The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-29

the work of the boards and the existence OF
numerous societies in the churches which
sap their resources. From the figures given
II appeared that only one-third of the total
receipts from all sources came from the
churches as such. Thus, in 1896, only SS43 96s
out of total OF y, 533. la2 After discussing
the question of apportionment of church
offerings the committee advised the sub
stitution of q system of advance pledges
from the churches. stating the amount that
each church would give to each board dur
ing the following year. The standing COM
mittee on the subject recommended IN
crease above the average of the past SIX
years. Pending adoption of the report the
assembly was addressed by DR.. Phraner,
chairman Of the committee, and Rev. VII
liam H. Hubbard.
Before taking up the next order Moder-
ator Jackson announced that many COM
missioners had already left the assembly,
and others had said goodbye and would APP
pear no more. He suggested that by close
attention to business, voting, not talking.
and by having night session. the assembly
could adjourn tonight or tomorrow morn
ing. The assembly's response was the
unanimous adoption OF q motion TO hold a
night business session.
The next order was taken up. being re-
ports on the church periodical-The Church
at Home and Abroad-presented by Rev
John S. Mcintosh, of Philadelphia. An
average circulation of 1000 was reported,
with receipts Of 81. 655 Elder Ralph r.
Prime attacked the policy OF the magazine,
saying that 1t had cost the church Sgcm
in eleven years. He wished the matter sent
to the committee on bills and overtures for
the formulation of a plan to relieve the
church of further expense, and it was so
ordered
THEOLOGICAL SEMINAR1ES.
DR. John CLARK, of Chicago, presented
report on theological semnaries, giving
acts and statistics as to each. The matter
of the assembly control Of seminaries came
up in the same report. The institutions at
Omaha, Dubuque ard Lincoln reported the
charter changes which had been asked by
nj. off1a nv
replied that the present plan was entirely
satisfactory, and that improvements can
not be devised Mccormick Seminary de-
ciared it's loyalty to the church. but said it
cid not see the way clear to make the
changes recommended by the assembly.
Newark German Seminary also replied that
It did not see its way clear to make any
charter changes In closing the committee
recommended the following resolution;
THAT the assembly accepts as sincere the
repeated positive and explicit written dec-
laratfOns of seminarieS that they are loyal
to the church, and that their teachings anu
properties are In their Judgment luliy sals+
guarded to the General Assembly, but II at
any time in the future these seInlharles
should find that changes could be mace IN
their respective charters as the General
Assembly has denied. it will be gratifying
10 the whole church to nave such changes
made" ,....o, .+,+od
that the replies of the seminarieS were
sssatisfactory,' but against this protest was
made by DIR. Birch, of New YORK. IL Woulu
be better he said to say nothing ana let
the matter disappear and ne moved 70
strike out the preamble and resolution.
commissioners asked Whetner, &c ny NJ rasoIul
would not disappear anyway II the Ieso! a
ton were adopted and, upon nearing an
affirmative reply the assembly became I'M
patient to vote. =.
The motion to lay on the table was lost
by a heavy vote, and the amended resolu-
fion as given was adopted without opposi-
no that the amendment was
proposed by DIR. Withrow had q great erect
On influencing the action of the assembly.
The committee also recommended that the
seminaries inaugurate courses OF lnsiruc-
ton in sociology. but this called forth sharp
debate, and finally the section provldlng TOT
the same was stricken out. According 10
constitutional rule, declared adopted on the
affirmative vote of the requisite number or
presbyterieS, ii will hereafter be necessary
for candidates for licensure and ordination
to pass a satisfactory examination IN the
English Bible. The committee on finance
reported the total receipts $63SGO; mileage
expenses, S27. 800, and entertainment about
$500 On motion of the stated clerk, the
assessment per member of the church was
reduced to cents instead of 6 cents.
The business transacted by the assembly
at the afternoon session was of mlscel-
laneous character. committee on ar
rangements for the next assembly was APP
pointed. consisting of Rev. S. c.. Dtckey,
manager of the Winona Assembly; DIR.
Charles Little, of Wabash, and Drs Rob
erts and Moore. clerks of the assembly.
Rev. w. S. p Bryan, representing the al
Nance OF reformed eIufCHeS luIOQSHOuL lue
world holding TO the Presbyterian system,
brought fraternal greetings.
REPORT ON TEMPERANCE.
The principal portion of the afternoon
was occupied by the report of the temper
ance committee, which in outline is as
follows: The past year has been one of
activity in the work, but the committee
regretted to report that the temperance lit
erature printed and sent out had fallen
short of the preceding year This had been
due solely to lack of funds. To the same
cause had been due the curtailment of
temperance missionary work among the
c6lored people of the South. The efforts to
secure the appointment by sessions of tenn
perance committees for their respective
churches had been continued and unques-
tionably there had come into the assembly,
synods and presbyteries gradual but steady
uplifting temperance sentiment from this
wisely planned system. Only one presbytery
reported that q majority of its churches
still used alcoholic wine at the Lords sup
per, While twenty preSbyteries reported
that this was not known to be true of any
church in their bounds. While prayerfully
laboring and waiting for the necessary ma
Jority of votes would they decline to join
hands with those less radical in their views
in securing and enforcing such restrictive
measures as involved no compromise of
their principles? The committee suggested
that the General Assembly memorabilia the
President and Congress for the appoint
Vestigation of the liqour traffic and urged
the assembly to express it's unqualified
atSapprobatton of the use of Intoxicating
beverages at college banquets. The treas
urers statement showed receipts of 81, 461
and expenditures of 81 .455. the balance on
hand May !. 1897. being $503
The standing committee on this subject
reported through Rev. III. II. Henry, of Biz
mingham, Pa. 1t was recommended that
every legitimate means be used by the
church and its members to suppress the
liquor traffic, and that members be urged
to their influence by observing habits
of total abstinence 1t was decided to set
apart as temperance day the third Sunday
in October
Mr.. w. c. Lilley. chairman of the perma-
nent temperance committee, was then
granted the floor TO explain the work of
the committee. Elder Van Rensselaer,, of
New York, moved an additional resolution
indOrsing restrictive legislation. This res
oiution was finally laid on the table. He in
dorsed the New York Raines law, but Rev
Stanley 3. Roberts. of Utica, n. V, said it
was only successful in so far as il was
probipitive and he maintained that the
dorse license legislation. He advocated to-
tai abstinence for individuals and total pro-
hihition for the Nation.
Rev. Donald Morrison. of Iron Mountain
Mich called down a censure on himself
by saying that there are in his town of
10000 inhabitants thirty-siX saloons. which
exist by the grace of the Republican and
Democratic parties one commissioner
protested against the denunciation of the
Republican or any other political party"
adopted and also a memorial TO Congress
asking for official investigation of the
liquor traffic.
A SHARP DEBATE.
Then came sharper debate than before
tha rar1rt m he use of wine a