The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-28
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES.
Proceedings of the Northern Presby-
terians at Saratoga.
United Presbyterians Celebration-The Re-
formed STRAIGHTFORWARD Episcopais of
England Granted Separation.
THE PREsBYTERIANs.

Proceedings of the Northern General Assem-
bly, on Saturday.
| SARATOGA, N. Y, May 26.-The General AS.
semby spent the first hour in Thanksgiving and
prayer, led by Rev. DIR. W. c. Young, Of Louis
vile, for the complete establishment of frater-
nal relations between the Northern and South
| ern churches
Rev. DR.. Herriek Johnson presented the re-
port of che committee on bills and oyertures,
The Assembly adopted an overture from the
Cay1ga Presbytery recommending the Presbyte-
rian Historical Society and General Syn0ds and
Presbyteries to take measures to best observe
the four hundredth anniversary of the birth Of
Martin Luther.
An overture from the Emporia, Neb., Presby-
terry was adopted asking President Arthur and
Secretary Lincoln TO grant the petition of 150
Presbyterian members OF Chief Josephs band of
Nez Perces Indians, Indian Territory, to return
that band to the Nez Perces reservation in
Idaho.
Rev. George L. Spinning made an address in
seathlng terms Of the injustice Of the United
States to the Nez Parees, tribe that never took
white scalp and never raised their arms till
driven from their lands in violation of the treaty.
An overture was presented from several pres
byteries regarding the Indian policy of the
government, recommending that citizenship be
conferred on all who ask IT. that ntrnders be kept
from the Indian Territory and reservations, and
to keep inviolable faith with them in every re-
spect. Rev. DIR. Johnson explained that the re-
port was in unison with the action of the Eps-
copal General Convention and Methodist Gen
eral Conference.
The overture of New Castle Del, Presbytery,
asking the sanction of the Assembly for fund
for "a memorial to Rev. Francis Mackenzie the
first Presbyterian pastar IN the United States,
1858, drew forth statement from Rev. DP.
OaKly, secretary of the Historical Society, that
Rev. Richard Denton, ancestor OF Rev. DIR. John
Woodbridge, commissioner sitting in the As
sembly, was the pastor of Presbyterian church
at Hempsted, l.. l., at an earlier date. The mat
ter Was indefinitely postponed by unanimous
consent.
Captain R. P. Pratt, United States army, in
PRODUCED six Indian students from the Carlisle,
Pa, school. They were two Creeks and a Com
anche, KioWa, ArrapahOe and NaVajOe respect
lively. Coming on the platform, they sang to
go0A time, my Country, it's of Thee" Robert
stewart, Creek, made d brief address, asking
why they e0uld not live here and work at the
trade they learned the is u palnter), instead of
being forced back to the reservations and de-
moraiizing influences, when colored men and
European Immigrants could live where they
pleased.
motion to take up the report of the commit
tee OF revision OF the Book of DlsclDIne and con-
tinue until finished was carried. The work pro-
ceeded, and the most important amendments
adopted were that ministers, elders and deacOns
suspended for immoral conduct shall not be re-
stored, and that Withdrawing members Joining
another church shall be dropped from the rolls
without action, unless charges have been pre-
sented and then prosecuted.
At the afternoon session the General Assem-
bly devoted the time TO the consideration of the
amendments TO the Book of Discipline. The
balance OF chapter four was adopted. The prin-
clpal changes are that no member of the jndiea-
tory not present all the time during trial shall
vote on q question arising except by unanimous
consent. The 1ndicatory may sit with closed
doors by n twO-thirds vote, and the accused may
be required to refrain from the Lords able until
final action shall be taken