The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-20
Flurries of Excitement at
Session Of Assemblies
in Atlanta
LIVELY DEBATE ON
FOREIGN MISSIONS
Tilt Between Different Supporters
Results in Ten-Minute Prayer Be-
fore Vote Is Taken.
Sharp Exchanges

Atlanta, May 1a.-snirited discussion
which at times approached acrimonious
debate today caused nurries of excite
ment at the sessions of the three Presby-
terian assemblies now eonvening here
The> northern Presby terIan assembly
opened the day in a turmoil resulting from
the reproduction here of New York
newspaper story charging that Dr. J. T.
stones election as moderator of that
body was brought about through "a deep
laid political scheme" No less excitement
pieraied during the afternoon session
when poignant charges were made in
discussing the report of the special com
mittee on the Union Theological seminary
OF New York, Restoration Of previous re-
lations between the seminary and north
ern church was favored in the majority
report. but was opposed in two minority
reports. In presenting one of these, the
Rev. +. c. Monfort of Cincinnati de-
olared the time has come for the church
to draw the line. The issue lies between
true faith and a Hindu philosopher mas
querading In the guise of Christianity
round OF applause followed this asser-
tion. Definite action on the reports was
deferred until tomorrow.
Lively Tits
A lively tilt between the supporters Of
home and foreign missions in the south
ern Presbyterian assembly this afternoon
resulted in several minutes of prayer oe-
fore vote was taken on the impending
question. The standing committee on
''sy stematie benetieienee' in its report
advocated the apportionment of % per
and p per cent to home missions. An ap-
portionment of "a per cent to foreign
missions and y to home missions was
strongly urged by the permanent COM
mittee on the same subject. Sharp ex-
changes took place between the support
ers of the two schedules, led by DR.. 5.
l.. Morris of Atlanta for nome missions,
and Dr.. A. W. Smith OF Nashville for
foreign missions. After several minutes
OF prayer the recommendations of the
permanent committee were adopted.
| The first ripple of dissension that has
appeared at the sessious Of the nlttd
| Presbyterians assemblies session came
| this afternoon when Dr. W. B. Smiley,
secretary of the Sabbat hschool board.
charged that politics was at the root or
a move to permanentll shift the Sabbath
school extension work from the board or
! publication to the board Of nome missions.
| DR.. Smiley pleaded with the assembly
! to lift The work out of the petty per-
sonalties into which it may have fallen
To Postpone Action
| After a discussion lasting two hours
II was decided to postpone action until
the convening of the ext assembly, but
Rev. George f.. Raiett was chosen TO sue
ceed Dr. Smiley as secretary Of The
| board.
While today's sessions of the assemblies
were marked by saarp discussions OF
questions of vital Importance To each IN
dividual body, added impetus was gl'"n
TO the movement for an organic union II
the various Presbyterian uniofs.
The most important development te ~-
ing toward a crystallization of this newly
launched plan was the unanimous adon-
ton by the northef9l assembly of resolu-
ton authorizing the transmission of pro-
posals for an organic union 10 the 'u-
preme iudciarics of al the Presbyterian
churches in America.
Interest in this mornings session of the
Southern Presbyterian assembly centsred
In a renewal of the activities directed
toward changing he much discussof
eect-nfant clause Of me confession of the
faith. BY substantial majority the rec
ommendation of the committee on over
lures and bills that no amendment seHk-
ing to change the form of the clause he
sent to the presbyteeies was adopted
Women Rcorganized
Women of the Southern PRESBYTERIAN
church this afternoon demanded and re-
ceived recognition for their work in the
mission fields. A communication vus
sent to the assembly by the women ask
Ing that their donate ms TO missions he
accredited directly 10 the missions and
not to the mission beard. This request
was granted
Tomorrow anal action is expected in tte
Southern Presbyterian assembly on the
proposed basis of belief presented bv
committee last week In the northern as
sennbly interesting developments are ar
ticipated when discussion of the diheg-
ences between the church and the Tnlcn
Theological seminary is resumed,
Committee reports are expected to oc-
| cupy the attention of the commissioners
in the United Pres5y' erian assembly II
| tomorrows sessions.