The herald., 1898-04-15
Pre- FSBYTERY ADJOURNS
TO MEET IN OCTOBER AT SAN
BERNARDINo
THE GUARANTEE NOT RAISED
Westminster Matter Probably Settled
Without the Desired Sureties.
:, Adjournment Last Evening

The twenty-fifth annual convention o
the Presbytery of Los Angeles Is now
matter of history, the meeting being ad
1ourued permanently last night. They
will meet again in October at San Bernar
dino.
The Westminster church matter is now
in all probability definitely settled. The
representatives of the two factions have
come to an agreement though without
the bond guaranty that was asked for BY
the Central church people. 1t still remains
for the individual members of these two
congregations to ratify the actions of the
delegates. Meetings for this purpose have
been arranged for and will occur next
week.
There was an attempt to revolutionize
the present Sunday school methods ana
bring them to more advanced station IN
keeping with the times. No important
action was taken in the matter, the OBJ
5ections to any change being too numer-
ously advanced by the elder delegates.
The committee on bills and overtures
made a recommendation that passed in its
amended form, giving deacons and trustees
who are communicates of the church
complete management of the temporal az
fairs Of the church.
The petition from residents of Highland
Park and vicinity for permission to start
q church there, close to the Occidental col
lege, from which it hopes to draw many
communicates, was passed only after un-
usually heated discussion. Samuel Nc
knley, who was heard on religion and
education yesterday, spoke to the subject
also and advanced few of his many orig
inal ideas bearing on the matter.
There was a weight Of routine matter
that took hours to dispose Of, and an ap-
parently endless number Of comprehensive
reports, mostly regarding home or foreign
mission work. The treasurer also re-
ported, showing balance Of about $50 to
the credit of the Presbytery.
Sunday School Work
AS usual devotional exercises led BY
Elder Thompson, ushered in the second
days session. The committee on Sabbath
School work reported through their chair
man, Rev. Johnston, and the recommended
tious Incorporated in the report were, az
ter much discussion. finally adopted.
Forty-eight Sunday Schools, attached to
as many Presbyterian churches, reported
to the committee on the progress of their
work. They show a total membership of
6S74, this being thirty less than We're en-
rolled last year. Strange to say there
were 1922 new pupils added during the past
year, but the desertions were in excess of
any ever reported for one year. The con-
tributions for the furtherance of the work
amounted to s1029, and this sum is s19S less
than the revenue for last year.
The chairman in his report said that
while Sunday schols We're called the nur-
sery of the church. they are practically a
children's church by being a substitute
for the regular church for the matured
He fears, however, that after persons grad
uate from this childrens church they de-
sert the parent church, for statistics show
that only about one-ninth ever become
church members. He favored readjust-
ment of Sunday school methods There are
too many young peoples societies spring.
ing UP, which crowd out the Sunday schools
of the established churches. He objected
to the men that are being employed as su-
perintendents of Sunday schools claiming
that the majority follow commercial pur-
suits and can therefore not give the proper
time and attention to their spiritual work
Rev. Hamilton of Redands said Sun
day school was a divine institution and
should be made part of every church, and
not given in charge of person who makes
his life work anything but religion.
Rev. Junkin suggested that the pastor
preach to the classes and instruct them IL
the important matters of religious learn
ing. Some pastors, he said We're discon-
certed by crying child, but such persons,
in his opinion, are untitled for ministerial
work.
Rev. Rice favored a Sunday school con-
vention of pastors to determine upon ad-
vanced methods in connection with this
work and to assert their authority in the
management of it as they do of the church
proper; that the Presbyterians join with
other denominations with view to the
betterment of Sunday schools generally.
Christian Endeavor
II. c. McBurney, Sunday school mis-
sionary. in his report to the convention
spoke disparagingly of the Christian En-
deavor society, which, he said, was built
upon lines to fall. He recognized the fact.
however, that they We're an obstacle TO
the advancement and extension of Pres
that the churches should take hold of the
matter and have services Sunday after
moons and every evening in the week and
in this way attempt to keep young persons
from joining the opposition organization
Upon motion, both reports referring to
Sunday school matters We're adopted and
the suggestion approved.
The committee on bills ana overtures
recommended change in the constitution
of the general assembly that was not at all
to the liking of the convention. and the ar
guments attendant upon it lasted several
hours and seemed impossible to determine
definitely. 1t was only towards the close
of the afternoon session, when most of the
members were tired of the discussion that
the matter was brought to a close by a
vote. 1t disapproved the suggestions of the
committee. The purpose of the recommen-
dation in reference was to give deacons of
churches the same powers over the TEN
poral affairs of their charges as trustees
of same now enjoy. 1t was amended that
deacons and trustees be given the manage
ment of the earthly business of churches
but that trustees must be communicate
of the churches over which they preside
The report was adopted as amended, al
though not until half q dozen delegates
expressed themselves on the matter Ant
then they willingly adjourned for lunch.
Afternoon Session
A prayer by DR.. Ewing opened the after
noon meeting. Immediately upon conven
ing, Rev. Stewart of the provisional com
mittee that has in hand the adjudication o
the West minister matter reported that h