Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-01
THE SUNDAY B0GIE.
Q. P. Ministers Denounce Opening the
Worlds Fair on That Day.
A COMMITTEE REPORT ADOPTED.
The Denomination Will Boycott the Show
Cnless 1t Is Closed.
WORK OF THE home MISSION SOCIETY

The members of the General Assembly Of
the q. P. Church grew red in the face yes
terday denouncing the opening of the
Worlds Fair on Sunday. The subject was
discussed in a long report from the commit
tee on special reform, of which Rev. j. T.
McCrory is chairman. He also read the
paper 1t is needless to say that the report
was against Sunday opening and it was
adopted.
DR.. George and DR.. Crofts said Congress
had not decided to keep the Fair open on
the Sabbath They argued that the people
should be encouraged to take brighter
view of the question. This would arouse a
popular sentiment against anv Sabbath
desecration that would compel Congress by
popular voice to vote down any appropri-
alton, unless it were given with the under
standing that the gates of the Exposition
should be closed on Sunday.
DIR. Crofts Makes Speech.
Dr. Crofts wandered from the path of
discussion to speak of the Sunday news
paper and the mails as great evils. He
claimed that 100, 600 trains were run and
700 900 men were compelled to work in
handling the mails on the Lords day. Then
he made the mast extravagant statement
that "even the saloon has not the power of
the newspapers to sap the Sunday spirit, I"
wha tever this may mean.
The report was addressed to the American
peoDle. and was rabid throughout against
the Sunday opening. Historical facts were
related in stilted legal fashion. 1t stated
that IA 000, 600 church members had earnestly
asked that the doors be closed on Sunday.
They thought under such auspices the
great Fair would be failure. 1t would rob
tens of thousands of their right to rest on
the sabbath. The Q. P. denomination will
have nothing to do with the Exposition
unless its wishes are carried out. The sale
of liquor on the Fair grounds also got hot
roast.
In the morning some changes were made
in two rules governing home mission work
The report of the Women's Board was re-
ceived. Mrs. II. c. Campbell was asked to
speak on woman's work, and she did well.
She pointed out what opportunities the
ladies have in the home and foreign mis-
sionary fields After some discussion it was
settled that the women's Board is under the
control of the General Assembly.
Millions for Home Missions
In the report on home missions it was
shown that s., ,09S ,397 had been given to the
cause since 1862: AS mission bands were
organized, and 27 stations had received
aid. The report of the Women's General
Missionary Society shows that the member
ship had increased .04 during the year.
Jue Contributions amounted to A5I I26.
Fourn new missionaries were sent to India
In the evening DIR. Reid read a report on
the condition of the Church. The total
numerical strength of the Church. it was
stated, is lo9,0ls, net gain of 1858 over the
previous year. During the year there had
been added upon profession of faith and
obedience e75, and upon certificate 5955,
The total increase for the year was
1880. Death took away 1.61s and
to removals were credited s67a
There we're 909 congregations reported last
year, net gain of Is The pastoral charges
had increased from lis to 75s OF those enter
ing the ranks 1861 submitted to the
ordinance of baptism. The little ones whose
membership was recognized by baptism
numbered 4, l49, an increase of 95
Over a Thousand Sunday schools
As to Sunday schools there were l,09o in
$3.50 pupils, 1l,4l5 officers and
teachers. The contributions to the schools
amounted to s75.96S, an increase of "a, $685.
The young peoples department showed
genuine progress. 1t has an enrolment of
% 999. The total contributions to the
Church for the year reached 81 ,2s6, 2Ss.
1t was stated that the Church has a good
grip on the youth of the land, and this is its
mainstay. Rev. J. h. McClurkin spoke on
{ The Family Altar" He said prayer was
needed al home Dr.. W. C. Williamson, of
the keokuk University, delivered an ad-
dress on Secret Prayer" A resolution rec
that the time for the week of
prayer should be changed from January to
December was adopted.