The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-04
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIANS.

Memphis, May 23.-rhe general as
.sembly of the Southern Presbyterian
church was called to order mt 8 o'clock
this morning, DR.. Ryand of St. Louis
offering the opening prayer
The auditing committee, through its
chairman. w. NJ. Cox, submitted its re-
port, which was adopted by the assem-
bly,.
The Rev Thomas Cummlns. chairman
of the standing committee of the Sab
bath schools submitted II report which
was acted upon in sections. The first
was the recommendation of an answer
10 an overture from the synod of Texas,
praying that the general assembly take
such steps rs may be necessary to ar
range all the prciminaries for securing
united and simultaneous effort on the
part of the different denominations of
Christians in the United States to get
mp a, mammoth petition to congress.
signed by their members and outside
sympathizers praying for the enactment
Of laws as to Interstate travel and traffic
ION the Sabbath day. and also similar and
separate petitions to the legislature of
their separate states. praying them TO
cooperate in the movement by cnacting
similar laws against such traffic and
travel within the state limits unless such
legislation has already been enacted.
The committee recommended that the
general assembly decline to take steps
in this direction
a report from the committee called for
vigorous debate. Mr.. j. ). Van Meter of
Missouri offered in lieu of the commit
tees report a substitute directing the
committee on the Sabbath to take steps
in the direction indicated by the over
tme in other words. that the prayer of
the overture from the synod of Texas he
granted.
Mr.. Van Meter spoke in favor of his
substitution.
Mr.. O'Bryan thought the general as
scmbly. as body would be- trcading
upon very delicate ground in granting
the prayer of the overture IN this under
taking IN direct state legislation: that it
had ever been the wise policy of the
church to abstain from any attempt to
influence legislation.
Mr.. Garthcl thought with Mr.. O'Bryan
that as individuals il was right and
proper and n bOundcn duty to do their
utmost to bring about proper Sabbath
laws, but the commissions should not
commit the church to any political meas
IRE. The church was not ready to 20
. into politics.
Rev. Mr. McNIurray could not see that
a respectful petition in regard to proper
Sabbath laws could he constructed rs
meddlng in politics.
the substitute.
DR.. Woodrow was recognized by the
'chair and made, perhaps, the finest
speech that has been made in the assem-
bly, during any of its sessions.
He vigorously protested against the
idea that the state had properly any ju
risdction in matters of religion further
than to insure to its citizens absolute pro-
lection in worshpping God rs they
pleased. He said that it was not proper
to call any government Christian gov
crnment: that adjcctives descriptive of
religious beliefs had no proper place in
conjunction with civil governments; that |
Il government. n civil government, should !
he neither Christian nor Mohammedan |
nor Jewish: that it had no connection |
with religion. He went further and
claimed that it was the province of the |
state to prevent crime. hut not to promote
morality.
DR.. Vance of Nashville. followed DIR. |
Woodrow and opposed the substitute.
hut diSclaimcd any belief in the lntter's
view that the state should have no part
in promoting the religion of Christ.
Mr.. Moore and Judge Casswcll took
part in the debate at this juncture
DIR. Vance called for the question on
the substitute of Mr. Van Meter.
Rev. Mr. Woodbridge spoke at length |
in favor of the substitute-that is, in |
favor of the petition.
Mr.. Cox obtained the floor and spoke |
vigorously on the duty of the church to |
urge the government to protect Chris |
tians in their right to worship on Sun |
day. right which ne claimed the gov
eminent allowed the rich railway cor
porations to interfere with.
Mr.. Cummings the chairman. objected |
TO the inference in some of the argu- |
ments that the committee did not stand |
Tor great reverence for the Sabbath.
The question on the Sabbath was then |
put and was carried. The substitution |
which was adopted instead of the COM
mttee's report in answer to the over
ture of the synod of Texas. is as follows:
''rhe permanent committee on the Sab |
bath is authorized and directed To take
such steps as may be necessary to ar
range prelimnaries for securing Il united
and Simultaneous effort on the part of
the different denominations of Christians
in the United States TO get mp n NAM
moth petition to the civil authorities for
the enactment and enforcement of Il law
to stop all unnecessary state and inter
state travel and traffic on the Sabbath
day"
The section of the report as amended
by substitution was then adopted.
Other sections of the report were then
adopted without debate.
The Rev Mr.. Price then moved an
amendment to the whole report by the