The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-12-28
GO. ..NrI.sEcEEr .As.ocIArIes
Report Of ,Hc Proceedings Of the ss=ts
Convention

Rcpori 81 ,Ee Proceedings Of the ss=ts
Convention
WEDNESDAY, Dec 20,
The convention Wascalled 10 order by
the president, Rev. J. Collins, and
opened with prayer BY Rev blanchard,
d. D.
Tne minutes Of the afternoon session
were read, amended and approved
The convention then listened to we'll
prepared address by n NJ. Butler, editor
OF the American Freeman, on "The Sc
cret Lodge; Its Powers as Related to
the Church and State
On motion ali in sympathy with the
objects OF this association were request
ed 10 rise; and 10 rose.
On motion, vote OF thanks was ex-
tended 10 the large number present not
IN sympathy, for their attendance, pa
thence and courtesy during the evenings
exercises.
A program for tomorrow and to-mor-
row evening was read.
The committee on resolutions report
en-, and the report was accepted and laid
on the table for future consideration.
On motion, the convention adjourned
10 meet this morning at 0 a. m,
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS
The meeting this morning opened
with little episode. Rev. Mr.. Macksy,
Of the Episcopal church, who was pres
ent, asked the privilege of speaking for
half hour. This was granted, but he
had not proceeded far until his Language
was objected to as being Extensively per-
sonal and dis-espectlui, and after some
sparring he Withdrew from further dis
cussiOn, and the business of the conven-
ton proceeded.
An hour was spent in five minute
speeches on the best method of contend.
ing with secretism, and the discussion
OF this subject was participated in by a
large number Of the delegates present,
who set forth the bearing Of the scrip.
lures on the system of secretsm.
The following resolutions embody the
sense of the convention:
Resolved, That we entertain and here
| by reiterate our conviction, strengthen,
ed by observation and experience, that
secretism as system In all of its forms
is unchristian, anti Republican, and
| Immoral in its character; that il is en-.
| Shaving and degrading IN its influence
on the individual, the family, the state
aud the church, and that it corrupts our
business. our politics, our legislation
and our judiciary and should therefore
receive unqualified condemnation in
every department OF life.
! Resolved, That moral obligations and
the special providences of God cali and
the signs of the times encourage us &c
increased and peIsevering efforts in this
struggle.
Resolved, That we implore all the
Christian churches of this and Other
lands, by all proper means TO rid them
selves of this evil as one which as much
or more than anything else is destroying
their spirituality by turning their mem
bers away from Christ and His truth and
worship 10 the lodge and its fables and
childish and often wicked mummeries.
Resolved, That we thankfully recog.
niZe the efforts OF those churches, wheth
err local or general, that testify in their
profession and discipline against secret
| ism, and though, as in the anti-slaYery
| contest, they arc in a small minority, we
exhoTt them To stand firm now, as they
did then, assured that God in this strug.
gle, as he did in that, His own good time,
which we feel is near at hand, will give
them success beyond their most san
guine expectations.
Resolved, That as state association
we will endeavor to increase the in
terest in our work during the coming
year, by talking, praying, preaching,
lecturing, holding conventions. circu-
latIng tracks and papers, and by voting
where we can in favor of our cause.
Resolved, That the thanks OF this as
sociation are due and are hereby eX-
tended 10 the First Congregational
church of Emporia, for the use of their
comfortable and beautiful house; to the
papers of the city tor their notices
of our convention and its proceed
ings; to President Blanchard, NJ. But
Ter and others for their attendance and
able speeches; to Rev. p. T. Feemster
for his diligence and efficiency; and to
the citizens of Emporia who have enter
tanned the delegates in attendance.
Resolved, That we recommend the
more extensive circulation of our organ,
the Christian Cynosure, also that able
| American Freeman, and OF any and all
papers openly and distinctly committed
TO anti secretism
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The committee on correspondence
read some interesting letters from per.
sons who sympathized with the object
of the meeting. The committee was re-
quested to prepare synopsis of these
for publication in the Cynosure. The
financial committee then reported, after
which the convention took a recess TO
allow those who favor political action,
in which some (e. g., the Reformed Pres
byterians) take no part, 10 hold short
meeting.
The political meeting organized by
elecling A. NJ. Thompson chairman and
NJ. NJ. Butler secretary.
Rev. Mr.. Feemsier, state agent, pres
ented the object of the meeting to be to
consider the proprietY of political &C.
ton, local and general; the establish
ment of paper as the organ of ouI
work.
A motion 10 adopt political action
called out some discussion pro and con,
and is under discussion at this writing
This evening Father Chitten.
den will tell how he was made mason
J. A. G.
FRIDAY, Dec. go.
At the close of our report yesterday,
1