Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-30
CHURCH MUSIC.
A Question Warmly Discussed at
Pittsburgh Tuesday.
VARIOUS OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT.
The Case Of Mr. Torens Receiving Atten-
tion-Various Other Routine Busi-
ness at the Reformed
Synod Meeting.

4 II AS6N hch' Way Ao.-1
that the discussion Of the instrumental
music question would be taken up at this
mornings session of the United Presby-
terisn General Assembly, drew the largest
audience to the Third Church that has at
tended any session since the opening.
Every pew was crowded, aud the aisles
were filled with chairs.
Rev, Henry, Of Delaware county, n. Y,
was an opponent of instrumental music,
and, after so stating. he said: "Mr. Mod
orator, by our action on this subject we
may drive our ship Of State upon a rock
which may founder it. Many have doubts
as to whether there was majority in the
Assembly in favor OF instrumental music.
There is room for
Honest Doubt,
and il the majority report is sustained, |
predict that there will never be peace and
harmony in our church. If, on the other
hand, Conceding the position OF the MAJOR
ity that the law against instrumental rpu-
sic has been repealed, then We are without
law. But there Is q third objection, There
is an inconsistency in the report itself, for
although any man may have the right to
introduce an instrument, the Assembly
has no right to enjoin him. But sill, when
il becomes a question if the introduction of
an instrument is incidental or essential,
then il is within the province OF the church
to act, and not OF a committee. These, sir,
are my objections to the majority report,
and in view OF the fearful consequences
which may follow, hope our action may
be discreet
Elder Lindsay,
from Indianola, Iowa said that he read the
United PRESBYTERIAN and other papers of
the kind, and that he thought by this
means be kept fairly posted. IL had not
much OF an education except what picked
up myself received my theological edu-
cation at my old mothers knee. | saw the
venerable DR.. Cooper's expression OF opin-
ion. DR.. Cooper's name is a household
word all over the United States. | see that
Doctors OF Divinity differ on this question,
and when doctors differ, how are we to de.
termine? I tell you | believe we have
Just as much right to our Interpretation of
the meaning of the Scriptures as Doctors of
Divinity. daughter l defy even Doc
against instrumental music. Laughter
| went into
Roman Catholic Church
and my prejudice rose up. / looked at
the large organ. l looked at it, and
thought il was the most sensible thing
there Prolonged laughter The speak
er. who was followed closely, and received
testimonials OF appreciation by the ap-
plause and mirth which his humorous
sayings worked, closed by saying that he
was a little prejudiced yet, and was not
yet certain how he should vote.
Rev. Getty, of Kansas City, said that he
thought like Mr.. Lindsay, that the big
guns would fire off and the little guns
listen. He then made a short address,
saying that he heartily favored music, and
closed with this assertion.
DIR. Mcclure
made point of order, that If the minor
ity report was presented as an amendment
il would be out out OF further presentation
and discussion.
The Moderator decided the amendment
in order.
In order to keep the music question the
order of the day, the vote OF yesterday
afternoon making the consideration OF the
report of Committee on Foreign Missions
the order of the day was reconsidered.
4 motion was then made that the Consid-
eratioh of the Bill on Overtures be made
the first order OF the day this afternoon.
Carried.
ON motion, adjourned until 2:3p P, W,
Or. Paul closing the session with proyer.
As has been stated, the church was
aisles and gallery being crowded, and pro-
baby 400 people standing in the rear. In
all, there were about l ,6OO in attendance.
PITTSBURGH, May 29.-After short devo-
tiOnal exercises at the afternoon session,
the debate was continued. DR.. McDill
sud We of the West look upon Pittsburgh
as United Presbyterian Jerusalem, and |
am surprised TO see her foreign missions
set aside for a question like this; but, per-
hapS iI is more important than it seems.
Brethren, do things conscienuously. That
law was not legally repealed. Let us
have simple, yes or no, from church. DR..
Alex. Young said, What is the difficulty!
Has the word of God stated positively every
ordinance of worship? Where is 1t, in the
Westminster confession, that whatever is
not authorized is forbidden? | would like
anv person to tell me where there is pro-
hibition against instruments.
pr. Carson again obtained the tiOor and
said 81 wish TO call back the attention OF
the assembly to the great question before
il. We are considering as great question
as did two SSynods which mt met here here
Ia 1868. Every one felt then
it was no time for clapping OF hands or
applause. The question was then "How
we can come together. not how can we
answer each other. Fifty thousand OF
the membership have raised the cry OF
oppressed before the organ OF controversy
came into the United Presbyterian church.
After the debate the following
Officers Were Elected:
J. r. Mckee, Trustee of the Board OF Id
ucalioual Fund; Vice, DR.. Sterrett, deceas-
ed: snd Samuel Naugher and D. CAeSnlt
succeeded themselves as members OF the
Board of Registration. J. Z. Mckee was
elected Treasurer.
The following persons were added to the
Board OF TRUSTEES ofthe Synod: J. ID. Car
son. J. u. Martin. and 4. {. Coulter. The
next meeting OF the Synod is fixed for
Nav 1. 1884. to be held at NOrthwood,. y.
Revs. Dr. Gregg. Smyth, Lynn and Elders
Henry and Mcknight were appointed 10
prepsre memorials on the death of Reys.
nr S;erritt and Virgins. The assembly
adjourned until TO morrow morning, when
the discussion will be continued.