Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-23
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Briggs Case Again Comes to the
Front With a Rush.
CRAIG WILL NOT BE BULLDOZED.
Ie Cautions the Members Not to
Attempt to Overwhelm Him.
The Sunday Closing Matter Up
Again-Wm Remove the Ex-
hibit if the Fair is Open.

ll6lC II JQ6 dir ID OJOA'
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 22.-Rev.
Thomas Bracken, OF Wakeeny, kas.,
Acouducted the half hours devotional
exercises with which the second weeks
4 session of the Presbyterian General As
sembly was ushered In this morning.
Promptly at $3.50 Moderator Craig open
ed the Assembly vito word OF prayer.
Dr. Young, Chairman OF the Commit
tee on Bills and Overtures, reported
further distribution OF papers sent up to
the General Assembly among the sew
eral committees. Those bearing direct
upon the Briggs case were sent 10 the
Judiciary Committee, and those referring
10 the subject of appeals generally went
10 the Committee on Church Polity
DIR. Herrick johnson succeeded IN hav-
ing the reference OF the overture from
the Chicago Presbytery changed from
the Committed on Church Polity 70 the
Committee on Judiciary. The report OF
the special committee on Sabbath oO-
servance, Of which the late Col. Elliott
+. Shepherd was chairman from its in
ception, submitted its fifth annual re-
port, which was read by Elder w. K.
MorreI, OF the New York Presbytery,
Col shepherds private secretary. The
committees expressed sorrow az the
death Of Col. Shepherd. The effort TO
secure the opening OF the Worlds Fair
on Sunday was reclted, closing with
statement of the vote in Congress
against II.
THE REPORT THEN PROCEEDED
"The Importance Of this action can
scarcely be OVerestimated. II is
greater triumph than appears on the
surface. Ii has given expression TO the
voice Of the people. The strength Of
the Sabbath sentiment has been tried
aud proven. The people are unwilling
TO lose the Sunday rest. The question
OF Sabbath observance has been very
widely discussed. The foreign element
has been advised respecting the Ameri-
can Sabbath and its strong hold upon
our people. The friends Of the Sab
bath In Europe are greatly strength
ened. Your committee recommends
the adoption Of the following resolu-
tions:
''FIRsT.-The Assembly receives with
deep regret the Intelligence OF the death
on March "a, Of Col. Elliott +. Shepard,
lAe chairman Of the Committee on Sab
bath Observance. aud desires TO express
its high appreciation Of the valuable
services be mas rendered to the Sabbath
cause by his liberal efforts and his large
contributions.
SECOND. The ASsemly expresses its
profound gratitude TO Almighty God
for the success OF the effort TO secure in
our national legislature prOhibiOn OF
Sunday opening at the Columbian Ex-
positioa, and its appreciation or the
action OF Congress in deciding by so
large a majority 20 continue the time
bopored course of the American people
in doing reverence 10 the Lords day. 1t
ioins the whole church in a hearty
than ksgiving that we have been spared
the humiliation as a Christian nation OF
Gpublic sanction OF
THE SUNDAY OPENING
OF the Worlds Fair, and il hereby
voices what is believed TO BE- the well
nigh unanimous judgement OF the
church il represents ia declaring that
any attempt 20 ignore this public Off
cial expression of the nations will 20
open the gates Of the exposition on the
Sabbath would be gross atfrOnt to the
Christian conscience and tlagrant breach
OF faith. Aud, inaSmuch as the local
managers have decided 10 open the
gates OF the exposition in defiance OF
the authority OF congress and In clear
ytolation OF the common honesty as
we'll as of Gods command;
"THRD-We urge upon our people
,F 10
consciences at whatever sacrifice of
personal profit or pleasure. If the trial
Of their integrity is come let them not
defile themselves with the kings meat.
Daniel /: 5.
"FoURrH-We call attention OF our
churches TO the efforts now IN progress
for the formation Of associations, the
design Of which is TO protect the week
ly dav OF rest. We believe that the
widespread interest now taken in this
question furnishes favorable OppOrtu-
nlty for the affiliations OF the friends Of
the Lords day into associations that
can render most efficient service in pro-
tecting the Sabbath against all inva-
siOns.
"FIFrH-We regard the Exposition
now open in Chicago as a most favora-
BILE opportunity for the circulation Of
Sabbath literature, and we recommend
to the members of the churches under
our care that they render pecuniary help
towards this undertaking.
"SIXTH-We recognize the great ser
vice rendered by the American Sabbath
Union 70 the cause OF the Sabbath, and
we heartily commend that organization
TO the sympathy. interest aud li0elality
of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ"
THE BRIGGS QUESTION
then came TO the front at bound, and
It did not mitigate the results Of the
short struggle TO know when 1t was
over that il was chiefly the result Of a
misunderstanding. DIR. Young, Chair
man OF the ConSUittee on Bills and
Overtures, aanounc6d what had been
done with anumber or overtures from
the PreSoyteries, twelFes OF them re-
lating %, the Briggs case having been
referred 10 the Committee on judiciary
~ Young had scarcely ceased speak
IN wnen DIR. Herrick JohnSOn' OF Onl-
cago, inquired what had become OF the
overture from his PreSDytery on the
Briggs case, which overture oe5ought
tina Assembly TO refer ths celebrated
case back 10 the synod o. New YORK.
DIR. ThOs. Call, Of Chicagoil IN sympathy
with DIR. Briggs, made Def speech In
favor OF sending all resolutions In the
Briggs case TO the judiciary Committee
first, as all would eventual go there.
Elder Cudaly, of Cincinn got the
aoor and stated that the A noly bad
- 40 vrith the law a. it bot as 10