Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-24
JUDGE FRANK B. HUTTON
LEADS FOR ADOPTION
VIRGINIA Jurist Starts Fight by Offer
ina Report Of Committee Arranging
Gifts 70 Church to Remain Forever
in the Observation-Disclosures Init
mates Such Move is Sinful.

Despite the protest that the act1oh
might hinder union with some other
church. the Southern Presbyterian
church. in general assembly here this
afternoon. adopted an optional form OF
CONVEYANCE. whereby future donors
NAV be assured that their gifts VIII
remain forever in that organization.
The fight over the proposal was
the most earnest of any contest OF the
assembly. Judge Frank b. Hutton. OF
Abingdon. Va. led the forces in fav-
or of the adoption OF the form. having
presented majority report of a spe-
cial committee.
Rev. c. r. Nesbit. of Nashville.
Tenn. submitted a minority report
signed by himself ano was the leader
of what proved to be he majority on
the floor. Dr. w. l.. Jingle, OF At
lanta. Ga. played the role OF an un-
ucoeSsful ompromiser. lie wanted
the assembly TO adopt no forms.
Contest Starts.
The contest on the floor was inaug-
urated by Judge Hutton. He read the
form of deed. providing that the
property given TO any court or insti-
ution beyond the control of the
| church could not be diverted to any
institution beyond the control of the
church. The discussion became in
terosting when DR.. Nesbit declared
that the action proposed by Judge
Hutton would provoke an untimeiy
discussion of organic union. He ask
ed that the church be left to follow
where the holy spirit leads.
NV roncf.is pna tolls me said he.
IF let It's go without protest, | will
be q sinner.
| Pulling up his coat sleeves in court
room fashion. Judge Hutton set 10
work to defend his position.
Plain to Donors.
who's leading the Holy Spirit?'
he demanded of the ministers, with
exclamation that he was not facetious.
Does any one know where the spirit
IS going to lead us? How DO we know
that we will interfere with the leading
of the spirit?
Judge Hutton said that this would
rot prevent organic union. He ex-
planned that it merely provided a
form whereby a person could give his
property to the church and know
that ii would never be diverted to
any institution outside the Southern
Presbyterian church.
Your assembly asked our commit
tee to draw such form and we did
il. And yet you accuse us OF stir
ring up debate on organic union and
of being sinners
DIR. Nesbit got the flor long enough
TO say that the report was dangerous.
in that it provided for the assembly
giving its influence to this kind of do
nations.
No More Lawyers
Il hope that never again will ] be
appointed on a committee with three
lawyers" said he.
The debate became general. In
their earnestness. frocked gentlemen
became obliviOus to their surround
ings.
Rev. Dr. VI. l.. Lacey, the very
personiiicaiiOn OF dignity and rever-
ence. so far forget himself. as he pat
ted out a point in the palm OF his
hand. as to say: I'll bet you"
laughter for the FIRST time during the
assembly. put to rout the Presby-
terrain dignity of the august body
The gray haired old man changed
MS Statement 10 venture
Finally Judge Hutton's report was
adopted by a vote Of leo 20 20.
During the day. Rev. J. ID. leslie.
of Texas. was elected permanent
clerk. over Dr. John X. HerndOn. Of
Tennessee: Dr. A. Frazer Of Virginia;
r. NJ. Craig. OF Alabama.
The committee on marriage and
divorce submitted reports No acton
was taken upon them.
On Prohibition
Whether a church may take favor
able action 70 prohibition. in a rcEu-
lar election. must b acted upon b.
the assembly. Upon recommendation
OF the judicial committee. the ascend
u organized a commission o. twenty
seven 20 hear the complaint o. Rev
W. 3. SinnOtt. against the Northern
Alabama Prfsbyfery. That Pre@by-
tory is charged with having taken
action under soch circumstances.
The assembly Is deeply 'chagrined
a. a mistake. which Is said to have
Crcpt into the greetings sent to the
Southern Methodist Conference az
Ashevi!lc. y. G. IN the message the
sssc bmiy referred 10 Isaiah 81. a.
cxprt ssing It's sentiments. Instead Of
this brO'heriy passage about the mes
sage from the uounfains being cited.
Il Is understood the reference, when