The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-20
TEMPERANCE DEBATE
 ABSORBS ASSEMBLY
Anti-SaIoon League Opposes
 Presbyterian Committee
DIR. ROBERTS TO TAKE HAND
The New Moderator Urges co-opera- tion-Important Question May Come Up Tuesday or
 Wednesday.

Columbus, O., May 19-Many important questions are to come before the PresDy- terian general assembly during the pres ent week, and none has aroused more interest than that of the work of the per manent temperance committee. The or ganization of the National Interehurch Temperance Federation at Pittsburg last January, through the efforts of this com mittee, has aroused the opposition of the Anti-saloon league, which regards the new organization as entering upon it's field of work. The league claims that it is in effect an interchurch federation, since it derives its chief support from the various churches, and that therefore the new organization is unnecessary.
 Several overtures have been submitted to the general assembly, asking that the new temperance movement be abandoned, and that undivided support be given to the Anti-saloon league. The question is to be brought before the assembly on these overtures, rather than on the re- port of the temperance committee. if plans of certain church leaders do not fail. The report of the temperance com mttee is on the regular programme for consideration next Friday. By that time, it is feared, many of the commissioners will be leaving for their homes, and as it is desired to have full expression of the assembly on the subject, an effort is be- ing made to have the committee on over lures submit the question on Tuesday or Wednesday.
 Field for Both. The position taken by the permanent temperance committee, Of which the Rev. Dr. John r. Hill of Pittsburg is the sec retary and active officer is that there is 8 field for both the church temperance federation and the Anti-saloon league. The committee holds that it is not in the province of the church to undertake the office vows, which is the duties of civil authorities tc enforce, On the other hand, it does not question the usefulness and necessity for temperance agencies, which are in no way officially connected with the church, and it declares that tt is not it's purpose tG antegonize them. The Rev. Dr. Roberts, the moderator Of the Presbyterian assembly, has taken d strong stand in favor of co-operation and harmony between the temperance com mittee and the Anti-saloon league, hold ing that both have fields of usefulness. His opinion is expected to have great weight in the deliberations of the assem- bly when the controversy is brought up for adjustment. Every effort is being made to prevent the discussion of the temperance matter reaching the acrimon- Ious stage but there is every prospect of lively debate in the assembly.
 Other important matters will be the report of the representatives, of the com mittee on marriage and divorce and on administrative agencies. The former com mittee Is expected to recommend more radical reform in the matter of marriage and divorce and the holding of ministers to q more strict accountability under the standards of the church. The commit tee on administrative agencies is not ex- pected to recommend any immediate ac- tion on the proposition to consolidate the various boards of the church. It is un- derstood, however that it will urge inn portant administrative changes, such as the creation of an executive commission with the moderator as the official head, which shall be the representa- tive body of the church during the interim between the sessions of the general assembly. finder the present system of admnistra- tion there is no body or official to which questions can be referred for immediate settlement between sessions.
 Visitors Supply PuIpits.
 Visiting ministers attending the Pres byterian general assembly occupied the pulpits of practically all the local Protest ant churches today. Rev. pr. William H. Roberts moderator of the assembly, preached this morning at the Broad Street Presbyterian church, and the de- sire to hear him was so great that the , church would not contain all who came. Rev. Dr. Ira Landrith, moderator of the last Cumberland Presbyterian church, nreacbed the sermon at the First Presby- terianA church. and this afternoon ad- dressed a meeting in the chapel at Ohio State university.
 A big labor meeting was held this aft ernoon at Memorial hall, at which Rev. Charles H. Stetzle of New York gave his address on "Labors Champion. Tho local lodge of the International Associa- ton of Machinists, of which union Rev. Mir Stetzle is a member, attended in body.
 The Worlds Sunday school day was ob- served this afternoon by meeting at Broad Street Congregational church, pre- sided over by Dr. w. J. Worden of Phil adelphia At this meeting the following cablegram received by Rev. Dr. Roberts, the moderator. conveying greetings Of the Worlds Sunday school convention, in ses- sion at Rome, was read:
 Rome, May 19.
 ne worlds fifth Sunday school con vention, in session in Rome, sends Chris tian greetings to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church. Read Ephe- sians g.: 16-19
 GEORGE w. BAILEY and PHILLIP w. HOWARD"
 In reply the Rev. Dr. Roberts sent the following:
 Columbus. c. May 19
 ''The Columbus, O., general assembly heartily reciprocates your congratulations. Read Romans, l: :.
 'W. H. ROBERTS"
 The verse referred to by Dr. Roberts reads:
 ITO all that be in Rome beloved of Gods called to be saints. grace to you and peace from God. Our Father and the Lord Jesur Christ"
 Tonight meetings on Sabbath observ-