Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-23
CONSIDER THE YOUNG PEOPLE
Presbyterian General Assembly Has an
Interesting Discussion.
FINALLY ADJoURNS IN CONFUSION
Results Already Reached ON This subs
jcct Are of Minor Importance
All Manner OF sabbath
Dissertation Condemned.

|
the vote on the resolution of the special COM
mittee on relations of young peoples societ es
to the church. Resout ons had been adopted
that Statement of resolutions" be sent to
the separate societies to be read by them
| and reaflirmIng the action of the assembly of
1893. The former recommendation was
| reached only after long discussion and
under the operation of the previous ques-
tion. Just at the hour of adjournment a
motion was made to strike out the other
recommendations of the committee and to
discharge it, Action on this motion was
only prevented by the abrupt announcement
of the wee moderator, Dr. Benjamin l.. Ag-
new of Philadelphia, that the hour of the
session had expired and that the assembly
stood adjourned. One recommendation of
the committee was entirely eliminated after
an animated discussion and after a division.
ii related to the formation of Presbyterian
unions OF young people societies in all
presbyteres. The action in this direction
was due 10 the belle. that the plan, as pro-
posed. would seriously interfere with present
interdenomnational associations and CO.
operation.
The second days session of the assem-
bly, was opened with devotional exercises led
by Rev. George d. Lindsay of Galena, Ill.
The business of the day consisted in the re-
ceptton of the reports of the special COM
mittees appointed in 1895. Some standing
committees were announced by the modera-
tor, the chairmen of which are as follows:
Bills and overtures, eX-Moderator Dr. Rob-
ert r. Booth of New York; judicial business,
DR.. Francis Monfort of Cincinnati, who was
appointed in place of DR.. David II. Breed,
who was interested in a case that was to
come before this committee church policy,
DIR. John r. Davis OF New York; home mis-
sions, DR.. William p. Kane Of Bloomington;
foreign missions, DR.. Benjamin c. Henry,
Canton, China; education, DR.. Everett d.
Thompson of Charlottesville Ind; church
erection, DR.. William L. jenkins of Mont
claire, N. j.. theological seminaries. DR..
David X. Breed, PIttsburg; ministerial relief.
Dr. George b. Stewart Of Harrisburg; aid
for colleges DR.. Thomas f. Cleland of Du-
luth; beneyolence, Rev. Henry G. Smith, the
newly elected professor Of the Theological
seminary at Cincinnati. Other committees
were promised for Monday.
The report of the committee on mis-
sionary periodicals was made by DR.. McIn-
tosh of Philadelphia. 1t showed successful
operation during the year in spite of slight
decrease in circulation. An outline of a
Christian training course for young peoples
societies was proposed on behalf of the peri
odcal, and after some discussion was adopted.
Dr. John Fox of Brooklyn reported on the
temporalities Of the church, recommending
a change in the constitution of the church
in regard to the office of deacon, and sug-
gestng that the properly of churches be
committed to the beard of deacons when
possible
On account of a point of law contained in
the report on the temporalities, ii was con-
tinued and made a special order for tomor-
row morning.
Special reports on new editions of the con-
stitution of the church and of the digest OF
the deliverances of the assembly were made
by the stated clerk, Dr. Roberts.
SCORES SABBATH BREAKERS.
The final report of the morning called for
a warm discussion. 1t related to Sabbath OBJ
servance, and was presented by Elder Will
liam R. Worrell of New YORK. The report
denounced all work on Sunday; various
theories Of individual liberty, excursions ball
games, bicycle riding, lax views of the Sab
bath social entertainment and the Sunday
newspapers. Christian people were scored
for their lax Observance of Sunday. The
resolutions, which were adopted reafirm
former delverances as to the perpetual bind
ing obligation of the Sabbath. They also
commended the efforts made in Sunday
schools and young peoples societies for the
better observance of the Sabbath: appointed
the last Sunday in October as a day for the
special consideration of the subject and COM
mended the work of the American Sabbath
union and its auxiaries.
Elder l.. II. Main of Kearney Neb., intro
duced resolution expressing lack Of SYM
pathy with the criminal prosecution OF those
persons who honestly and conscentiousy OBJ
serve the seventh day of the week, instead OF
the lirst, but he met with opposition and his
motion tabled.
The final address of the morning session
was delivered on invitation of the assembly
by DR.. Martin Kneeland of the Boston Sab
bath observance committee, on the work OF
his association.
The docket for the afternoons session
t1ntained three subjects which evoked some
discussion. They were as follows: On
polygamous converts in India, on young
peoples societies and ther relation to the
church and on conference with the theoogi-
2al semnaries.
The question first came up Of the adm!s-
sion of polygamous converts to baptism and
he church, upon an overture from the synod
IF India, which asked that the decision be
'eegated to the synod for decision in each
case. The report Of the special committee,
consisting Of DR.. John X. Wells of Brooklyn
president Of the board Of foreign missions;
Dr. e. c, Craven of Philadelphia and Elder
ieorge j. Junkn, was presented by DR..
raven 1t stated that the request could not
Ie granted and this view was adopted by the
assembly by formal vote
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
The report Of the committee appointed in
S95 to consider the relations OF young peo-
'les societies of Christian endeavor to the
hurch was heard with close attention 1t
vas presented by DR.. Breed of Pittsburg,
hartman. The committee recommended that
he action OF the assembly of 1898 be re-
lihrmed, commencing the spirit Of the or
'an zation, counseling them to recognize
uily the.r reIatlOHS 10 the church and urg-
ng them to prosecute their study Of the
doctrines. policy and history OF the Presby-
erian church. IT was also recommended
hat the previous deliverance "be ampiihed
II its details In order to meet certain de-
nands and harmOnize certain views which
ave developed in the three years which
ave elapsed and in order to secure more
ully its practical application"
Divergent views were represented In the
ommittee but all united in the feeling that
he assembly should recognize the great good
'hich has attended the organization of young
eople's societies, and at the same time that
should undertake ito so d rect the future
I all these societies that they may be of
he greatest service to the cause OF Christ
nd the furtherance Of the influence of His
Eurch."
statement OF relations between these
''iyidual cities was presented, in which It
'aF asserted; This assembly recognizes as
nder the Jurisdiction OF the church all
oung peoples religious organizations OF
very name which are to be found within
Is churches or composed OF the members
it's churches Variety of form cannot
ffect this relation which involves mutual
bllgatlons, Such being the case, the as
emby deems II unnecessary to prescribe
ny specific form of organization for indi-
!dual societ es. while 1t expects them to