The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-26

RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
Disca3sion in the Presbyterian Assembly on
the Validity of Catholic Baptism.

Disca3sion in the Presbyterian Assembly on
the Validity of Catholic Baptism.
CIHclNsATI, May 25.-At the Presbyterian
General Assembly, this morning S. B.Bell. d. D.,
OF Missouri offered resolutions against Sunday
newspapers, and committing the Church to the
policy of ''what is commonly known as prohi-
biton." These resolutions were referred to the
committee on temperance and church polity.
Bishop Foss, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, was invited to seat on the platform,
and was received by the moderator, the Assembly
standing.
The standing committee on freedmen reported
that tho total receipts for the year were $116 220
Under the care of this boardare 1913 churches with
1872 communicates, 1914 Sabbath schools and
13 439 scholars. During the year ], COS members
have been added to these churches. The Rev.
r. II. Allen, D. D., of Pittsburg secretary of
the board, delivered a stirring address. which
was frequently applauded He was followed by
III. N. Payne, of Iowa, who was colonel of col
Ored regiment during the late
This afternoon Judge brakes Roman Catholic
resolution is the special ORDER the Assembly
having previously adopted unanimously the re-
port of the judicial committee to which was
referred Mr.. Bradshaw's appeal from the synod
of New York, recommending that the appeal be
dismissed, on the ground that the previous de-
hverances of the General Assembly have left
with the sessions the right to decide upon the
validity of Roman Catholic baptism in particular
cases. This appeal was based on the require
ment of Princeton Church that an applicant who
had been baptized in the Catholic Church should
be rebaptized
A p. NJ when Judge brakes resolution was
taken up. he yielded the floor, asking that some
as,potscnt open the debate and that he be al
lowed to close DR.. Alexander, professor in the
Theological Seminary of San Francisco, spoke in
opposition to the resolution. He said it was
useless, as it would not be a deliverance
but simply expression of opinion for
those voting 1t was .mischevious. since, by
passing it, we would make ourselves the laugh
ing stock of the world 1t is more papal than
all the Popes combined 1t involves misin-
depreciation of the standards, according to which
the visible church" is composed of all those who
profess the :E,le 1>ligion. This resolution denies
Ihe validity of the baptism administered to
millions of persons who have come into the
Protestant church from the Roman Catholic
Church, and never received any other baptism
Dr. E. H. Nevin followed at some length
showing in what the corruptons of the Roman
Catholic Church consisted
DIR. Schaff offered substitute for the reso
luton, to the effect that the Roman Catholic
Church, though corrupt and teaching many un-
Rcriptura errors, yet retaining the holy Script
ures ancient creeds, with all the fundamental
truths of Christianity is still branch of the
visible church of Christ, and, therefore, the sac
ramant of baptism administered by that church,
with tho right to baptize, is true and valid
Christian baptism, which cannot and ought not
70 be repeated
Dr. Schaff spoke in favor of the substitute,
showing, from the history of the church. that
baptism administered in the name of the Trim
ity with the proper intention, regardless of the
character of the one administering it, HAD al
ways been considered valid.
Further debate was postponed until tomorrow
aftaruoon