Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-11-18
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oClhriytlan Union.
A. r. spsrry, Editor.

,ssoChrisalan Unlon. ]
The General Assemblies OF the
Old School and New school branches
of the Presbyterian Denomination in
this country met at Pittsburg last
week Wednesday. More than two
thirds Of the Presbyteries of both
branches had already voted in favor
of consolidation. In the New School
bEapch, evesy Prspbytery voted for
the union. On Friday, both Assem-
blies separately ratified the union,
then formally dissolved their sepa-
rate existence, and then united in a
grand jubilee meeting, with much
enthusiasm. A Cable dispatch was
sent to Scotland, announcing the
union.
The New York Odserrer, in its
comments upon the reunion, says
that thirty years ago, when the dis
astrOus rupture occurred, the Presby-
terian Church of the United States
included less number of Presbyte-
ries and Synods, ministers and men,
bers, than either of the two divisions
now numbers. And from both of
them has gone into another body the
entire Southern Presbyterian Church,
so that it may be fairly said that
during the separation the Church in
creased almost three fold. The union
brings into one body these constitu-
ent elements:
o. School. n. School. Total.
Presbyteries la3 lis 2sG sG
Ministers 2,sll l,s4s ., 4,22s 22s
Members 258, ,903 1850 43l ,46a
The United Assembly is to meet
in Philadelphia next May. The
united Denomination is now among
the strongest in the country.
| We heartily rejoice that in these
later years a spirit of Union seems to
be abroad among the Churches. A
large and powerful paper, called the
Christian Union, is published in New
York, having for its object the union
of all Christians in one body. A
regular Association has also been
formed in New York, for the same
great purpose, and holds annual
meetings. And this reunion of the
O. g. and n. s.. Presbyteriaas. 10 bst
one among the comparatively many
signs of progress toward Christian
unity as the world slowly becomes
wiser and better. rovH
The subject is of so vast and vital
Importance that secular journals may
very properly discuss it:-Why may
not all Denominations Christians be
ultimately united? 1t seems to us
clear that at the first the Christian
Church was but one-scattered, in
deed, in various localities, gathered
in nuclei at numerous points, but yet
one in doctrine and practice. This
admitted, 1t may be asked:-Was not
the Bible, then as now, whole and
complete, the one sole guide of
Christian faith and works? Has it
changed since then, in any rule or
precept? Have not all the divisions
and separations among the Churches
sprung from human weakness rather
than from the Divine command?
But taking matters as they now
are, do not all or nearly all Of the
Christian Denominations agree that
the vital points OF religion, In doc
trine and practice, are exceedingly
few and plain, so that the wayfaring
man, though fool, need not err
therein? Is 1t, then, too much to
hope that, some day, all Christians
in the whole earth may be united In
one Church, as at the first, agreeing
on the vital points and allowing full
liberty of individual opinion on 9th
ers? Would not such union be i'm
mense strength in the work OF evan
gelizing the world? And should not
every rational step and effort to that
end be hailed with lively Joy by
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