The Holly chieftain., 1909-05-28
DETROIT MAN ELECTED MoOER-
AToR AFrgR AN EXCITING
CONTEST.
Or. JAMES N. BARkLEY
COMMITTEE REPORTS ESTIMATE
OF FUNDS NEEDED ev THE
VARIOUS BoARps.

Denver.-The Rev. DR.. James M.
Barkley of Detroit was elected as the
moderator of the one hundred and
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 DIR. w. L.
McEwan of Pittsburg were the oppos-
ing candidates.
The 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-
scented to the new moderator from the
Hesbyterian 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
dlfferent varieties of precious metals
from the mines of Colorado. Judge
Mcleod OF Leadville made the presen-
tation of the Leadville gavel, Rev. R.
one from Idaho Springs, and Rev. w.
A. Major presented the gayel of the
Seattle churches. Doctor Barkley
made happy speech of acceptance, in
which he paid tribute to the great
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 40Oth birthday
OF John Calvin occupied the session.
Inc afternoon session was devoted
10 speeches by several of the most
prominent commissioners on the life
and work Of John Calvin. The ora.
uons were Of special merit and deliv-
cred to throng Of commissioners and
visitors that completely filled the aud
itorfum Of the church. The speeches
We're eu1ogistic of the character of
John Calvin. T5g.ss :.
The executive commission. the
committee on administrative agencies.
and the committee on marriage and di.
vorce all made their reports. The re-
ports of the committees were of such
interest as to be almost sensational in
character. 1t was recommended chat
the church take 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.
1he most important report of the
DAY was that Of the executive commits.
sion. some opposition was raised to
.ne acceptance of the report at that
ume and after lengthy debate it 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
Dvteries and 20 synods have appointed
executive commissions to co-oDerate
with the commission of the assembly.
IN many presbyteries and synods
Where the way did not seem clear at
present to appoint executive commits
SONS; tne committees on systematic
oene1lcence OF the judicatories were
authorized to act. We have found
ootn 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 recommenda-
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 he
secured from churches and their sew.
eral organizations
The Board of Home Missions.$ 500.
The Board of Foreign Mis-
mi, SONS. ::......: :...... 100000
III, Inc board' OF education. ...a $3.50
The Board of Publication and
IT., saboath School Work 10000
The Board Of Church Erec-
The Board Of Ministerial Re. Re. '0'''o
lief; .................... 1918
IN Inc Board Tor freedmen. 147.416
The College Board. 4s,0oO
The Permanent Committee
on Temperance. .......... 10000
Iotal. ................ $2.56s.06S
The report Of the marriage and d.
vorce committee calls attention to the
alarming increase of the number Of
divorces granted, as shown bv the
government census. THE census" the
report says. tells a story that sur
prises the people and shames a Chris.
tian nation. In 1887 the total number
OF divorces granted was 27.91S: and in
1905. 72.O62. The total number granted
IN twenty wears was 945,625. Surely
this surprising and alarming Increase
OF the number OF divorces granted