The Indianapolis journal., 1896-05-23
Fight on Resolutions I'm Regard to
Societies TO the Church.
QUESTION OF MUCH INTEREST
INDEPENDENCE OF THE YOUNG EN-
DEAvORERs AT STAKE.
Warm Discussion ON the Report of
ance-Other Presbyterian Bodies.

O'Clock this afternoon in confusion in the
midst of the vote on resolutions Of the spe-
cial committee on the relations of young
peoples societies TO the church. Resolu-
tons had been adopted directing that a
statement of relations be sent to the separ-
ate societies to be read by them, and re-
affirming the action of the assembly Of 1898.
The former recommendation was reached
only after a long discussion and under the
operation of the previous question Just at
the hour Of adjournment motion was made
to strike out the other recommendations of
the committee and discharge it. Action on
this motion was only prevented on the
abrupt announcement of the vice moderator.
DR.. Benjamin l.. Agnew, of Philadelphia.
that the hour of the session had expired
and that the assembly stood adjourned.
The recommendation of the committee was
entirely eliminated after an animated dis
cussion and after a division. 1t related to
the formation of Presbyterian unions OF
young peoples societies in all the presbyter-
les, The action in this direction was due to
the belief that the plan as proposed would
seriously interfere with present interdenom-
national associations and cooperation.
The second days session of the Assem-
bly, was opened with devotional exercises,
led by Rev. George D. Lindsay, of Gaiena,
ILL., The business of the day consisted in the
reception of the reports of the special COM
msttees appointed in 1886. Some standing
committees were announced by the moder-
ator, the chairmen OF which are as follows:
Bills and overtures. ex-Moderator DR.. Rob-
ert r. Booth, Of New York; judicial business,
DR.. Francis c. Monfort. Of Cincinnati. who
was appointed in place of David r. Breed.
who is interested in a case that Is to come
before this committee: church polity, DR..
John r. Davis. Of New York: home mis-
sions, DIR. William P. Kane, of Bloomington:
foreign missions, DR.. Benjamin c. Henry. OF
Canton. China. education. DR.: Everett 3.
Thompson. of CrawfordsviIle. Ind; church
clair, N. j.: theological seminaries, DR..
David r. Breed, of Pittsburg; ministerial
relief. DR.. George b. Stewart, of Harris
burg; aid for colleges. DR.. Thomas Clelland.
of Duluth benevolence. Rev. Henry G.
Smith. the newly elected professor OF theol-
ogy at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, 0. Other
The report of the committee on the denom-
national missionary periodical was made by
DR.. Mcintosh, Of Philadelphia 1t showed
successful operations during the year In spite
of a slight decrease in circulation. An out
line of a Christian training course for young
peoples societies was proposed on behalf
OF the periodical and after some discussion
was adopted DR.. John Fox. of Brooklyn.
reported on the temporalities OF the church,
recommending a change in the constitution
con, and suggesting that the property of the
churches be committed to board OF dea-
cons when possible. On account OF point
tinued and made a special order for to-mor-
row.
Special reports on new editions OF, the
constitution of the church and digest or the
deliverance of the assembly were made by
the stated clerk, DR.. Roberts.
A WARM DISCUSSION.
The final report of the morning called
forth warm discussion. 1t related to Sab
bath observance. and was presented by
Elder William r. Worrell, of New York.
The report denounced all work on Sunday.
various theories of individual liberty, ex-
cursions, ball games, bicycle riding. lax
views of the Sabbath social entertainment
and the Sunday newspaper. Christian peo-
pie were scored for their lack of observance
of Sunday. The resolutions, which were
adopted. reafhrmed former deliverances as
to the perpetual binding obligation OF the
Sabbath. They also commended the ehorts
of Sunday school and young peoples socie-
ties for the better observance OF the Sab
bath; appointed the last Sunday in October
as day for the special consideration Of the
subject and commended the work OF the
American sabbath Union and Its auxiliariess
resolution expressing lack OF sympathy
with the criminal prosecution of those per-
sons who honestly and conscientiously ,, op,
of the first" but he met with opposition and
his motion was tabled.
The Anal 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 report on the admission of polyeamous
converts 10 baptism and the church came
up on an overture from the Synod Of India,
which asked that the decision be relegated
to the synod for decision in each case The
Dr. John r. Wells. of BROOKLYN. president
q the board q fopssn sna D Elder
George Junkn, was presented by DR.;
Craven. 1t stated that the rec could
not be granted and nd this view opted
The report OF the committee apl ed in
1895 to consider the relations of you. peo-
Church was heard with close attention. 1t
was presented by DIR. Breed, OF Pittsburg
chairman. The committee recommended
that the action of the assembly OF 1893 be re-
affirmed, commencing the spirit OF the or
ganization. counseling them TO recognize
fully their relations TO the church and urg-
doctrine, policy and history of the Presby-
terrain Church. Ut was also recommended
that the previous deliverance~ should be ex-
empiified in Its details in order 10 meet GER
tain demands and harmonize certain views
which have developed in the three years
which have elapsed and In order 10 secure
more fully its practicable application" Di-
vergent views were represented IN the COM
mitfee, but all united in the feeling that the
assembly should recognize the great good
which has attended the organization of
young peoples societies and (at the, same
time that II should undertake. Ito so direct
fhe future OF all these societfes that they
might be of the great service TO the cause
of Christ and the furtnerance OF the In
tiuence of the church
MUST BE LOYAL TO THE CHURCH.
A statement Of the relations between the
individual societies and the church was pre-
seuted. in which ii was asserted: This as
sembly recognizes as under the jurisdiction
of the church all young peoples religious or
ganizations OF every name which are to De
found within the churches or composed OF
the members of its churches. Variety of
form cannot affect this relation. which in
wolves mutual obligations. such being the
case, the assembly deems it unnecessary 10
subscribe any specific form OF organization
of Individual societies, while IL expects them
10 conform 10 certain acknowledged princi-
pies by general and particular. as follows:
In general. these societies are 10 oe organ
lied and 10 work IN conformity With the
historic p0rtiol OF the church, as expressed
courts. The particular relations OF all So
cie;ies 20 the church are sus ssained IN the
first instance - the session o. particular
church, and thence through the session 10
the church at large. Each such society Is
under the immediate direction. control and
oversight Of the session OF that church in
which il is formed. and that oversight Is not
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