The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-24
COMMITTEE CONTINUED ,s5 Definite Action by SOuthernPreSbyterianS. MONTG0MERY'S OVERTURE Interesting Question Causes
 Discussion. winona Lake Assembly Votes Down Proposition to Substitute Brief
 Statement for Westminster
 Confession.
MONTG0MERY'S OVERTURE

Fort Worth, Tex, May 23.-At to- days session of the General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church tn 2 committee to which was referred the report of the ad interim conference Committee on Closer Relations with other Presbyterian Churches, which was appointed by the Assembly at Mo- bile in 1904. on overtures from the Presbyterian of Central Mississippi. Chesapeake, Chickasaw, Lexington and Western Texas, and Mississippi, re- ported that after carefully considering the papers from the above named places, they would recommend that the General Assembly commend the fidelity and diligence of the Committee on Closer Relations with Presbyterian and Reformed Churches. and that the As- sembly continue the committee and authorize their conferences to appoint similar committees. with view to per fecting q plan of corporation. 1t was recommended that such reports i,Gfoj k mitted to the next Assembly.
 The report also suggested that the Committee on Closer Relations be in- structed to give due consideration to all suggestions and criticisms that may be offered and that the Moderator of the General Assembly be added to the committee and that he shall, by ap- pointment, add to the committee one from each Synod not now represented in the committee. The matter has been set for discussion at the morning ses- sion of the Assembly, and 1t is expected that some time will elapse before action is taken.
 The Montgomery Overture.
 An interesting question that came up for discussion in the sessions today was the report from the Committee on Bills and overtures on an overture from the Montgomery Presbytery. asking that committee be appointed to confer with similar committees from other Christian churches on the sub ject of marriage and divorce. The overture made mention of the alarming number of divorces that were being granted in this country every year and the ease with which they may be ob- tained, and recommended that somo- thirg be fone to prevent the evil. The discussion took up the greater part of the morning session, and 1t was finally decided that committee be appointed. The committee will not be instructed
 When the Assembly was called to or der this morning the Moderator read a telegram from the General Assembly of the Northern Presbyterian Church. in session at Winona Lake, Ind, ac- knowledging the fraternal greetings from this conference and sending greetings in return. A report from the American Bible Cause was read by Chairman Carson of the standing com mittee on the Bible Cause, and was adopted.
 This afternoon a report from the standing committee on home missions was read and adopted. The report stated that the contributions amount to $6S.2SS.77, being an increase over any previous year.
 A number of recommendations were made to the assembly and the report was finally adopted. The assembly ad- journed at p. m. to accept an invita- ton from the Presbyterian ladies of the city to attend barbecue.