St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-11
UNITED Pr EssYTERrANs.
They Meet in National Convention
ard Fail To Agree on the subject of
Chmrch Music.


PITTsBURG, Pa, Nov. 10-The session
of the national convention of United Pres.
byterianS opposed to instrumental music in
the churches, to-day were devoted to a
discussion and adoption of lengthy declar-
alton prepared by the committee on reso-
lutions. The document is forcible one,
and sets forth in detail the most formidable
arguments in opposition to the use of the
organ in the churches. discussion fol-
lowed the reading of the paper and the res
Olutions accompanying it, in which many
ministers took part 1t was claimed by all,
however, that they should stand by theig
first principles. regal dless of the wishes Of
Others God alone, it was argued was
lord of the conscience and its dictates
should be obeyed regardless of men. COM
mandments or church majOrities. The
paper submitted concludes as follows:
We hold it to be the constitutional right of
any member of the church to demand the eI-
clusiou Of instruments from the public wor-
ship of the church But that claim we are
willing TO waive if our brethI en- will unite
with us in accordance with the spirit and in
tent Of the act of the assembly of 1885 in the
removal as soon as practicable, for the sake
of peace and for conscience sake, of this Stun
bling block and cause Of otfense from the
worship of God. But the right itself and
our liberty under the constitution of the
church we dare not and cannot reliuoush:
therefore,
Resolved, l. That it is our right and
privilege as members of the United Presbyte-
ran church. to be left free from all necessity
or obi alton of any sort whatever to praise
God otherwise than by the simple singing of
psalms with grace in the heart
2. believing instrumental music in connec-
ton with the worship Of God to be without
the authority of divine appointment, under
the New Testament diSpenSation, and there
fore corruption of that wol ship. ii is our
duty to refuse in any way to countenance or
support its use, and we hereby counsel all
our brethren to stand firm aud not detile or
wound their conscenceS by any compliance
with that which is contrary to conscience or
in regard TO which conscience is not clear
8. That we appeal to our brethren, who
constitute for the present the prevailing
party in the church. to stand by their agree
ment. entered into in the assembly of 1885,
and to carry out the pledge implied therein.
and that i'll view of securing unity and CO.
operation in this matter we hereby invite
them to a brotherly conference, and suggest
the appointment of committee to meet at
such time and place as may be agre ed upon.
and as soon as practicable
4. That in the meantime assured of
the justice of our cause, we commit both it
and ourselves to Him who judges ri hteousIy
and we counsel our brethren who sympa-
thize with us to patience and forbeara nee in
the present trial, with confidence that since
we seek only liberty to worship God as Jesus
Christ our only Lord has commanded, He will
he attentive to the prayers of His servants
that desire to fear His name, and will in His
OWE time appear for them and set before
them an open door which no man can shut,