Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-13
PRESBYTERIAN
CLASH BREWS
FOR ASSEMBLY.
Insurgents to Demand ReCogni-
ton for New York TheoIog-
icaI Seminary.

representatives Of the three leading
PRESBYTERIAN bodies in the United
States meet in Atlanta May Is for
general assemblies, II the considera-
able program for the meetings is car
ried out.
Conservative theological seminaries
in the church, it is anticipated, will
have champions present at the Attain
Ia assembly TO contest the recogni-
ton of the Union Theological Semi
nary Of New York as a source Of
Presbyterian teachings. The ques-
ton of the relation Of that institution
to Presbyterianism will be consid-
cred.
The seminary long has been the
center of bitter controversy. which
eliminated in the famous heresy
trial Of DIR. Charles A. Briggs, one Of
it's professors. and in the refusal Of
the assembly to be responsible for
its teachings.
Sunday School Fight, Too.
The old order and the new will meet
for contest also over the alleged rad
ical teachings in the Sunday school
lessons prepared by the Board Of
Publication and Sabbath School
Work I'm its graded Sunday school
lessons. Advance information indi-
Gates that efforts will be made to
throw out the entire system. Along
this line, also, a new catechism,
which has been in course Of prepa-
ration for years, will be presented for
adoption. The new code is said to
embrace the old teachings in new
phraseology.
Significant, too. will be many other
questions to be preached in Atlanta,
including the questions of the re-
ports Of committees upon organic I'M
ion: first. between the Southern Pres
byteran Church and the United Pres
byterian Church: and second, between
the Northern Presbyterian Church and
the Reformed Germany Church in
the United States, which has a mem
bership OF about 100000. Actual I'M
ion will probably not take place al
the next assembly in either of these
cases, but there is no doubt that a
practical basis of union viii be decid-
ed upon. Unquestionably these dis
cussions will have a powerful intiu-
ence upon the organic union Of all Of
the Presbyterian bodies represented.
Shorten Confession of Faith.
The Southern Assembly will con-
slider what is known as "A Brief
Statement Of Our Belief" At the last
assembly this was presented by enc
of the Texas Presbyteries on the
ground that the elaborate confession
Of faith now tlsed was popularity mis-
understood, and sometimes initiated
against the Presbyterian Church in
the South in pushing its work A
committee OF fifteen was appointed
to prepare this brief statement. This
Is in line with "'rhe Brief Statement
of the Confession of Faith" gotten out
some years ago by the Northern Pres
byterian Church.
While the statement submitted by
this committee win undoubtedly be
conservative. such is the jealousy for
time honored standards that there
will be considerable discussion in the
assembly before II viii pass. Even
though the assembly should adopt l.,
the law provides that Il must be sent
down 20 the Presbyteries. and il is al
together possible that they will reject
II. or else simply authorize its publ
cation in leafiet form without the on
cial Endorsement Of the assembly.
Consider Withdrawal From Council.
The Southern Asse mbly viii take uq
the question OF its connection with
the Federal Council of the Churches
OF Christ in. America. which includes
practically every Protestant denomi-
nation in the United States. Two
years ago the assembly withdrew
from the council and refused to ap-
point further delegates. Last year
however. this action was reconsidered
and delegates were sent to the Chi
cagO quadrennial, but IL is said the
election of DIR. Smaller Mathews as
president OF the Federal Council has
caused sharp criticism in the South
ern Assembly. 1t is understood this
will be urged in the approaching as
sembly as sufficient ground for their
seveTing their connection with this
council.
Southern Presbyterians have a
financial campaign on. known as "tne
million and a half campaign or rs
the campaign of evangelism and
stewardship" The committee hayius
this i'm charge will report upon thJ
occasion Of the assembly's meeting.
Social Problems Also.
In the Northern Presbyterian AS
sembly one Of the chief topics for dis
cussion will be the administrative df-
fairs Of its Board Of Home Missions
In the past ten years the board has
taken a decidedly advanced step in .ts
attack upon the modern situation. Ia
its earlier days il was the function
Of the board to appoint missionaria>
for the frontier OF the United States
but the home mission problem has
swung back 10 the older sections OF
the country and has TO do larg siy
with problems among immigrants and
exceptional populations, especially
in the great cities.
Keeping pace with this movement
the board has specialized In this work
creating departments with superin-
tendents in charge. These men have
dealt very largely with the social
problem as well as the religious life
Of the people in whose interests they
are working. This modern method u
procedure has aroused considerab Z
opposition. and there will undoubtedly
be a consideration Of the entire policy
Of the board In this connection.
The United Presbyterian Assembly
viii act upon the matter OF combining
its boards OF home missions and
church extension.
When the commissioners arrive in
Atlanta they viii be recognized ~
bits Of ribbon tied 20 their button
holes. the southern Presbyterian
wearing red. the United Presbyterian
wearing white and the Northern Pres