The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-17
Occasion Without Prece-
dent in History of
Presbyterianism.
RESOLUTION ON
"DIVORCE EVIL"
Northern Body Recommends Uni.
form Legislation on This Sub
ject-Spirited Discussion by
Southern Delegates on
Statement Concerning
Belief Of Church.

Atlanta, Ga. May 16.-For the first
time in the history of Presbyterianism
the four grand divisions OF the church
the Northern. the Southern the
United and the Associated Reformed
Joined late this afternoon in union
communion service. Participating were
more than 5000 communicates includ-
ing delegates and commissioners to
the Presbyterian Pentecost and
laymen from every section of the
United States
Presiding over the comuunion SER
vice. which was impressive in It's sim
plicity, were DIR. j. $. Lyons. Dr. r. NJ
Russell and DR.. J. T. Stone, moderators
of the Southern, United and Northern
assem- blles. brief Invocation OF di.
vine blessing and the singing OF psalms
was followed by an address by Dr. Rus
sell. In which he laid especial empha-
sis upon the significance attached to
the union communion service as the
forerunner of ultimate union of the
whole church. prayer by DIR. Lyons
and Dronouncement OF the benediction
by DIR. stone ended the precedent
breaking service.
Busy Session Held.
The second day of the joint assembly
was productive of much that vitally
affects the hosts of Presbyteria nism
Sessions were held by the Northern
Southern and United assemblies, both
in the morning and afternoon. much
business of Importance being trans
acted. despite the fact that the delib-
erations this afternoon were curtailed
out of Difference TO the union com
munion service
An interesting feature OF the day
was the adoption by the Northern as
sembly OF a resolution presented by
Tiafia fa nd
work. bearing directly upon the "di-
| vorce evir' and making recommended :
! tions for the enactment of uniform
legislation on marriage and divorce.
I This resolution recommends that the
| ministers and church courts of the
Northern assembly institute a cam
paign OF education with the object of
| impressing upon the people the sacred
ness OF marriage and the evils OF di-
vorce, and TO arouse In the public mind
| Il realization OF the need of reform
Ministers are urged to study the laws
touching these matters In the several
States. looking toward the introduction
of improved marriage and divorce laws
Recommendations OF the committee on
Christian life and work TO the effect
that the diaconate be made Il conspic-
uous agency of the church, and that
! the assembly indorse inter-church fed
erationS wero also adopted. The rest
of the report OF the comir ittee was de-
ferred until Monday. as was the report
on church cooperation and union.
Spirited Discussion.
spirited discussion was precipi-
tated in the Southern General Assem-
bly, session today when the report OF
special committee containing brief
popular statement OF the belief of the
! Presbyterian Church in the United
States" and containing an important
reference to the elect infant clause"
| cr,h cd Arfif N
was ultimately deferred until Tuesday
That there was division as to the
sentiment of the committees regarding
this matter was indicated by the fact
that two members of the committee
submitted a minority report directly at
variance with that Of the majority. One
portion OF the report says:
"All who die in infancy, and all 9TH
ers who are incapable of exercising
choice are regenerated and saved by
Christ through the Spirit. who works
when and where and how He pleases"
Overtures favcring organic union
were read and referred TO special
committee to consist of one member
from each synod.
President Commended.
AT the morning session of the United
Assembly a lively scene followed the
proposal to include In telegram to
President Wilson, commencing him for
his stand on moral questions, the name
of Secretary of State Bryan. The mo-
ton provided that the telegram was
to be signed by the moderators OF thee
three assemblies. Vigorous opposition
was voiced by many of the commits
sioners ia the Bryan suggestion and
it was decided to send the message
to the President only after the moder-
ator suggested that If the name of
any other governmental official was
mentioned all should he included.
Plans for ministerial relief and memo
rial services for the thirty-two de-
ceased members of the assembly occu-
pied the sessions during the remainder
of the day.
Arrangements have been made by
mammoth reception to the commits
sioncrs OF the three Presbyterian gen
eral assemblies tomorrow after
noon at Agnes Scott College.
Evangelism is Subject.
Evangelism formed the general tonic
of discussion tonight at the second
popular session of the Pan-Presby-
were made by three men prominent i'm
Presbyterianism. Rev. Hugh w. RAN
kin. of Salt Lake City, Utah DR.. John
r. Davies, of Philadelphia, both of the
Northern Assembly. and DR.. w. e Nc
Culloch. of Pittsburgh. Pa, of tha
United Assembly. Presiding over the
meeting was Rev. A. l.. Phillips, of
Richmond.
y vast audience gathered early in
anticipation of the musical prelude to
the regular meeting, consisting OF con
grcgational singing of old fashioned
hymns selected from the Presbyterian
Psalter ~ striking feature OF the
musical service was the singing OF
CONTINUED on Second PaEe0