Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-04

astical tight lacing did not promote spiritual
growth. The standards Of all churches con-
tain much precious truth, but all should not
be made articles of faith. Those who make
a credible faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
and accept the church's terms of communion
cannot be asked for further guarantees nor
be bound to strict explanations. The
apostle claimed the right to exercise the
God-given right of free thought guided by
the Word of God. He argued that it was
unjust IN Presbytery to entertain charge,
the specifications of which were not shown
to be contrary to the Word of God; wrong
and unjust in view of the facts that any in
tention of violating any of the principles of
the church had been publicly denied and
resolutions assented to and subscribed for
the keeping and enforcing the church's
practice taken voluntarily and made obliga-
tory, for Presbytery to entertain the
| charges, proceed to trial and sustain the ac-
cusation. He charged Presbytery with in
consistency and partiality in trying them
while winking at public violations by other
members of the Court of Synod's acts.
He charged that Presbytery acted unjustly
in allowing public violators of Synod's law
and the churchs standards to be prosecu-
tors and judges of others similarly charged.
He characterized the way evidence was Sc
| cured on which to frame the libel as unjust
and unfair He denounced the refusal of
| Presbytery to correct Misrepresentation in
| the minutes. He charged that Presbytery
| had prejudiced the case, and that the reasons
| assigned by those voting to sustain the
charges were not based on law and evidence,
but on expediency and other grounds.
Rev. Mr.sSamson stirred up hornets
! nest when after stating that the case had
been prejudiced he proceeded to read the
names of 15 men who had run the elders
convention. A number of heads shot up to
make protest, but the Moderator moved
that the names might be read. They were
read and the speaker added that not only
had they prejudiced the case and condemned
before hearing, but that they had subse-
quently formed majority of the court that
had convicted-j Jurors that had not only
formed opinions, but had formed them IN
advance of testimony. Following are the
names given by Mr.. Samson:
Reys. r. j. George, A. Fitzpatrick and
w. r. Laird; Elders John A. Dodds, John
T. Morton, r. A. Bole, NJ. W. Leslie, John
Elliott Joseph Wallace, D. o. Brown, r.
Robest Glasgow and Wyiie
Possibilities of a Postponement.
1t was so near the time of adjournment
when Rev. Samson concluded, that part of
the time devoted to devotional exercises at
noon was recovered by prompt adjourn
ment. 1t was considered doubtful whether
the work of the Synod would end this week,
and now that another charge is to be sprung,
and that against the present prosecutor, a
recess may be necessary in order to allow
the granger element in the Synod to harvest
their crops, or there may be some desertions
from the ranks of the elders
The evening session opened at o'clock
and the time was devoted to routine busi-
ness. The report of the Committee on Evan
gelistic Work was submitted by Rev. w.
NJ. Glasgow. The report was approved and
a resolution adopted urging all the congre-
cations of the denomination to hold evan
gelistic meetings on every opportunity.
The Rev. +. NJ. Foster submitted the re-
port on foreign correspondence. He read a
letter to the Church in Scotland, reciting the
condition of the Church here and expressing
their sympathy with all national reform
work and determination to stand by the
distinctive principles of the denomination.
Rev. r. NJ. Somerville presented the re-
port of the Committee on Systematic Benif-
cence. 1t treated of systematic giving to
the Lords cause, and urged the laying by of
the Lords portion, one-tenth, on the Lords
day.
The report of the Committee on Testimony
Bearing was presented by the Rev. James
Kennedy. The report was on holding COM
plete the gospel in all its fullness and the
necessity of Bible support for all practice
and doctrine presented
The Committee on Signs of the Times pre-
sented its report through Rev. A. J. Nc
Farland. 1t recited the condition of the
Church, the evils with which it is sur
rounded and the strong temptations on
every side.
Resolutions on the Sabbath Day.
Rev. H. p. MeClurkin read the report of
the Committee on the Sabbath 1t referred
to the Sabbath as a day of divine warrant
and the universal obligation to observe it.
The adoption of the report was followed by
a resolution that the Synod utter anew its
earnest protest against keeping open the
Columbia Exposition ON the Sabbath as an
invasion of family rights. The resolution
was adopted and was at once followed by
another providing that in case the exposi-
ton kept open on the Sabbath the Synod
counsel all people under its care to with
hold their support.
This called forth an expression of opinion
unanimously against keeping open the
Worlds Fair on Sunday. The Rev. d.
McAllister wanted the Synod to pledge
itself by rising vote not to attend the ex-
position if any part of it is kept open on
Sunday, as well as to use their influence to
induce all Christian people to do likewise
The matter was finally deemed of sufficient
importance to refer to a committee, and that
action was taken. The committee appointed
consists of the Revs. James McCracken and
d. McAllister and Elder Joseph Stevenson.
This closed the evening sessions work.