Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-05-28
REV. DR.. JAMES N. BARkLEY Is
ELECTED MODERATOR BY
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
CALVIN CELEBRATION
BEAUTIFUL GAvELs PRESENTED
TO MODERATOR BY THREE
WESTERN CHURCHES.

| hlouCidtol VI Tic oht uuHuIeu anu
twenty-first general assembly Of the
Presbyterian church of the United
States in session at the Central Pres
byterian church Thursday afternoon.
The choice was made after one Of the
most exciting contests in the history
of the assembly, on the third ballot,
DR.. e. P. Hill Of Chicago and DR.. w. l..
McEwan of Pittsburg were the oppos-
ing candidates.
Tho session Friday was opened in
the morning by Moderator Barkley
and after half an hour of prayer and
devotional singing. the assembly went
to work. Shortly after the opening of
the meeting three gavels were pre-
sented to the new moderator from the
Presbyterian churches of Idaho
Springs, Leadville and Seattle. The
gavels were all beautiful affairs, with
mountings Of gold and silver. while the
one from Leadville was set with six
different varieties Of precious metals
from the mines Of Colorado. Judge
Mcleod Of Leadville made the presen-
tation Of the I-eadville gavel, Rev. r.
F. Coyle Of Denver handed over the
/ one from Idaho Springs. and Rev. w.
A. Major presented the gavel Of the
Seattle churches. Doctor Barkley
made a happy speech of acceptance. in
/ uc pdIu 10 lHe RTeat
West and the work OF the western
churches and men Of God
Reports Of some Of the most impor
tant special committees on matters Of
national Importance and an anniver.
sary celebration of the 400th birthday
OF John Calvin occupied the session.
The afternoon session was devoted
to speeches by several OF the most
prominent commissioners on the life
and work Of John Calvin. The ora
tions were Of special merit and deliv-
cred to throng OF commissioners and
visitors that completely filled the aud.
itorium Of the church. The speeches
were eulogistic of the character of
John Calvin.
| The executive commission, the
committee on administrative agencies,
and the committee on marriage and d.
vorce all made their reports. The re-
ports OF the committees were Of such
interest AZ to be almost sensational In
character. It was recommended chat
the church take n strong and rigid
stand on the question of divorce in the
United States and the most rigorous
measures were urged upon the assem-
bly, for adoption.
The most important report of the
day was that Of the executive commits
sion. Some opposition was raised to
the acceptance of the report at that
time and after n lengthy debate 1t was
decided that the report go over until
Tuesday. The report Of the executive
commission is In part as follows:
We are glad to report that rs pres
byteries and 20 synods have appointed
executive commissions to cooperate
with the commission of the assembly.
In many presbyteries and synods
where the way did not seem clear at
present TO appoint executive commits
sions. the committees on systematic
beneficence Of the judicatories were
authorized to act. We have found
both presbyteries and synods manifest
Ing cordial spirit In promoting the in
terests entrusted to the commission"
The report concludes as follows:
Acting for the entire church the as
sembly may properly authorize the mis-
sionary and benevolent boards and
agencies to incur obligations to the
extent Indicated in the recommends
tons herewith submitted as to the uni
fled budget.
THAT the general assembly appropri-
ate to the uses Of the following boards
and permanent agencies. the amounts
OF money set opposite to their names,
respectively, as these amounts may be
secured from churches and their sew
eral organizations:
The Board OF Home Missions$ 500. 900
The Board OF Foreign Mis-
sions. ................. 1852. 900
The Board Of Education. $3.50
The Board OF Publication and
Sabbath School Work. 10000
The Board Of Church Erec-
ton. ...:............... 7o.sso
The Board Of Ministerial Re-
lief. .................. 1878
The Board for Freedmen. 147.416
The College Board. d.... $4,000
The Permanent Committee
on Temperance. ........ 10000
Total. 81. .56s .o53
The report OF the marriage and d.
vorce committee calls attention to the
alarming Increase Of the number Of
divorces granted. as shown by the
government census. THE census" the
report says. tells story that sur
prises the people and shames a Chris
tian nation. In 1857 the total number
Of divorces granted was 27.91S: and In
1906, 72,062. The total number granted
in twenty years was 945,625. Surely
this surprising and alarming increase
Of the number Of divorces granted
should call halt"
After the opening Of the assembly
Saturday morning Rev. A. z. Conrad Of
Boston made a stirring talk on behalf
Of the evangelistic movement and told
Of the meetings conducted by Rev. DR..
J. Wilbur Chapman In Boston with
great success during the past winter.