The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-24
General Assembly Now Restless and Eager to Finish Work
MISSIONARIES ARE HEARD
Workers In Foreign Fields Spoke at Popular Meeting Last Night. Halls Remarks Attacked
 By Commissioners.

By a mere majority or two votes, the articles of agreement were adopted yes terday at 12:3o o'clock. after three days of arduous debate, and the tired Presby- terian general assembly settled down to it's regular channel. The discussion had been on the minority report as a substi- tute for the majority report of the special committee appointed to recommend action on the adoption of the articles. This re- port was voted down by count of go to 91. Then the majority report was sus- talned, the vote standing 96 to a.
 very peculiar incident was that by misapprehension Albert Matoy of Indian Territory first voted against the adoption, and made the correction just before the official vote was declared. Had he not done so the vote would have been tie.
 Voted According to Convictions.
 Many of those who voted in the nega- tive came from presbytries that voted against the adoption of the articles, but every one voted according to his convic- tions. A member of the majority said yesterday that they would have cause to regret the slight majority except for the fact that two-thirds of the presbytries voted in favor of the adoption. and 16 to 10 of the special committee were of the same opinion.
 Last night Moderator J. R. Howerton appointed the committee to nominate the representatives of the assembly in the proposed council. to report today. The committee consists of J. M. Grier. Chal- Hpd- deston and J. L. Dean.
 Advance Spirit of Unity.
 The result of adopting the articles is to formally enter into a. so-called coun- oil with the other reform denominations of the Presbyterian system, whose duties are to advance the spirit of unity and cooperation between the various churches in the United States, and to act as a board of arbitration when requested to do so by two litigant churches. As soon as the twelve representatives of the Presby- terian church, south, are appointed, they will enter into negotiations with the other denominations and gather shortly in their first meeting. The northern church and several others have already adopted the articles and are waiting for the southern church to join.
 Repudiates Halls Remarks.
 The feature of the debate yesterday morning on adoption of the articles of agreement was the strenuous repudlation by Judge Cassells of Missouri, and the Rev. Russell Cecil of Richmond of the statement made by Allen G. Hall Wednes- day night that the southern church Is isolated, and sitting on the curbstone. Both men used all the eloquence and earnestness that was in them, and cen sured MT. Hall for, even If 1t were so "revealing family troubles" while pr Cecil endeavored to show that the south ern church has increased at a great ratio over the northern.
 The other most important action of the assembly yesterday was the selection of Greensboro, N. C., as the next place of meeting, over the heads of three competi- tors, Louisville, Ky, Houston. Tex, and Texarkana. Ark The cause of Greens boro was presented by A. M. Scales of that city. who promised the assembly warm welcome.
 Foreign Mission Meeting.
 A foreign mission popular meeting was held last night, the church was called upon to raise the ,-,.4s,ovj ascribed to 1t by the laymen's movement, the executive committees report was adopted. and sev- eral Of the missionaries of the church made short addresses. Especially inter esting and touching was that of the Rev. J. E. Phipps, or "Foundation," as he is called in the Congo regions, where the negro has been working with his native people more than fifteen years. The oth- CTS were $. P. Fulton of Japan. Hugn White of China Ava Hardie of Brazil and w. II. Forsythe of Korea.
 Eager to Get Through.
 huge load has been lifted from the shoulders of the commissioners, and they are now anxious to get through with bus mess as quickly as possible. Today will be an especially active one, the morning session beginning at 9 o'clock, and the first order will be the consideration of the standing committees report on bills and oyertures. This is especially important a.. the assembly acts on all requests sent up by Presbyteries except some few al- ready called up.
 It Is hoped that adjournment can be taken by tonight, or at least by tomorrow morning The ministers of far-off Texas are desirous of setting of toward home in order to be there for the Sunday ser vices. The mass meeting in the interest of the starving Chinese this afternoon at , o'clock is to be one of great inter- est.
 Yesterday mornings session began with a motion to limit all further debate to ten minutes. which was done The Rev Dr. Dobyns of Missouri offered an amend ment to the majority report on the ar tlcles of agreement, adding a provision that the representatives of the assembly endeavor to get the amendments passed which are wanted by the minority. Mir. F. T. Glasgow of Kentucky moved to table the amendment, which was lost at 65 to 105.
 Attacks Halls Assertions.
 Judge Cassells then took the floor and entered immediately into an mpassioned attack against the assertions of Allen G. Hall made Wednesday night. when he said that the Presbyterian church Is so- lated out of the current of life, and sit ting on the curbstone, watching the pro- cession go by. The judge said: 'I never rise in my neighbours house and say his
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