The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-29
PRESBYTERIANS ADJOURN

srs5ions to-day. The rush charaoteriz-
ing closing hours began at once. The
committee on bills and overtureB reported
briefly upon pstitIons as TO esrtain liquor
bills and Sunday legislation pending in
Congress. The statement was made that
suGlclent information was not at hand
for deliberate judgment, but general
statement was adopted covering the sub.
ject as follows:
''The general assembly reafiirms deep
interest In all legislation by which the
cause Of temperance and morality are
wisely fIrthered and commends the et-
forts OF Christian men IN our state and
federal legislative assemblies 20 safe
guarl social purity and to prevent the
maintenance OF liquor saloons In any
government building"
The next order was taken up, beinE re-
ports on tho church periodical The
church NJ home and nbTOad," presented
by DR.. John s. Mcintosh, Philadelphia.
An average circulation OF 1900 was
reported, with receipts Of 81. .655. Elder
Ralph f. Prime attacked the policy OF
the magazine Raylng that It had cost the
church SEQ, 900 In eleven years, He wish
ed the matter sent 20 the committee on
bItis and oYertures for the formulation
OF g plan to relieve che church OF further
expense and Il was 90 ordered.
Or. John Clark Hill. Of Chicago, pre-
Sented q report on theological seminnrtes,
giving facts and stRtisticS a. to each.
The matter Of the assembly control OF
seIninaricB came up In the same report.
The institutions at Omaha, Dubuque and
Lincoln reported the charter changes
which have been asked for by the preVi-
NVn
ported that such changes az were desired
by the present assembly are impractica-
bic and unnecessary. The Auburn semi
nary replied that the present plan was
entirely satisfactory. and that improve
ments cannot be devised Mccormick
seminary declared its loyalty to the
church, but said It did not see the way
clear 70 make the changes recommended
by the assembly. Newark German SEMI
nary also replied that It did not see its
way clear TO make any charter changes.
Resolution Adopted.
The original form OF the resolution
stated that the replies OF the seminar
les we're 'satisfaetorY." but against this
protest was made by Mr.. Birch. OF New
York. II would b0 better. he said. to
say nothing and let the matter disap-
pear, and he moved TO strike out the
preamble and resolution. A commits
sioner asked whether the matter would
not disappear any way II the resolution
were adopted ard upon hearing an af-
firniatiYe reply. the assembly became
Impatient TO vote. The motion to lay
on the table was lost by heavy vote
and the amended resolution as given,
was adopted without opposition.
The fact that the amendment was
proposed by DF. withrow had q great
effect in influencing the action OF the
assembly The committee also recon-
mended that the seminnries inaugurate
courses OF inltruction on sociology. but
this called foreh sharp debate and hnal-
~ the section providing for the same
was stricken out. According to consu-
tutional rule declared adopted on the
affirmative vote Of the requisite number
OF presbyteries, II will hereafter be nee
essary for candidates for licensure ana
ordination to pass q satisfactory examis
nation in the English bible.
The committee on finance reported the
total receipts 3sS, 500: mileage expenses,
81, 800, and entertainment about T,5OO.
ON motion OF the stated clerk. the ns-
sessment per member OF the church,
was reduced to i've cents instead OF SIX.
The business transacted by tAs assem-
0lN uG NAAE AAkEA AA9eaA sNISAeA4 w. -
miscellaneous character.
The efforts to secure the appointment
by sessions OF temperance committees
for their respective churches had been
continued, and unquestlonAbly there
had come In assembly sYnods ana Pres
byterles a gradual, but steady unlltt-
ing OF temperance sentiment from this
wisely planned system.
Only one presbytery reported thai
majority OF Its churches still used alco-
hoIic wine at the Lords Supper. while
twenty presbyteries reported that THIS
was not known to be true OF any church
in their bounds,
genenl assembly memorable the
President and Congress for the appoint
ment OF committee for the thorough
investigation OF the liquor trafnc ana
urged the assembly to express Its un-
qualified dlsapprobation OF the use OF
intoxicating beverages at college ban
Quets.
Advocates Prohibition.
The treasurer's statement showed
receipts of Ei.4sl and expenditures OF
81. .I55. the balance on hand May !, 1897,
being s. IS. The standing committee
on this subject reported through Rev,
II. Ii. Henry, OF BIRMINGHAM Pa. II
was recommended that every legitimate
measure be used by the church has its
members TO suppress the liquor traffic
and that members be urged to use their
influence by observing habits OF total
nhsiinence Il was decided to set apart
as temperance day the third Sunday IN
Wr W. C. Lilly, chairman Of the per-
manent temperance committee was then
granted the floor to explain the work
OF the committee, Elder Van Ranssel.
ner, OF New York. moved IN additional
resolution endorsing restrictive legislas
tion. This resolution was finally lail on
the table. He endorsed the New York
Rafues law. but Rev. Stanley y. Rob
erfs. OF TTticn, n. Y. said It was only
successful In 80 far as It was prohihltve
and he maintained that the Presbyter-
ian church was not ready 10 endorse H.
cense legislation. He advocated total
obstinence for individuals and total
prohibition Tor the nation.
A Hot Debate.
Rev. Donald Morton. of iron Noun
taln, Mich, called down censure on
himself by saying that there are in his
town OF 10000 Inhabitants, thIrty-six
saloons. which exist by "thc grace OF
the Republican and Democratic part
les" one commissioner protested
against "thc denunclaton OF the lie.
publicln or any other political party
After a lively debate the resolutions
were adopted and also memorial 10
! Congress, asking for an official inVes-
ugatIOn Of the liquor trnfiic
Then came a sharper debate than ne
fore on the report as to the use OF vine
at the alumni banquet at the Hesqul
centennial alOnnIversaryo Princeton I'm
ivrrsIty. The committee recommended
that as the Institution was not under
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