Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-15
DUTY AND DISCIPLINE
Discussed by Two Reformed Prcsby-
terian Ministers Yesterday.
STANDING UP FOR fEDrR TENETS.
Some Notes of the Remarks Taken for
Future Convenience.
OTHER PULPIT TOPICS OF THE DAY

Rev. Dr. McAllister, of the Eighth Street
Reformed Presbyterian Church, delivered
sermon, yesterday afternoon, bearing directly
upon the laws and discipline under which
the five young ministers at the Williamsburg
meeting of Presbytery, last week, were sus-
pended.
The attendance was large, and DR.. Nc
AlliSter's words were listened to with close
attention BY the congregation. Among the
persons present was Rev. Mr.. McClurkin,
pastor OF the Reformed Presbyterian Church
at New Alexandria, Westmoreland county.
He is to be tried at a meeting of Presbytery
on January Is. at Williamsburg, Oh charges
similar to those preferred against the young
men referred to above. He took quite ex-
tensive notes Oh the sermon, no doubt for
use at his coming trial.
DR.. McAllIster began by pointing out
the necessity OF penalty as an essential
feature OF every law. 1t was the iunda-
mental principle OF discipline, whether In
societies of divine appointment or OF mans
creation. 1t was the basis of the divine
societies, the family, the State, the church,
ae well as the societies outside of these
bounds, such as the social clubs of great
cities. The latter made laws and demanded
discipline in the adherence to them, even to
the point of suspension or expulsion. He
dwelt at great length upon the grounds of
discipline as part of the very being of all
laws, whether human or divine.
THE ENDS OF DISCIPLINE.
The ends of discipline were to maintain
the purity and integrity OF the church; to
turn, il possible, violations o: the same into
the proper course again. and to deter others
from following the same or a similar course
Whether baptism was by immersion or some
other form seemed to many tritiing point of
disagreement, yet the Baptist Church had in
terpreted tie Scriptures to mean that baptism
should be by immersion, and the church
would surrender its integrity and lose
its denomination by surrendering this princi-
ne. The Reformed Presbyterian Church was
equally positive on questions of political
descent, and ii she gave up to them her essen-
tisl existence would he lost The law of God
ruled the reformed Presbyterian Church. and
remember the Sabbath day TO keep it holy
was part of that law. The great despcrator of
the day was the United States Government.
GODS people were prohibited from entering
into contacts for evil in any form.
IornlEg to the cases of the five young men.
DR.. McAllister said that while ne had always
held them in the highest esteem, he still must
say that IN his opinion they had been guilty of
= great wrong. He then referred to other
Preshyteries, where similar offenses had been
overlooked, but added that when the Synod
met here next spring it would see TO it that all
Preshyteres performed their duties in this
particular.
GREAT GOOD ACCOMPLISHED.
The speaker closed by saying that hundreds
and thousands of men were turning to a knowl-
edge of Gods truth one of the good results
Of these endorsements of discipline. The truth
now reached millions, where in other days it
only reached hundreds. and in consequence
great good was being accomplished.
After The sermon Rev. Mr. McClurkin was
asked If he would make any reply to it from his
own pulpit He said that probably he would
not.
Did you consider Dr. McAllister's effort as
COnyincinE?" was asked.
NO. sir; L did rot. He merely touched
around the edges of the great question" came
tie answer. Il shall make my reply at Wilkins
burg on the 18Th of Eext January he added,
with pleasant smile. which indicated palmer
than words thar he would reserve his arguments
Tor that particular occasion.
ANOTHER CLERGYMAN VIEWS.
Rev. J. W. sproull. of the Central R. P.
Church, Allegheny. preached yesterday after
noon on the subject of THE last meeting of
the PIttsburg R. P. Presbytery-a plain state
menL" The fifteenth chapter of Acts was
taken for the Sundays lesson. In the course
ef his address Mr.. Sproull said:
Il make no apology for presenting to you an
account of the proceedings at " ilkinsburg. In
the DAYS of the Apostles the church was always
anxious to know OF the doings of its ministers.
II would be remarkable if five ministers could
be suspended and two others cited for
trial, and the members of the church were
not anxious TO learn all about the proceed
iDgs. 1t has been alleged that
they were tried for being American citizens;
that the right of free speech and the holding
of opinions was the questions: and many other
reasons were alleged by those opposed tn the
church. They were tried and found guilty of
maintaining views opposite to the church. and
pursuing a course that was spreading dissen-
sions in their congregations and in the entire
church. For 81 years this has been tine law of
the church. There has been nothing different
or new regarding this subject. 1t is the only
distinctive law OF our church and If this is not
To be the principle we ought to disband and
unite with some other Presbyterian church.
DISCUSSION BY THE SYNOD.
According to our church laws we are re-
quired to stand aloof from any government that
does not recognize Jesus Christ as King. To
give this up would be for the church to take
away all grounds for organization. At the
last synod this question was discussed and a
committee was appointed to provide tor a
further discussion at the next synod. Then
those who are aggrieved can have a chance to
show why this fundamental law should be
changed. have my own opinions. regarding
some things, but shall await the proper oppor-
tunitv to bring them out.
These men were not charged with the viola
tlon OF the law forbIdding suffrage, or Ii might
have easily been settled. They did not disObey
that law but said they did not believe there
age Is done. as they cause others TO violate the
law
HE STRUCK STRAIGHT OUT