Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-06-19
Much To Interest
One At National
Church Convention
BY the Editor.

10 any person who has even a small
interest in church matters and an I'M
Outstanding of what the Church has
meant to developing civilization and
to the lives OF men, attendance at
national convention of any one of the
large denominations is an interesting
affair. To one who has attempted to
keep somewhat in touch with the seri-
Gus problems confronting mankind
today and who at the same time is
convinced the Church has vital part
to play in solving those problems, at
tendance at such a convention is an
intensely Illuminating and inspiring ex-
perience.
| have promised to give here a few
OF my impressions while attending the
l42d general assembly of the Pres
byterian Church of the United States of
America, held in Cincinnati from Nav
- to June 4, with pre-assembly con-
ference held on May g. 1t was my
first experience in meeting with and
watching the work of many great lead
ers of the Church and it will long be
remembered
The assembly was composed of ap-
proximately $50 voting commissioners
or delegates, who were entitled to vote
on all questions coming before the
meeting. In addition there were many
visitors who swelled the number in
attendance well above the thousand
mark. These commissioners came from
all parts of the United States, with Wis
itors from far corners of the world.
The sessions of the assembly were
held in large auditorium, the Taft
auditorium, and it was an inspiring
sight to see that large concourse Of
men seated in the auditorium by states
and actively engaged in the work OF
the Church. 1t is not exaggerating to
say that in intelligence, education and
experience they ranked high. Success
full business men, lawyers, doctors,
judges and scores of outstanding edu-
Gators and divines composed this body
of earnest men. They were very much
alive to the problems of the day, were
making an intelligent study of them
and believed that the Church had a
highly important work to perform, as
1t has had for the past two thousand
years. This seriousness, however, did
not depress the gathering, there was
much humor and many incidents that
brought roars of laughter from the as
sembled men.
Statistics are always tiresome to the
average reader, so we will not give
many here. Suffice it to say that the
Presbyterian church has grown into
| worldwide organization, with a great
number of schools and colleges in the
United States and many other coll
leges scattered in mission fields in
foreign lands. Measured in dollars anc
cents, the gross business of the church
is between $10,00O,0 900 and $4,000, O0(
annually. Measured in lives that have
been made fuller, richer and better
the work of the Church is beyond cal
culation.
Another interesting thing to watch
at such a gathering is the mechanic.
of the organization 1t is big bushes.
in operation, big business operating
on worldwide basis The real bust
ness of the church Is carried on durinJ
the year by what is called the Genera
Council composed of the brainiest ant
ablest men of the church. The council
is divided into various committees ant
commissions, each to deal with som,
highly important branch of church
work, such as foreign missions, ma
tional missions, Christian education
and similar lines of work. One highl,
important commission studied during
the year, and reported at the assembly
the serious marriage and divorce prob
lens facing America. They asked t
be continued for further study. Report
from these numerous commissions ar
submitted to the assembly and passe,
upon. 1t was interesting to watch wha
a vast amount of work could b
handled in such few days. Everything
was systematized; everything move,
forward like clockwork, strictly o.
schedule. Action on matters runnin
into millions of dollars and reachin
into all parts of the world were con
| sidered and passed upon by the assem-
bly,, the members of which had bee
divided into committees which in tur,