New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-29
RELIGIOUS CONVENTIONS.
THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
CHANGES IN THE BOOK OF pIsCIPLINE-THB TIM
PERANCE QUESTION DISCUSSED.

| THE PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLE.
CHANGES IN THE BOOK OF pIscIPLINE-THB TIM
| PERANCE QUESTION DISCUSSED.
lFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNEI
! SARATOGA, May 2S.-The Book of Discipline
% the Presbyterian Church receiving more attention
from this General Assembly than from any oher since
| it was published half century ago. Dr. Cause OF ST.
Louis DR.. Johnson of Chicago; DR. Albert NlihamS'
Of California; DR.. Kempshal, of Elizabeth n D.;
! Judge Van Worst, OF New-York; Dr. Walker Oh
Chicago; DR. Carter, Of Baltimore and Judge hopaIu'
OF Hyde Park, ILL.,, are among those participants
in the discussion Dr. MeLane left town last "eeA' On
the next day after his was decided lhs'e"u VI
slowing his former aggressv eness, he was ANXIOUS "
he should be deposed from the ministry; out TINS was
a needless fear as the Assembly decided to allow HI III
to withdraw his appeal the promise that he Woulu
withdraw from the Presbyterian Church.
Chapters five SIX seven and eight Of the proposed
amendments the Book OF Discipline were adOp'cu 'o
day They relate to the trials Of ministers elders
dcacons communicates, and the evidence compelen
therein They provide that ministers min S respoTed
until after considerable proDatGn, 1 40
exemplary life. and evidence ma, 10. t we
suspcnding iudicatory consents II minister, elder,
deacon communicate not charged with immoral con
prcsbyfery aud church. or Joins denomination not
deemed hereca without asking dismiSsion, the pres
than the from the roll If ne joins denon-
ination deemed heretical, he shall be sus
cused minister shall be suspended from
all clerical functions pending his trial minister sis-
pended year. unless he evidence OF repent
ance, shall then he depOsed without further trial IN
trying charges Of heresy the Jndleaiory WI r al bs
yitaS of religion, and shall take prudent measures 10
After two-day discussion the Assembly Its evening
session o'nsht completed the report GA tne DcGf to
special committee TO be reported upon tomorrow
TIE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.
Scarcely had the applause following the disposition Of
the report ceased. when Dr. Woodbridge Of NewBruns
wick n j., called up the report temperance, which
had been repeatedly deferred. In the report
of the standing committee resolution was
employed for the service of the committee and that the
committee have authority to apply to the churches TO
Also that the subject Of temperance and
charge of the committee and that henceforth the COM
mttee be known as the permanent Committee on Tenn
of Syracuse, presented the claims OF prohibition in
short address and then the Rev Dr. Howard Crosby |
In an instant the house hu5hed TO silence.
There ia not a minister or elder in ,.'s assembly,
think that consider the EVIL OF in;cmpcrance
which the Chnrch of Jesus Christ should set
is face as iut In this we ali agree and every church
member should use all The means IN his power to over
vote adopt these resolutions; first because
do not believe 1 it is wise TO make This assembly,
Presbyteres and Synods, which the people
be this power Ii is not best to appoint a secretary
now, and by and by a special board for temperance.
or sabbath breaking financial greed among church
members. Secondly do not think II wise TO commit
the Assembly to special political form OF |
attacking the enemy. Why should we. when many
of the best men in our Church divided on
this question: adopt special line OF political
action There minor details which would doubtless
up IL the resolutions taken up ScrdfiD do
believe il thing organize little children
against forms Of vice. intemperaDce or what not
think VIII ideas in their minds which
be better for them not to have"
Several speeches followed. Homer y. Hubbard, OF
HYDE Park H.. who said he total abstaneT, spoke
against prohibition at present declaring 1t to be
possibility In the great cities. Several men eager
be heard the members being nearly equally divided be
The two expressed views; and finally DR.. Herrick
Johnson introduced a resolution that this assembly
W Ould hail with reclamation OF Joy and thanksgiving
he utter eXtermlnaOn of tine traffic IN intoxicating
liquor as a beverage b. the power of Christian
science. public opinion and the of the public
,iYIl law" The discussion continued until 10
o'clock when 1t adjourned until tomorrow
morning