The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-31

SARATOGA, May 26.-The general
assembly spent the first hour in
thanksgiving and prayer, led by Rev
DIR. Young, of Louisville, for the COM
plete establishment of fraternal rela-
lions between the northern and south.
ern churches.
Rev. DIR. johnson presented a re.
port from the committee on bills and
Overtures. Adopted.
Overture from Cayuga presbytery
recommending that the Presbyterian
Historical society and general Synods
and preSbyterieS take measures best
to observe the four hundredth ami
versary of the birth of Martin
| Luther.
An overture from Nebraska Pres
| bytery was adopted, asking President
Arthur and Secretary Lincoln to
grant a petition from $50 Presbyte-
rian members for Chief Joseph, of
the band of NeZ Perces Indians in the
Indian territory, to return to the Nez
Perces Indian reservation in Idaho.
Rev. Geo. L. Spinning made an adj
dress in scathing terms on the in
justice of the United States to the
NeZ PerceS tribe, that never took a
white scalp and never used their arms
till driven from their land in Vio-
lation of the treaty.
An overture was presented from
several Presbyteries regarding the
Indian policy of the government and
recommending that citizenship be
conferred on all whb ask lands held in
severalty or in tribes kept from
territory and reservation, and kept in
1n1N fof% l.
respect. Rev. DR.. johnson explained
that this was in unison with action of
the Episcopal general convention and
Methodist general conference. On
motion of Howard Crosby it was re-
ferred back to the committee. An
overture of Newcastle, Del, PreSby.
terry, asking the sanction of the assem-
bly, for fund memorial to Rev.
Francis Mackenzie, the first Presby-
terrain pastor in the United States in
1888, drew forth statement from
Rev. DIR. Oakley, secretary of the his
torical society, that Rev. Eichard
Denton, an anchestor of Rev. DIR.
John Woodbridge, commissioner
sitting in the assembly, was pastor of
the Presbyterian church at Hemp
stead, Long Island, at an earlier date.
The matter was postponed.
Mr.. Cahil introduced six Indian
students from Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
school-two Greeks, a Comanche,
Kiowa, Arapahoe and Navajoe. Com
ing on the platform, they sang in good
time MY Country, it's of Thee" r.
Stewart, a Creek, made a brief
address. asking why they could not
live here and work at trades they
learned, Che is a printerl instead of
being forced back to the reservation
and demoralizing influences, when
colored men and European immi-
grants could live where they pleased.
A motion to take up the report of the
committee on revision of the book of
discipline, and continue till finished.
was carried. The most important
amendment adopted was that minis
tiers and deacons suspended for i'm
moral conduct could be restored. At
the afternoon session the general as
sembly devoted its time to
consideration of amendments
to the book of discipline.
The balance of chapter four was
adopted. The principal changes are
that no member of the judicatory
not present all the time during a trial
shall vote on the question except by
unanimous consent. The judicatory
may sit with closed doors by a two
third vote, and an accused person
may be required to refrain from the
Lords table till final action be taken.
LEXINGTON, May 26.-The general
assembly adjourned to-day at twelve
m. after harmonious sitting of ten
days.