The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-28

rests of the Church. when IL shall have become
reunited, which will manifestly require ADJUST
ment on the coming together of two bodies
which have so long acted separately, and con-
cerning some of which matters it is highly de-
srable that there should be previous good
understanding, the two Assemblies agree to
adopt the following declaration not as articles
of compact or covenant, but rs in their Judg-
ment proper and equitable arrangements, TO
Wit
10 All the ministers and churches embraced
i'm the two bodies should be admitted to the same
standing in the united body which they may
have held in their respective connections up to
the contamination of the union.
''2 Imperfectly organized churches are cOun-
selled and expected to become thoroughly Pres
byterian as early within the period of five years
as may be permitted by the highest interests to
be consulted, and no other churches shall be
hereafter received.
'3. The boundaries of the several Presbyteries
and Synods should 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 should
be preserved, and held making up the one
history of the Church; and no rule or precedent
which does not stand approved by both the
bodies should be of any authority until re-estab-
lished in the united body, except in so far 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, should, as far as practicable, be
consolidated, and applied for their aeveral OBJ
jects as defined by law.
SO. There should be one set of Committees or
Boards for Home and Foreign Missions and the
other religious enterprises of the Church, which
the churches should be encouraged to sustain,
though free to cast contributions into other
channels, if they desire to do so.
~. As soon as practicable after the union shall
have been effected, the General Assembly should
reconstruct and consolidate the several per-
manent committees and boards which now
Ip1nr 10 fl,a to ont
as far as possible with impartlality the views
and wishes of the two bodies constituting the
United Church.
"S. The publications of the Board of Publica-
ton and of the Publication Committee should
continue to be issued at present, leaving it to
the Board Of Publication of the United Church to
revise these issues and perfect catalogue for
the United Church to exclude invidous
references to past controversies
So In order to a uniform system of ecclesias-
tical supervision, those Theological seminaries
that are now under Assembly control, may. if
their Boards of Directors so elect, be transferred
to the watch and care of one or more of the adj
jacent SynOds; and the other Seminaries are
advised to introduce, as far may be, into their
constitutions, the principle of Synodical or
Assembly supervision. in which case they shall
be entitled to official recognition and apprO-
baton on the part of the General Assembly.
o. 40 1t should be regarded the duty of all
our judicatOries, ministers, and people in the
United Church to study the things which make
Tor peace ana TO guard against all needless ana
offensive references to the causes that have di-
vded us; and in order to avoid the revival of
past issues by the continuance of any usage in
either branch of the Church that has grown out
of former conflicts, 1t is earnestly recommended
to the lower judicatories of the Church that
they conform their practice in relation to all such
usages, far as is consistent with their cOnYc-
tions of duty, to the general custom of the
Church prior to the controversies that resulted
in the separation.
DAY OF PRAYER.
THAT the counsels of Infinite Wisdom may
guide our decisions, and the blessings of the
Great Head of the Church rest upon the result OF
our efforts for reunion, it is earnestly recon-
mended to the churches throughout both
branches of the Presbyterian Church, that they
observe the second Sabbath in September 1869
as day of fervent and united prayer tC
Almighty God, that He would grant unto us al
The spirit of counsel and might, the spirit OF
knowledge and the fear of the Lord, and in the
new relations now contemplated, enable us tc
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds Of
peace"