Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-25
DIVORCE PROPOSAL
FA|LS0F ADOPTION
Presbyteries Defeat EIimina-
ton of Desertion as Ground
for Action.

~ ne Associated PTess.
ct. PAUL. MINI, May 9s-Defeat OF
0 proposal 10 eliminate willful desertion
% Q ground for divorce, by q majority
OF Presbyteries preventing its establish
nasnt ~ . rule Of the church, was re-
ported today to the 141st General As
sembly of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States OF America.
It's adoption would have left only one
cause for divorce which the church
would have cognized-infidelity. The
proposal, sent down to the PresbyterieS
approved by 50 Presbyteries and OPP
posed by 100, while IL took no action,
the assembly was told.
Question Not Closed.
Although defeated, the question is
not closed, for the assembly at the
same time had called to its attention
Dubuque PreSbytery which calls upon
the assembly to make a study of the
matter and give to the whole church
q clear deliverance on divorce and re-
marriage"
Other proposals for overtures. which
the assembly is asked to submit to q
vote Of the Presbyteries making up the
church, include: Study of the possibility
Of consolidating some Of the IL theo-
logical senainaries In the interest of
economy; requiring special preparation
and knowledge of church affairs and
history on the part of ruling elders who
have an equal voice in the affairs of
the church with ministers, and provid-
ing for aid to graduates OF theological
seminaries to enable them to serve two
years in home missions after completing
their study.
From the Presbytery of Milwaukee,
Wis, originated a petition to the as
sembly requesting it to go on record in
wide program of education calculated
to prove the benefits of prohibition and
70 mold public opinion in favor of
loyal support of the Constitution with
. view toward securing cooperation OF
States in a similar program.
This petition, in which 132 Presby-
teries sent in concurrences, with only
two not concurring, of those to which
ii was presented for action, asserts that
the results of the last national election
assures that prohibition will be con-
tinued for an indefinite period.
Education Program Held Vital.
"Our experience in recent years has
proved that present methods OF en-
forcement have been marked by I'M
satisfactory features, developing spirit
Of lawlessness among many of our people
and has led to a conviction that pro-
gram of education Of public opinion re-
garding the benefits of prohibition Is
vitality necessary to successful enforce
ment Of the law, whatever methods
may be used to deal with specific cases
of violation" the petition said
Settlement of the controversy in
voiving the management Of Princeton
Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. j.,
is to be sought Monday afternoon. Late
yesterday the group heard conflicting re-
ports In which majorities recommended
that the present dual control of boards
Of trustees and directors be abolished
and q single board be set up.
The outstanding action so far at the
six-day assembly, which will adjourn
next Wednesday, was adoption by an
unanimous vote yesterday of o recon-
mendation for the creation of commits
sions to work for organic union with
other Presbyterian and Protestant
churches.