The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-05-25
A ROW AMONG
CHURCH PEOPLE
Unp1easantness at Synod
In Savannah.
A PROTEST TO ASSEMBLY
Wrangle Over Central University Of
Kentucky Matter.
The CompIainants Charge. That PAM
phlets Giving Institute,s Side OF
Case Was Illegally and
UnfairIy Distributed.

Savannah, Ca, May 24.--Calling by
name the three representatives OF the
Synod of Kentucky. the compliments
in the Central University of kentucky
matter before the General Assembly of
the Southern Presbyterian Church. In
session here. this afternoon filed pro-
test to the alleged action of the rep
resentatives in distributing on Satur-
day pamphlet giving the institutions
side OF the case.
Col. Thomas w. Bullitt Helm Bruce
and Rev. L. M. Green, D. d, are named
in the protest. which charges that
while the Assembly and congregation
were singing Praise God from Whom
All Blessing Flow" agents employed
by the Kentuckians distributed the
pamphlets among the worsnippers. the
compiainants stating they ARE bold
to affirm that perhaps no such scene
was ever witnessed in this General
Assembly. They pronounced It AN
unusual and unfair proceeding" and
has placed an emphatic disapprovai
upon such a course.
THE protest contains q set OF reso-
buttons containing the following:
Whereas, a pamphlet entitled Dis
cussion on Assembly Deliverance, has
been addressed to the Moderator and
members of the body, and which PAM
phlet moreover. contains a grossly per-
sonal assault on member of the Gen.
eral Assembly. etc,
Resolved, That in the opinion of the
n Ali L..
letters or pamphlets among the mem
bers of the House relative TO case
pending before them or which is ex-
pected TO be submitted to their decis-
ion is an infringement upon the pre-
negatives OF the House and ought to
be discountenanced as an Illegal and
improper attempt to bias the Judgment
of the members
The protest concludes:
IT Federal court forms are to
be substituted for the simple and
practical provisions Of the Presbyte-
riar book OF church order and the
legal pleas are to usurp their places
we may soon see ecclesiastical govern
ment displaced and gowned Judges
marshals and Upstairs and processes
of injunction in place of the spiritual
form OF government which has been
formulated from the revealed word of
God as the proper method OF trying
church cases. Against such innova-
ton, against such attempt at pretudic-
ing and prearguing. against the method
adopted in this case of distributing
printed arguments days in advance of
the hearing of a case as the one now
under consideration, while maintaining
all our rights, we desire to earnestly
enter our protest and our remon-
strances as compliments before this
reverend court which Ia constituted
under the laws of our Lord Jesus
Christ the Heavenly law giver. and
not under the laws of men,"
The protest is signed by Bennett H.
Young and C. w. Somervllle.
Following a motion to admit the pro-
test to record, Colonel T. w. Bullitt,
took the floor. He declared that the
idea of General Young protesting would
cause a smile among those who know
him in Kentucky" In an instant, q
protest was filed against 'unparlia-
mentary language" Colonel Bullet
said the unkind remarks in the paper
Just read caused him to make the re-
marks.
The matter had not been concluded
when the afternoon session OF the As
sembly adjourned.
Previous to the discussion, the fol-
lowing answer from Secretary of State
Knox was read, replying to the Assem-
bly's request for government aid Tor
the two American missionaries await
ing trial at Leopoldville, Congo Free
state, tomorrow. for libel:
"The President directs me 10 &C
knowledge the receipt of your tele-
gram Of May 81, The Department of
State on May 3. cabled the Minister at
Brussels to ask a postponement of the
libel suit against Morrison and Shep-
pard and to request that their trial be
held at some more convenient point
THE Minister, however. was inform
ed that according to the Belgian law,
the government of Belgium is incom-
petent to order postponement or
transfer of civil cases in the Congo
and that the only authority competent
to postpone or transfer a case to any
judicial district is the court itself up
on petition of the defendants.
"The Minister was further informed
that Morrison and Sheppard were al
ready en- route to Leopoldville with
their witnesses. The American consul
at BONA Is in close touch with the sit
uation and is Instructed to exercise ap-
propriute good Offices II necessary.
(Signed) Hnox'