New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-23
TAKES Up DIVORCE TO-DAY
PrcSbyterTans in Buffalo Pulpits
Cumberland Union absorbing Topic
d IELEaRAPa 10 THE TRIRUn.E. !

Buffalo May 22-Sunday is a rest day in the
General Assembly, far business is concerned,
hut che pastors of Presbyterian Congregational.
methodist. Baptist and other denominations see to
il that the yisitnrs kept busy.
The new moderator the Rev. DR.. J Addison
Henry of Philadelphia. preached in the Lafayette
Avenue Presbyterian Church this morning. His
text from the Gospel according to Luke. six
teentl chapter tenth verso: He that IS faithful
in that which is least. is faithful also in much
On the platform and assisting in the devotional
exercises were DR.. William Young Chapman, the
pastor Of the church; DR.. William II Roberts the
stated clerk Of the assembly, and DR. William s.
Noble permanent clerk Of tho assembly. Other
speakers announced were DR.. Henry Dyke, Of
Princeton University DR.. ]. Ross Stevenson. Rob-
ert f. Speer. DR.. J. Wilbur Chapman, Charles T.
Thompson and +. J. Stanley. of Ncw-York; Dr.
Teunis 8. Hamn. of Washington: DR.. James D.
Mofatt. president OF Washington and Jefferson
College: DR.. Henry c. Minton OF Trenton n. j..
Drs Cieland Il. NIcAfee f. II. Curtis and A. S
Carrier of Chicago ana Dr. John H. Boyd, Of
Evanston.
A union meeting Of Sunday schools. popular
meeting OF the board of aid for col
ieges and others in behalf OF the evangelstic COM
mittee the sabbath observance committee and mis-
SONS held In various churches.
DR.. John II. Converse. of Phila delphia, presided
at the Central Church. where DR.. S. Edward Young
OF Pittsburg. and Dr. +. p. Hill, of Oregon dis
oussed this topic: America for Christ Christ for
America" DR.. Young is not only the pastor Of a
church with large membership. but his ministry
10 the people outside his church. in the parks and
IN theatres. has brought him prominently TO tho
attention of the people in and about Pittsburg.
Dr. Hill IS considered in the truest leader
in the denomination. While his parish is in Port
land his ministry extends over the entire Pacific
Coast
With the opening OF the business session to-mor-
row the question OF marriage and divorce will come
before the body The General Assembly will be
asked Ito enjoin all ministers under its care and
authority TO refuse TO perform the marriage cere-
mony IN cases OF divorced persons. except such
persons have been divorced on grounds and for
causes recognized as scriptural the standards OF
our church" Further. the committee asks that the
following be adopted:
Recognizing the comfy which should exist be.
would be desirable ana tend TO the increase of a
spirit of Christian unity, earnestly advise all
General Assembly TO refuse TO unite in marriage
any pesUa OF |o5e ,aa "a fGgd
the laws OF the church in which such person or
persons seeking 10 be married may hold member
ship
The appeal 10 the Christian public issued
by the executive committee OF the Interchurch
Conference Of Marriage and Divorce. published in
The Tribune OF May g. will also be issued. pleading
for the recognition OF the sanctity OF marriage.
The proposed union OF the Cumberland and
Northern churches continues 20 be the absorbing
topic among the commissioners 10 the assembly.
The supporters and opponents OF the union lin
ing for the contest next THURSDAY. The OppOSi
ton VIII be led by DR.. Francis L. Patton. OF
Princeton Theological Seminary; ~. Henry c.
MintOn OF Trenton. y. J.. who moderator OF
the assembly In 1901; DIR. j. Ross Stevenson. Of
New-York. and General Ralph f Prime. Of YOn-
kers ". Y. The grounds of opposition the doc
tTfnal position OF the Cumberland Church and the
color line In support of the proposed plan of union
there will be the stated clerk of the assembly DR.
William Henry Roberts: DR. Charles A Dickey.
moderator in 1890; DR.. Robert F, Coyle retiring
moderator DIT. Howard A. Johnston. OF New-York.
and DR.. James d. Abbott. OF Washington and JEFF
ferson College.
IT Is conceded that a majority of the assembly
favors union with the Cumberland Church. but
there is influential minority opposed 10 union
the terms proposed The opposition is based
principally on the ground that II would be unwise
10 attempt to force the issue az this time the
basis suggested and IL may be necessary, there
fore, 20 modify present plans 10 secure practical
unanrnity at the present assembly.