The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-23


oers OF the church, and in consequence
CONNECT sometimes occurs between elders
anu trustees. The proposed change gives
the direction and control of the church
temporaiitles to deacons instead of to trus-
tees, and requires that deacons shall be
eiected from the commandments of the
| church.
ouch management shall in all cases be
SUBJECT to the exclusive authority of the
session and minister over the worsbin of
the church. including not only the times
ahu places OF preaching the word and other
..iisious services, but also the music and
'ne use OF the church buildings.
Following are the heads of committees
as announced by Moderator Withrow:
0taholng committees, bills and oYertures,
Aooert h. Booth, DID,; judicial commit
zee, FRANCIS c. Montfort, DID,: church
pohty, John R. Davies, DID,; home mis-
SONS William P. Kane, DID,; foreign
missions, B. c. Henry, DID,; education,
u. d. thompson, D. d.; theological semin-
ares, David R. Breed, DID,; ministerial
relief, George B. Stewart, DID,; freedmen,
ID. Reed, DID,; mileage. s. NJ. Clement;
nnance, f. L. Sheppard.
Inc report OF the committee on Sabbath
observance was read by Chairman Wor-
reil, VINO, In presenting the report referred
10 the chief perils of Sunday observance,
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
| pest National traditions; Sunday base
ball games, Sunday theaters and Sunday
bicycle pleasure riding, etc.
Inc report entreats members and all
other persons "to conscientiously discoun-
tenance whatever tends to break down the
distinction between this and other DAYS :;
as for instance, Sunday trading, buving,
reading, or in any wav supporting Sunday
secular newspapers, social entertainments
and visitations that dissipate serious
thought, and all self-indulgence on the
| Lords day that tends 10 unfit them for
Gods worship" and recommends that as
lar as practicable the last Sabbath in Oc-
tober shall be specially devoted to the
consideration OF the binding obligation to
remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy"
The reference to Sunday bicycle riding
which, however, was not embodied in the
resolutions, caused some debate, DR.. Keen
land speaking for the tolerance of the
Christian bicycle clubs. providing they at
tended no meets. The resolutions were
adopted.
AT the opening of the afternoon session
Rev. DR.. Craven of Philadelphia read the
report OF the committee to which was re-
ferred the overture from the Synod of In
| ola relating to the treatment in the mis-
sion churches OF the polygamous converts
there. The trouble arose over a conflict in
some OF the Indian churches as to which
marriage OF the polygamous converts
should be recognized, the first or family
marriage, or the second, or love marriage.
Consideration of the report was deferred.
Chairman Breed of Pittsburg presented
the report of the special committee on
young peoples societies. TO this COM
mittee was referred the overtures for the
formation of a Westminster League in OPP
| position to the Christian Endeavor So
ciety, also overtures asking for the recog-
milton in the assembly of the Christian
Endeayor and other young peoples So
ceties by the institution of board of
young peoples societies. The committee IS
report is against overtures. 1t recon-
| mends cultivation of young peoples So
byteries, but declines to advise the formal
| approval of any society or the establish
ment of a Presbyterian society or of a
| board of young peoples societies.
The report excited an amusing debate,
in which the merits and dement's of
the Christian Endeavor and other So
cieties were well aired.
The committee recommends the adop-
ton, among other things, of a resolution
as follows: 1.-The assembly deems it I'M
necessary to prescribe any specific form OF
organization for individual young peoples
societies, while it expects them 10 conform
to certain acknowledged principles, both
general and particular, as follows: In gen.
eral these societies are to be organized and
| to work in conformity with the historic
| position OF the church as expressed in her
standard and Interpreted by her courts
In specifying its historic position the
committee states, among other things, the
| following in relation to the political activ-
| ity of the young peoples socities: The
| separation of the church in its organic ca
| pacities from all political creeds and all
methods of political action, our young
! peoples societies may not be utilized for
the advancement of any political project,
however apparently laudable.
A statement of the relations of the soci-
cites to the session was also proposed.
which provided for close supervision of
the constitutions, schedules of services,
election of officers and distribution of the
funds of the societies. Presbyterian unions
of such societies were further advised by
the report.
The whole report, except the last rec
ommendation concerning Presbyterian
unions, was ADOPTED without opposition.
On division the assembly adopted the
amendment striking out the clause rec
ommending the plan of unions to the
presbyteries. The assembly then ad-
| journed, with the Breed report still the
order of the day.