Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-25

The committee recommended the
adoption by the Assembly of resolutions
urging the churches and elders to an
incr, asing interest in the work Of the
board; and the reelection of the trustees
of the Home for Aged Ministers at
Perth Amhoy, whose terms expire this
year. The report was received and its
recommendations approved.
The Rev. A. j. Cuttel, ID. D., the ven
cradle ex-president of Lafayette College
and secretary Of the board, occupied the
time of the Assembly for short time,
telling some Of the pathetic incidents of
the work which come to his knowledge
day by day, and pleaded for authority
to increase the maximum annual allow
ance TO the limit of the board, which is
now $500.
DIR. Thompson called to the notice of
the Assembly the Downing Home of
Milwaukee, the gift of generous resi-
dent of that city. 1t is benevolence
under the direction of the Assembly's
board, but where old and worn out
ministers may find rest and be provided
with the comforts of home.
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The Rev.
Thomas BraclSen Of Wakeeny, Kan,
conducted the half-hour's devotional
exercises with which the second weeks
session Of the Presbyterian General AS
sembly was ushered in this morning.
Promptly at $50 o'clock Moderator
Craig opened the Assembly with a
word of prayer.
DIR. Bartlett, chairman OF the commit
tee on arrangements, announced the re-
ception 10 the commissioners in attend
ance upon the Assembly, by the trustees
and overseers Of Columbia University
from to 6 o'clock Thursday afternoon.
The report Of the special committee
on sabbath observance, of which the
late Colonel Elliott y. Sheppard was
chairman from its inception, submitted
its fifth annual report, which was read
by Elder w. II. Nossall Of the New
York Presbytery, Colonel Sheppards
private secretary. The committee ex-
pressed sorrow at the death of Colonel
Sheppard The effort to secure the
opening of the Worlds Fair on Sunday
was recited, closing with statement of
the vote in Congress against it. The
report then proceeded:
The Importance Of this action can
scarcely be overestimated; IL is greater
triumph than appears on the surface. 1t
has given expression to the voice of the
people. The strength Of sabbath senti-
ment has been tried and proven. The
people are unwilling 10 lose the Sunday
rest. The question of Sabbath observ-
ance has been very widely discussed.
The foreign element has been advised
respecting the American Sabbath and
its strong hold upon our people. The
friends of the Sabbath in Europe are
rejoiced and their hands are greatly
strengthened. But It's matter of pro-
found regret that in all this contest the
friends Of Sunday closing have received
little or no aid from the secular press.
1t mas been impossible, save in few
cases of notable Importance, to secure
| the insertion of iudiGious articles in
favor of closing, while whole columns
have frequently appeared against il. If
we have succeeded it is only because the
| Lords Sabbath is on our side, Other
wise there have been prodigious odds
against us.
"'The widespread interest which has
been awakened on the subject of Sab
bath observance through the long agi-
tation of the question of the Sunday
closing at the Exposition has opened
the way as never before in the history
Of our country for sabbath literature.
This is an opportunity, the like of
which may not occur again jn years, to
disseminate through all parts of our
country, and even into foreign lands, a
healthiul knowledge of the advantages
OF the Sabbath day.
"Your committee recommends the
adoption of the following resolutions:
l. 4
regret the intelligence of the death of
Colonel Elliot +. Sheppard, the chairman
Of the Comnlittee OH sabbath observance,
and desires to express its high apprecia-
| tion of the valuable services he has rem
| Clered to the sabbath cause by his liberal
efforts and his large contributions.
| Second. The Assembly expresses its pro-
| found gratitude TO Almighty God for the
| sueCGSs Of the effort to secure i'll our Ma
| tional Legislature prohibition OF Sunday
opening at the Columbian Exposition, and
! its appreciation Of the action Of Congress
| in deciding by so large 4 majority to con
| tnue the time honored course OF the
| American people in doing reverence to the
| Lords bay. II joins the whole church i'll
| hearty thanksgiving that we have been
/ spared the humiliation as a. Christian ma
| tion Of II public sanction Of Sunday open
| ing of the Worlds Fair, and it hereby
| voices what ii believes to he the Well-nigh
unanimous Judgment of the church il
represents in declaring that any attempt,
after this public and official expression Of
the nations will, 10 open the gates Of the
| EXpositon on the Sabbath would be Il
gross affrunt to the Christian conscience
and fragrant breach of faith. And mas.
| much as the local managers have decided
| to open the yates of the Exposition in dc.
tiauce Of the authority Of Congress, and
i'll clear violation Of principles Of common
r 4 Il
honesty US well as ot Gou's command,
therefore, resolved,
Third. That we urge upon our people
the Importance Of standing by their con.
sciences at whatever sacrifice of personal
prclit or pleasure. Ii the trial OF their i'll
iegrity is come let them not ''delile them.
selves with the kings meat"
Fourth We call the attention of on
churches to the efforts now in progress fol-
the formation of associations the design
OF which is to protect the weekly day OF
rest. We believe that the Widespread in
terest now taken i'll this question furnishes
a favorable opportunity for the aitlliation
Of the friends OF the Lords Day into asso
Citations thar can render most efficient ser.
vice III protecting the Sabbath against all
| invaslDnS.
Fifth. We regard the exposition now
open in Chicago rs most favorable op
portunty for the circulation OF Sabbath
literature, and we recommend to the mem
bers of the churches under our care that
they renter pecuniary help towards this
undertaking.
sixth. We recognize the great service
rendered by the American Sabbath Union
to the cause Of the Sabbath, and We
heartily commend that organization 10 Tie
sympathetic interest and liberality OF al
who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE BRIGGS FIGHT UNDER WAY.
The Briggs question then came to the