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April 14, 1909. TH1 actment of the same by a subsequent Assembly." The past Assembly could have recommended something definite and the Presbyteries could have considered it according to the provisions of the constitution and then voted "yes" or "no."' But there is no provision in the book for the Assembly's asking an indefinite question of the Presbyteries?for its calling on them for an expression of any desire for a "change" when the proposed ..?v. J? . I'uailgu IO liui C?CU icniuicij inn icu. The course is clearly contrary to the wise provisions of the Book of Church Order. Then this is but a "straw" vote and can do not good?but may result in ev:l if the affirmative carries. Suppose the majority of the Presbyteries vote in favor of some change. We would still be pj nearer to a solution of the question than we were at the beginning of the last Assembly. The approaching Assembly may or may not recommend some definite change?three-fourths of the following Presbyteries might or might not ratify the proposed change, and the following Assembly might or might not concur in such proposal. Each would be free to act separately, and all must concur before the change could become a law. So a vote ndw in the affirmative can have only a moral influence that might aid future radical legislation. Then it is clear that any kind of an affirmative vote, though modified, in answer to the Assembly's question could and would be counted as repudiating the doctrine of the clause as it now stands. This Assembly will drop the modifications, but count, the votes " for" or "against." The public eagerly watching the outcome yill take the vote and forget the modification suggested or else take some radical view and exploit it as the probable opinion of the Church. If the majority of the Presbyteries yote for any kind of a change, we are placed in the position of repudiating our faith without accepting a substitute. For one year at least tue Southern Church will be at sea. It will be the first time in four hundred years that a Presbyterian could not lay his hand on what his Church believed. How will we face the candidates at the coming ordinations? If the majority of the Presbyteries go on record as favoring a change of this clause when no substitute has or can be agreed upon by them for a year at least, who will have authority to say what the Church believes? Then it should be borne in mind (hat those loving the standards and favoring only a verbal chaiige can get what they want in the regular way when the better wording is discovered. Many of those satisfied with the clause as it stands would not oppcsa a change that would make clearer its intended meaning. Their hopes waver most in the presence of some of the proposed changes. So they are going to stand by the old until the new arrives. They are not willing to trade "sight unseen." They haven't forgotten the story of the old viear who sent his boy to sell the old horse without putting a price on him?the lad returned with the green goggles. The Presbyteries have a right to ask to see the Assembly's horse before they agree to trade. To vote on this question in the afflrma E PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOU tive is to sanction an irregular procedure ?establish a dangerous precedent?do violence to the <jcnstitution of the Church ?probably add confusion to our faith for a year at least, and in the end impair the - integrity of our doctrine. A VACATION WORTH WHILE. By R. E. Magitl, Secretary. The Plan And the Place. An ideal vacation is one which provides rest, recreation, spiritual and mental stimulus in such happy proportion that the vacationist goes back lo work with a keen zest and an enlarged equipment for service to humanity. , This is the ideal the Montreat Association has in mind, and the program next summer will be rich in inspiration and information, and ample time will be given for quiet rest, social fellowship and recreation. Montreat is accessible from all the states of the South and it,s attitude of 3,000 feet provides a climate which is an ideal tonic for the dwellers in the lowlands. The trail to Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Rockies, runs through the Montreat property, and other peaks affording magnificent views are easily" accessible. The Program And Entertainment. Dr. Wilbert W. White of the New York Bible Training Institution will direct tlTe season's work, and the program will be built around a strong course of instruction in the English Bible. Dr. White was heard with great pleasure and profit last year, and visitors to Montreat will again have the privilege of hearing this eminent teacher who believes in the old Bible from cover to cover as the inspired Word of God. The Association will manage the hotels, and last yeaT's experience warrants the statement that all who make advance engagements will be comfortably cared for. The limit of the two hotels is about six hundred, and engagements for rooms should be made well in advance of arrival. Tents may bfc used by those who wish to lead the simple life, and many boarding houses will receive guests. Mountain Work Conference. The program will open on July 14, and and continue until August 31. July 14, to July 27, will be known as a Mountain Work Conference. This conference will bo especially for the preachers and workers who are laboring in the remote rural and mountain districts, and the program will consist of a simple course of instruction in the fundamentals of UIUIC uuv.i i me ttllU V/llU9lltlIl living. 11 is known that the workers who need this program and outing cannot pay for it out of their pitifully meager salaries, and it is proposed to raise a fund with which to give at least one hundred of these self-sacrificing workers their entire expenses for this conference. Dr White will raise $1,000 for this purpose among his friends in New -York, and it is planned to raise $1,500 among the Christian people of the South who know something of the hardships and privations of these devoted servants of God. It is estimated that $25.00 will give this vacation to a worker. Churches, individuals or societies desiring to invest * 4 1 TH. 17 $25.00 where it will give the greatest possible amount of pleasure and profit will do well to take part in this commendable work. The Christian Workers' Conference. The period from July 28, to August 15, will be known as the Christian Workers Conference. During this period every, phase of Christian activity will be considered. and the evenings will be given to popular addresses on vital themes. Dr. Josiah Strong, Dr. d'Aubigne of Prance. Chas. Stelzer, Dr. Louis Meyer. Gov. Glenn, and other speakers of national reputation will be invited to make addresses during this conference. Sunday school workers will be given an opportunity of hearing for one or two hours each day a most practical and helpful discussion of tli"> problems of the Modern Sunday school. Mr. W. C. Pearce and Mr. Franklin McElfresh, two of the International Sunday school workers, have been secured to lead the discussion on "Adult Class Work" and "Teacher Training". Rev A. L. Phillips, D. D. and Rev. J. B. Carpenter will be In direct charge of the Sunday school section. Pastors and church officers will hear and participate in live discussions of nil the problems of the modern Church, and during the last three days of this period special stress will be laid on evangelistic effort. The Assembly's Committee on Evangelistic work will assist in this part of the progrom. No pastor-or Christian worker who is interested in the great problems confronting the church can afford to miss this period. Missionary Conference. From August 17, to August 31, will be known as the Missionary Period, and the program will deal with the problem of our Home and Foreign Mission Committees. Full consideration will also be given to the work of Christian education, enlured evangelization and ministerial education and relief. The strongest speakers obtainable will discuss the problems of these great departments of our church life, and among them will be a number of Missionaries who are home on furloughs. The good women of our church will be given August 17, and 18, to consider their special responsibilities and agencies, and the Home and Foreign Mission problem will both be fully discussed. On same dates the Laymen's Missionary Movement will hold a conference for the training of leaders, and they will unite with the women in public meetings each evening. All railroads will offer summer rates, and tickets should be bought to Black Mountain, N. C., on the Southern Railway. To meet the necessary expenses of the program, an admission fee will bo charged to all visitors entering thd grounds. Full details as to the program and names of speakers will be announced later, and further information may be had by writing to R. E. Magill, Secy., Program Committee, Richmond, Va. Requests for information as to accomodation at hotels and boarding houses should be sent to J. D. Murphy, General Manager, Montreat, N. C.