The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-30
United PresbyterianS.

TOPEKA, Kan, May 29.-The third days ses-
sion of the General Assembly of the United
Presbyterian Church was opened by prayer by
the moderator petition was read from the
National Womans Christian Temperance Union
asking the influence of the assembly in circu-
lating certain temperance petitions.
A memorial was received from the Salina con-
gregation, of California asking the action of the
assembly with reference to instrumental music,
and complaining that organ had been intro
duced into that church, contrary to it's wishes.
The committee of conference on psalm-singing
churches, composed Of delegates from the Asso-
ciated Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Asso-
cated Presbyterian Church and the United
Presbyt erian Church, reported that they would
present plan of union at the fall meeting of the
Associate Reform Synod
The committee on organization of a womans
board of missions reported that, as the womans
general missionary convention, at Xenia, o..
had decided against it, they would recommend
no action
The committee on bills and overtures reported
the memorials of the Monongahela and Mon
mouth synods asking for changes in the law of
0vertures, and declared that the time had not
arrived for such action
The General Assembly will meet next year at
Hamilton, o.
At the afternoon session the reports of the
several committees WIN reference TO the memo
rial of the Twentyffth street Church, of New
York, were presented. They sustain the action
of the last General Assembly. and authorize the
release of the church from its declaration of
trust, conditioned that they repay all moneys
paid them since 1881. The reports were adopted.
The report OF the committee on education con-
sidered the work of the board commendable and
recommends the appropriation Of 81, 900 for its
use during the coming year: also, S., 900 to
Tarkio College; also, that the lastnamed
college be allowed to solicit funds
in the various churches It also commends the
action of the board in refusing to aid young men
in preparing for the ministry who violate their
sacred pledges by the of tobacco, and
recommends the elevation of David MacDiel to
a professorship in Xena Theological Seminary.
The report was adopted
A general conference ON home missions fol-
reviewed the work with great satisfaction and
praise. He said the board was yearly growing
more perfect The report recommends approval
Of the work of the board and urges that the
work in Dakota and Washington Territories
be vigorously prose cuted. In regard
to the minority report of the general committee
On missions, the board declines to recommend
any change in the action of the assembly in
1881, and recommends that no action be taken in
the matter of the memorial of Rev. B. C. Smith
OF the Northumberland sixteenth-s Church
of New York city
DR.. Collins of Philadelphia, offered as a sub
stitute for recommendation the following:
THAT the report of the committee be adopted
except in those congregations in which an organ
is used in worship of God; and in reference to
those congregations we recommend that appro-
priations be granted upon the condition that
they cease to use this instrument in worship
and conform to that mode of worship which
alone is authorized according to our standards -
This elected much discussion, pending which
the assembly adjourned till evening.