Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-24
rnifeh PreshYferians.

nlteG PreSDyIerlhnS.
PIrTSBuRGH, May 23-The Twenty. fifth
General Assembly of the United Presby
terrain Church began its sessions in the
Third United Presbyterian Church this
evening.
4 sermon was delivered by Rev. DR..
Paul, of Concord, Ohio, retiring modera-
ter. Roll CALI followed and nearly every
de legate of the two hundred and fifty
eight responded to their names. An adj
IOurnment was then taken until to-mOr-
row, when the assembly will get down to
business.
An election for moderator will be held to-
morrow. There are many names for the
position but the contest is believed to have
narrowed down to Rev. Johnson, OF Col
lege Springs, and Rev. Carson, Of the Ne
MIA, o., Assembly.
In the early history of this country
seven persons came from Scotland and
organized the Associate Presbyterian
Church. About the same time others
came over and organized church which
they called the
Reformed Presbyterian Church.
In 1874 a movement was made TO COnSoll-
date these two churches, and new church,
the Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church, was formed. Some OF the members
of both refused to 20 into this union and
maintained their respective organizations.
In l~5S union was cOnSummated between
the remaining members OF the Associate
Presbyterian Church and the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian Church, forming
the United Presbyterian Church. The Re-
formed Presby terian Church still maintains
its separate organization.
The union which resulted in the forma-
OF the United Presbyterian Church took
place in the old City Hall, May 26, 1888.
At that time there were II Presbyteries in
the church. ROW there are G3. Then there
were 4US ministers and 5J,5i7 members and
now there are 100 ministers and Hi,3i5
members. ,
is strongest in Western Pennsylvania ana
Eastern Ohio, although it has spread
through almost every section OF the coun-
try. and has Presbyteries in Canada, India
and Egypt.
Tie church is fundamentally Calvinistic
in doctrine. 1t accepts the Westminster
confession OF faith and In addition has is
sued a Testimony OF eighteen articles.
Among them are The Plenary Inspiration
OF the scriptures, The Eternai oohSh'p 9t
Christ, The Covenant OF Works, &c. 1t
differs from the Presbyterian church Ill
three prominent points: its opposition to
secret societies, the exclusive use OF psalms
in praise and in restricted communion. It's
form OF government IS modelled alter the
Presbyterian church and its General
Assembly conveneS every year.
This Body Consists
of one minister and one elder for every
seven ministers N each PreSbytery, an
extra representative being granted ln case
OF fractions. This will make the coming
assembly consist Of 2t~ persons, provided
all are represented, although it is probable
that the Egyptian and the Oregon Presoy-
teries will not send delegates.
The great question that will come before
the Assembly is the use Of instrumental
music. In 1867 the church published It's
Directory OF Worship. One of the most
debated clauses in that volume is section
Of article of chapter 5. The clause is as
follows: -
"As the use Of musical instruments in
the worship of the New Testament Church
has no sanction in the Bible, they shall not
be introduced in any form IN any OF our
congregations.
Tbe Roard of Church Extension
reports that appropriations have oeen
made to q congregations in Is Presoy-
teries. The receipts of the Board were
$3S, $50 SO, and the expenditures 80, O6S IS;
Annropriations to the amount OF $1,000
have been made but not yet paid. so that
the treasury is in arrears 81, ISo. Inc
Board asks for increased contributions.
The COrlInlLLSe On ouhoal 0SnSS
norts 70 schools in existence, with 1878
Officers and teachers aud 65,0S6 scholars.
The contributions for school purposes
amounted to $SS, sos. There are $3.50
Volumes in the libraries. The growth oil
the schools has been in every way saistac-
tory. r,..,o,.
reported receipts Of $37, $50 80, a decrease OF
Il 655 OF from LAST year. The expenditures
Suring the same time were $39, S92 ~. Dur
inc the wear aid has been extended 10 ZzZ
stations and the work is in good condi
tion. The report is very earnest In It's cali
for contributions. Already requests Tor
aid from Presbyteries amount TO SoS4SZ,
and unless the income Of this board Is ma
terislly increased there must be oontrac-
ZION OF its sphere of labor.
The Quarter Centennial Fund now
amounts TO S36O, 900. There is little DOUBT
bnt that the half million dollars asked Tor
will be raised.
The United Presbyterian Wi not issue 3
dsily edition during the coming session Of
The assembly as il sometimes does.
Martin Luiher's Birthday.
NonRIsrowS, PA, May 2&-The Lutheran
NinisteTum resolved to instruct al con