The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-27
SOUTHERN PResBYTeRIANS
They oppose Lynching ana Express Az
horrencc OF Grimes Leading 10 it-The
Dancing Question.


byterian General Assembly, Southern.
today put its seal Of opposition upon
lynching and other forms Of mob law
in this country. This action was not
taken, however, until the proposition
was amended so as to express the alb
horrence Of the assembly OF the awful
crimes that are responsible for most OF
the lynchings in the South.
Some Of the speakers expressed grave
doubts as to whether the resolutions
would accomplish any good in the d.
rection sought. Others were disposed
to regard it better for the church not
TO take this subject up at all The sub
ject was brought up by resolution o.
fered at the morning session by Rev
DR.. Robert p Kerr pastor Of the church
in which the assembly IL holding It's
sessions The resolution. as amended
at the suggestion of delegate, reads
as follows:
Z" The General Assembly takes coca
SIGN to express its strongest condemna'
ton Of the lawless spirit abroad in the
land. manifesting itself in many ways,
but notably in scenes Of mob violence
and the taking Of human life in cases
of supposed or proven crime without
due process Of law, involving the awful
danger Of inflicting death upon an in
nocent person, while the real criminal
goes free, tending also to cheaper hu-
man life, TO unsettle the social order
and to weaken or destroy that reverence
for law and constituted authority which
the Scriptures require to upheld While
we express our adherence of the crimes
which have led to these irregularities.
we urge all our people and minister's
in all scriptural ways, to do their ut
most toward cultivating and maintain
ing that order and reverence for autho-
rity which are enjoined by the word OF
God. "
Mr.. Nelson, Of Virginia, said he felt
bound to oppose it, He intimated that
he could not cOnscientiously support
the paper. certainly not in the form II
then was.
Mr.. Aud, Ct Florida. said he was
willing to support the paper if its Al.
thor would 60 further and call upon
the leaders Of the race which Is respon-
sibe for this lawlessness to put a sto p
10 the crimes which are too horrible
for contemplation and which are re-
sponsible for the condition OF things
"We are ready" continued Mr. Aud,
ITO stand by the colored people, to
pray for them and to preach to them.
but they must not forget the fearful
crimes which have been done by their
race in the South. "
Mr.. Rennie, Of Indian Territory,
said he favored the resolution, but had
doubts whether any resolution would
accomplish good in stopping the condi
tions sought to be remedied. He said
he had heard the question asked
whether the Presbpterians OF the South
were opposed to lynchirg. He wanted
the paper adopted to place the assem-
bly, right before the world
The question Of dancing and the in
diligence. by those who profess religion
in other worldly amusements also evok-
ed discussion. Dancing and its alleged
baneful effects In some sections OF the
South were dwelt upon by several
speakers. The question came up on
the consideration Of an overture from
the Fayetteville IN. @ Presbytery.
Mr.. Aud, Of Florida, said that much
evil had resulted from dancing. The
down fall of some girls in his State he
attributed to worldly amusements. he
said he had known elders to accompany
their daughters to dances. but Otter
thew did not remain to come home with
them. Also he said he had known
deacon who played the fiddle at dances
for others to enjoy this amusement
Mr.. venaole. from Northampton
county, Va, recalled an instance where
three families Of the participants at
ball in that locality were Presbyterians
This resulted in the ball being referred
to las the Presbyterian ball.
Rev. Mr.. Mclean, Of Texas, said tina
he had known Presbyterian minister
daughter who taught a dancing school
Rev. Mr.. Price, missionary to Oh'na
said he wished to 60 further and maxi
the declaration a pastoral letter, apply
ing to newspaper reading. Sunday ex
cursions and all other worldly amuse
ments. as well as dancing and cart
playing.
The assembly by direct vote FINAL.
amended the committees report so a
to require a pastoral letter declaring
against dancing and other amusements
The assembly also decided that "ther'
is no warrant for the observance o
Christmas and Faster as holidays "
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