The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-28
OF THE SEVERAL
CONFERENCES NOW IN
SESSION.
EDITORS FOR CHURTH PERIODICALS
The Methodist Conference Spent the
Day Electing Them-Proceedings
of the Southern, Northern and
Cumberland presbyterians

Memphis, emu. May co. c ''"'h
ern Presbyterian general assembly re-
assembled this morning. Prayer was Of
fered by Judge Thompson of Florida.
The moderator appointed a special
committee to consider the report of the
ad interim committee on Sabbath schools
on graded school lessons paper, togeth-
er with the overture on Sabbath school.
DR.. Burkett, chairman of the commit
tee on foreign correspondence, present
ed a report recommending that telegram
of greeting be sent TO the general as
sembly now in session at Saratoga.
Unanimously carried by standing vote.
DR.. Burkett further reported that his
committee RECOMMENDED the plan of CO.
operation suggested by the alliance of
the reformed churches holding the Pres
byterian system, which suggestions were
embodied in communication read yes
terday.
DR.. Hcmphill moved that as commit
tees were not yet ready TO act as to
whether or not the church should remain
in this alliance or withdraw this matter
be rccOmmittSd to the committee on for
elSn correspondence WIFI lHStrucllOls W
report again Monday morning. Carried.
The committee on foreign corrcspon-
dence further recommended in regard to
the communication regarding the metric
al version of the Psalms, that while APP
proving such version. the assembly
should not appoint committee to aid i'll
its preparation. Adopted.
The moderator announced the addition
of several new names to the standing
committees. After short recess, the
moderator introduced the Rev. Dr. Alex
ander Mclean of New York. II member
of the American Bible society.
Dr. Mclean presented the salutation
from that society to the assembly and an
abstract of its eighth annual report
The speaker stated that the Bible
needed no defense. The work of the
American Bible society consisted in
spreading this record of divine reveal
ton to man all over the world.
Dr. Mclean incidentally stated that
when Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore
had said that the Bible was the book of
all others which should be found in every
family. he was speaking for American
ears. for at the very, time he was talking
thus the Roman Catholic authorities
were burning the Bibles in Mexico.
The speaker paid tribute to Presi-
dent Cleveland, with whom he had an
interview last week, for the action taken
by him in demanding of the Chinese
government protection Tor American
! missionaries.
| 1t is Il most unfortunate error which
lodged in the minds of the church mem
hers thar the American Bible society is
richly endowed and needs no support.
Obviously the time had come when the
| society must either receive more assist
ancC from the churches or its treasury
will he depleted and the grand work
curtailcd. The speaker made an elo-
quent appeal that the general assembly
should consider this matter earnestly and
take some action, looking to more sub
stantial aid for the American Bible So
ciety. His plea made a deep impression
upon his hearers. At its close the mat
ter of DR.. McLean's appeal was referred
| to the standing committee on the Bible.
| The moderator then introduced the
Rev. John Bizanti pastor of the local
| Italian Presbyterian church.
The speaker expressed his warm ap.
proval and appreciation of the privi-
lege accorded him in being permitted to
address the assembly as the bearer of
gelical church of Italy. the youngest
Presbyterian organization in existence.
He told his hearers that he had once
been priest of the Roman Catholic
church. but was now an evangelist
minister of the gospel of the Presbyter-
ian faith.
At the conclusion of his speech the
moderator expressed the hope that the
Roy. Mr. Bizanti would complete the re-
nunciation of his priestly vows and "be-
come the husband of one wife,
In regard to several unimpOrtant
overturcs the committee on bills and
ovorturcs recommended negative answer
and this recommendation was adopted.
As regards the ovcrtures of the pres
hytery of Knoxville asking the assembly
to take some action looking to the fur
therancc of peace and harmony in the
world. the committee recommended that
am answer he sent expressing the as
sembly's sympathy with every measure
for securing the settlement of internal
tional disputes in some other way than
10y the shedding of blood.
| Upon motion the assembly took re-
cess until s o'clock this evening.
At the evening session devotional eX-
| ercScs were held.
A meeting was also had in behalf of
colored evangelization.
The next regular business session of
the assembly will begin at 9 a. m. Mon
day.