Evening star., 1936-06-04
PRESBYTERIAN AID
GIVEN PAC|F|STS
Assembly to Poll Presbyte-
ries on Constitution Change
Regarding "0bjectors."
BY the Associated Press.

| SYRACUSE, N. Y, June 4.-The
l48th General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church in the United States oi
America voted at Its closing session
yesterday to ask its 279 Presbyteries
whether the church constitution should
be amended to permit Conscientious
objectors" to refrain from participating
| in war.
At the same time, the delegates
selected Columbus, Ohio, for the 1887
convention, and adopted far-reachine
social welfare program high-lighted by
a sharp criticism Of liquor trafflc and
an urgent appeal for stricter law en-
forcement, particularly in regard to
drunken driving
| The assemblys action in deciding to
determine the Presbyteries' attitude on
the war question was opposed vigor-
ouSly by Rev. Dr.. Mark A. Matthews OF
Seattle, Wash, former moderator.
| While declaring himself a firm ad-
vocate Of peace. DR.. Matthews said the
Presbyterians should not go on record
as opposed to taking part in a defen-
| Sive war.
DIR. Matthews Proposal.
| He asserted the church should sup
port the President Of the United States
in measures he would take in event. IL
was necessary to defend the country
against invasion.
If ratified by two-thirds Of the
Presbyteries under Jurisdiction Of the
General Assembly the proposal will
be submitted to the 1887 assembly
for acceptance or rejection
The broad social welfare program
was adopted after some heated de-
bate.
Part Of the program called for con-
demnation of Italy's conquest Of
Ethiopia.
While acknowledging our failure
along with other peoples OF the earth
to meet the just need for fairer dis
tributiOn Of raw materials and foods,
without which the danger of war can
scarcely be removed, we express our
condemnation of the wrong which
the country Of Ethiopia had recently
had to bear"
| Hits Persecution.
Rev. William Lloyd lines of New
York, pastor of one of the largest
Negro churches in the Presbyterian
Church in the United States Of
America. interrupted to shout from
the floor that persecution Of people
Of African origin must cease in this
or in any other country"
He referred first to the Assembly S
resolution condemning religious and
racial persecution in Germany and
the statement of DR.. Matthews that
persecution of Jews in this country
must cease"
Then one delegate, who did not
give his name. cried out from the
floor:
"Mr. Moderator, I wish it made clear
that this Assembly is not sending fra.
ternal greetings TO Mussolini."
The Assembly urged renewed ef.
forts to promote "a timely scientific
and Christian educational program
dealing with the liquor problem" anc
emphasized the need" for local op-
ton.
We believe that the liquor traf
fc, as a tolerated anti-social evil
should be denied all advertising priv
ileges in the United States of Amer
ica." the program said.
In addition. the program called for
Abolition of compulsory military
training. elimination of cheap anc
unworthy motion pictures" anti
child labor legislation, and repeal o
laws legalizing gambling.
The Assembly condemned thu
"usurpation of legal procedure b!
secret or unauthorized parties and or
ganizations. leading to floggings
lynchings or murder"
The program also put the Assembly
on record as being dissatisfied with
any industrial order which does no
provide security for those who vii
work but find no opportunity, ant
with any industrial order which pro
vides no security against the involun'
tory want of children, widows, tn
aged, and the victims Of an era o
| LldSILlACIy'
Philadelphia Session Waited.
As delegates headed homeward to
day, eyes centered on a Philadelphia
convention next week at which tn
fundamentals minority plans Il
start formation of "a real separat
church"
Rev H McAllister Grifiths o
Philadelphia, one of the fundamen
talist leaders suspended from tn
, ministry, predicted that several hun
dred clergymen and laymen woul
attend the meeting.
THE church machine has now sue
r ceeded in discipling its critics VIII
dared to tell the truth about it
boards and agencies" he said. Il
thinks that they are now silenced
We will not be silenced"
Rev. Mr.. Griffiths, Rev. J. Ores
ham Machen and several associate
were suspended by the assembly be
cause they refused to resign from tn
independent board for foreign mis-
sions, a rival of the officially recog