Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-26
THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
Work of the Year Among the Freedmen
Roman Catholic Baptism.

/ -bOmhn CtthOIc baptism.
CINCINNATI, May 25.-In the Presby-
terian General Assembly this morning
Rev. 5. b. Bell d. D., Of Missouri, offered
resolutions against Sunday newspapers
and committing the church to the policy
Of "what is generally known as prohibi-
ton" The resolutions were referred to
committees on temperance and church
policy.
Bishop FOss. OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, was invited to a seat on the plat
form, and was received by the Moderator
ard assembly standing.
The standing committee on freedmen
reported the total receipts for the year as
$1l6,220. Under the care Of this board
are 100 churches, with 1l,312 commune
carts, and 1874 Sabbath schools with Is. 439
scholars. During the year l,b9S members
have been added TO these churches.
ROMAN CATHOLIC BAPTISM.
This afternoon Judge brakes Roman
Catholic resolution was the special order.
The assembly having previously adopted
unanimously the report of the iudiciol
committee, to which was referred the ap-
peal from the synod of New York
recommending that the appeal be dis
missed, on the ground that previous delIv-
erances of the General Assembly have left
the validity of Roman Catholic baptism in
particular cases. This appeal was based
on requirement Of the Princeton church
that its applicant, who had been baptized
in the Catholic Church, should be rebap-
tized.
OPPOSITION TO THE RESOLUTION.
At the afternoon session Of the Assem-
bly,, when Judge brakes resolution
against the validity Of Roman Catholic
baptism was taken up, he yielded the
floor, asking that some opponent open the
debate and that he be allowed to close.
DR.. w. G. Alexander, Professor in the
Theological Seminary ut san Francisco.
spoke in opposition. He said That 1t was
useless, as it would not be deliverance
but simply an expression of opinion Of
those voting. 1t was mischieyOus,
since by passing it we make ourselves the
laughingstock of the world. 1t is more
papal than all the popes combined. 1t in
wolves the misnterpretation of standards
according TO which the ''Visible church,
is composed Of all those who profess
true religion. This resolution denies the
validity of baptism administered to mil
lions of persons who have come into the
Protestant church from the Roman Cath
Ollie church and never received any other
baptism.
DR.. f. II. Nevin followed at some
length showing in what the corruptlOns of
the Roman Catholic church consisted.
SUBSTITUTE OFFERED.
DIR. Schatf offered substitute for the
resolution TO the effect that the Roman
Catholic Church, though corrupt ard
teaching many unscriptlral errors, yet
retaining the Holy Scriptures and ancient
creeds with all the fundamental truths Of
Christianity, is still branch of he visible
church Of Christ, and therefore the sac
rament Of baptism administered by that
church with the right to baptize IS true
ana valid Christian baptism, which can
not and ought not to be repealed.
DR.. Schaff spoke in favor of the substl-
tute by showing from the history of the
church that baptism administered in the
name Of the trinity, with proper intention,
regardless Of the character of the one
it, had always been con-
sidered valid. Further debate was post
pOned until tomorrow afternoon.