The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-11-21
National Reform Conference for Columbia
County, Pa,
HELD IN BLooMsBURs Now, 3, AND
4, 1890.

The Conference for Columbia Coun-
ty, already announced in these columns,
met in the Court House at a quarter to
eight o'clock ON Monday, the 3rd inst.
Notwithstanding the excitement on the
eve of an important election. the Court
House was well filed. The venerable
David j. Waller Sr. conducted the de-
votional exercises. He said: "We
are gathered in temple of justice, and
it is fitting that we should read the
law on which as a foundation all hu-
man laws repose." Then he read the
Ten Commandments, some selections
from the New Testament concerning
the Sabbath, and the divine law of
marriage from the second chapter of
Genesis, aud offered feryent and very
comprehensive prayer. A volunteer
choir of some fifteen voices led in the
singing, aud the Rev. M. Galloway of
the Baptist church, offered touching
ly earnest supplication for the mercy
of God to be shown TO the nation. Mr..
Waller then introduced Col. John G
Freeze as the presiding officer for the
evening. Col. Freeze is Chancellor OF
the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of
Central Pennsylvania. In few well
chosen words he referred to the import
ance Of the question proposed for dis
cussion, aud introduced Prof. j. z.
Welsh of the Normal School, to speak
on ''The Influence OF the Bible on our
Public Education.' Prof. Welsh
made brief but most effective argu-
ment in behalf OF the Bible in the Sch
ools. The Corresponding Secretary of
the National Reform Association, who
had presented the cause in the Pres
byteian and Lutheran churches on the
preceedl g day, then spoke on "The
Peculiar Theory Of Edacauon." The
Rev. D. j. Waller, Jr., Superintendent
of Public instruction for Pennsylvania
in behalf of the Committee on Resolu,
tions then submitted the following:
Whereas, The office of the public
schools is to promote intelligence and
moral character, aud
Whereas, The Bible is infinitely
superior 10 all other books as means o
developing moral character, therefore
ReSoLUed, That the Bible should not
be omitted from the list of text book,
adopted by Boards of Directors of oul
public schools.
This was discussed by several speak
ers and cordially adopted. After noti
ces, the Conference then adjourned uu
til the following day.
TUESDAYS SESSIONS.
A meeting of the pastors and few
of the principal citizens was held il
the afternoon of the following day, a
which a permanent committee was az
pointed to cooperate with the Nations
reform Association in Columbia CouI
ty. OF this committee the Rev. Iasa
M, Paterson was made Chairman, an
Mr.. w. III. Brooke, secretary. Othe
members of the Committee were tn
Rev. Dr. d. j. Waller, Jr., the Rev
David J. Waller, ST. the Rev. j. l
Tustin, the Rev. Mr.. Auman, the Rev
Mr.. Scare, Prof. J. T.. Welsh, Prof.
+. Harkins, and the following person
to whom specific departments of wor
were assigned the Rev. w. G. Levere
Special Secretary for Divorce Retorr
Prof. Hartlein, the Bible in the Schoo
the Rev. l.. A. Heilman, Sabbath Oh
seryance; the Rev. w. Il, Galloway, IL
Suppressi of Blasphemy; Mrs. j.
Welsh, Young Peoples Societies; MI
M. @. Walker, Temperance Work al
the w. O. T. IT,; Mr.. Rodman Drink
the circulation of Petitions. III
Committee was empowered TO add
its members.
Al the evening session address
were made by E. II. Little. Esq, c
sabbath Dissertation by Corporation
by the Rev. Isaac M. Patt 'rson {
.'The Right of the Workiugman to u