The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-27
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL AssEMBL
Various Reports Made Roman Catholic
Baptism Further Discussed and
without Action Laid on
the Table.

CINCINNATI, May 26-At the Presbyterian
General Assembly this morning it vas found
necessary to restrict the attendance in order
acted on by the Presbyterians during the
past year. all bat one was answered in the
affirmative. The action on the latter gives
the Church the privilege of dropping the
name from its rolls of member who re.
quests it because of a change of views, put
who is not chargeable with any immoral
conduct. Overtures pertaining t3 the Book
OF Discipline from the Presbyterians of Los
Angeles, Washington City. West Chester and
Hudson were answered in the negative.
q resolution OF sympathy with General
Grant was unanimously adopted.
The Standing Committee On Heme Mis-
sions reported. The board is $11OO OOO in
debt although it has received in contribu
tons more than ever before. The deficiency
was from decrease in legaciss. The school
receipts are S49S, 500 Min listers supported
wholly or in part by this board number ,435.
In the first year 195 new churches and $50
new Sunday schools have been organized.
Seven thousand members have been received
into these churches
DR.. 6. 2. Hays, of Colorado opened the
debate He said: "The plea is made that the
minimum Of truth being retained, the COR
ruptions that overlie ii DO not in validate the
minimum. II we believe that there ia truth
enough in this church. we act inconsistently
in sending missionaries to South America
and New Mexico TO labor among the Cath.
olics"
He then spoke upon what baptism was
and referred to the gospel of Matthew az
authority. He continued: The whole of
the surroundings and circumstances show
that there mas. be something more than ex
ternal. 1t must be seal as we'll ss sign.
II seems shat the question is one Of no small
importance which has bean argued that in
asmUch as the Roman Catholics recoguizs
our baptism, therefore We ought to theirs. |
want to say that in New Mexico they re.
baptizs every one of the prossiytes this they
convert to Professionalism. / wiah to remem.
Der that the claim to be God, a Deity, the
claim for an inspiration of the Bible. If
Paul could have gone to Rome and preached
Jesus Christ to be worshiped beside Mercury
and beside Mars and Vulcan, he would have
been welcomed and had his God put into
the Pantheon"
Rev. c. K Burnly, of Sennett, n. Y said:
I'VE are on the verge of danger. l believs
that il is dangerous to pass th-s resolution.
We pat into the hands cf the Roman Cath
Ulic priesthood and every devotee OF the
Roman Catholic Church just the weapon
Dr. Wcrral, OF New York spoke OF the
ability of pastors as we'll az theological pro
fessors and other learned men To decide upon
this subject. He wss opposed to the amend
ment and sroke of the reasons he had for
favoripg the original resolution. In speak.
ing of the corruption of the Romish Church.
he showed that the reformers themselves did
net hold that the Catholic Church was q
church; that Luther had said himself, "Sae
is hopelessly apostate.'
Dr. Alfred Yeomans offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That 1t is the decis on of the General
Assembly that its last deiyerance Oh the subject
of Romish baptism. leaving the question OF re-
baptism to the discretion OF the session in which
tie question may arise does recognize the validity
the session the admission OF Roman Catholics into
their communities without rebaptism. This
Assembly reafirms the decision of 1875 as its de-
lverance at this time.
The decision of 1875 lie as follows:
That the decision of the question be left to the
| judgment of each church session, guided oy the
principles governing the rule concerning baptism,
as LAID down in the standards of our church.
| DR.. C. A. Dickey, of Philadelphia, would
| like to have offered another amendment, but
| did not do so because two amendments were
already pending.
DIR. j. i. Brownson, CT Washin gton Pa,
moved to lay the whole matter on the table.
| Carried unanimously.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures re.
ported in faver Of permitting churches to
elect deacons for term Of years instead of
| for life, AZ heretofore. A new Synod was
created, to be known as the Synod Of North
ern Dakota. Adjourned until tomorrow.