The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-25

the tear-wet face bore a smile. ''Yes, Is CT ole nigger My hair is CT gettln' grayer every day, but de good Lawd sho is blest mel He's done sent his light ter shine on me in ma ole age, en I is ture from the Rev. F. J. Brooke and l the Rev. s. J. McMurry, touching poly gamy In foreign fields, we would refer them to the deliverance of the assembly of 1904, page 30, as a sufficient statement l of our churchs eseablished policy upon | this subject. Adopted.
 An overture from Tombigbee Presby- 1 tery, asking the assembly to send down l to the Presbyteries for their consent and approval an overture recommending the rotary method of electing elders and dea- cons. It is recommended that an ad-in- | terim committee be appointed with in- l structions to prepare an amendment to our form of government providing for the l election of elders and deacons for a defin- l ite term of years, and to report to the next assembly. Reversed and answered 1 In the negative.
 An overture from the synod of Arkan l sas, asking that synods be urged to ar range the time of their meeting, so as to l expedite the visits of the secretaries. It Is recommended that this be answered in the negative. Adopted.
 Poygamy Question Comes Up.
 The first thing in the afternoon session during the discussion of the polygamy question as to whether a foreigner who i joins the church under the ministry of missionary must give up his plural wives, 1 the Rev. Dr. Leavel used this illustra- l ton: Here comes man with three l wives all of whom have children, and shows that he has learned to love the Lord Jesus Christ. He entered into those relations before he left the heather con- dition Shall his wives be driven to sui- eide by his rejection of them and per haps a dozen little children's souls be turned back to heathendom. or shall he be allowed to Join the church and continue with them?" He explained that there were only few such cases, but that the missionaries should be allowed the use of their judgment The committees re- port was adopted.
 The Rev. J. P. Robertson of Texas ar 1 gued eloquently upon the need of a TO- tary system of eecting elders and dea- cons but on motion of w. M. Alexander l it was voted down.
 The committee on foreign correspond ence reported in the affirmative on an overture from the Lafayette Presbytery l that representatives be elected to the in- | terchurch conference on federation to be held in 1909, and the moderator was in- structed to appoint thirteen delegates to the conference. .+4o4E
 Accepts Federation Plan.
 The Presbyterian church, thereby im- piled its acceptance of the federation and organization which was completed in 1905. l This Is one of the greatest movements in modern Protestant history. The following 1 resolution, adopted by the last conference, gives an idea of its scope:
 l 'fWhereaS. in the providence of God the 1 time has come when 1t seems fitting moro 1 fully to manifest the essential oneness or the Christian churches of America in l Jesus Christ as their divine Lord and Savior, and to promote the spirit of fel- l lowship, service and cooperation among them, the delegates to the interchurf conference on federation, assembleof | New York city, do hereby recommen'H | following plan of federation to tho
 ian bodies represented in this CT for their approval:
 For the prosecution of we an be better done in union than ton a council is hereby estc' whose name shall be the FederH | of the Churches of Christ in
 ''The following Chrjf s shall be entitled to represerf shis federal council on their a the purpose and plan of the q tion: CThe list includes practical the Protestatn churches.) H
 '"The object of this federal council shall be to express the "cwship and the catholic unity of the an church, to bring the Christian America into united service and the world, to encourage dt lloWship and mutual council co e spirlt- ual life and religious or the churches. To secure '7mbined influence for the Chur in all matters affecting the social conditions of the peopl romote the application of the rlst m | every relation of huma Slst Ill the organization of loci or the federal council, to pro ms III | their communities.
 This federal council no au- thority over the const ss ad- herring to It. but It's all be limited to the eXpressio ne re- commenting of the cot on Tn matters of common the churches, local councils 1ouai Christians It has no au aw a common creed or form |, or of worship, or in anyway sfull autonomy of the Chris aa- herring to 1t.
 Members of this fedei shall be appointed as follow. the Christian bodies adherne ieral council shall be entitled pers and shall be further entitl lem her for every fifty thoust 'om- municants or major fracu inc question of representation pun cils shall be referred to U foh- stituent bodies and to tn ing of the federal council
 Any action to be taken acii shall be by the general yo m- bers. but in case one-thiro m hers present and voting ne vote shall be by the bode ed' the members of each body IT. ately and action shall req te not only of a majority or rs voting, but also of the e- | sented."
 Greetings to Other The stated clerk was instr I'd the greetings and well wish > sembly to the Episcopal chul to a communication from tht | Wevill and to the synod of r swer to tidings brought by 7 which included sympathies . during its troubles and the | they may be soon healed.
 The report of the executiv of the Presbyterian Alliance ed, and its recommendations the churches. The moderat
 structed to appoint nineteen
 tives for the next meeting.
 The report of the committed
 ard colleges was taken up