The evening times., 1899-10-05

The morning session of the Pan-Presby-
terian Alliance opened in a lively manner
with the general report from the business
commission. Several important questions
were injected into the discussion and a
spirited parliamentary debate followed, in
which the opportunity was seized 10 at
tack the Alliance itself as incompetent
Several delegates declared that the Alli-
ance was wasting its valuable time in pan
dering to and taking up every question
that came along. political and state. in
stead OF confining its work TO the promo
tion of Christianity.
An application from the Portugal Church
for admission to the Alliance precipitated
another warm debate. II had applied for
admission into the Methodist and other de-
nominations, and while the Presbyterian
Alliance was sleeping other organizations
were working the field of 80, 100000
Protestants on the continent, with great
results. DR.. Roberts said that the appli-
cation Of Portugal should be considered
with great caution. 1t was urged that the
English church was taking advantage OF
the twenty-four years labor of the Presby
the missionary work in the Philippines
and Brazil were finally referred to the
business commission.
The Mormon Controversy.
The Mormon question was then thrust
into the proceedings by DR.. Reed, who at
tempted to read a series of resolutions
against point of order by DIR. Mathews of
irregularity. A number OF members were
instantly on their feet and demanded the
reading II was put to a vote of the coun-
ell and Overwhelmingly carried. The re-
solutions were then read amid excitement
and applause, and on motion of DIR. Reed
referred to the business commission, thus
avoiding a debate that promised To be
acrimonious an account of the oppo -ition
OF delegates opposed to the Introduction
into the Alliance OF anything denunciatory
of other sects or religions.
On several occasions the attempt to
criticise other denominations on the floor
OF this council has been checked. but this
morning the extremists could not be con-
Inled. The resolutions recited that where
as the Mormon Church claimed member
ship of over 300 600 and 5000 missionaries
and was a blot on Christianity and the civ
ilized world and that whereas the Pres
6yterian Church had condemned Mormon
ism; therefore ii should be resolved by
the Presbyterian Alliance that Mormonism
had no claim 10 fellowship among Chris
tian churches.
The Use Of the Bible.
Another vital subject arose in a resolu-
tlon declaring that the Bible be regarded
and used in all Christian institutions of
learning in the debate ii was charged
that even in some Presbyterian institu-
tions orthodox Bible had been discontin-
ued. This question was also referred to
The business commission.
The paper on Arbitration and Chris
tianity" was postponed until the afternoon
session.
Report ON Divorce.
The Alliance Will consider this
afternoon the laws respecting mar
rage and divorce in the Uni
ted States. In 1896 the last council. held in
Glasgow, accepting from the general sec
retary his report on legislation in Europe
and other countries on marriage and di-
vorce instructed him to prepare report
on similar lines for the present council
on legislation in the United States on this
subject. Prefacing his report, the sec
retary said that 'as the subject is one
on which We have already divine legisla-
tion. and which in itself so vitaliy touches
the foundations alike of the family, the
church, and the nation, human legislation
can never be TO the church or Christian of
any land matter of unconcern."
Considering the period and the circum-
stances under which these United States
were first occupied by men and women
from European shores" said Secretary
Mathews, lit is evident that there could
be no direct connection between American
legislation and the canon law of the
Church of Rome That law might be the
basis OF legislation in the different Euro
pean countries, yet it affected American
legislation only indirectly. and then owing
10 its being already incorporated with ex-
listing European civilization and social Gus
tom.
The Earliest Narriages
The earliest marriages in these States
were probably those among the Spanish and
French settlers, when the ceremonies OBJ
served and the conditions under which the
marriage would take place would be in ac-
cordance with the customs and require
ments of the Church of Rome. Into anotfl
sr part Of the country there had been a Pu-
Fitan emigration and there undoubtedly
marriage laws and customs would prevail
which would be simply a continuance of
those Of the Puritans in England Some of
these had come from the Anglican churches
and would observe the customs of the-Epis-
copalian churches, while others would re-
produce he customs followed by the Inde-
pendent or non-Conformist section. In New
England il would seem that the customs
of the latter soon became the rule while
in Baltimore. Virginia and elsewhere the
Episcopalian and Roman Catholic customs
and rules would be more general
There thus grew up in the country a
species of informal legislation on the sub
ject-little else. indeed, than public opinion