The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-31
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
The Northern Presbyterians

SARATOGA, May 1S.-hoV. LIE. y.
Addison Henry, of Philadelphia. led
the general assembly in prayer at
meeting. The temperance committee
reported. After short debate,
amendments offered by Rev. DR..
Johnson were carried, declaring
against prohibition as distinctive
measure, but hailing with joy and
thanksgiving efforts to check intern
perance and the sale of Intoxicating
beverages by the power of Christian
conscience, public opinion and strong
determination.
Rev. DR.. GAM, for committee on
concert of prayer, recommended and
it was adopted that concerted prayer
by all churches for the conversion of
the world be made January 6, and
for colleges and students the last
Thursday in the same month.
Rev. DR.. Kempshell, for committee
on the book Of discipline, made
final report directing that resolu-
ton creating judicial commission
be referred to the next assembly.
Adopted.
The amendment book of discipline
was then adopted as whole and sent
down to the presbyteries.
A resolution by Rev. DIR. Herrick
johnson was adopted that the gen.
eral assembly unite with the Episco-
pal general conference and Methodist
general conference in asking the
United States government to pre-
serve faith with Indians, grant them
lands in severalty, prohibit intrusions
into the Indian Territory and reser-
vationS. and that the matter be pre-
scented to President Arthur and the
secretary of the interior by a special
committee; also asking the civil gov
eminent for Alaska.
Howard Crosby said he presented a
similar petition in former commit
tee, had been snubbed twice, by. the
officials, and had no desire to again
present it. 1t was moved that he be
excused from the committee and
johnson appointed. Adopted. DIR.
Craven, from the same committee,
presented a supplemental report con-
eerning the Kentucky memorial pc
titioning' the transfer of Danville
seminary to the southern church,
that the memorialists do not show
seminary, or that the southern church
desires the transfer.
The Reformed Presbytefians.
PITTsBURG, May 29.-The Re-
formed Presbyterian synod resumed
session this morning. Rev. David
McAllister, of New York, presented
il report from the Sabbath committee.
The report is lengthy, and in brief
was as follows First, the precise
nature of Sabbath violation, which is
as much sin as a disregard of truth.
Second, church members and and Off
GERS violating the Sabbath deserve
severe rebuke. Attendance upon so
called "sacred concerts" or holding
stock in Sabbath breaking corpora
ion were deserving of severe con-
lemnation. Third, there is pressing
call for Sabbath legislation by the
state, being put on a proper basis
not the basis of expediency, but OIL
he inimitable basis of good law.
Fourth, ministers are recommended
to preach twice on the Sabbath ques-
ion before the next meeting of the
ynod-once on Sabbath Sanctifica-
Il on" and once on "The Relation of
state to the Sabbath" The report
provoked considerable discussion, in
5he course of which one OF the dele
gates stated that a y eek ago last SAB
Iath the New York Tribune was
,emt by pony express from Science
ady to Saratoga, and that inemberSo;
che general assembly of the
Presbyterian church there, in
session bought and read a paper. Ev-
IN those who in the assembly favor
ed more strict obser vance OF the Sab.
bath, buying papers. Their action
vas condemned and report adopted.
rhe balance of the session was taken
Up with routine work.
PITTsBURG, May ga discussion
# the instrumental music question
attracted large audience at to-day's
e>sion of the united Presbyterian as
embly.
Rev. Jamison. opened the proceed
ngs with prayer. The report of the
ommittee on consolidation of board
.,iblication and permanent sabbath
school committee was adopted.