The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-23
Commissioners Listen to q Report Against
Sunday Opening Of the Fair and then En-
gage in d late on Chicago Overture.
Elder Miller Repeats His Lecture on
Egypt to the Dunkards at Muncie.
Baptist Anniversaries Begun OF Derver-An<
nual Meeting of the Women's Home Mis-
siOr Society-0ther Religious Bodies.
NORTHERN pREsBrrEkrAss.
The Briggs Case Comes Before the Assem-
bly, in an Unexpected Manner.

the principal subjects that occu-
pied the attention of the Presby-
terian General Assembly tins morninE
After few minor matters had been die
posed of. the special committee on Sab
bath Observance. of which the late Col.
Elliott +. Sheppard was chairman from ito
inception. submitted its fifth. annual re-
port. which was read by Elder w. r. Wor-
rell. of the New York Presbytery. Colonel
Sheppard's private secretary. The CON-
mittee expressed sorrow at the death OF
Colonel Shepard. The effort tosecure the
opening of the worlds fair on Sunday was
recited. closing with q statement OF the
vote In Congress against il The report
then proceeded
The importance of this action can scarcely De
pears on the surface. Il has given expression
TO the voice of the people The strength OF tho
sabbath sentiment has been tried and proven.
The people arc unwilling to lose the sunday rest
The question OF Sabbath observance has been
very widely discussed. The foreign element has
been advised respecting the American sabbath
ana its stronghold upon our people The friends
OF the sabbath in Europe are reioiced~ ana their
hands are greatly strengthened. But IL Is Q
matter of profound regret that IN all this conteso
the friends of sunday closing have received little
or no aid from the secular press. Ii has been
portance, TO secure the insertion OF judicsous ar
ticles in favor OF closing, while whole columns
have frequently appeared against It, IL we have
succeeded. IL is only because the Lord OF the
Sabbath side. Otherwise there has
been prodigous odds against Us.
The report recommends the adoption OF
resolutions eulogizing the late Elott F.
Shepard. returning thanks that q Christian
nation has been spared the humiliation OF
q public sanction Of the Sunday opening OF
the worlds fair and closes as follows
Inasmuch as the local managers have decided
e1,o In AnfI
the authority OF Congress and in clear violation
OF the principles of common honesty as well al
of Gods command, therefore.
Resolved, That we urge upon our people the
Importance Of standing by their consciences &C
whatever sacrihe Of personal profit or pleasure.
not defle themselves with the kings meat
Dan. i. g. We call the attention OF our
ress for the formation of associations
the design of which is 10 protect the weekly day
of rest. We believe that the widespread lntescss
opportunity for the aihliation OF the Lords day
into associations that can render most efficient
service in protecting the sabbath against all fn<
vasions. We regard the exposition now open in
Chicago as a most favorable opportunity for tho
circulation OF sabbath literature, ana we recon-
care that they render pecuniary help towards
this undertaking. We recognize the great serv-
ice rendered by the American sabbath Union TO
the cause OF the sabbath aud We heartily COM
mend that organization 10 the syrpathetic in
terest and liberaliry OF all who love the Lord
Jesus Christ.
FURRY OVER THE BRIGGS CASE
The Briggs question then came TO tha
front at bound. and 10 did not mitigafo
the results of the short struggle 20 know
when 1t was over. that it was chiefly the
result of q Misunderstanding. DE. Young.
chsirman of the committee on bills and
ovtrtures, announced what had been done
with q humber of overtures FROM the pres
byteries; twelve OF them relating to she
Briggs case having been referred TO tho
committee on judiciary.
DIR. Young had scarcely ceased speaking
when Dr. Herrick johnson. of Chicago, IN
quired what had become of the overture
from his presbytery on the Briggs case.
which overture besought the assembly to
refer this celebrated case BACK 10 the SYNOD
OF Nsw Yo-k.
DR.. Thomas C. Hall. of Chicago, in SYM
pathy with Dr. Briggs made brief sDeech
in favor of sending all resolutions In the
Briggs case TO the judiciary committee hTst.
as all would eventually 60 there.
Elder Eudaiy. of Cincinnati. got the floor
and stated that the assembly had 70 do
simply with the law as it Is. not as 1t oughx
TO be. There was general parliamentary
confusion various commissioners attempts
ing to get the floor. amid which the an<
nouncement was made that the Chicago
overture had gone 10 the judiciary COM
While the moderator was attempting TO
put the question DIR. johnson remained
upon his feet calling repeatedly. Il claim
the right TO be heard" his words being re-
ceived with applause.
Commissioner Cutchings. of Detroit.
stated that there was an overture from hia
resbytery. and In view Of that fact ho
supported the motion 60 refer all the Briggs
overtures 10 the judiciary commlttee. lie
complained that the moderator bad not
permitted him TO speak, although he had
been repeatedly upon his feet Mr.. Cutch-
iDgs said he would appeal from the de-
,F q el,<aH Hhofr md AM N m lad
Dr. Young, from the platform. asserted
that the moderator could not see every
man who ought 10 be seen. and this state<
ment received the vigorous applause OF the
aDti-Briggs people.
nr Cutcbings who Ne physically one OF
the largest men on the floor, retorted thas
the failure TO see him was possibly due TO
the fact that he was so small
Moderator Craig IN reply. said it mada
no difference how many times Mr.. Cutcb-
ings had been on his eet 80 long es be had
not caught the eye Of the Chair. he added,
Il never knew such an outbreak while
vote was being taken" aud this remark
was received with loud applause. The ref
erenoe of the oyertures TO the Judiciary
committee was carried and then Dr. Craig
stepped to the front OF the platform Whas
he said was short and sharp. "Don't T0H
Try TO Overwhelm us at this stage OF tho
game" be eaid. emphasizing his remarkx
by flourish of the gsvel, which he held
In his hand. This was greeted with cheers
and the incident ended for the time.
Rev. George l.. Spinning. of New York.
read the reps of the committee on board
of missions among the freedmen. The re-
port showed that the receipts were less
than those of the previous year. and $4,000
less than the expenditure. which was $780,
600. Ii stated that the chief agency IN the
education of the colored race was Biddl
University, which has faculty of eleven
professors. ten of whom were oolored. and
257 pupils last year. The committee recom-
meRded revision of the assignment or
church funds among the several boards.
with a view 10 increasing the amount 10
be given TO the freedmen. The Assem- by
was asked 20 approve the boards request
for $4,000 for the work; also 20 approve
measures 20 be taken for raising S400.0t
for Biddle University. The recommends
tiOns OF the committee were adoDted.
Moderator Cralg then sunounced the re-
manning committees relating 20 the re cords
OF the synods- The Indiana member -
William L. Evans
THE BRIGGS CASE AGAIS.
Another outbreak on the Briggs case oc-
CURED Just before tho morning adjourn
ment. DIR. Young. chairman OF the CON-
mittee on bills and ovcrtnres, returned 70
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