New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-15
Tense Feeling Among Delegates
to General Assembly, Which
Opens in Atlanta To-day.
UNION TO BE PROPOSED
Merging Of the Denominations
to Come Before Body
Home Mission Expects
Vindication.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune !

-'N'i'"f way II Hh0 b''is many
years since the same tenseness of feeling
has been demonstrated on the day preced-
ing the annual meeting of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church as
that felt i'm every quarter where repre-
sentatives of the denomination are gath
cred here to-day. The conservatives and
the liberals in both matters Of policy and
doctrine are drawing their lines taut.
Several important conferences occupied
the attention of delegates Of the North
ern. Southern, United and Associated Re
formed Presbyterian churches here for "A
joint assembly which will convene to-
morrow. Among subjects considered were
the laymen's missionary movement home
and foreign missions and theological sem
iEaries, and a proposal for a union of
the four denominations. II is understood
such proposition will be presented to the
assembly.
Relationship with Union Seminary.
The election of the presiding officer.
which takes place tomorrow. the policy
Of the board Of publication regarding the
Sunday school literature of the Church
anu Ai' matter ~ tlDStl ItldllDIlSnlD with
the Union Theological Seminary are
causing distinct line to be drawn he
tween the reactionaries and the pro-
gressiNe members of the assembly
There now seems TO be no doubt as 10
the vlndication by the assembly OF the
policy which has been adopted by thu
board Of home missions during recent
years. about which there has been some
apprehension by New York Presbyte-
rians. The Rev Dr. Charles J.. Thomp-
son. secretary Of the board said to a
representative OF The Tribune tonight
that he has every assurance that when
the matter IL presented before the as
sembly next week even the opponents Of
his boards policy Will see the futility Of
their own objections.
The friends Of the candidates fog the
Office of moderator Of the General Assem-
bly, are urgently pressing their claims.
The candidates who have formally an
nounced themselves as being in the
hands of their friends are the Rev. Dr.
:. :. Palmer Of Columbus ohio.
the Rev On Howard Aenew Johnson OF
Stamford, Conn. and formerly pastor Of
the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church,
New York city; the Rev Or. Maitland
Alexander. Of Pittsburgh and the Rev.
Or William McKibben. president Of Lane
Theological seminary. Cincinnati II Is
stated that Or. Palmer is in the lead at
= bate hour tonight
The Southern Presbyterian General As
sembly is facing the matter OF its own
continuance as member of the Federal
Council of Evangelical Churches In Amer
tea. There - a growing sentiment among
the members of this assembly. which also
meets here tomorrow. against such a
continuance. since the federal council does
not pronounce Itself more positively OH
the cardinal doctrines held by this Church.
Another matter concerning which pre-
assembly conferences are being held by
members OF the Southern Church is that
Of brief statement Of its doctrines. II
is possible that tins assembly will not act
on the matter at this time.