The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-23
CHURCHMEN in SESSION.
Southern Presbylerians Have Some Rather
Discouraelng Reports.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ENROLMENT FALLS Off
Prejudice Against Religion In Ar
kunsns-The Kind of Ministers
that Bcnighted state Needs.

Atlanta, Ga. May 2.--roday was spent,
by the commissioners attending the thirty
ninth annual session Of the Southern gem
eral assembly OF the Presbyterian church
in session here in receiving and discuss
ing reports submitted by various commit
tees. report on foreign missions was
received and set for disposal on wedues-
day afternoon.
The committee on the pastoral letter
touching worldly amusements reported.
The committee recommendations we're
docketed for debate.
The report was partly as follows:
Under the term worldly amusements
may be included the dance, theater and
card table There is dancing which is in
nocent in itself. There are plays that are
highly moral and card playing without
gambling can not be called a sin. There
are also dances. stage plays and games
of cards that are in themselves harmful
and contrary to the law of God, and such
being evil and only evil are condemned
and forbidden by the church. On these
matters the church, through its constitu-
ton. deliverance OF it's courts and from
its pulpits. has spoken in the strongest
terms
The question then arises May not
Christians freely indulge la such forms of
worldly amusements as are not sinful in
themselves
In reply tho peneral assembly urges
our people to abstain altogether from the
amusement referred to. as a matter OF
Christian prudence. example and out OF re-
gard for the honor OF Christ, because these
things are accounted worldly aud regarded
as characteristic OF a worldly, as distin-
guished from spiritual life. Christians
can not afford to do those things which
are looked upon as belonging peculiarly to
the world and by doing which the line OF
separation between the world and the
church is erased or obscured."
the report OF the permanent committee
on Sabbath observance went to the stand
ing committee on Sabbath This report
was read and attentively listened TO by
the commissioners.
The report proved very dlscouraglng
the committee regretting that they have
nothing either bright or encouraging to
present. but rather the reverse,
me report of tho committee on publica-
ton was docketed for debate. II showed
surplus in the treasury
The report of the committee on educa
''NH a"i tHe ministry was read and the
sections taken under discussion seriatin
The executive committee's report shows
mat all appropriations were met in full
WIN snug balance remaining on hand
a recommendation Is made suggesting IN,
Importance of urging on all churches the
luty OF seriously looking within their bor-
aers for ministerial recruits. owing TO the
ministry. mo
An executive committee OF eleven min.
laters on education for the ministry was
appointed vas
At the night session Dr. r. H. Nall a,
Greenwood, $. @. presented renor,
from the committee on Sunday schools
and young peoples societies. The renort
was d'oeketed.
The report says ut is beyond belle,
that we have 900 Presbyterian churches in
which there are no Sunday schools ma
that we have lost $4,000 enrolled scholars
slhee last year, but this Is the story told
by the reports"
Much time was devoted to a review ana
the needs OF mission work In the United
States.
Elder II. i. Moseiey OF the Fort Worm
Texas, presbytery, said that the Fort
Worth preshytery IN area was as large as
me state OF Georgia, with 1000 miles 10
spare, and in this great territory Won
could count the self-Suppoming churches
on your fingers. He was much struck
with the mahnincence OF the churches IN
Georgia. He made a strong appeal for aid.
and Vt had a good effect on the assembly.
Rev. John f. Lloyd of the Indian Terri.
tory declared that at the present time
self-supportlng church In the Indian Ter
rtory was impossible In ten years from
now the indian will have been pushed fur
ther back and the needs OF Christian worh
in the country would be greater than eve,.
The work in his territory was progressing
slowly, hut the needs of the people were
great
Rev. Mckay OF Fort Smith, Ark told OF
the moral atmosphere needed but which
did not exist In Arkansas "The people,
while gallant and generous, are hard 10
approach on the subject OF Christianity"
eild Mr.. Mckay, land the prejudice
against religion must be considered as
one of the greatest drawbacks For thr
work In Arkansas don't send us any
cranks or inyalids. Orthodoxy counts Tor
httle They are r people TO whom YOU
must preach common sense, stmight from
the shoulder and who must be looked AZ
stplght in the eyes or they won't coma
20 hear you II matters not TO them how
orthodox you are"
NORTHERN METHoDIsTs.