Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-19
s ourHERA PREsBYrsRIAns
BUSINESS SESSION OPENED AT
ATLANTA YESTERDAY.

(By Telegraph to Virginia n Pilot)
Atlanta, Ga. May 1s.-Commissioners
to the Southern Presbyterian General
Assembly. which is holding Its thirty
ninth annual session here in the Cen
trail Presbyterian Church of this city,
met for the first business session to-
day. The attendance was larger than
yesterday, and an active interest was
shown In all the proceedings. not only
by the 200 commissioners. but by a
large number of visiting ministers and
laymen OF the Presbyterian Church off,
cIally connected with the Assembly and
many resident Pres6yterians. To-day's
session opened with devotional exer-
clses, after which routine business was
begun.
Stated Clerk Alexander read the COM
mittees which had been appointed by
the moderator. They will direct much
OF the work OF the assembly. The COM
mittee on records for each State in
cluded:
North Carolina-J. F. Lloyd, H. L.
Money.
Virginia-J. T. Wade, d. NJ. Killam.
Interest was intense as the stated
clerk read the overtures from the syn
DDS and Presbyteries of the South.
The overtures were referred to the
proper committees. and constitute the
work Which will come before the as
sembly.
The Presbytery OF Suawanee. Fla.
protested against the Spectacular and
theatrical fea lures of children wearing
fancy costumes in the exercise to be
held on "Children's Day." May 81.
A time was set apart for raising
funds for foreign missionary work.
The question of divorce and rc-mar-
rages will be a leading one. The Sy
nod of Alabama and the Presbyteries
of Memphis and Norfolk sent in over
lures asking for definite church laws
governing the re-marriage OF divorces.
The question of salaries for secreta-
ries of the executive committee will
be an important one. many overtures
being filed asking that no increase be
made in them.
On the adoption of a new hymn book
there were overtures strongly protest
ing any change this year OH the ground
of expense.
The report of the Executive Commit
tee of Foreign Missions was submitted.
In part 1t says:
1.-The largest number of additions to
the native churches reported In any
previous year was 523 in 1898. This year
the number reported Is 642, an increase
of more than 100.
1.-THE largest number of additions In
any one mission was IT'S in Northern
Brazil and the next largest ia in
Congo. Africa
The reports regarding finances says:
THE receipts for the year from all
sources were S161 531, including $3.50 OF
funds expended and returned. The net
receipts were S161.170. This is s16.1S0
more than has been received during
any previous year"
The report urges a larger income.
saying that between $3.50 and 81 900 is
the least a missionary can be sup
tod N,1 NIaN -. 49,. -.
1913 missionaries in the field. The re-
port shows twelve new missionaries
sent out during the year.
Under the caption, Present Needs of
the Church." the report takes gloomy
view of many of the foreign mission
fields More missionaries and appro-
priatior from the church are urgently
asked The committee asks for a regu-
lar annua! income of not less than
5000 900.
Other features of the mission work
under the jurisdiction OF the commit
tee are progressing satisfactory.
Atlanta. Ga, May 1S.-The night Sos
sion was taken up by the reading OF re-
ports. In addition to the report of the
Executive Committee on Foreign Mis-
sions. statements were made by the
Committee on Foreign Correspondence.
Publication. Education for the Minis
try. Colored Evangelizatlon, and by the
Permanent Committee on Church and
Christian Education.
Reports were also received from the
Assembly's home and school at Fred
ericksburg. Va, the Columbia, S. c.,
Theological Seminary. the Union Theo-
logical Seminary at Richmond. and the
Divinity School OF the Southwestern
Presbyterian University at Clarksville.
Tenn.
kilograms signed Moderator Martin
and stated CIerk-Alexander were semitic
the General Assembly of Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, in session at
Chattanooga. and to the General As
sembly of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States, at st. Louis, convey
Ing fraternal greetings and the wish for
divine blessing.
Tonight the session was devoted
mainly to a praise service.