work." said he, "and we don't like to be-
gin matter Of so much importance with
out consideration"
The discussion continued for some time.
and was finally ended by a motion Of Gen.
eral Moorehead to lay on the table.
Presbytery then adjourned.