The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-31
FOR CLOSER RELATIONS.
The Question Causes Heated Discus
sion i'm In Presbyterian General
Assembly at Mobile.

ASc1hiDhy at g1ODfle.
Mobile, Ala, May 25.-Those attend
ing today's session OF the Presbyte-
rian general assembly heard the most
heated discussion of the present ses-
sion. The morning hours were devot-
ed almost entirely to a discussion Of
the negro question, which came III on
a report of the committee on colored
-evangelization, the particular section
of the report which brought out the
debate being a statement by the COM
mittee. that there are many doors
open to useful effort, which cannot
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 fifteen thousand dollars during
the year"
The report was made the second
special order for tomorrow morning.
At the Afternoon session, the special
order was on the question OF the reso-
luton submitted by the committee on
bills and overtures for the
ment of a special committee to consid-
er the t~elegrphic message from the
Northern Assembly in session in Buff
falo, and this INTERCEPTED into the pro-
ceedings a discussion of the whole
question of closer relations, the debate
being the warmest that has yet char
acterized the sessions of the body.
There was considerable excitement
shown by some of the speakers ana
statements made by some Of them
We're characterized as untrue by 9TH
ers n afterwards modified, with mu-
tual explanations.
Among the principal debaters 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. Morrison, of Lexing-
ton, Va, in favor Of closer relations.
Rev. +. NJ. Wells, of Wilmington,
N. c., said:
The appointment of the committee
means hurtful agitation the coming
year. This is an nopportune Clme'
The churches have been. w CLOS
er together in heart, why hasten this
work and drive further apart in h>art
by rying to yoke them together IN
body. The northern church is consld,
ering union with the Cumberland
church. Let US wait until they settle
their question. Why should we enter
the NEGOTIATIONS? Why interfere with
their plans?
s'Rut il is an open secret that some
of the advocates of this committee
want it appointed to save the northern
church from union with the CumDer-
land church. 1t is trembling in the pal
ance I'D yonder at Buffalo. They think
would take the place of the Cumber-
+ba+ n faIo0rar1 from hare limiting tnd
land church to prevent the union.
Mobile, May 25.-The general as
sembly OF the Presbyterian church
in the United States to-day received
the report of the standing m
on coIored evangeliZation. The re-
port was read by h chairman, DR.
A. w. Mister. of Russellville, Ark
1t states that more colored schools
are needed, in addition to the -four
receiving support from the assembly
More white ministers are needed
also. to spread the gospeI to negroes
in the home mission field, and ths
Importance of having white teacher
In cOIored Sunday schools is empha-
sized. The report concludes by
recommending that the sum of S15.-
600 be raised for carrying on the
work of colored evangelization.
The report of the special commit
tee on education for the ministry anC
ministerial relief vas read by the
chairman. DIR. H. G.. Hill. Of Maxton
N. e. Rev. w. w. Flang. Of Colum'
bia, Mo-, read the minority report
which recommends that the overture:
of the synods of Missouri and Yves
Hanover be received in h aft1rrla'
tive. Consideration deferred
DR.. r. H. Fleming. of Lynchburs
read the report of the standing com
mittee on foreign missions. DR.. j
NJ. Harden. OF Abbeville. s. c.. CAV
notice that he would file a rnfnorit!
rerort. Consideration deferred.
Three of the four colored delegates
TO the assembly spoke in favor u
nore aid for Stf man institute 70
the colored people.
Elder f. P. Glass. Of Montgomery
in discussing the report of the com
mittee on colored evangelization. sal
the negro question was for the south
ern people alone to settle. Tn
churches. he said, could aid MATERIAL,
in the wise settlement of the matter