The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-05-19
Southern Body in Session at Dallas Hears Commit
 tGt Reports
MODERATOR ELECTED
 FOR ENSUING YEAR
Reports Show That the Condition of the Denomination in South Is Ex- cellent and Progress Is
 Being Made.

Fort Worth. Tex, May 1S.-Dr. J. E. Plunkett of Augusta, Ga., was today elected moderator by the general assem- bly of the Southern Presbyterian church in the United States. Dr. S. M. Neel, D. D., the retiring moderator delivered his farewell sermon at the morning session. The afternoon session was devoted to hearing committee reports and other rou- tine work
 The question of union or closer rela- tions with other Presbyterian bodies will come up at these meetings, and it is expected that an interesting debate will take place. A committee was appointed by the general assembly last year to study the questions of closer relations and it's report, it Is understood. will cover all phases of the question at issue. The report will include the plan adopted by representatives of the several Presby- teran churches in Pittsburg last year. This plan provides for the amalgamation of an ecclesiastical council from each church body for the promotion of co-oper- ative work.
 Called to Order.
 The forty-ninth general assembly of the Southern Presbyterian church was called to order today at 12:30 o'clock by it's mod orator, Dr. s. M. Neel of Kansas City, and was opened with prayer by Dr. Neei It was publicly announced that all the meetings of the assembly will be open. Ths roll of the commissioners was then called. showing an attendance of about 1S0 delegates, representing the thirteen Ac r.f f1n
 The first business in order after Dr. Neels sermon was the election of mod orator for the ensuing year.
 The following nominations were made: Dr. George Summrey of New Orleans. Dr. J. F. Plunkett of Augusta, Dr. J. S. Lyons of Louisville. Dr. J. H. Howerton of Charlotte. Dr J. F. Falden of Athens, Ga and l.. II. Planton of Danville. Ky. The nominations were then declared closed and the seven candidates were nounced for the election.
 At the special request of Dr. Blanton, however, his name was withdrawn. After three ballots were taken on the elimina- ton plan, the contest narrowed down to but two candidates, Drs Lyons and Punkett On the fourth ballot Dr Punk cit was elected. The vote stood 104 to 65. pr. Neel asked Dr. howerton and Dr. Lyons to escort the moderator-eleet to the chair and at once relinqushed his seat Dr. Plunkett made a short ad- dress to the assembly in which he said:
 pr. Plunkett's Address.
 Il shall endeavor in the fear of God to act rightly in all things, the ends that we hope may be reached that shall come before me in this service, and l ask that in all things the ends that we hope to reach may be reached in the fear of our God"
 pr. Robert Hill of Dallas and F. B. Me Cure of Norfolk, Va. were chosen by the assembly as temporary clerks of the meet ing and to assist in writing the minutes of the meeting.
 pr. Neel the retiring moderator of the assembly, stated to the assembly that he was in receipt of communication ask ing that a four hundredth anniversary of the birth of John hnox, the great Scotch refermer, be celebrated by the assembly next Sunday, and that he had promised to make the suggestion. Dr. Neel also stated that he has asked Dr. Richard c. Reed. professor of church history in the Columbia Seminary of Columbia, S C., to address the assembly upon the occasion next Sunday afternoon
 Hours Are Chosen.
 Dr. w. A. Alexander, stated clerk of the assembly of Clarksville. stated that he Is in receipt of a communication of the alliance of reformed churches of Scotland, suggesting that next Sunday he observed in celebration of the event, and read request from Nashville Pres bytery asking that the assembly observe the day with fitting service
 pr. junius B. French, pastor Of the Broadway Presbyterian church. stated that no provision had been made for the hours during which the assembly will hold its meetings. He suggested that the hours be from to 12 o'clock in the morn ing. from to o'clock in the afternoon and from 8 o'clock to adjournment at night
 This was accepted by the assembly and these hours were made official.
 The late afternoon session of the as. sen1bly was devoted to the reading of ports of committees The report of the active committee on Home Missions fol- lows:
 The report of the executive committee of Home Missions showed receipts includ- ing balances. April 1, 1904. of s99. 946 and disbursements of s.3.50s. the balance on hand March Sl. 1905' being s56ASS. of which sss45 was cash and s5l.ooo bonds and notes
 The total receipts from all sources for home missions was s68.3 .397: ministers and teachers employed. III: outlay for mis- sionary work and buildings s37,ss7. The expenditures were as follows: For the support of five missionaries and fourteen churches among the Mextcans; fifty-sx ministers and 1s1 churches in Texas: twenty-one ministers and forty-two churches in Arkansas. seventeen minis ters and forty churches In Florida; sew enteen ministers and forty-six churches in the Indian Territory; two ministers and four churches in Georgia; four min lsters and nineteen churches in Mississip- pi, eight schools and twenty teachers In the Indian Territory. and ten schools and twenty-seven teachers in the noun tains The whole number of churches aided was sls.
 The amount expended for church cree
 lCa itinusd on second Panel