The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-22
.CHURCHMEN in SESSION.
Southern General Assembly Of Presbyterl-
ans Discussed Oyerlures.
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE At CHICAGO
ON sixteenth Ballot Principal Cnndi-
dates for bishop Were Only re"
Votes Apnrt-D. ii. Moore Leads

Atlanta, Ca, May 2l-scarcely quo-
rum was present when Moderator Martin
opened the fifth day of the thirty-nintb
annual session of the Southern general as
sombly Of the Presbyterian church this
morning.
| Attendant commissioners were brought
into the auditorium sufficient TO make
quorum and the business of the day was
taken up. After the preliminary, the
question as to individuals overturnng the
assembly was again raised. Two overtnres
were offered. one was from NJ. c. Taylor
of Hlco. Texas. regarding divorces, and
another from Robert G. Osborne of Peters
burg, va, asking change in the book OF
church. The discussion whether these
overtures should be received became gem
eral, there being great diversity OF opin-
stated that other overtures had been re-
ceiyed from individuals during the pres
ent session and a motion from Elder j. l.
| Dean that the overtures be received was
adopted.
| A Communication from the mayor OF
Fort Worth, Texas, was read, asking the
assem- bly, TO meet in that city in 1901,
|
of the First Presbyterian church OF Little
| Rock for next years session.
| The semi-annual reports from the Louis
vile Theological seminary was read. show
| ing that institution to te In prosperous
condition. An overture which may later
in the session preciptate discussion on
the confession of faith Of the church was
presented from the Brazos, Texas, pres
bytery. 1t asked that the assembly hand
/ down In nrpg byt eripg for their Npt "a
an amendment to the confession of faith
as follows "All dying in infancy are
elect infants and are regenerated," etc.
Rev. c. N. Van Houten and Rev G. A.
Blackburn were elected to represent Rev.
j. 5. ..sNw, Tsxas minister, who hled a
complaint against the synod Of Memphis.
The committee to which many of the
overtures were referred reported on some
OF them. One OF these was a negative re-
port on the overture of the Sewanee pres
bytery asking a call meeting of the synod
of Florida.
Before the adjournment ut 70 O'Clock
Rev DR.. H. T. Fleming of the Western
alliance of the Reformed Church addressed
the assembly.
The following overtures were reported:
From Rev. Angus Johnson of Dallas.
Texas, to change paragraphs "A and 70,
section 4, book OF church order, at least
so far as same requires the signing OF
the obligation by ministers; answered in
the negative and adopted.
From Joseph x Rankin, asking that all
Presbyterian distinctions in the book of
church order between teaching and ruling
elders be abolished. Answered in the
negative, Docketed for debate.
From Charleston presbytery asking an
in thesl deiverance as 70 the scrlptural
doctrine of the teaching and ruling ell
ders. Answer: The book of church order
Is sufficiently clear on this point.
From the presbytery of Albemarle. ask
Ing change in the beginning of the fscai
year from April l to January /. An
ewered in the negative and adopted
From the presbytery of Enoree asking
the repeal of the action of the assembly
OF 1899 stating that the moderator alone
has power to convene a meeting OF pres
bytery in case OF extraordinary eme--
genoy. Answered in the negative and
adopted
From presbytery az Nashville. asking
the general assembly to request the min
listers and churches to discuss the binding
obligation OF the tithe law and report at
the next assembly the views of the pres
byteries. Answered in the negative
Docketed for debate