The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-27
Old school Presbytesis. Asseab "a Plan
for Reunion.

The Presbyterian Old School Assembly ress-
sembled at Albany on the 22d. Some delegates
who were not present yesterday presented Gre
dentals. - ...-... -.
After the transaction Of some business of minor
importance. DIR. Bentley, OF Steubenviile, Ohio,
the Old and New School branches Of the church
on the subject of feunion. These committees
were appointed in 1866. They consisted of fifteen
members from each body. fhe report Is signed
ii. their signatures could not be obtained 10 time.
The report recommends reunion on the follow.
ing basis:
First-Ths reunion shall be effected on the doc.
trinal and the ecclesiastical basis Of our common
standard. The scripture of the Old and New
Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired
word OF God. and the only infallible rule Of faith
and practice. The confession OF faith shall con-
time TO be received as containing the system Of
doctrine taught by the Holy Scriptures.
Second-An the ministers and churches en-
braced in the two bodies shall be admitted TO the
same standing in the united body which they may
hold In their respective connections up 70 the
consummstion Of the union.
Third-Tbe boundaries Of the several presby-
teries and synods shall be adjusted by the gen
ersl assembly Of the united church.
Feurth-The official records OF the two
branches Of the church shall be held as making
mp the one history Of the church, and no rule
which does not stand approved by both shall be
churches, except so far as such rule may affect
the rights OF properly.
Fifih-The corporate right now held by the
two general assemblies shall be consolidated and
applied for their several objects as defined by
law.
sixth-There shall be one set Of committees Of
boards for home and foreign missions and other
religious enterprises Of the church.
Seventh-As soon as practicable the general as
sembly shall reconstruct and consolidate the
INC M milf nd "A rubfoh
now belong 70 the two assemblies.
Eighth-The publications Of the board OF pub
LEGATION and of the publication committee shall
continue 10 be issued as at present, leaving ii to
the board Of publication Of the United Church to
revise these issues.
Ninth-Those theological seminaries that are
under assembly control may, if their boards of
direction so elect, be transferred to the care Of
one OF more of the adjacent synods.
Tenth-It is agreed that the Presbyteries pos
sess the right to examine ministers applying for
admission from other Presbyteries, but such pres
bytery shall be left free TO decide for itself when
Il shall exercise the right.
Eleyenth-It shall be regarded as the duty Of
all our judicatories, ministers and people in the
United Church TO study the things which make
for peace; to guard against all needless and Of
fensve references to the causes that have divided
US.
Twelfth-The terms Of the reunion, II they are
approved by the general assemblies of 1868, shall
be turned over TO the several presbyteries under
their care and shall be Of binding force il they
ratified by three fourths Of the presbyteries con-
nected with each branch Of the church within one
year after they shall have been submitted for ap.
proval.
After some discussion II was resolved to take
up at once for discussion and consideration this
plan for reunion, and continue the discussion
without other interruption than special orders be-
fore made.
Rev. Samuel W. Flesher, of Utica. OF the New
Ech0ol Chnrch and a from he
joint convention Of 1867, made an earnest and
eloquent appeal IN behalf OF reunion.
The entire afternoon session of the PRESBYTERIAN
general assembly was occupied 10 discussing the
proposed basis OF union. DR.. Blanvell WIN. j.
Allen, Stewart, Mort, Ford and Mclean spoke in
favor OF the uoion, aud Rev. Mr.. Smith, Dr..
Bsckus and Rev. Mr.. Bergen in opposition. The
discussion was earnest and eloquent, and was not
concluded when the assembly adjourned until
Saturday.