The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-23
KNOTTY QUESTIONS
BEFORE ASSEMBLY
Presbytery Confronted BY the Indian
PoIygamous Marriage Problem.
FAMILY AND LOVE MARRIAGES
Conflict as TO Which should be KecOg.
nized.. Report Of the Committee ON
sabbath Observance..A Plea for
the Christian Bicycle.

the Christian Bicycle.
Saratoga. N. Y. May 22.-The general
assembly began business promptly this
morning at 3 o'clock after the usual de-
votional exercises of half an hour. Mod
orator Withrow was in the chair. The
most important matter of the day was
the announcement of the standing COM
mittees which he made up last night In
a long conference with the stated and
permanent clerks of the assembly.
The report of the committee on Sab
bath observance was read by Chairman
Worrall. who. in presenting his report,
referred to the chief perils of Sunday
Observances. such as the greed of gain,
which compels thousands against their
will to work on the Lords day: the
| dissemination of theories concerning
individual liberty, and social order,
which are destructive of our best ma
tional traditions; Sunday baseball
games; Sunday theaters. and Sunday
bicycle pleasure riding. etc, etc"
The reference to Sunday bicycle rid
ing, which however, was not embodied
| in the resolution caused some debate.
Dr. Kneeland. of Boston. spoke for the
tolerance of the Christian bicycle clubs
provided they attended no meets. The
resolutions were adopted
INDIAN MARRIAGE QUESTION.
| At the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion Rev. DIR. Craven, of Philadelphia,
read the report of the committee, to
which was referred the overture from
the synod Of India relating to the treat
| ment In the mission churches of the
pOlygamous converts there. The trouble
arose over conflict in some of the
Indian churches as 20 which marriage
of the pOlygamous converts should be
! recognized. the first or family marriage,
| or the second or love marriage. The
| custom OF the country frequently COM
PEELED churches to recognize the sec
ond marriage on account of the chill
dren Of this marriage. the first mar
riage usually being childless and the
children of the second marriage fire.
quently being converts of the mission
churches.
One of the Prcsbyteries asked the
general assembly to refer the whole
matter to the synod Of India, where the
situation was well understood.
DR.. CraVen's report was long and ex-
haustive. The committee refused to go
into the details Of the case. but con-
/ fined themselves entirely to the consti-
tutional question involved. They found
that the referring of a question of polity
to synod was unconstitutional and
they recommended to the assembly that
no action be taken on the overtures.
Consideration of DR.. Cravsns report
was deferred.
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
Chairman Breed, of Pittsburg. pre-
sented the report of the special COM
mittee on young peoples societies. To
this committee appointed at Psttsburg,
! "a .tlrr fr,Yt thea fnys
nation of a Westminster league in OPP
position to the Christian Endeavor So
cicty, also overture asking for the rec
ognition In the assembly of the Chris
tian Endeavor and other young people S
societies by the institution of a board
of young peoples societies with paid
secretary and hired quarters in the
Presbyterian building in New York.
The committees report Is against
these Overtures. 1t recommends the
cultivation of young peoples societies
by the church. sessions and presbyteries
but declines to advise the formal ap-
proval of any society or the establish
ment of a Presbyterian society or soci-
ties or a board Of young peoples societ-
les. The report excited an amusing de-
bate In which the merits and dement's
of the Christian Endeavor and other
such societies were well aired.
The committee recommends the adop-
ton, among other things, of a resolution
as follows:
The assembly deems it unnecessary Il
prescribe any specific form of organiza
ton for individual young peoples socie
ties. while 1t expects them to conform t
certain acknowledged principles, both gen
eral and particular. as follows:
In general. these societies are to be or
ganized and to work in conformity will
the historic position of the church as eX
in, ha1 10 a md 81 uyI iv,ta IA,
her courts.
In specifying its historic position tn,
committee states. among other things. IN,
following In relation to the political activ
ity of the young peoples societies:
The separation of the church in its or
ganic capacities from all political creed
and all methods Of political action. Ou
young peoples societies may not be util
iZed for the advancement of any politica
project, however apparently laudable. Th
church incucates upon her members tn
loyal discharge of their responsibilities 81
citizens, but In political matters leaves /
to the individual conscience to determin
as to political parties and candidates an,
platforms.
A statement of relations of the so
ciaties to the session was also pro-
posed. which provided for close SUI
pervision of the constitutional sched
ules services, election of officers ant
distribution of funds of the societies
Presbyterian unions of such societie.
were further advised by the report.
The whole report except the las
recommendation concerning Presby
terian unions was adopted without op
position. The debate upon the las
| recommendation continued for NOR,
, than two hurs.
= On division assembly adopted tn,
amendment striking out the claus,
3 recommending the plan of unions t,
the presbyteries. The assembly the,
adjourned with the Breed report still
the order of the day.