The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-17
GRAND DIVISIONS
HOLD FIRST UNION
SERVICE IN HISTORY
Participating Are More
Than 5000 Presbyterian
Communicates
READING OF SERVICE
VERY IMPRESSIVE
Second Day of Joint Assembly in
Atlanta Productive of Questions
of Interest to Presbyterians.
Interesting Feature

Atlanta, May 16.-For the first time
In the history of Presbyteriansm the
four grand divisions of the church, the
northern, the southern, the United and
the Associate Reformed. joined late
this afternoon in a union communion
service. Participating were more than
5000 communicates, including delegates
and commissioners to the Pan Presby-'
terian Pentecost and laymen from every
section of the United States.
Presiding over the communion ser
vice. which was impressive in its sim
plicity were DIR. j. S. Lyon, DR. r. M.
Russell and DR. J. T. Stone, moderators
of the Southern, United and Northern
assemblies. brief Invocation of di-
vine blessing. and the singing of psalms
was followed by an address by Dr.
Russell, in which he laid especial en-
phasis upon the Significance attached
to the union communion service as the
forerunner of ultimate union of the
whole church. prayer by Dr. Lyons
and pronouncement of the benediction
by DR.. Stone ended the precedent
breaking service.
Productive of Vitality
The second day of the joint assembly
was productive of much that vitality af-
fects the hosts of Presbyterianism
Sessions were held by the Northern,
Southern and United assemblies both in
the morning and afternoon, much busi-
ness of Importance being transacted de-
spite the fact that the deliberations this
afternoon were curtailed out of defer
ence to the union communion service.
An interesting feature of the day was
the adoption by the Northern assembly
of the resolution presented by the COM
mittee on Christian life and work. bear
ing directly upon the divorce evir'
and making recommendations for the
enactment of uniform legislation on
marriage and divorce. This resolution
recommends that the ministers ami
church courts of the Northern assembly
institute a campaign of education with
the object of impression upon the peo-
pie the sacredness of marriage and the
evils of divorce and to arouse in the
public mind realization touching these
matters in the several states, looking
toward the introduction of improved
marriage and divorce laws. Recommen-
da ations of the committee on Christian
life and work to the effect that the
diaconate be made conspicuous agency
of the church, and that the assembly
indorse church federations were
also adopted. The rest of the report of
the committee was deferred until Mon
day, as was the report on church CO.
operation and union.
Spirited Discussion
A spirited discussion was precipitated
in the Southern assembly session today
when the report of special committee
containing a brief. popular statement
of the belief OF tha Presbyterian church
in the United States" and containing
an important reference to the elect
infant clause" was submitted. Action
upon the report was ultimately deferred
until Tuesday. That there was division
as to the sentiment of the committee
regarding this matter was indicated by
the fact that two members of the COM
mittee submitted a minority report di-
rectly at variance with that of he ma
jority One says: "All who die in in
fancy, and all others 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 favoring organic union
We're read and referred to a special
committee to consist of one member
from each synod.
At the morning session of the United
assembly a lively scene followed the
proposal to include in a 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 the
three assemblies. Vigorous opposition
was voiced by many of the commits
sioners to the Bryan suggestion, and
1T was decided to send the message to
the President only. Plans for minister
ial relief and memorial services for the
S2 deceased members of the assembly
occupied the sessions during. the re-
mainder of the day.
Arrangements have been made bv tba
Presbyterians of Atlanta to tender a
mammoth reception to the commission
ers Of the three general Presbyterian n
assemblies tomorrow afternoon at Ar-
mes Scott college.
Evangelism formed the general tonic of
discussion tonight at the second popular
session OF the Pan-Presby yterian Pente-
cost. Formal addresses were made nv
three men prominent in Presbyterianism.
the Rev. Hugh W. Rankin, Salt Lake
City, Utah; DR.. John r. Davies. Phila-
delphia. both of the northern assembly.
and Dr. w. E. McCulloch, Pittsburp. Of
the United assembly Presiding over the
meeting was the Rev. A. L. Phillips of
Richmond. Va.
vast audience gathered early in an
ticipation of the musical prelude to the
regular meeting, consisting Of congre-
gational singing and old-fashioned HYMNS
selected from the Presbyterian psalter.
A striking feature of the musical service
was the singing of negroes, who occu-
pied section especially reserved for
them.
The Rev. Hugh w Rankin, first speak
er of the evening, described conditions
as he has found them in the northwest
during his rs wears of work as Sunday
school missionary Characterizing that
section as hungry for, the gospel he
urged further activity in support and ex
tension of mission work there.
Personal EVANGELISM was the tonic
OF the address by McCulloch, who de-
plored the lack OF individual work for
the upbuilding of the church by its mem
bers. He said that the trouble with a
large percentage of the. membership of
the churches today, lis the lack Of a
particularly strong motive for service,
and said that the motive is that we
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