The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-06-07

The Basis OF Union as Adopted by In
Two 6eneraI Asse bnsas

4
PREsBTTERIAN REUNION
The basis OF Union Adopted by the
Two General Asse u hnsss
So far as the action Of the great represea.
talys bodfes OF the two branches of the Pres
byterian Church 10 concerned, the reunion OF
the two Schools Old and New, is an ac-
complished fact Both General assemblies
have adopted the basis reported to them
bv the Joint Committee of the two bodies.
This basis now goes dewn to all the Presby>
teries connected with both bodies for final ac-
ton, and there is little doubt at present that
these viii coincide with the action of their
Supreme Judica.ories. The following is the
basis as adopted:
believing that the interests Of The Redeem :
ers Kingdom would be promoted by healing
onr divisions; that practical union would
greatly augment the efficiency Of the whole
Church for the accomplishment of It's divinely
appointed work: that the main causes pre-
ducing division have either wholly passed
away or become SO far imperative, as that
Reunion is not consistent with agreement
in doctrine, order and pollty, on the basis of
our common standards, and The prevalence
OF mutual confidence and love = and tina.
two bodies, bearing the same name. adopting
the same constitution. and claiming the same
corporate rights. cannot be justified by any
bat the most imperative reasons In maintain-
ing separate ard, in some respects, rival or.
ranizations ard regarding it Is both just and
proper tia. reunion should be effected by
the two churches as independent bodies. and
on equal terms, We propose the following
terms and recommendations, as suited to
meet the demands of the easei
j. The reunion shall be effected on the
dee1nnal and ecoleEisstical basis of our COM
mon standards; the Scripture Of the Old
and New Testaments shall be acknowledged
to be the inspired Word of God, and The
only anfallible rule Of faith and practice: the
confession of faith shall continue to be sin
cerely received and adopted, as containing
the system OF doctrine taught in the Holy
Scriptures If being understood that this
Confession Is received in its proper historic
al-that is. the Galvnistic or Hefcrmed-
sense; il is also understood that various
methods OF viewing. stating, explaining. and
Substituting the doctrines of the Confession,
which Dc not impair The integrity Of the Re
formed and Calrinistic system, are to be
freely allowed in the United Church, as
they have hitherto been allowed in the sepa-
Eate churches; and the government and di-
scipiBe of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States shall be approved as cor Lain
Ing the principles and rule of our policy.
3. All the ministers and churches EN-
braced Ia the two bodies shall be admitted 10
The same standing il the united body, which
they may hold in their respective connections
M 10 the consummation of the Union IN
perfectly organized churches ahall be eoEn-
ssie4 and expected 10 BECOME thoroughly
Presbyterian, as early within the period Of
FIVE years. as is permitted by the highest in,
teres,s 10 be consulted and no other such
ehfirrh hes shall be hereafter received.
6. The boundaries on the several Presbs-
teries and Synods shall be adjusted by the
General Assembly Of the United Church.
The official records OF the two branches
Of the church. for the period of separation,
aa1.H &c preserved and ,.alo as making up ID {
one history Of the church and no rQle or
precedent, which does not stand approved by
both the bodies, shall be ofany authority, I'M
iii re-established IN the united body, except
in 50 tar as such rule or precedent may affect
The rights Of property founded thereon
5. The corporate rights, now held by the
two General Assemblies, and by their Boards
and Committees, shall, as far as practicable,
be consolidated, aud applied for their several
objects. as defined b iaN.
s. There shall he one set of committees OF
boards, for Home ana Foreign Missions, and
the other religious enterprises Of the Church,
which the churches shsll be encouraged to
sustain though free 70 cast their contribu-
10 50.
T. As soon as practicable after he union
shall he effected, the General Assembly shall
reconstruct and consolidate the several per-
rnanent committees ard boards which now
belong TO the tso assemblies, in such man
ner as 10 rerrasent, as iar as possible, with
irnnartialty, the views and wishes Of the two
bodies constituting the United Church.
s. The publications. Of the Board Of Pub
Icasion. and Of the Publication Committee,
shall continue to be issued as al present
Leaving il 10 the Board of Publication Of tht
United Church Ia revise these Issues and per
feet cata lague for the Joint Church, so as .o
exclude invidioIs references TO past contro-
VERSES.
9. In order to uniform system Of eceie
siastical supervision fl,.~ Semi
naries that are now under Assembly contro
may if their boards Of direction so elect. be
transferred 10 the watch and care Of enc CT
more Of the adjacent synods, ard tie othel
seminaries are advised to introduce as far a.
may be, into their Constitutions, the princi
pie Of Syuodical or Assembly supervision II
which case they shall be entitled TO an offlcla
recognition and appreciation on the part Q
the General Assembly.
10. 1t is agreed that the Preshyieries pos
sess the right TO examine ministers applying
for admission from other Preshyseres bu
each Presbytery shall be left free to decd
for itself when i shail exercise the right.
IL. 1t shall be regarded as the Duty Of 81
our iadicatories, ministers, and people in th
United Church, to study the things whic
make for peace, ard TO guard asains
all needless and offensive references t
the causes that have divided us; and
in order to avoid the revival of pas
issues, by the continuance of ar
ch IF
Charch that has grown ont of ourf ormer cor
ficts, il is earnestly recommended TO tn
lower judicetories Of the Church that the
eauforrn Their practice ia relation to all sue
Hsases. as far Ms is consistent with their cor
vichons Of duty, to the general custom OF ID
Church prior to the controversies that resell
ed in the separation.
II. The terms of the Reunion, If they Al
approved BY The General Assemblies OF 1856
shall be overturned TO the several Presbvteris
under their care, and shall be of bindir
force, If they are ratified by three-fourths
the Presbyteries connected with each branc
of the Church within one year after the
shall have been submitted to them for 81
preval
Is. TT the two General Assemblies Of Isl
shall find that the plan Of reunion has bet
ratified by the requisite number OF Presb.
teries in each body, they shall, after thecoI
clnsion OF all their business be oissotFeo Z
their respective Moderators in the n,anns
and form following, VIZ: Each Moderate
shall address the Assembly over which
presides, saying, s'By virtue of the authors
delegated to noe by the Church, aHd in cor
formity with the plan of union adopted
the two Presbyterian Churches, let this A
senbiy be dissolved; and do hereby dissoI-
ii, and require General Assembly, chose
ia the same manner. by all the Presbs teries
connection with this body, and all those
connections with the General Assembly NEE
ing this year in TO meet in -. on Il
day Of May, A. D., 1870 and do her
by declare and proclaim that the Gener
Assembly thus constituted viii be the right
6efsrEA Assembly of the Presbyfefis
Church IN the uni.ed statesuf America, moi
BY the grace of God hspyiiy naited.''
Signed, by order 81 the Jeint CcmYnitte
CHARITs G. BEArrv. Chm.
Epwix r, HATFarID, Sew.
GfyYt