The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-28

IespOnuence, and IL evoked some QlScuS- sion regarding the appropriation for the western section of the alliance, which is represented by the churches of Canada, Brazil and the United States. The report was adopted.
 Sabbath School Work.
 The Rev. w. T. Palmer submitted the report of the standing committee on pub lication and Sabbath school work. It recommends that the publication of books by the committee be dispensed with. The report was docketed.
 The Rev. J. D. Leslie of Texas stated that the special committee on commis- sions was unable to report, as the com mittee could not agee.
 | The Rev. s. Archer of Greenville, Miss, read the report of the committee on Sab bath observance, and 1t was ordered docketed.
 Rev. c. H. Chester of Nashville, secre- tary of the committee on foreign mis- | sions, who was not named for reelection in the majority report, was retained in the minority report. was granted the priv ilege of addressing the assembly, He said that he would never again be can didate for the position as secretary of the committee. He said that he had been | greatly humiliated by the discussion of the report In which he was concerned. He suggested that testimony as to his Chris | tian character be taken from the people | of Nashville, who knew him. He has | been secretary of the committee for ten years and had done the best he could, but | he Is ready to resign if the assembly can | find a man to take up the work on new | and advanced methods. Dr. Chester was earnestly defended by his friends in the assembly.
 Committees Are Consolidated. At the afternoon session there were two reports made by the joint committee for the education of the ministry and min isterial relief on the overtures Of the synod of Missouri, and the West Han over Presbytery asking for a consolida- ton of these two executive committees so that there shall be but one secretary and one set of officers The majority re- port of the joint committee takes the ground that each cause Is sufficiently important to justify the present scale of expenses. and even more if necessary, to secure a proper success for each cause. The majority, therefore, report adverse ly on the granting of the over.ures.
 The minority report, signed by w. W. Elwang, J. N. Summerel, W. A. Cleve- land, c. c. Taliaferro and G. l.. Bitzer, takes the ground that from the records of the committee for the education of the ministry presented for an inspection, there is not now nor will there be for years a sufficient scope for the activities of this committee to warrant the independ- ent machinery not used to carry 1t on, and involving an expense of nearly n.5 per cent of the total income, and feeling fur ther that there Is real unity between the causes of education for the ministry .t.&. .t,I af on na1 the consolidation under one committee and one secretary would not interfere with the efficient work of either recommend that the overtures be granted.
 Majority Report Adopted.
 After some discussion of the matter the assembly adopted the majority report. The committee on the state of religion submitted a narrative on the state of re- ligion, which was adopted. The committee had under consideration narratives from seyenty-eight out of the eighty-two Pres byteries Of these seventy-three atten- dance upon services good, thirteen very good; seventeen poor As to the obser- vance of family worship, seventy-five re- port sad neglect, and nine report some improvement. Forty-one churches are given as generally observing family wor- ship and eleven churches are noted as be- ing without one lamlly Hltdr. SlXty- seven Presbyteres report favorable ob- servance of the Lords day, nine more or less favorable and seven note desecra- tion.
 Thirty-six report home training of chill dren and youth as good, while forty re- port 1t as greatly neglected; seventy-two eport Sabbath school training we'll done. As to spiritual growth thirty-seven re- port 1t general in their churches, selven report large accessions and thirty-one re- port no evidence of spiritual growth. As to evangelistic work, seven report large work twenty-five some little, thirty-fve very little and two, none The committee urges greater care in the preparation of narratives, and the attendance of the peo- ple on evening services and prayer meet ings, and that all ministers be enjoined to give special attention to the subject of home training in the catechism and scriptures, and to family worship.
 The assembly adjourned sine die at n n.