Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-12
CARDS ARE HARMLESS
If Not Connected With Gambling,
a Says a Pittsburg Pastor at
YESTERDAYS LUTHERAN MEETING
The Ministers Favor Giving Lay Workers
Every Power Eut One.
NEWsY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.1

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.1
GREENsBURG, May 11.-At to-day's ses-
sion of the Lutheran Conference some warm
discussions ensued over disputed questions.
Rev. j. G. Kunzman, of Pittsburg, talked
first on the subject, "Can Teacher in a
Sunday School Consistently Play Cards,
a Game of Baseball or Quiet Game of Bill
liards?"
Mr.. Kunzman argued forcibly that SO
long as gambling is not allowed in games it
is not wrong for even a Sunday school
teacher to indulge in such recreation. A
half dozen ministers present were on their
feet in moment to enter objections, but Rev.
Mr.. Kunzman, firm in his opinion, refused to
give way. He was reinforced by Rev. Mr..
Potts, from Pleasant Unity. Gambling, he
admitted, is great evil, and even the SEM
blance of it must be avoided; but gambling
could be introduced by the evil-minded into
any form of pleasure or amusement and in
struction, and it is not right to prohibit the
pure from entering into these amusements
because they had been turned to bad ac-
count.
How About the Monday Sheet?
Rev. MI. Harbster, in discussing "Church
Work and Printers Ink" attacked the
Sunday newspapers. "When the sons of
God assemble" said he, "the devil assemblies
with them, and His Satanic Majesty has lots
of stock in the work of the press"
A very spirited discussion on the estab-
lishment of a Board of Deaconesses within
the bounds of the Conference was led by
Rev. John Mueller, of Altoona. 1t was
finally decided that the question of deacon
esses' work be subject for the next meet
irrr # Cow IF
Pittsburg, read a thesis on lay workers. A
long discussion followed, which resulted in
the Secretary being instructed to report to
the synod that the thesis is the expression
cally empowers laymen attending to
every work connected with the Lutheran
Church, excepting the administering of the
holy communion.
Rev. Mr. Koerner thought it would be best
that laymen seeking this distinction shall
first undergo thorough examination as to
their qualifications p ersonally. and
thorough inquiry into their religious doc
trines ana practices.
At the meeting tonight, Rev. John Mueller,
Of Altoona, a native of Russil, addressed the
Conference on the famine in that country
and made Il plea Tor assistance for his fellow
countrymen. collection was taken up and
a well-tilled purse raised for the sufferers.
After deciding to meet i'll UniOntown in the
fall the Conference adjourned.
Two Church Troubles Discussed.
AT Cne curly lnornins session Vi tne Con-
ference two important questions were de-
cided upon: Rev. Mr.. Ulery read report on
the German Church of Latrobe, and the re-
port of the committee appointed to investi-
gate the troubles there decided that the few
dissatisfied members had no ground for COM
plant.
Rev. J. A. Boorn, in making his report,
asked that the conference take some action
regarding grave charges against Rev. G. A.
Fiergan, OF Connellsville: Rev. Mr.. Boorn
said it had been reported to him that Rev.
Mr.. Fiergan is in the habit OF becoming in
toxicated and is also guilty of other unmin-
isterial acts. This report created some ex-
citement, which was increased when Rev.
Mr.. Zeuber arose and also made a report,
severely commenting upon certain actions
cussion on the matter was cut short by the
prompt appointment of committee of
three to VISIT Connellsville and closely ill.,
quire into the charges.