The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-21

Birmingham, Ala, May 18.-After
strenuous meetings in executive ses-
sion today of the special committee
appointed by the Presbyterian general
assembly to thresh out the question of
adoption of the Charlotte articles of
agreement, named a special committee
to make report which will be made
Monday evening. This committee
consists of Allen G. Hale, J. S. Lyons
and J. P. Trimble.
While the sessions have all been ex-
ecutive and the members are non
committal as to what the report will
be, there is a feeling tonight among
the commissioners that recommends
ton for the adoption of the articles
will be made to the assembly. A poll
of the special committee shows a ma
jority who are known to favor adop-
tion and the three members of the sub
committee are among the leaders in
favor of the adoption OF the articles.
The articles of agreement which
constitute the principal basis of dis
cussiOn at the present assembly, pro-
vide for the creation of council
which shall have the power of naming
itself. This council shall be made up
of commissioners from all the general
assemblies of the church and holding
the Presbyterian faith. The council
lis to have no judicatory power, but
can make recommendations TO various
general assemblies While it will have
be regarded as a long step towards
organic union.
At the opening of the third days ses-
sion of the general assembly of the
Presbyterian church of the United
States, devotional exercises were con-
Quoted by Rev. H. w. Hoon, of San
Antonio. Tex, assisted by DR.. J. p.
Mcmillan of Citronelle Ala, Rev. H.
Tucker Graham, of Farmsville, Va,
and Rev. J. II. Robertson, of Sherman,
following telegram, dated Columbus,
Ohio:
THE general assembly Of the Pres
byterian church in session at Colurl-
bus, Ohio sends fraternal greetings to
the general assembly of the Presby-
terian church in the United States in
session at Birmingham, Ala. Read
!. Ephesians, fourth CHAPTER and 18th
verse;
The scriptural reference noted in the
dispach refers to Paul's exhortation to
unity.
The first committee to report was
the judiciary committee. The report
contained an appeal of the Lafayette
Presbytery from a decision of the syn
cd of Missouri and recommended that
the matter have a special hearing be-
fore the assembly. The question in
volyed the weight to be given by lower
courts to recommendations of the gen.
eral assembly. The assembly then re-
solved itself to court and proceeded
with the hearing. The appeal was
DdSau upon ld0 ISlu0di VI TIC 1dE
cite presbytery to commend the en-
dowment fund for ministerial aid in
accordance with the request Of the gen.
eral assembly, which also prescribed a
way to raise funds. Complaint was
made to the synod of Missouri OF the
action of the Lafayette presbytery and
the complaint was sustained and the
presbytery censured. The presbytery
then appealed. The appeal claims that
the synod of Missouri did the presoy-
tery great injustice in declaring that
it will fully ignore the general assem-
bly,. 1t also AYERS that in taking such
action it places the power of the gen
eraA assembly so high that it exceeded
the constitution
J. H. Cheney, Jr., an elder. presented
Hka HreShytnrv'S side of the cnntrCyer.