The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
OPPONENTS PROTEST GIVING AUTHORITY TO WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Southern Presbyterians Ad- journ Annual Meeting At
 North Carolina City

MoNTREAT. N. C., May 24.-(By Associated Press.) - Although the general assembly of the Southern Presbyterian church in it's closing session here today issued instructions to it's executive committee to add i'm mediately not more than three women to the mem bership of each important committee, the 49 delegates opposing the recognition of women left a pro- test in the records tonight as they departed for home.
 Opponents to the placing of women on the committees, thereby giving them a direct voice in the ably, were defeated yesterday by a vote of 140 to 49. despite the fact the majority report of the committee on bills and | overtures supported their contention. The protest was introduced by pr. R. C. Reed, former moderator; Dr. A. M. Frazer, Staunton. Va.; pr. W. c. Alex ander. Nashville. Tenn. and others Just before the assembly adjourned Recognize women's Rights.
 This protest Is not based on any want of recognition of the ability, | good judgment or consecration of women, nor upon any failure to ap- preciate their magnificent york; the l protest said.
 Tt is based upon the following grounds:
 "Only those should be placed on | the executive committee who are eli- gible to membership in the assembly itself; as women are neither minors nor ruling elders, they are not eligible to membership in the assembly and therefore are not eligible to mem bership on the committee.
 Membership on an executive com mittee is position involving au thority to rule. The Bible expressly | fft -Nt- o1o siastical authority over a man.
 The action Is based on wrong theory of human rights. The Creator has made the human race in two dis tinct and different sexes-male and | female. He created them. The differ ence is In the entire physical struc | ture. This difference does not imply | the inferiority of one sex to the other, but 1t points out different sphere of service. There Is a world wide revolt against this divine ordi- nance and an effort to obliterate all the distinctions between the two sexes.
 Aids Revolutionary Movement.
 In the judgment of the protestants. the assembly has done that which is, in It's essence, leading to widespread revolutionary movements and will make 1t easier to go in that direction in the future. We disclaim the slightest intention of imputing to the assembly any conscious sympathy with the movement referred to, but, nevertheless. we believe the effect will be the same"
 Dr. Russell Cecil, Richmond. Va; Dr. E. W. McCorkle, Rock Bridge Baths, Va. and Judge s. r. Hobbs, Selma. Ala. in reply to the protest In behalf of the assembly, declared that while the statements contained in the paper were appreciated, there was no word in the Bible or the laws of the assembly which would prevent women from becoming members of the executive committee and that the assembly had so ordered.
 substitute for Judge Hobbs mo- tion for the committee to add im- mediately not more than three women, which would have delayed the appointments until next year, was voted down and the Virginia motion passed.
 The assembly, which came to an end today after weeks meeting here and which elected Dr. Alexander Sprunt of Charleston, S. C., as mod orator. will meet next year in San Antonio. Tex.