The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-15
CRURCHPROBLEMS.'
. DEMAND SOLUTION
lnportant Meeting Of Prcsby-
terian General Assembly at
Louisville Is Promised.
THE "ELECT INFANT" CLAUSE
Marriage and Divorce" and
Alabama Case" Will Be
,rhreshed Out.

Louisville, KY, May 14.--With an
extensive program arranged for the
celebration OF the semi centennlal of
the church. and confronted with some
of the most Important questions which
nave ever demanded its attention. the
fftyfrst General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in tho United
States (Southern) Will convene here
and ministerial. from every section OF
the South Will be present.
The assembly will be opened at II
o'clock a. NJ. in the Second Presbyte-
rian Church, with sermon by the re-
firing moderator, Rev. Jonathan w.
Bachman. d. D.. pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, Of Chattanooga,
Tenn. Three sessions will be held
daily, the assembly extending through
the following eight days.
Fiftieth Anniversary.
Fifty years ago the Civil War
brought about division of the Pres
byterian Church into two branches.
ono now known as the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America
and tho other the Presbyterian
Church in the United States. 1t Is tho
hftieth anniversary of the establish
ment of tho Southern Church. which
Will sform a feature of tho program
to be observed by the General Assem-.
bly, this year. On the FIRST evening
Rev. Henry Alexander White, D. D.,
LII D.. OF Columbia. 9. c., will deIlver
an address on The Origin OF the
Presbyterian Church in the United
States" in which he Will discuss the
causes which compelled the organiza-
tion of the Southern Church, the dis
coura ements under which tho church
began to live and the heritage OF her
membership from the Scotch Irish, the
Huguenots and the English. On the
following morning. May l9, Rev. The
ron II. Rice. d. D.. OF Richmond. Will
deliver an address on The History
and Progress OF the PRESBYTERIAN
Church in the United States her min
listers and teachers. her missionary
heroes and her triumphs and her
achievements in scholarship. educa ton
and benevolence. The evening Of the
same day Rev. Egbert W. Smith, ID. d.
of Louisville. KY. will speak on THE
Mission of the Presbyterian Church
in the United states" In which he viii
discuss the distinctive work OF the
church and the equipment needed in
the way OF men. money and spiritual
power.
Probably the most important oues-
ton bef, the assembly Will be that
OF the so-called elect infnn," clause
amendment to the Westminster Con-
fession. The reasons for the proposed
change were set forth following the
General Assembly at Lewisburg. ".
Va. by Rev. David NJ. Sweets. d. D..
editor OF the Christian Observer, as
follows:
I'm regard to tn. elect Infant clause
the assembly suggested change IT.
chapter X, section g. OF the Confession
move the charge against the Presby-
terrain Church of teaching infant dam
nation. This charge has often been
made by those who are ignorant of tho
proposed change is intended to meet
such unfounded criticisms OF tn:
church. The proposed amendment was
concurrence as follows: or those whom
God hath given to the Lord Jesus to
be His seed, such as are incapable
saved by Christ, through the Spirit.
who worketh when and where and how
He pleaseth.'" l.',t
DisantisfnctIon Felt.
or more recent date. in touching
upon the same subject. DIR. Sweets has
'There is evident dissatisfaction
of the amendment Tho difficulty iors
not not consist in the fact that any in tho
snurcn oeHeNe IN inc damnation OF
some infants. dying In infancy, while
others do not. All are agreed that the
Scriptures afford sufficient warrant for
the hope that no infants dying in in
fancy are lost. There are others who
60 farther and say that the Scriptures
afford sufficient warrant for asserting
that all infants dying In Infancy ara
elect of God and are regenerated AMI
saved By Jesus Christ. What one class
desires is a confessional statement
which aflrms that all who are elect
are saved. even though they die in
Infancy. The others wish to go fur
Their and affirm that all dying In In
fancy are electand saved The assem-
bly, will be asked to make such
change as will present a definite state
ment OF tho ohurch's belief that all in
fants dying in infancy are elect and
saved" lilf
a recent report from Rev. A. NJ
Fraser. D. D.. chairman OF the ad in
term committee on the proposed re-