The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-04
An Amendment Was offered by DIR.
SfIverman and Adopted by
Vote of % to o.
FEATURES OF THE DEBATE
SERVICES ON THE GENTLE SUNDAY
NOT REGARDED AS WRONG.
Joseph Krauskopf, of Philadelphia,
Elected President-The Other
Officers.

DETROIT, July 3.-"This conference de-
clares itself in favor of maintaining the
historical Sabbath a fundamental insti-
tuition of Judaism and of exerting every
effort to improve its observance. and in
structs the executive committee to appoint
a special committee to study methods OF
carrying this into effect
The Central Conference of American Rab
bis placed itself on record on the Sabbath
question to-day. after an eight-hour ses-
sion by the adoption of the foregoing
amendment to the report of the Sabbath
commission on the question. what is our
attitude on the Sabbath question:" OFF,
GERS were also elected this afternoon and
all business transacted and the con-
ference adjourned sine die.
The Sabbath question taken up Mt
the forenoon session, after several COM
mittee reports had been disposed of and a
telegram ordered sent to President Roose-
Welt congratulating him on his decision to
forward the resolutions of the Society of
Bnai Birth to the Gar and thanking
him for it. Rabbi Voorsanger. of San Fran
cisco, chairman of the commission, intro
duced the commissions subreport. which
the conference ordered last Wednesday.
after the first report had been declared too
long and not positive enough in it's answers
to the seven questions it was organized to
report on. The report follows:
1.-The conference is composed of rabbis and
ministers to each of whom belongs the in
alienable right of shaping his religious pro-
fessions in accordance with his religious
opinions In a deliberative body of such a
character there can be no unanimity OF
Sabbath and the problems involved in it's
consideration. Yet the conferences declares
with no hesitancy whatever that its atti-
tude toward the Sabbath must remain un-
altered until a stronger view than its own
shall demand rigid inquiry into the pres
ent disorder and the incongruity presented
by theoretical professions and practical vio-
lations of the day of rest.
SUNDAY SERVICES.
This conference resolves that Sunday
services having the character of a week
day service present no obligations, but are
justified by all ritual precedent, daily di-
vine services and instruction being part
of the religious discipline of the Jewish peo-
pie.
This conference, following Jewish prece-
dent of all ages. defines spiritual authority
as a popular voice. interpreting and giving
definite direction to the spiritual wants of
the people. This authority, to be effective.
must derive its integrity from the divine
voice that speaks through man. as regards
its form, must consist of rabbis and laymen
competent TO give direction to the express
needs of the people and the changed as
poets of it's discipline. and because of their
delegate power. competent to sanction, ap-
prove and execute its own DEGREES.
This conference decides it cannot find
any other ethical Interpretation of Sabbath
conduct than has hitherto prevailed.
This conference decides that a transfer
of Sabbath to Sunday, however much op-
posed by sentiment presents 10 the stu
dent of history no element of danger that
the fundamental truths of the Jewish faith
might be affected by such a transfer, or
that the solidarity of the people of Israel
might be disturbed. At the same time this
conference feels that ii has right to
make an authoritative decision as 10 the
facts, but would prefer reference of this all
important question to an authority as here
tofore Defined.
DIR. Deutsch. a rember of the committee,
submitted subreport on the answer of the
commission TO the last question. He dis
CONTINUED ON FACE 8. COL. -