The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-19
MEETING OF PREsBYTERIANS.
LARGE AND ACTIVE ATTENDANCE
AT THE CONVENTION.

Appointment of Committees Follow
ed by the Reading of Oyertures in
which Much Interest Was shown.
question of Divorce Will BE n
Leading One Good Collections
Made for Foreign Missions But
More Money Is Needed.
Atlanta, May 1S.-Commissioners to the
Southern Presbyterian General Assembly,
which is holding its thirty-ninth annual
session in the Central Presbyterian
Church of this city. met for the first bust
ness session to-day. The attendance was
large and active interest was shown in
ali the proceedings, not only by the 200
commissioners, but by a large number of
visiting ministers and laymen of the
Presbyterian Church not officially con-
nected with the assembly, and many res
ident Presbyterians.
To-day's session opened with devotional
exercises. after which the transaction of
routine business was begun.
Stated Clerk Alexander read the list of
communities which had been appointed
by the moderator. The personnel of the
committees is considered very important
as much of the work of the assembly will
be directed by them. The committees on
records for each state were named as fol-
lows:
Alabama, Byron Clark, George E. Stew
enson; Arkansas, w. r. Waller ]. NJ.
Carothers; Florida, r. A. Hardin, P.
McGregor; Georgia, r. S. Brown, s. d.
Reynolds; Kentucky, J. B. Swami, j.
McMoore; Memphis, r. A. Brown, a. E.
Dimmock; Mississippi, r. Castor, G.. w.
TAYLOR; Missouri, T. D. Latimer, D. Nc
Carey; Nashville, w. d. Shoemaker, j.
J. Wood; North Carolina, Dugold Mon
rec. George fairfield; South Carolina, j.
F. Lloyd, II. H. Money; Texas, j. S. An
derson, W. H. Mitchell; Virginia, j. L.
Wade, D. M. Kilam.
Reading of Overtures.
Interest was intense as the stated
clerk read the overtures from the synods
and Presbyteries of The South.
The overtures were referred to the prop
er committees and constitute the work
which will come before the assembly.
The Presbytery of Suwannee, Fla, pro-
tested against the Spectacular and the
atrical features of children wearing fam
cy costumes in the exercises to be held
on children's day, May o.
A time was set apart for raising funds
for foreign missionary work.
Inc question Oh ulNOIc6 anu
will be a leading one before the assem-
bly,. The synod of Alabama and the Pres
byter es of Memphis and Norfolk sent in
overtures asking for definite church laws
governing the remarriage of divorces.
The question of the salaries for secre-
ta'ies of the executives will be an import
ant one. Many overtures being filed ask
ing that no Increase be made in them.
On the adoption of new hymn book
there were overtures strongly protesting
against any change this year it being
claimed that the expense would be too
great.
Features Of the session were the reports
of sec etaries of the executive committees
Of the foreign missions and the home
missions.
Foreign Missions.
The report of the Executive Committee
of Foreign Missions was submitted. In
part it says:
The largest number of additions to the
native churches reported in any previous
year was 523 in 1898. This year the num-
Der reported is 642, an increase of more
than 1l0.
The largest number of additions IN any
one mission was 175, in Northern Brazil,
and the next largest 114 in Congo, At
RIGA"
The report regarding finances. says:
The receipts for the year from all
sources were $161, $751; including $3.50 of
funds expended and returned. The net re-
ceipts We're $161,170 This is $161S0 more
than has been received during any pre-
vious year"
The report urges larger income, say
ing that between $3.50 and $1,000 is the
least O missionary can be supported upon,
and that the church now has 163 mission
aries in the field.
The report shows twelve new mission
allies sent out during the year.
Under the caption: present Needs of
the Church." the report takes a gloomy
view of many of the foreign mission fields.
More missionaries and a larger appro-
priation from the church are urgently
asked. The committee asks for regular
annual income of not less than 100000.
Other features of mission work under
me Jurisdiction of the committee are pro
crossing satisfactorily, according to the
report.
Many Reports Read.
The entire time of the afternoon session
was taken up by the reading of reports.
IN addition to the report OF the Executive
committee of Foreign Missions state
mems We're made by the committees on
foreign correspondence, publication edu-
cdton for the ministry, oOlored evangeliz-
aUon and by the permanent Committee
on the Church and Christian Education
reports were also received from the
dssembly's home and school at Freder-
ickSburg. Va, the Columbia, S. c., Theo-
tSsical Seminary the Union Theological
seminary at Richmond and the Divinity
,ochool of the Southwestern Presbyterian
Nnlyerslty at GAINESVILLE, Tenn.
4eiegrams signed by Moderator Martin
huu stated Clerk Alexander were sent to
,.le general assembly of Cumberland Pres
lSterlan Church. now in session at Chat
sauoGga' and TO the general assembly of
me Presbyterian Church in the United
2tdtes' now holding its convention in st.
G1ous' conveying fraternal greetings and
ene wish for divine blessing
A me night session was devoted mainly
TO praise service