Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-24
the weaker side. If you please. the bene-

lures was then adopted by decisive
vote in the majority.
TIE report OF the Committee on Home
Missions was read. An appeal Tor
larger contributions was made and a
recommendation that more money be
expended In mission work In the larger
cities. Mr.. Purnell, Of Baltimore, In
remarks upon the report, cited the re-
cent decision Of the Supreme Court In
the Chinese case, wherein one OF the
Justices had stigmatiZed the act OF
Congress as brutal" If such law,
operating against Americans, were
passed by any nation, Mr.. Purnell as
serted, il would be made $40 bite the
dust" within ninety days. The report
was adopted.
Ex-Moderator Smith, President Of the
United Christian Commission, organ
lied for work in connection with the
United States Army, submitted a state
ment II was TO the effect that the
Commission
MUST DISCOURAGE ENLISTMENT
Of the sons OF Christian families into
the army, unless some safeguards now
lacking are thrown about them. Gamb-
ling in the army is not prohibited,
either by law or regulation, and is en-
couraged by the example Of older officers
and soldiers; the post canteen affords
unrestricted opportunity for, and in
ducement to drink; the architecture
of barracks places Christian soldiers at
a fearful disadvantage. exposing them
TO the vices aud indecencieS OF ir-
religious members Of the rank and file;
Sunday work, not called for by any ex-
igency is still required by the army au-
thoritieS; the recommendations of re-
ligious teachers in the army for the
benefit OF soldiers do not receive the ap-
proval OF consideration OF the authori-
ties; 10 fact they are discouraged. The
commission recommended that the
army orders of August 9th inst, on this
subject be revoked ard the Chaplains
be appointed TO every regiment.
The recommendations Of the commit
tee were approved and the report re-
ceived. Recess.
The special order for the afternoon
session was the report OF the judicial
Committee on the Briggs case. Imme-
dlately after the prayer, DR.. Baker,
Chairman, was recognized and address
ed the Moderator and Assembly as fol-
lows:
~ had earnestly hoped that but one
report would be presented by our COM
mittee, but in this I have been dsap-
pointed. l presume the failure was in
evitable. l take great comfort in the
thought that this is something better
than even unanimity, ana that some-
thing is fidelity TO conscience. Ii is f.
delity 10 conscience that has compelled
the minority report. While we speak
the truth with all boldness, let US
SPEAK IT EVER IN LOVE,
and shall we not all resolve that what
ever be the decision finally reached and
God alone knows what that decision is
TO be, we will, as loyal Presbyterians,
abide faithfully by the decision. Let
Us resolve that be will sternly frown
upon and utterly discountenance sug-
gestion from whatever quarter it may
come TO Schism or division in our dear
church. Recalling our ordination vows
let us submit our selves to one another
in the Lord, Loyalty abiding the deci-
stitutiOnsl methods"
The report was rs follows:
In the case of the Pres byterian Church
In the United States of America against
the Rev. Charles A. Briggs, ID. D., being
an appeal 10 the General Assembly for the
decision and tnal Judgment of the Presby-
terry Of New York, the judicial Committee
begs leave respectfully TO report that they
find
FIRsr.-That the appellent in this case
is the Presbyterian Caurch of the United
States Of America, represented by its pros
ecuting committee, appointed by the Pres
bytery of New York, and as such IS en-
titled 70 conduct the prosecution until the
final issue be reached.
Second-That the appeal and specibca-
tiOns Of error alleged have been filed in due
time
Thi rd-They, therefore, submit resolu-
tiOns, that the appeal be entertained.
That three hours being allotted 10 such
hearing, viz: one and One-half hours 10
each party, and after hearing from the
members Of the Assembly, three hours
being allotted to such hearing, the Assem-
oily shall then vote upon the following
resolutions:
Rcsolrcd, That the appeal from the decis-
ion and final judgment Of the Presbytery
OF New York. rendered January 9, 1898,
be entertained by the General Assembly,
and it is ordered that the case proceed TO
trial in accordance with the provisions OF
the book OF discipline.
THE REPORT Is SIGNED
by the following members of the COM
mittee: George d. Baker, Chairman;
John Il. Dufield, John 5. Hayes, James
L. Leitwitch, James M. Maxwell, ID. j.
Sanders, John Pearce, }. b. Randall,
Edward T. Green, Thomas McDougall,
Cyrus l.. Pershiug, w. NJ. Fulton,
George w. Cummings, h. NJ, Graydon,
James L. Orr.
DR.. Baker also presented suppli-
mental report giving the following
principal reasons which which in
fluenced the committee in reaching the
conclusion declared:
FRsT.-The book Of discipline provides
in express and unmaOiguous terms for an
appeal derectly from the Presoytery to
General Assembly. Such an appeal direc-
tly 70 the General Assembly is therefore,
plainly permissible when the gravity OF
the issue and the circumstances OF the
case render it advisable.
SECOND.-In the final decision of the
grave issues involved in the case, and it is
the General Assembly which can give this
decision, il is emiuently desirable that the
Assembly making such decision should as
far as practicable oe representative Of the
entire Church. To keep the Church in
continued agitation and uncertainty Tor
another year when il is within our consti-
tutional prerogative 10 determine the mat
ter in the present time, is in our Judgment
70 uniustafaDly evade the solemn duty IN
the providence Of God devolved upon Us,
and would make US responsible for the
prolongation Of a condition of affairs in our
beloved Church, which imperils its duty
and peace, and binders it in the fulillment
of its legitimate mission.