Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-10-26

conscience IL they be thereunto ro-
quired by the civil magistrate. y
But the Rev. w. w. Campbell main
tained that there was a part OF the
minutes that was unobjectionable,
namely, that portion giving thanks 10
God for the glorious termination of
the war and he felt that he could net
vote to disapprove that portion. al
though he did dIsapprove of the other
portion.
The Rev. Mr.. Branch in spirited
speech declared that last October no
one but God Almighty and possibly
Mckinley knew what Mckinley's policy
was. And the Washington City Pres
bytery did very hazardous thing in
endorsing his policy; now the policy |
Is being fought in convention, and |
in the next campaign, 1t will certainly |
be cause of difference between the |
parties an indication that it was net . |
proper subject for the church. Me- |
Kinley would doubtless like to have
wise counsel and the counsel of God.
When the Methodist Chui Oh, the Presi-
dents church, lacks the wisdcm to
advise the President and he comes and
asks the learned synod, it will give
him counsel after season of fasting
and prayer, but there is nowno de
mard of the syrod.
So far as political question is
concerned, Mr.. Branch held that it
was clearly political question; that
| it goes to the very foundation of re-
publican government when you go to
| the extreme of introducing it at the
point of the sword. He maintained
| that the time had not come when we
should so enforce our ideas against the
| consent of others
The Rev. DIR. Wallace Radcliff Of
| Washington raised point of order,
| that this was not strictly on the ques-
tion, and Mr.. Branch, who had been
speaking warmly, apparently saw the
logic of the point.
The Rev. DIR. Purnell said that as a
citizen one might endorse the minutes,
but if it was not political question
he did not know what a political !ques-
tion was. 1t would be no worse for
the church tc discuss civil service, or
the question Of whether Sampson or
Schley deserved the credit for the
vietcIy at Santiago
The Rev. DIR. McCurdy found him
self holding different views from Mr..
Branch and DR.. Purnell. He held that
it is perfectly competent for every
minister to discuss from his pulpit a
moral act underlying a political plat
folm or an action of liquor dealers.
"I have always done it, and by the
grace Of God / always will" he de-
olared.
1t is important when a moral ques-
tion rises for someone to rise and point
out the right way. A minister, q
church, session, presbytery or a
synod certainly is derelict if the min
lister proclaim partisan politics from
his pulpit or the body shows partisan-
ship. lie did not think the minutes
wise, in all respects, although he re-
marked that nothing ir them had as
political party.
In order to put the resolution into
the STATE that would make 1T possible
for him to approve it, the Rev. Mr..
) Campbell offered an amendment to the
exception and it was adopted, and the
exception, az finally whipped into
! share reads as follows:
1.-THE committee on records of Pres
byteiy Of Washington City respectfully
report that up to page 237 we recon-
mend approval; with respect to paper
on pages 201, POP, we recommend that
so much of this paper as applies to
what lin October, 1881 had been ac-
complished by Gods aid is approved
all that which is prospective and refers
10 future policies of the government is
disapproved. -
Mr.. Branch held that tho Campbell
amendment covered the same ground
as the original exception. Members OF
the Washington Presbytery were moi
allowed to vote on tho motion to adopt
the amendment.
; The Rev. DIR. Keigwin epEused the
whole matter Of the exception, holding
that the presbytery was sovereign
: body and it would be dangerous tc
a Iilloiy 1t. He moved that the excep'
t tion be laid on the table, The Rev. F.
o E. Williams Of Baltimore, who was ap'
t parentiy about to second the motion,
did not do so when the point was made
7 that such molten was undebatable,
/, | and he spoke to the question as j
] stood, the adoption Of the exception.
d He endorsed what Mr.. Keigwin sale
3 and Opposed too much initiative b,
the synod.
DIR. Bittinger again read from tht
+ book of discipline tc show that tn,
# synod could review the minutes witt
9 regard to propriety and constitution
e ality. Dl. Keigwin still held that thi
# did not apply in the case. A motion
n to lay the matter on the table wa
lost, and tho exception as amended wa
II adopted.
Tho remainder of the minutes o
J. Washington City Piesbytely and th
II minutes of the Baltimore and New
y Castle bodies were approved.
Is The Rev. e. r. Craven, d. D., Ii
70 D., secretary of the Board of Puhli
If Education and Sabbath School Work
h addressed the synod in behalf Of tina
g board, emphasizing the value of it
If work.
l. The report of the committee on sys
or tematic beneticence recommended tina
Is synod urge all its churches to adop
h some plan of systematic giving, am
10 that it be made an item Of regula
d business at the October meeting G
q. each PresEytery to call the roll OF Jh
g. churches and hear their responses
Y "and their reasons for not contributin
1T shall not be sustained unless they ar
8, special and satisfactory. 1t recon
u mepded also that the attention c
s. pastors. stated supplies and sessions b
rs especially called to the chapter of th
TO directory '.On the Worship CT God +
]. Offerings and that they to urged [
es conform the worship Of tho sanctuar
~ thereto; that the Assembly Herald h
In again commended to all the churches
j Z: The recommendations we're adopted.
O. The matter of having the woman
I'd synodical society meet at differer
IN time from that of the synod was pre-
Mt sented by DIR. Keigwin, the wome
IN favoring q charge. A committee con
a prising the moderator and clerks wi
| ON tho