New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-27
THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.
DISCUSSING ROMAN CATHOLIC BAPTISM
THE SUBJECT LAID on THE TABLE AMID GREAT EN-
CITTMENT AND APPLAUSE.
Y rELronArm TO THE rnInuNE. ]

CITEMENT AND APPLAUSE.
TnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNE,l
CINCINNATI, May 2G.-NO more exciting
scene at n session OF the General Assembly OF the Tres"
byteriau Church been witnessed since the reunion
OF the Old and Sew School Churches at Pittsburg III
1870 than that this afternoon during the discussion
of the Of Judge Drake against the validity OF
Roman Catholic baptism. The Rev. DR.. c. r. Hays heid
the floor from yesterday, and spoke to the original resp
luton, and against the amendment Of tho Rev. Dr.
schaG.
The plea Is made" he said, "that a min
lmum OF truth being retained in the Roman
Catholic Church, the corruptons which oyerie II
do not invalidate that minimum. The church may
teach this. but her action in sending missionaries 10
labor among Catholics dsprOves the theory The same
argument used by DR.. Schaf In favor OF tho Roman
Catholic baptism. would Apply equally well TO that ol
the Mormon Church"
Against the proposition that the Roman Catholic
Church does rebapze, the testimony OF mission
AIRY from New Mexico cited TO the effect that every
OF the proscytes to Catholicism In that country is
rebaptized. The speaker went on 10 say that this
church had thorou Gully apostatzed urging in support
OF this statement its practice image and saint wor-
ship.
The Rev c. T. Burnley, OF Sennet " " urged the IN
expediency OF passing the original resolution. Dr.
Alfred Yeomans, OF Orange. n. j., offered an amendment
as follows:
Resopcd That is the decision OF the General Assem-
bly, that fl last deliver nccs tho subject OF Bomsh
baptism, leaving the question OF rebaptsm 10 the dscre-
ton Of the session In which the question may arse.
does recognize the validity Of such baptism; and WINE
1t does not enon upon the session the admission OF 10
man Catholics into their communion Nh rebaptlIlng ts
Assembly reairms the decision OF 1870 as It's deliver
ance at this time.
The action Of 1875 was thon read. It that the
decision this the question be left TO the Judgment Of
the church session. guided by the principles governing
the rules concerning baptism laid down In the stand
ards OF our church"
The Rev Dr. J. NJ worrall. pastor; OF the Thirteenth
Street Church. Of NewYork. protested against the Ill
timation that the liteau only were com
pctent to judge OF this matter. The pastor
who has practically TO deal with this
subject Is equally entitled 10 an opinion But be would
admit that all the learned the opposite
side. The names Of recognized meh OF ability were cited
Among them that Of the Rev. DR. J. H. Thornley,, OF
South Carolina the author OF the dclNerauce In lsI5,
TO which the Rev Dr. schaG had referred and OF whose
paper that time the Rev Dr. Breckenridge had said 1t
the most crushing argument" he had
ever heard. The RcfOrmers Themselves held
that the Roman Catholic Church was not
church, but Luihcr said. hs
return from Rome "shc Is hopees-ly apostate" The
Rev. Dr. G. A. Dckey, OF Philadelphia, did not like Dir.
Yoomanss amendment because IL declared that The
Church recognized the validity Of Romish baptism aud
took tho ground that the dclvcrance Of the General
Assembly the subject, wen rs the unanmOus de-
cison OF this Assembly, which has sustained church
sion Its right decide Of the validity Of Roiush
session. and that the best guide for action at the
present The impression made by this speech so
strong that the Rev. Or. J. Il BrOwnson OF Washing
ton Penn moved 10 lay the whole matter on the table
which unanimously carried amid the greatest 81
element Applause three times renewed notwith-
standing the continual efforts Of the Moderator To
reprts H. The applause having ceased the confusion
great that for several moments IL was impossible
for "A member heard In his efforts to get the floor.
The crowds which have uniformly filled the church
the opening session have awakened fears for the
safety Of those In attendance. and this morning by
a unanimous vote the Committee Of Arrangements
were requested to allow only OF chairs In the
aisle. The Committee Bills aud overtnres reported
that the overtures had received Affirmative
answers from the Presbytcries The action the
naming one gives church the night TO from s
roll the name Of member not chargeahle with immoral
conduct, provided he requests upon the ground OF
changed views Upon motion Of Mr. Kan Van Ronn.
selaer OF SewYork. the following paper was adopted
CINCINNATI. ONO. May 20, l-s5.
GENERAL GRANT: The General Assembly Of
the Presbyterian Church IN the United
DO most heartily sympathizo with you at this time We
pray the Great Physician may restore you 10 your
usual health. Now. therefore. endure ~ good soldier
OF Jesus Christ T.. X. Craven. Moderator
Dr. Pomeroy. chairman Of the Standing Committee on
Home Missions reported that the contributions for this
object had been larger the past year than ever before
being $4,000 greater than last year. but that
owing 10 the small amount received In
legacies the Board ia debt $4,000
The total amount received Is Si0s. $780, OF which Sl2s
523 contributed by tho WOmin.s Board OF Home
Missions. The Board supports wholly or ~ part l,i5J
ministers aud 10 teachers II has under IT. care con
gregatOus aggregating 10000 PERSONS LILO
sunday schools with membership OF 10000
church edinces valued at I'll 49lO; parsonage
these churches during the year l5,sls membeTs 100
new churches have been organized and $50 sunday
schools.
The work Of the Board since So the time OF the
union, Is represented IN l.293 churches 9rgankci'
1865 members added and Increase OF funds amount
ing Ia hundred per cent Or the contributions
from churches directly toward thesu
port of the work. The Committee Bills and Overture
reported the following, which introduces AN entire
change the policy OF the Church; when any
church shall accordance with the provisions OF this
section Chapter H. Section ~, decide 20 elect their
ruling elders limited time IN the exercise Of their
functions the same regulations as To tho mode OF eec o
aud term OF ice shall apply To dcacons."
This amended To make 10 not obligatory ana
was then referrad back to the committee. synod
created embracing the northern part OF Dakota, 10
be called the - uOd OF Northern Dakota