The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-27
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
The Presbyterian Assembly Lays the Question
of Catholic Baptism on the Table.

The Presbyterian Assembly Lays the Question
of Catholic Baptism on the Table.
CINCINNATI, May 26-At the Presbyterian
General Assembly this morning, it was found
necessary to restrict the attendance in order to
keep the aisles clear.
of seven overtures acted on by the presby-
teries during the past year, all but one was an
swered in the affirmative. The action on the
latter gives the church the privilege of dropping
the name from its roles of member, who re-
quests it because of change of views, but who
is not chargeable with any immoral conduct.
Overtures pertaining to the Book of Discipline
from the presbyteries of Los Angeles, Washing
ton City, Westchester and Hudson, were an
swered in the negative.
A resolution of sympathy with General Grant
was unanimously adopted
The standing committee on home missions
reported. The board is $l10, 900 in debt, although
it has received in contributions more than ever
before. The deficiency comes from a decrease
in legacies. The total receipts were $49S. 800;
the ministers supported wholly or in part by
this board number l 435 In the past year 1876
new churches and $50 new Sunday schools have
been organized, and 1000 members have been
received into these churches.
DR.. g. p Hayes, of Colorado, opened the
debate on the question of Catholic baptism.
He said: ''The plea is made that the mini
mum of truth being retained, the corrup-
tons that overlie it do not invalidate the mini
mum. If we believe that there is truth enough in
this church, we act consistently in sending
missionaries to South America and New Mexico
to labor among the Catholis. He then spoke
upon what baptism was, and referred to the
Gospel OF Matthew as authority. He continued
1.-The whole of the surroundings and circum-
stances show that there must be something more
than external. 1t must be seal as we'll as a
sign. 1t seems that the question is one of no
small Importance, and it has been argued that
inasmuch as the Roman Catholics recognize our
baptism, therefore we ought to recognize theirs
want to say that in New Mexico they rebap-
tie every one of the proseyltes that they CON
vert to professionalism. 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 his
God admitted to the Pantheon
Rev. G. K. Burnly, of Sennett, N. Y, said
I'VE are on the verge of danger. I believe it
is dangerous to pass this resolution. We put
into the hands of the Roman Catholic priest
hood, and every devotee of the Roman Catholic
Church, just the weapon they have been looking
for"
DIR. Worral of New York, spoke of the ability
OF pastors, as we'll as theological professors and
other learned men, to decide upon this subject
He was opposed to the amendment and spoke of
the reasons he had for favoring the original res
olution. In speaking of the corruption of the
Romish church. he showed that the reformers
themselves did not hold that the Catholic Church
was church, that Luther had said himself
She is hopelessly apostate."
DR. Alfred Yeomans offered the following res
olution:
Resolved. That 1t is the decision of the General
Assembly that its last deliverance the subject of
Ro1nish baptism leaving the question of rebaptsm to
the discretion of the resson in which the question
may arise does recognize the validity of such baptism
while it does not enjon upon the session the admission
rebaptism. This assembly reafirms the decision of
1875 its deverance at this time.
The decision of 1875 is as follows:
That the decision of the question be left 10 the
judgment of each church session. guided by the prn
cples governing the rule concerning baptism as laid
down in the standards of our church.
Dr. C. A. Dickev of Philadelphia, would have
liked to offer another amendment, but did not
do so because two amendments were already
pending.
DR. J. T. Brownson. of Washington, Pa,
moved to lay the whole matter on the table.
Carried unanimously.
The committee on bills and overtures reported
In favor of permitting churches to elect deacons
for term of years. instead of for life as hereto
fore. A new synod was created, to be known as
the Synod of Northern Dakota. Adjourned I'M
til to morrow.