New-York tribune., 1907-05-23
ASSEMBLY FOR LEAGUE.
:. IT'S YORK INDORSED.
Presbyterians Settle Temperance
Question after Stormy Session.

Columbus. Ohio. May 22-Followins two hours of
exciting debate, which times became acrimonious
anu Verged on personalities the general assembly
OF the Presbyterian Church to-day. at the close
OF one of the liveest sessions in its history.
ADOPTED, without dissenting vote, resolutions de
caring as its policy that the permanent committee
on temperance should not undertake political work
ana indorsing the American Anti-SalOon League as
safe, sane and effective organizato in the ad-
Yaneemeni Of the great cause of temperance, and
pledglne TO it the fullest cooperation consistent
with the constitution of the Church
In anticipation of mOmentous fight over the
temperance question. every commissioner was in his
seat and the gallery Of Memorial Hall was filled
with Spectators, a majority of them women when
at o'clock. as a special order for the day, the
assembly called for the reports Of the committee
on church ponty and temperance
IT became evident almost at the outset that a
majority OF the commissioners bent on settling
for all time the controversy aroused by the organ
izing OF the Interchurch Temperance Federation
against the protest OF the Anti-Saoon League.
The assembly temporarily put aside the report Of
the committee on polty. took up the report OF the
committee on temperance, which had been directed
by the assembly 10 define the duties OF the perma-
nent committee temperance, and adopted the
following resolutions a substitute for one pre-
pared by the committee:
Whereas. the Presbyterian Church has always
and the Assembly believes that the Church in its
organized capacity should not. through any OF Its
tions OF the state. "h.le urging upon Its members
as Christian voters to take active interest In
political affairs bringing to the service OF the
therefore, be II
Resolved. That the Assembly declares $ its policy
that the permanent committee on temperance shall
not interfere in political primaries advocate the
election defeat of candidates for political offices.
enter into the organization OF campaigns. frame
bills for presentation the legislatures lobby be-
fore legislatures. otherwise entange the Church
with the political activities OF the state: provided
that nothing herein may be construed as limiting
the constitutional right OF petition granted in
our standards
The amendment follows:
Whereas. We contend that the Church as an or
ganization must continue to do Its own temperance
work:
Resolved That the General Assembly OF the
presbyterian Church. United States OF America
most heartily commends the American Anti Sa loon
league as sane. safe and effective organization
In the advancement OF the great cause OF temper
ance and pledges thereto the fullest cooperation
consistent with the constitution OF the Church.
The report OF the Board Of Foreign Mission,
STATED That In the last year It had sent out forty
nine new missionaries. OF whom seven were medI-
cal miss sonaries. The total receipts from all
sources for the year 81 227 ssl a. The board
closed the year without deficit but carried over
debt OF previous years of something like $50 600
me me report IN speaking OF the development of
tS eSSeteslasticaI NE In the churches in Japan said
ana In other missions the drift was In the same
ulTecton II also mentioned the development OF
spiritual minded men in the native Church NOTABLY
IN Chlna ana Corea, where leaders were rising
who seemed to be OF more than ordinary sniTee
tuaI power, and OF the revival spirit seen In many
The report OF the Board OF Pu6lication and ssb
bath School showed that the profits OF tho business
IN the last year were considerably IN excess OF
missionary work had been greater more mission.
aries and colPorteurs had been employed and more
organized by the missionaries than in any preced-
ing year