Rock Island Argus., 1904-05-24
AGAINST DIVORCE
Presbyterian Commission Re-
ports a Radical Finding
on the Subject.
CONFERENCE REFERS IT BACK
Resignation OF Bishop-EIect Day Al.
most Unprecedented With
Methodists.

Mobile. Ala, May 24.-The commit
tee on closer relations with other
Presbyterian churches submitted its
report TO the general assembly of the
Presbyterian churches in the United
States today. 1t recommends a con-
ference with the representatives of
other churches on the subject.
Divorce Main Subject.
Buffalo, =. V, May 24.-The subject
OF divorce was the principal one be-
fore the Presbyterian general assem-
bly,. 1t came up on a report of the
special commission on that subject,
which report recommended the refusal
of ministers to marry divorced per-
sons, except in cases where the di-
vorce was obtained on Scriptural
grounds; and that they also refuse to
riage is forbidden by the laws of the
church to which they belong. This
second clause was stricken out and
then the report was adopted.
The report also continues the COM
mission and instructs it to endeav-
or to obtain ecclesiastical unity on
this subject and remedial state and
national legislation. \ report on the
proposed book of forms for religious
services, advocating the same, was
adopted.
Along Same Line.
Dallas, Tex. May 24.-The general
assembly of the Cumberland Presby-
terrain church has decided to hold the
next annual assembly at Fresno, Cal.
The report Of the inter-church com
mittee on divorce was submitted. 1t
urges the necessity of action In check
ing the horrible tendencies to facile
and frequent divorces"
Seldom Happened.
Los Angeles, Cal, May 24.-The res
fgnation of Bishop-elect James II. Day,
of Syracuse, received and accepted
yesterday, was an event almost un-
precedented in conferences of the
Methodist church. He was excused
from further attendance upon the
conference.
Four Missionary Bishops Elected.
Beside acting upon Bishop Days
resignation the conference heard the
report of the tellers on the vote taken
Saturday afternoon for three mission
ary bishops. which showed the elec-
ton of DE- 1. Il. Scott as an additional
missionary bishop to Africa, and DIR.
WilliaRl L. Oldham and DR.. John Il.
Robinson as additional missionary
bishop in southern Asia. DR.. G. NJ.
Harris was elected on ballot taken
yesterday for missionary bishop of
Japan and Korea, new district Gre
ated by the present conference.
Will Not Fill Days Place.
Four hours of the session were de-
voetd to special memorial service in
honor of the memory of the bishops
who have died during the last quad
rennium and to the late President
William Mckinley. A motion by DIR.
]. NJ. Buckley to proceed to ballot for
IL successor to DR.. ]. II. Day, resigned,
was defeated, and the conference voted
to postpone indefinitely the further
election of general superinteEdents.
The action of the conference on last
Saturday in excluding the representa-
tives of n newspaper from press priv
ileges was rescinded.
Not Called by the Spirit.
The resignation of Bishop-Elect
Day, following closely upon his cleo
tion after a long contest, furnished the
of the conference. When he
was given the floor to explain there
was instant attention. His statement
was quite long. The pith OF it was
that - II cannot conscientIouSly say
that believe myself moved by the
Holy Ghost to take upon myself the
Office and duties of bishop as our law
of those who are consecrated
to that holy Office and ministry, but L
do feel myself deeply moved to con-
tinue in the work of Christian educa-
tion.''