Evening star., 1897-04-06
The Sessions Today in the Western
Church.
CONGREGATIONS WHICH Are AIDED
Foreign Missions and the Cause of
Temperance.
Blu SINESS Transacted

The spring meeting of the Washington
presbytery. which began last evening, was
continued today in the Western Presby-
terian Church. H street near 10th north
vest, Rev. DIR. Howard Wilbur Ennis,
pastor. Rev. J. Russell Verbrycke, the
moderator. presided, with Rev. DR.. Bitten
ger as stated clerk, and Rev. Charles AL
win Smith permanent clerk.
The morning session began at 9:30
o'clock, and after devotional exercises it
was voted to have the next regular meet
ing of the body in the Presbyterian
Church at Nealsvile. Nd. on the first
Mcrday after the first Sunday in October
next.
The committee on foreign missions, Rev.
DIR. Teunis s. Hamlin, chairman. submit
ted report showing that twenty-seven
churches in the presbytery responded to an
appeal sent out by the committee as to
the years gifts to this cause. There
was" ii was stated, "a net increase of
$40. In addition. eight churches re-
ported increase, but did not name the
amount. The board is. however, appre-
hensive of debt at the close of its fiscal
year. and has issued stirring appeal for
a special Easter Offering"
The report goes on to state: Three of
our churches promise to give such an of
fering, but In view Of the gifts already
made. and of the current urgent demands,
as well of continual business depression,
the committee does not feel justified in
asking the presbytery to further urge this
special offering en- the churches. 1t would
seem that we have done our fair share,
and that with similar fidelity and Seneros-
ity throughout the denomination the board
should close its years work unembar-
raised.
I'VE submit only one resolution: That
the pastors and sessions he urged to lay
early and careful plans for large gifts to
YrTiC IL
astical year" The report was adopted.
Sustaining Churches.
The committee synodical sustentation.
Rev. DR.. Bittenger, chairman, submitted
report. which was adopted and in part was
as follows: That by order of presbytery
the following churches were recommended
TO the synodcal plan of sustentation. VIZ:
Manassas, $3H; Clifton, 800; Vienna and
Lewinsville, s215; Garden Memorial, $500
Ballstor, $500; Takoma Park, $500; Warner
Memorial 500; lexington. $500: Hermon
so, making total of s1,915. Two of the
above named churches. however, have
failed to receive any benefit from the fund
Hernon Church. because it has not made
any arrangements for a stated supply and
Takoma Park, because by a special Provi-
dence. in which its members heartily con-
curred-very much after the manner of the
members of our churches generally when
kind samaritan or a warm hearted Chris
uor Phoebe. If not furnishing Oil and wine
10 heal the smart of their wounded finan-
ces. does, nevertheless, assume their bonded
obligations and emancipates them from
debt. Three churches are without pastors
Hermon, Riyerdale and Boyds''
Mrs. o. b. Brown, recording secretary
OF the Womens Presbyterial Society of
Foreign Missions, made report in which
II was stated that the total receipts during
the past year amounted to 329O.O6 an in
| crease of sseh as compared with those
| OF the previous year; that of this sum
| there was remtted to the Philadelphia
branch $3.50. "a, and that the work of the
| society was in prosperous condition. The
report was adopted.
About Missions
| The report Of the committee on home
missions, which was adopted, stated that
| there had been received during the year
| from congregations to the board, s4,.lJO.63
| from Sabbath schools. 81 .231 13; from young
l-pecple's societies, S92O.93, and from wom-
ems societies, $3.50 .O4-a total Of 81, 291 13.
| This indicates only the gifts directly to
| the work of our own board, and takes no
note of the gifts and services of some of
/ our churches In home mission work. which
cannot be recognized in this report, but
| which is large and efficient in our general
1 church advance.
| "Of the churches reporting sixteen re-
| port an excess over last years gifts: some
port less than for the same period. The
| excess amounts to 81, ,1474. Special men,
| tion should be made Of the strenuous and
| devoted service of the women's societies
| and their very creditable gift of $o44.39.
| 1T Is evident that or pastors and ses
sions are awake to the demand, and the
| showing of the year carries encourage
| ment and hope
| exercised concerning especially the gifts OF
| our Sabbath schools and young people:
societies. They are peculiarly the poin
| of attack for the independent and ire
| sponsiole. Youthful sympathies are quick
| ly excited and fervent appeal will very
quickly divert the money from the proper
| channel. The future advance of the church
| depends Upon the watchful and intellig"n
| training of our youth The imperative de
| mand just now is for an intense and watcn
full loyalty to our own church and denia
to outside causes. which at other time.
might rightfully claim a share of ou
gifts and sympatfies."
Cause of Temperance.
The report of the committee on temper
ance was very lengthy. 1t was likewis'
adopted, and in part was: Few of ou
churches have given attention to the i'm
portant matter of the instruction of th'
| young in the physiology Of temperance
but nearly all report the keeping of TEN
perance day. and presumably they contrib
| ute diu Hnanciaiiy 10 ouT general assem-
blys committee.
Quite a number of the churches repor
| that they are woking through the instru
mentality of the Anti-Saloon League. ant
some that effective opposition is made Ii
this way to the traffic in rum.
) About one-half of the churches report
ing are in communities where high Hcens
| is in operation. and several OF them sa
that II has helped reduce the number o
| saloons And almost half of the churche
heard from are in communities where loca
option or prohibition in some form prevails
and reports of it's effectiveness are encour
| aging
THE committee therefore recommends a
follows:
81 This presbytery would express II
hearty approval OF. the interest shown, an
the efforts made by our churches, towar
the repression Of social drinking and tt
ward the destruction of the traffic in drinl
: believing. as we do. that here is the gree