The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-26
HEATED COLLOQUIES ARISE
Then Notifications of State-
 mentS and Explanations.
In the Morning, . Discussion of the Negro Question is on, Coming Up Over Report of Com-
 mittee.

Mobile, Ala, May 3.-Ths sixth days session of the Presbyterian General As- sembly was about the warmest in the matter of discussion of the present ses- sion. The morning hours were devoted ale I most entirely to the report of tho Com mittee on Colored Evangehzation. tho | particular section of the report which in- terjected the debate being statement by the Committee That there are many doors open to useful effort which can- not be entered unless more money Is put into the hands of the Committee and in view of these facts we recommend that effort be made to raise not less than Sl5.O00 during the year." | The report was made second special or< der for tomorrow morning l At the afternoon session the special or- der was on the question of the resolution submitted by the Committee on Bills and 0vertures day or two ago for the ap- pointment of a special committee to coT1< slider the telegraphfc message from the 1 Northern Assembly in session at Buffalo. and this interjected into the proceedings a discussion of the whole question of closer relations. the debate being the warmest that has yet characterized ths session of this staid body. Excitement shown. There was considerable excitement shown by some of the speakers, and statements made by some of them were characterized as untrue by others. and afterward modified. with mutual explana-l tions.
 Among the principal debators this { afternoon, were Rev. J. S. Lyons of Louisville. Ky, who may be termed the leader of the forces favorable to a closer relation with the northern church; Rev. w. T. Palmer of New Orleans, the leader of the opposition and Rev. W. M Nor rison, tof Lexington, Va, in favor of closer relations.
 Rev T.. ", Finn of Columbia. s. c..l said in substance:
 There are conditions that make 1t ths belief of some commissioners that con- RIittee of conference should not be ap- pointed at this time Prominent amona them are the negotiations now in pro- gress between the Cumberland Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. It was unwise td take a step Joking to union with the northern church when that church seems about to assimilate to Itself or to assimi- late itself to a body and creed so fully and notoriously Armenian as the Cum berland.
 "It is probable that this union between the Northern and the Cumberland Church will be consummated hence the moro need of cautious waiting upon our part.
 Logically Organic Union.
 We may call the ultimate purpose by what name we choose, but the purpose is logically organic organic union. Pause and think what this means for us. It involves the surrender of our district and separate life as Southern church. It means the surrender of the name. Tho Southern Presbyterian Church which we always pronounce and always think when referring to our spiritual mother. She is to us and to the world the Southern Church. Her name is Q power to move our hearts, to fire our zeal and strengthen our loyalty. Shall we lose the power. shall we surrender the just cause of Christian pride in surrendering her name and her identity? Many of the tradi- lions and ideals clustered around her name would disappear when the church with which they were entwined has passed away"
 Rev. J, M. Wells of Wilmington, N C., said: "The appointment of the committee means hurtful agitation the coming year This Is an inopportune time. The churches have been draw ing close in heart; why hasten this work and drive them further apart In heart by trying to yoke them together in body? The northern church Is con- sidering union with the Cumberland church. Let us walt until they settle their question. Why should we enter the negotiations? Why interfere with their plans?
 Union up there Is hanging in thu balance. If they will let us sec whether the new united church stil1 wants us. If they do not unite, then it is time to consider this.
 The Cumberland Matter.
 "But 1t Is an open secret that soms
 
 want 1t appointed to save the northern church from union with the Cumber- land Church. It is trembling in the balance up wonder at Buffalo. They think that telegram from here hint- ing that we would take the place of the Cumberland would prevent that union"
 Rev. J. S. Lyons of Louisville saidi '"The objection has been made that it will be hurtful to the church to open this question at this time. It is ob- jected that 1t would confuse the coun- cils of negotiations now in progress between the Northern and Southern Churches. We must remember we have a responsibility for a wider Presby- terianism. The charge that this move- ment is a concrete advance towards organic union Is groundless. We have declared our unwillingness to enter into organic union, and provided in ex- plicit terms for preservation of the distinctive principles of the Southern Church. The case as it stands pro- vides for a possible federation of all bodies in America. and in this. federation the constituent bodies need lose none of their identity
 Delegates attended a reception to- night at the home of F. J. Hamilton
 
 At shrine of Our Lady of GuadulOupe.