The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12

ness, ana that which VIII be transact
ed first will be TIE election of a mod
orator for this session. The moder-
ator is elected every year. and no man
succeeds himself in this office. which ia
the highest honor tho Presbyterian
Ch"rch can bestow upon one of her
ministers or ruling elders. Almost
always a minister receives this honor;
only three times in the history or tho
assembly has layman been elected
moderator The other officers to be
elected each year are ,wo temporary
clerks. The stated clerk and the per-
'nanent clerk of the assembly hold of
noes which continue from year to year.
All of the work of the Southern
Presbyterian Church is carried on as
the four executive committees of the
General Assembly direct-the executive
committee of foreign missions OF hom,
missions. OF publication and of Chris
iian education and ministerial relief.
From the organ!aa ton of the General
Assembly in 1851 until 1901. the secre-
taries OF the eXecutiv. commit ees We're
elected Tor one year only; from l9Ci
to 1911 they We're elected for term
OF three years; during the assembly
or 1911 the permanent committee or
systematic bcnetcemce, which Is a
young but at the same time q very
important factor of the assembly. rec
commended that the secretaries OF the
executive committees be elected for
one year only. and this recommends
ton carried. No SPECIAL reason wns
assigned for the change in the term
or Office of the secretaries, but II Is
not Improbable that some changes in
the secretaries Will be made during the
assembly this year.
Important Reports.
Several indications Doint to meet.
ing of the General Assembly this year
that VIII be of more than usual in
ierest TO the entire Southern Presby-
terian Church and to others also
Among these indications are the fol-
lowing: The reports of six ad in
term committees viii be submitted
for action. as follows: 1. On marriage
and divorce, which committee was
continued from the assembly OF last
year. >. on the ovcrtures asking for
amendment to par graph 81 OF the
BOOK OF Church Order, which relates
TO change in the basis Of represen-
tation in the General Assembly. 8. On
the subject OF worldl'ness in the
churches. 4. The proposition OF es-
tablishing q great Presbyterian uni
vcrsity in Atlanta or vicinity. .. Cues
tlons concerning the .Assembly's Homo
and School, at Frcdcricks burg, Va. e.
On resolution regarding the menace
concerning the dangers involved in
this connection.
Another subject which will prove Of
unusual interest is the further con-
sideration OF what is known as the
elect infant clause" in the Confession
of Faith. This subject has been be-
fore the assembly several times be-
fore. with the request that some
( change be made in the wording of
3 Il ny. h. foe
sion of Faith. Last year the assem-
/ bly, made proposed change in this
wording. which ii sent down to the
/ presbyteries for their advice and con-
/ sent but the opinion prevails that not
I enough of the prcsbyteries have APP
proved this proposed change for 1t TO
! become effective. The proposed change
would cause this clause on ELECT in
/ fants," which has been the cause OF
! much prejudice against the Presbyte-
| rian Church. to read as follows:
Infants. dying in Infancy. are re-
| generated ana saved by Christ through
the Spirit who workcth whom and
where lie plcascth. So are all others
who are included in the election OF
grace, and who are incapable of being
outwardly called by the ministry OF
the word" 1t IS not improbable, II
this proposed amendment is defeated.
that the assembly will be requested
to omit altogether from the Confession
of Faith the expression, ELECT in
fants."
May Consider Union.
Last year the General Assembly with
drew from the Federal Council OF
the Churches OF Christ in America,
and 1t is not unlikely that this year
some effort Will he made to effect q
return TO that council. There is q
probability also that some considera-
tlon looking toward union with the
United Presbyterian Church will claim
mo attention OF tho assembly. at least
To the extent of the appointment OF a
committee In this connection.
During the assembly of 1910. held ir
Lewishurg. W. Va. Rev. w. I. Sinnott
or tho North Alabama Presbytery. on.
ltered complaint against his presbytery