The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-24
CONT EST ON FLOOR
OF THE ASSEMBLY
Presbyterians Debate Question
of Gifts to Church
SHARP PROTEST IS MADE
mits Report and Says the Action
Might Hinder Union With
Some Other Church

Lewisburg, w. Va, May 23.-Despite
the protest that the action might him
oer union with some other church, the
Southern Presbyterian church. In gen
eral assembly here this afternoon ac
cepted an optional form of convey
ance whereby future donors may be
assured that heir gifts will remain
forever in that organization
The fight over the proposal was tn
most earnest of any contest of the
assembly Judge Frank B. Hutton of
Abingdon, Va, led the forces In favor
OF the adoption of the form, having
presented a majority report of a special
committee
Rev. c. r. Nesbt Of Nashville. Tenn.
submitted minority report signed by
himself. DR.. W. L. LngIe of Atlanta.
eIa'' played the role of an unsuccess-
full compromiser. He wanted the as
sembly to adopt no FORMS
The contest on the floor was inaur
urated by Judge Hutton He read the
form of deed, providing that the prop
erty given to any cause or institution
In the CHI urch could not be diverted to
any other institution beyond the con-
troll of the church.
The discussion became interesting
when DR.. Nesbit declared that tn e
action proposed by Judge Hutton would
provoke an untimely discussion of or
ganic union. He asked that the church
be left to follow where the holy spirit
leads" ~
MY conscience tells me-" said he.
"if 1 let this go without protest /
Will be a sinner"
Pulling up coat sleeves in courtroom
fashion. Judge Hutton set to work to
defend his report
Who's leading the holy spirit?" he
demanded of the minister with an ex-
PLANTATION that he was facetious. Does
anyone know where the spirit is go
ing to lead us? How do we know that
we will interfere with the leading of
the spirit?''
Judge Hutton said that this would
not permit organic union. He explained
that 1t merely provided form where
by person could give. property to tn q
church and know that 1t would never
be diverted to any Institution outside
the southern Presbyterian church.
Your assembly asked our committee
to draw such a form and we did 1t.
And yet you accuse us of stirring UP
debate on organic union and of be-
ing sinners
DR.. Nesbit got the. floor long enough
to say that the report was dangerous
because it provided for the assembly
giving its influence to this kind of
donation.
II hope that never again will / be
appointed on a committee with three
lawyers" said he.
The debate become general. There
was great earnestness and the frock ed
gentlemen became oblivious to their
surroundings. The Rev. DR.. M. L. La
cey, the very personification of dignity
and reverence, so far forgot himself as
he patted out a point in the palm of
his hand as to say: I'll bet you -
-" Laughter for the first time dur
ing the assembly put to rout the dig
nifty of the august body. The gray
haired old man changed his statement
to IT venture"
Finally Judge Hutton's report was
adopted by vote of 100 tors.
The committee on marriages and d.
vorces submitted reports. No action
was taken on them.
Whether a church may take action IA
vorable to prohibition in popular cleo
ton must be acted upon by the as
sembly. Upon recommendation of tn
judicial committee the assembly today
organized a commission of 81 to hear
the complaint of Rev. w. I. Sinnot
against the north Alabama presbytery.
That presbytery Is charged with hav
ing taken action under such circum-
stances.
The assembly may adjourn Friday.