The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-28
MISSIONARIES IN PERIL.
The Assembly Protests Against The EX-
CluSiOn Act.

A Committee Appointed to Call on
President Cleveland The Geary Law
Condemned as in Violation of Our
Treaty With China-The Episcopal
Church Spoken of as a Back Door to
Rome.
Washington, May 27-This morning at
930 o'clock DR.. Craig called the Presby-
terian general assembly to order and of
fered prayer
Rev. George d. Baker, ID. D., chairman
of the judicial committee, reported that
the committee had used all due diligence
to comply with the instructions of the
assembly to prepare the Briggs case for
trial this morning, but had been unable
to do So Me was able to report, how
ever, that an agreement had been signed
by the parties to waive reading the record,
which would save at least a full day. re-
serving to themselves the right to read
such portions as they may deem necessary
in presenting their arguments. The COM
mittee, he said, had to recommend that
the trial of the case be postponed until
Monday morning at 9:30 o'clock, and then
be continued morning, afternoon and
night until concluded. The report was
day agreed TO.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN.
Rev DR.. VIC. Young of Kentucky read
the report of the committee on bills and
Overtures on matters submitted by
number of presbyteries. With reference
to an overture from the GAINESVILLE pres
bytery on the part women may take in
public and promiscuous assemblies, the
committee reported that il regarded all
prohibitions of the Bible in this connec-
tion still in force but did not construe
them as preventing women from partici-
pating in public services in church The
committee recommended that all such
questions be left to the wise discrimina-
tlon of pastors and sessions of the church.
This was adopted
In regard to an overture from the Balti-
more presbytery, looking to union with
the southern church, the committee
recommended that no action be taken
at this time. This was adopted
Concerning this report DR.. Young stated
that the committee was Overwhelmingly
in favor of unity. but il believed that this
was not a prOpitious time for it.
The leading feature of the morning ses-
sion was bitter attack by Rev A. Nelson
Hollitield of Newark, N. j., on the Epis-
copal church. This was incidental to
discussion of the report on church
church was nothing more than a "back
door to Rome"
Rev Charles M. Booth Of New York
expressed deep regret at this attack and
was applauded.
The question of the Geary law was then
taken up as the special order and dis
cussed till the midday adjournment.
EXCLUSION OF CHINESE.
The moderator introduced to the as
scmbly Rev. j. A. Bryson, ID. d.. of the
general assembly of the Southern Pres
byterian church. He came, said the mod
orator, to present an appeal to President
Cleveland in respect of the Geary exclu-
sion act and asked that the body would
send associates with him on that errand
On being introduced DIR. Rryson said that
the representatives of the church in
China, our brethren, were in danger from
an outbreak from that country in response
to the working of the Geary law if it were
carried into effect That storm would
spread INTO Corea and Japan and all the
missionaries in those countries were sit
ting under the shadow of black cloud.
A crisis was at hand that needed immedi-
ate and earnest action.
Elder CutcheOn, chairman of the com
mittee on the Geary law, was given the
floor and reported as follows
The exclusion and registration act of May
1892, Is the supreme law of the land No un-
settled legal question in reference TO il re-
mains for the consideration Of your com
mittoe.
The committee believes, however, that 1t is
the right and duty of this assembly to give
expression OF its views upon the subject mat
ter and recommends the adoption OF the fol-
lowing: The Presbyterian church in the
United States Of America, in session at Wash
ington D. c., on the 27th Of May, 1903, de-
clarcs It's convictions:
I. THAT the laws OF congress enacted in con
travcntion Of treaty obligations in violation
Of the traditions and fundamental principles
Of our government and disregard of the just
rights OF men lawfully and by our invitations
residents Of the United States. arc unworthy
Of this great nation and d reprOach to our
Christian civilization and that they will work
injurious to, If not destructive Of, our com
morcial relations with and our moral and re-
ligious influence over the Chinese people
-. That all such laws now on our statute
books should be repealed or so amended as
to make their provisions consistent with Just
and honorable dealing with the Chinese gov
Crnment."
Tho moderator and stated clerk are directed
TO transmit copy Of the foregoing resolu-
tiOns to tho president Of the Senate and the
speaker Of the House Of Representatives Of
the United States.
Respectfully submitted,
NJ CTrrruEON