The gold leaf., 1898-07-21
CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP co.
STRONGLY DEFINED.
Attitude of the Presbyterian Church
IN WorIdIv AmuSementS.

At a meeting of the session held IN
the Presbyterian church few days
ago, the pastor by a unanimous vote,
was directed to read to the congre-
CATION the deliverances of the General
Assembly touching worldly amuse-
ments; also to request their publica-
ton in the GOLD LEAF. The General
Assembly is the highest court in the
PRESBYTERIAN church. The pastor
would suggest to his members the
advisability of preserving this copy
of the deliverances which are as fol-
lows:
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
1865.
at is the duty OF every judicatory to
enforce the teachings of our standards on
this (dancing) and other fashionable
amusements, such as theatrical perform
ances, card playing, ETC. Christ's King
dom is not of this world, and the apostle
exhorts Christians not to be cOnfOrmed
to the world. Though We do not say
that oil these worldly amusements are
'in their own nature sinful it is clear
| that they may tempt those who engage
in them, and others, to sin, and more
over, tho Scriptures condemn them as
wor;dliness. If the practice OF the dance
| in mixed assemblies benO conforming to
! the world it is difficult to name any Of
tense against the Injunction Of the apos-
| tie. Nor need the church of Christ have
any hesitancy in announcing it's position
on this subject, for men Of the world,
| with one consent, agree that it is incon-
sistent with the nature OF the Christian
profession for members of the church to
engage in the dance. Wherefore the as
sembly would urge our people to take
the word of exhortation to abstain from
all forms OF evil, and to study and pur-
sue that sobriety which becometh the
Gospel, so that the church OF Christ shall
indeed be a peculiar people, and We
hereby exhort our ministers and church
sessions to discharge of their duties.
Let them proceed by affectionate and
faithful instruction from the pulpit, as
well as in private, by admonition, and by
such other measures as Christian pru-
dence may dictate; but when oil other
means fail, let them proceed to such
| methods of discipline as shall separate
from the church those who love the world
and practice conformity thereto, rather
than to the law of Christ"
MINUTES, 1869.
"The Assembly would earnestly and
solemnly enjoin upon all hesessions and
Presby yterians under it's care the absolute
necessity OF enforcing the discipline pro-
vided in our constitution against Often
ses, under the word Offenses including at
| tendance by our members upon theatri
cal exhibitions and performances, and
promiscuous dancing, and against in-
| temperance, and against availing them
| selves of the expedients for evading
pecuniary obligations now permitted by
| the legislation of the country in such a
manner as cannot be justified by con-
! science enlightened by the spirit and word
| Of God, and as must dishOnOr the cause
of Christ
| MINUTES, 1877
! "The Assembly has uniformly dis
cOuraged and condemned the modern
| dance in all it's forms, as tending to
| evil, whether practiced in public balls or
| in private parlOrs.
| ''Some forms of this amusement are
more mischievous than others, the round
dance than the square, the public ball
than the private parlor; but all are evil,
and should be discountenanced. Theex-
tent Of the mischief done depends largely
upon circumstances. The church session
is therfore the only court competent to
| Judge what remedy to apply; but the
assembly being persuaded that, in most
cases, it is the result OF thoughtlessness
or ignorance, recommends great patience
in dealing with those who offend in this
way. -,
"And we further affectionately urge all
| our Christian parents not to send their
children to dancing schools where they
acquire fondness and aptitude for this
| dangerous amusement"