Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-05-17
PRESBYTERY JOIN
IN COMMUNION
PRECEDENTs IN PRESBYTERIAN
HISTORY WERE SMASHED
YESTERDAY.
THE evils OF Divorce
Southern Baptists Select Nashville
for Meeting Piacc of Conyen-
tion in 1914.

ATLANTA. Ga, May 16.-For the
first time In the history Of Presby-
terianism the four grand divisions OF
the church, the Northern, the South
ern. the United and the Associate Re
formed. joined late this afternoon in
n union communion service partici-
pating were more than 5000 com
municants, including delegates and
commissioners to the Pan-presbyter-
ian Pentecost and laymeu from ey-
cry section Of the United States.
Presiding over the communion ser
vice, which was impressive in its
simplicity. were DR.. j. 5. Lyons, DR.
r. NJ, Russell and Dr, j.. n, Stone,
moderators OF the Southern, United
and Northern assemblies. A brief in
vocation of divine blessing, and the
singing of psalms was followed by an
address by Or, Russell, in which he
nihcance attached to the union com
munion services as the forcrunncr Of
ultimate union Of the whole church.
A prayer by DR., Lyons ana pronoun-
cement Of the benediction by Or.
Stone ended the precedent breaking
service.
The second day Of the Joint assem-
bly, was productive Of much that Vi
tally affects the hosts of Presbytor-
ianism. Sessions were held by the
Northern. Southern and United As
semblies, both in the morning and
afternoon, much business of impor-
tance being transacted despite the
fact that the deliberations this after
noon were ourtailed out of Difference
to the union communion service.
Rcsolute Against Divorce.
An interesting feature of the day
was the adoption by the Northern
assembly of resolution presented by
the committee on Christian life and
work. bearing directly upon the "dl-
vorce evil" and making recommen-
dations for the enactment OF uniform
legislation on marriage and divorce.
This resolution recommends that the
ministers and church courts Of the
Northern assembly institute q cam
paign of education with the object of
impresslng upon the people the sac
redness of marriage and tho evils of
divorce and to arouse In the public
mind u realization of the need Of re-
form. Ministers are urged to study
tho laws touching these matters in
the several states, looking toward
tho Introduction of improved mar
riage and divorce laws. Reoommen-
dntions of the committee on Chris
tian life and work to the effect that
the diaconate be made a conspicuous
agency of the church, and that the
assembly indorse inter-church fed
erations were also adopted. The rest
of the report of the committee was
deferred until Monday, as was the re-
port on church cooperation and
union.
Elect Infant Clause.
a spirited discussion was precipi-
tated in the Southern assembly ses-
sion today when the report of spe-
cial 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"
was submitted. Action upon the re-
port was ultimately deferred until
Tuesday That there was division as
to the sentiment of the committee re-
garding this matter was Indicated by
the fact that two members of the
committee submitted a minority re-
port directly at variance with that Of
the majority. One says: "All who
die In infancy and all others who are
incapable of exercising choice, are
regenerated and saved by Christ
through the spirit which works
when and how He pleases.'
Overtures favoring organic union
were read and referred to u special
committee to consist of ono member
from each synod.
AT lhC bcosiOh VI tHc
United assembly a lively scene fol-
lowed the proposal to Include in a
telegram to President Wilson, COM
him for his stand on moral
questions, the name OF Secretary |
Bryan. The motion provided that
the telegram was to be signed by the
of the three assemblies.
Vigorous opposition was voiced by
many Of the commissioners to the
Bryan suggestions, and It was decid-
ed to send the message to the presi
dent only.
Plans for ministerial relief and |
memorial services for 81 deceased |
members of the assembly occupied |
the sessions during the remainder of |
the day.
Arrangements have been made by |
the Presbyterians OF Atlanta to ten
der a mammoth reception to the |
commissioners Of the three general
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