Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-24
THEY CANNOT VOTE
on HOLD OFFICE oF ANY MIND vNptH
THE GOVERNMENT.

The eyued eeula No, Agree 10 TIL. I.,svfsv.
snes with Individual tishis-esmml,.
tees Appointed NJ Yesterdays Mse,lss--
The Tsksn Mater Postponed.
This Reformed Presbyterian synoda clos.
Ing session yesterday was 0fa lively character,
A considerable portion tho ilmo was taken
up by the appointment OF standing oom-
mitteea, and y splrited discussion on mo.
ton introduced by Mr.. Joseph W, Huston,
II pertalped 10 tho use of the "token," tho
continuance OF which would be LETT 10 tho
judgment OF the several sessions. The token
is an old time insignia that distinguished
the followers OF the Presbyterian Church In
Scotland In the reign Of Henry VIII. The
Scotch PFesbyIeFians held their communion
services In those days under diaadyantage
They had 10 conduct their meetings In caves
and other secluded places Government
spies were employed TO watch the entrances
10 those places, and the denomination labored
under great difficulties, a. II was pu nish-
able by imprisonment In those days to prao-
tIos or preach religion that oonlloted with
the views prescribed by tho Government.
The token consisted OF q chip OF wood dis
played In very prominent place on tho per.
son, o rare leaf or something similar that
could DO carried about without exciting the
nuaplclon OF the Government spies.
The discussion on tho matter was rather
heated. Most OF the Plttaburgers were IN
favor OF keeping up the old time custom.
Rev. John Graham, Of Philadelphia,
favored the adoption OF the measure In
trodueed by Mr.. Huston, while Mr..
Ephriam Graham strongly opposed II. Tho
controversy on the matter did not show any
personal Rnimosity, however, and o
friendly spirit prevailed throughout the
discussion. On q motion OF William Mo
Kenney, Of Philadelphia, the matter was
indefinitely postponed.
Rev. John Graham offered resolution 10
the effect that the Finance Committee be
requested to prepare table OF the several
collections ordered by the Synod for the
year, assigning day for each collection, and
that the same table be forwarded to the
congregation. The resolution was adopted.
A letter was read from Rev. DIR. Daniel
Steele, of Philadelphia, declaring against
secret societies. The standing committees
appointed at the morning session yesterday
are us follows:
On Presbyterian Record-Northern, Rev. D.
Steele and Hugh Grahami Pittsburg Rev. J. y.
John Afford and II. J. Hemphill; Ohio, Rev. J.
NJ. stephens and John Mcdowell; Western,
q. W, Brownell and Robert Cooper; Eastern,
Rev D; J. White and Thomas Biggerstaif. On
and James Mckinney. On Foreign Corre-
spondence-Rey; J; q. Boice, Rev D. Steele
and william McElhenny. On Signs of the
Matthew McElvey. On Theological Seminary
Rev. Mr. Afford, Rev. 8. r. Kerr and Prof.
Ablof On Presbyterian Roports-Rey J.
Graham, Rev. Il. ". Chestnut and William
Mckinney. On Nominations-Rev. II. II.
Brownell, Rev. d. ]. White ana Ephriam
Young. On Auditorium-Rev. Thomas Wat
ters, Rev. s. W. Brownell and John Mcdowell
On sabbath school-Rey. j. N. Stephenson,
Rev. Il. W. Chestnut and Robert Cooper. On
Finance-D. Mckinney, Rev. I. II. Kendall
and Thomas Gibson.
AT the opening Of the afternoon session
Revs. j. II. Leeper and John Graham, OF
Philadelphia, discussed the home mis-
sions. Rev. Mr.. Graham, Of the General
Synod Committee on Conference, presented
the report of the meeting held with the COM
mittee Of the II. T. Synod last January. The
conference was held 10 establish better rela.
tions between the two different bedies and
to settle all existing differences. The com.
mittees did not agree upon the third arti.
ele This respected the rights Of members
OF the Church 10 incorporate with the pollti'
cal organizations OF the country, The
Synod ierbids Its members TO vote OF hold an
Office under the United States Constitus
ton,
REV. Mr.. Graham moved that delega.
tioh be sent 10 the II. y. Synod In New
York on June 4 10 state that the General
Synod did not approve Of this article and
would not accept the substitute, which Ia
similar 10 the general item. After the
Synod had finished up other routine busl'
ness II adjourned.