Evening journal., 1895-05-25
PRESBYTERIAN TOPICS.
Communion Wine Under Discus
sion in General Assembly.
OPPOSITION TO THE PERMENTED.

The Church Commits Itself n Body to
the Cause of ProhibitIon-The Debate at
Pittsburg Seems TO Be Rather Hot some-
times.
PITTsBURG, May 90. - Intemperance,
communion wine and the raising Of Sl,-
600, 900 to pay debts were tho important
subjects discussed at the Presbyterian gen.
eral assembly. For the first time on rec
ord the Presbyterian church committed
itself as a body to the cause Of prohibi-
tion, but the 'unformentedh was knocked
out OF the communion wine.
After the usual routine business the
Rev. DIR. w. L. McEwan of the Third
church read the following resolutions,
which were heartily applauded;
That wo request Of DIR. Roberts that
no supply a copy Of his speech on The
Growth Of Presbyterianism During the
Past Twenty-Five Years for publication,
and that it be issued as a supplement- to
Tho Assembly Herald for general distribu-
tlon throughout the church.
That an anniversary fund of 81, 000,-
900 be raised
That as during tho past 30 years the
church has contributed S47, 600, 600 for
debt OF $780, 600 on these boards, the first
moneys received be divided pro rata be-
tween the churches toward paying off this
debt.
A Slap at Liberals.
That committee of Is ministers and
II elders be appointed by the moderator
TO carry through the scheme.
THAT DR. W. H. Roberts be appointed
treasurer of the proposed fund and be en-
powered TO use such clerical help as is
necessary, all expenses TO be borno by the
fund "
The resolutions were adopted unani-
mously.
The selection of Dr. Roberts as treasur-
or of the fund is another slap at the lib
erals who wanted to reduce his salary.
The Rev. E. b. Newoomb of Logans.
port Ind, chairman Of the committee on
temperance, read review of the work OF
the board. Elder George Irwin Of Allie
ghany, secretary Of the committee, made a
long speech in favor OF the report. He ad-
yooated prohibition and lilsened the liquor
traffic to the stone at the grave Of Christ.
It must be rolled away before the church
could rise TO its fullest glory.
The Rev DIR. Todd of Michigan made a
spirited speooh advocating the enforcement
of existing laws. Rev A. N. Raven Of
Newton, N. j.. and Rev Dr. Duoan of
Huntington advocated the adoption of
resolutions offered by tho committee to
the effect that Presbyterians should use
the ballot box to see that no incorporate
men should be appointed 10 Office under
the national or any state or municipal
government. The resolutions of the COM
mittee included one reading as follows:
1.-THE time has come to make our influence
felt directly and with power, and voters
are urged to vote against the granting Of
licenses. -
Row over Communion Wine.
All tho resolutions were adopted. but
the latter caused considerable discus
sion. DIR. Page, of Topeka, Kan, made
statement which came as a surprise to tho
audience. Il believe, he said, that this
assembly should make a declaration on
communion wine. Furthermore, l want
TO say this; Imade an investigation in the
west and found that seyen-eighths of the
churches used unfermented wine You
elders come here and pass resolutions, but
some Of you go home and do not practice
what you preach, "
Rev. Todd Of Escanaba, Mich, and Rev.
A. M. Raver OF Newton preshytory were
vigorous IN their remuneration OF liquor
and politicians and tho latter proved that
he knew how to talk about Jersey light
ming" Rev. Mr., Deemer also made an
address In favor Of the temperance move
ment. DR., Rankin and DR.. Neeland Of
fered amendments, the substance Of which
was that all voters partaking OF commun-
ion in the Presbyterian church be urged
TO vote against the granting Of liquor IL
oensGs. and the amendments were adopted,
but it was noticeable that there was not a
large vote and tho nays were very faint
Then there was a lively time over reso-
luton to prohibit tho use Of unfermented
wine at the communion. Dr. Dickson Of
Scranton, Pa, opposed the resolution. He
said that Christ did not oppose the use of
real wine, and Christ knew what wine was.
Il defy the brother" shouted another
commissioner, to show mo anywhere in
the Bible mention that will countenanoe
the use Of wine at tho communion" f"
Finally the resolution was amended to
read so that it was left optional with
churches as 20 what kind Of wine they
would use.