The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-02
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
Discussion in The General Assembly on
Young Peoples Societies.

DETROIT, June AT the Presbyterian
General Assembly to-day the subject OF
young peoples societies came up. There was
lively discussion as to the liability of the
Christian EndeavOr Society becoming 100
independent. The special object of the
resolutions discussed seemed to be the for
nation of Westminster leagues, to take the
place of Young Peoples Societies of Chris
tian Endeav0r. Elder Shepard of Phila-
delphia and others took part in the discus
sion. saying the Christian Eadeavor move
ment was direct from God, and they should
beware of antago niZing it and attempting to
restrict it within rigid ecclesiastical line.
DR.. McKbsen thought an irOnclad pledge
to take part in prayer meetings and attend
monthly conservation meetings established
lines that are Systematically excluding those
whom the churches would admit. Hecharged
that Universalst and Unitarian societies
were now in full fellowship.
After some further talk on the subject
the entire report was adopted, with the resO-
luton for a standing committee on the sub
ject struck out.
The Publication Board matter then came
up. DR.. Simmons eXonerated the Board
and i IS employees from any blame as to the
unwise and waSteful methods unearthed at
Philadelphia, but said they did not know all
| they should know in order to manage such
| a vast business The committee recon-
mended that three experts be put on the
| board and have control of matters Of which
| they have particular knowledge.
The necessity of changes involving an
| nual savings Of $4,000 Is acknowledged.
| The recommendations Of the Committee OF
| Seven were adopted and both committees
| Discharged
DR.. Baker reported from his Committee
! on C0nStitutOnality plan for bringing to-
| gether the unemployed ministers and va
! cant churches advising that the matter
! be referred TO the presbyterieS, as a recon-
| mendatiou rather than an instruction.
DR.. L0wrey reported from the Committee
| on the Revision of Texts, recommending
| that the committee be continued, and that
shorter catechiSms be provided with texts.
| Adopted.
At the afternoon session DR.. Junkin
moved that the Committee on Seal be con-
| tindtd until the next assembly. This was
! lost, and DR.. Wright, for the chairman,
| recommended that the device be an open
| Bible, and that the committee have suit
| able draft at the next assembly. Adopted.
The assembly decided that it cannot send
! delegates to other than ecclesiastical bodies
| and so cannot send them to the temperance
| congress at Saratoga.
The Committee on Canvass Of Answers
! from FreSbyteres to the OveTtures on
! Deaconesses, reported that these answers
were not in accord with each other, and the
matter was referred back TO the Committee
on DeacOnS.
The Judicial Committee reported on sew
| eral matters, the last being the chronic one
| Of DR.. Nathaniel West against the synod
| Of Minnesota. The committee advised that
the case of DR.. West be dismissed Adopted
The Committee on Worldly ADJUSTMENTS
reported, through DR.. Terrence, that they
| do not say the tneater or dancing are wrong
| in themselves, but their accessories often are.
| Cards derive their attention from the element
! of chance n them. The committee hopes
| that progressive euchre Is diminishing.
| Civil courts have already decided it to be
| gambling. The committee recommended
| that declarations of past assemblies, eS-
| pecially that of 1879, be reafiirmed and
| the one against progressive euchre
adopted. Report accepted and placed on
file and after some warm discussion
| sent back to the committee to have the
| clauses recommending discipline Tor these
| amusementS eliminated.
The Committee on Narrative reported an
| encouraging general increase in the work
and contributions of churches. The
| entire present membership is 79S, AS,
| a net gain of q, 445; total cOntri0u-
| tons for home expenses and 6eneyoience.
| Sf35362fO. There have been many smaller
revivals rather than any general awaken
| ing. Young peoples societies and women's
| religious and benevolent work are growing
| in volume and usefulness.
| The Committee on Temperance reported
encouraging progress in view Of the small
| offerings for its promotion. The W0men's
| temperance societies are surely the
main factor in bringing about this
! e,ult. The agitation for much needed
reforms in laws and the enforcement there
E ho e ba
! United States should be requested TO secure
! the reversal of the Senate'S refusal
| to unite in the prohibition of the
| liquor expectation TO Africa, proposed
| by the Brussels Congress. Greater care
should be taken to instruct young people
| Chairman Hayes of the committee
said the more he studied the
| liquor question the more he wondered
at the general apathy. Any other evil Of
| equal importance would evoke a cyclone
| that would sweep it away at once. Still
there are many and greater tokens OF prom
Use.
The propositions to advocate prohibition
| and against the renting of property for
| liquor selling were tabled. The proposition
to ask the Senate to ratify the exclusion
| proposal Of other powers was adopted, with
| some change.
DR.. Patton read the report of the Com
mittee on Theological SeminarieS. The new
| institution at Omaha applies to be
received under the care of the assem-
| bly,, but it is not certain that it will
| have sufficient resources. 1t was recon-
mended that no action be taken at present
| The report of the committee was adopted,
except as to the seminary at Omaha.
DR.. Gordon of Omaha told of a gift of
| S25, 600 worth of land, which is the nucleus
| OF a hoped-for endowment. DIR. White of
| fered an amendment welcoming the pro
posed seminary, which was passed by q
| strong majority Adjourned