Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-20
FINDS
MODERN|ST TA|NT'
IN MISSIONS WORK

SAN ANTOIO, Texas, May IS
(By the Associated Press -From
far-off China came an echo of
the fundamentals modernist contro-
verSy to the general assembly of IL.
Presbyterian Church in the United
States, in session here.
"A faint of modernism was al
legged to have crept into the foreign
mission field. The charge came from
the presbytery of central Mississippi,
which presented an overture passed
at its annual meeting at Louisville.
Miss. 1t was referred to the com
mittee on foreign missions before the
assembly recessed over Sunday to
resume its deliberations Monday
morning.
Sin has caused the worlds needs,
the overture states, adding that some
churches differ as to what that need
is and the remedy for it. Enunciat-
ing the doctrine of the Presbyterian
church that "a crucified and risen
Lord is the only remedy for the
need, the central Mississippi presby-
terry asked that the denomination
withdraw from cooperative mission
work with churches that do not be-
Referring to an investigation or
dered by the general assembly in
1921 into the churchs missions in
CHINA, the overture states:
Text of Overture
I'm the light of what that investi-
cation has revealed as set forth in
the report of the investigating com
mittee of the North kiangsu mis-
sion (ChinO, and from information
derived from the press, and because
of the dangers threatening evangel-
ical doctrines from what is called
the modernistc movement, this Pres
bytery OVertureS the assembly to di-
rect its executive committee of for
elSn missions to withdraw from any
and all institutions in China which
do not recognize the Bible as divine
~ inspired and the only infallible rule
or faith and practice, the deity of
Chrlst, his VlcariOuS atOnem, mt and
the other essential doctrines of
evangelical religion and further that
this committee be directed to give no
support in any way, to any
institutions whose doctrinal each
lngs may not at any time be investi-
gated by proper authorized represent
tatlves of our churches"
In other overtures the same at
tltude is reflected. The presbytery
of kanawha, w. Va. asks that the
assembly withdraw its support from
all union colleges. universities, the
illogical seminaries and other union
educational institutions where mod
ernism is being taught, and that
no money given by the church for
foreign missions should go either di
rectly or indirectly into the dissem-
inatiOn of injurious infidel ideas
the heathen"
Withdrawal Asked
This presbytery demands with |
drawal of not only objectionable
books from the foreign seminaries.
The presbytery of Lexington. Ky.
asks that this whole mattee be re-
ferred to a commission for thorough
with power either to |
take action or report to the next
general assembly.
The assembly proceeded to a re-
vision of many sections of the church |
law contained in the book of church |
order and had completed about half |
this task when adjournment was
taken over the week end.
Among the reviS,ons was one de |
clal1nS that the present form of |
government of the presbytery should |
now be cOmprehended under five
headS, the church. its members, it's
its courts and its orders.
Duties of deacons were definitely
outlined to include the collection and |
Administration of the offerings of the
people for the relief of those in
need and for the work of the church.
drastic change in church or
sanitation was made by the assem-
bly, with the adoption Of para graph
which reads:
"A church may be organized oniv
by the authority of the presbytery,
which may proceed with it's organ.
zation through direct procedure or
through commission or an evan
Sellst to whom the church has in
trusted the power to organize
churches"
Discussion General
The revision produced much dis
cussion, as some believed that the
power of the evangelist to organize
churches should be limited, while
others took the stand that if it were
not for eVangelistS organizing
churches, there would not be as
many congregations now as records
show.
Definition of the rights of the
were outlined by the as
sembly in its adoption of para
graph amending the existing rule |
and stating that the moderator may
change the time and place of the !
court in stated meetings.