National Republican., 1883-05-30
CHRISTIAN COUNCILS.
A Centenary Celebration Of the Maryland Epis-
COpalians.
The Regular, United, and Reformed
Presbyterian Synods.
Baptist Sunday Schools Statistics and tho HiCksto
Quakers,
The American observation-disclosures AM
nuRI Conventions.
MARYLAND Ep1scopALrAxs.

BALTIMORE, MD, May 29-The centenary
celebration of the organization of tho diocese
of the Maryland (Protcstant) Episcopal
church begun this morning at St. Paul's
church, Charles street. Bishop Pinkney,
Bishop Say, of the diocese of Easton many
clergymen from all parts of Maryland and
elsewhere, and very large congregation were
present Exercises began at $3.50 o'clock q.
IN. with the administration of the holy COM
munion and morning service, which was fol-
lowed by an interesting discourse on the
colonial history of the church in Mar yland
by Bishop Say. Tonight there will be So
cial gathering Of delegates, clergy, and i'm
vited guests at Lehmans hall, on Saratoga
street, when number Of addresses will be
made on the history of the church in Mary
land. The celebration will continue to-
morrow
The delegates with number of invited
guests assembled at Lehman's hall last night,
Bishop Pinkney presiding Addresses were
made by Bishops Lyman, of North Carolina,
and Lee, of Delaware, and Rev. DIR. Charles
II. Hall, of New York John II. B. Latrobe,
of Baltimore, and others. Bishop Lay, of
Easton, was present on tho platform, About
two hundred and fifty persons were present,
aud after the speaking collation. was served.
The occasion was one of much interest to all
who participated. The gathering was purely
of a social character.
THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
SARATOGA, May 29.-In the Presbyterian
general assembly to-day resolution of DIR.
Horrick johnson was adopted that the gen.
eral assembly shall unite with the Episcopal
general convention, and the Methodist gem
eral conference in asking the United
States government to preserve faith with
the Indians to grant them lands in severalty,
to prevent intrusons in the Indian territory
and reservations, and that the matter be pre-
sented TO President Arthur and the secretary
of the interior by the special committee on
civil government for Alaska. DIR. Howard
Crosby said that be had presented n similar pc
titiOn in former committee and had been
snubbed twice by the official, and he had no
desire to again present it. He moved that
he be excused from serving on tho committee,
and that DIR. johnson be appointed. He was
accordingly excused and DR.. johnson named
In his place.
UNITED PREsBYTERIANs.
PITTsBURG, May 29-The discussion of the
instrumental music question drew u large
audience to to-day's session of the United
Presbyterian assembly. Rev. j. Jameson
opened the proceedings with prayer.
The report of the committee on consoida-
tiou of the board of publication and the per-
manent Sabbath school committee was
adopted.
At 10 o'clock the committee on bills pre-
sented majority and minority reports on in
strumental music in churches. resolution
was offered to adopt the majority report.
Rev. Oliver Matz said the question was so
serious that it might result in disruption of
the church. He opposed the use of instru-
mental music, and with due respect to the
last general assembly he ventured to say it
was not an infalliable body nor had 1t power
nor authority to change the law.
Il. W. Henry, of New York, also opposed in
istrumental music, and predicted that if the
majority report were adopted there would
never be peace and harmony in the church.
The report was inconsistent, for, though any
man may have the right TO introduce an in
strument the assembly had no right to enjoin
him, but when 1t becomes question of the
introduction as incidental or essential, it is
within the province of the church to act and
not within that of n committee. DIR. Carson,
of Xenia, Ohio, favored the majority. Rev.
Il. S. Kennedy, of Chicago, said 1t was not cer-
tain that the overture was adopted by con-
stitutiOnal majority as there Is u question
whether tho assembly of 1882 was the church
or not Rev. Mr. Stewart, of California, said
he found nothing in Gods word opposing in
strumental music in His worship DIR. Car
son moved the minority report as an amend
ment to the majority after the words mot
prescribed in holy scripture" DR.. Mcclure
made point of order that il the motion be
insisted on it would cut off further amend
ments and debate. The moderator decided
at this point adjourned for dinner.
REFORMED PREsByTERIANs.
PITTsBURG, PA, May 20.-The Reformed
Presbyterian synod resumed its session hero
this morning Rev. r. @. Wylie, chairman of
tho committee on travelling fund, reported
showing the amount of the fund TO bo SO, 100
and the expenses of the members of the
Eynod, $3,iS5 The report was adopted.
Rev. ID. McCallister, of New York, pre-
scented the report of the Sabbath committee.
The report is lengthy, and in brief was as
follows
|. The precise nature of Sabbath violation
which is as much sin as the disregard of the
truth.
9. Church members and officers violating
the Sabbath deserve severe rebuke At
tendance upon so-callcd "sacred concerts I"
and holding stock in Sabbath breaking cor
porations is deserving of severe condemna-
tion.
3. There is pressing call for Sabbath logis-
lation, by tho state being put on proper
basis; not the basis of oxpediency, but on
the inimitable basis of Gods law.
4, Ministers are recommended to preach
twice on the Sabbath question before the next
meeting of the synod, once on Sabbath sane
tifcation, and once on the relation of the state
To the Sabbath.
The report caused considerable discussion,
in the course of which one of the delegates
stated that a week ago last Sabbath, the Sun
day edition of the New York Tribune was
sent by pony express from Schenectady to Sar-
atoga, and the members of the general assem-
bly, Of the Presbyterian church, there in ses-
zion, bought and read the paper Even those,
who in the assembly favored u more strict
observance of the Sabbath, buying the paper
Their action was condemned and the report
adopted.
BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
New York, May 20.--The twenty-third
yearly meeting Of the Baptist Sunday schools
of this city was held this afternoon in the
Madison square garden. and was attended by
about 10000 children. The exercises consisted
Of addresses from clergymon and others and
singing. Then the children paraded through
the park and were reviewed by the clergy.
When the procession broke mp the children
went TO their different churches, where cOlla-
tions had been prepared for them.
THE HICKsIrE QUAKERs.
NEW YORK, May 29.-The Hickste Qua
kers, at their meeting this morning, trans
acted little business Devotional exercises
occupied most Of the day, Tho orthodox
Quakers heard the report Of their temperance
committee. IL was very encouraging, and
showed much good done by the friends in this
direction. Reports werG read regarding
monthly and quarterly meetings of the past
year showing very good results from these
gatherings.
AMERICAN UNITARGANs.
Boston, May 20.-The annual meeting of
the American Unitarian association was held
here this morning The report of the board