The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-02
Report of the Committees of Conference

The Committees of Conference appointed by the
General Synods of the Reformed Church in the
United States and the Reformed Church in Amer
lea met in Philadelphia on the morning OF No
vember 18th, 1874, and spent In joint sessions the
greater part of that day and the forenoon OF the
day following. After very free and brotherly IN
terchange of information concerning the organiZa-
ton, symbols, doctrinal sentiments and usages OF
the two denominations, the Committees agreed
upon the following statement of the results of their
conference:
81. Such large and obvious elements Of like
ness and sympathy as subslst between the two
bodies seem to point very plainly to some ultimate
union between them. They are almost identical
in name, as in origin and in early history. Their
ecclesiastical organization and nomenclature OF
consistory. Chassis synod and general synod, are
substantially the same. One venerable symbol,
the Heidelberg Catechsm is held In common by
the two denominations. The body OF doctrine
which either Church derives from this common
SYMBOL of necessity has close and fundamental re
sembauces The Committees have found, more
over perfect unity OF method and spirit In the
devotional acts which they have performed tOgeth-
er and their whole interview has reminded them
of the essential unity of their work OF caring tor
those Continental Christians Of the Reformed
faith who are so widely distributed over the newer
parts of our country. With these and similar
points of contact between the two bodies, the Com
mittees cannot believe that they will abide apart.
9 The Committees have further found with
qualification that some elements Of seeming differ.
ence between their two denominations have, upon
fuller information concerning them, lost much OF
their apparent Importance. La particular, the
usage of confirmation prevails In the Reformed
Church in the United States aud is unknown In
the Reformed Church in America, but as 1t is ID
terpreted in the constitution of the first named
Church. it is plain that 1t may fully consist With
the principles and methods by which the other
Church admits her baptized youth to full COM
munion. 1t does not appear, therefore, that the
continuance of that usage on one side or the a6st
nence from it on the other, ought to be decisive
obstacle to union. The observance OF testa re-
liRious days in the Reformed Church In the United
States, though very general Is not eTJ )lned, and
therefore stands upon tie same footing with the
same observance as it prevails though to less ex
tent, in the Reformed Church IN America. Even
such divergences as may exist IN the matter OF lit
urpical services so long as they might not be seen
to turn upon important differences of doorinal be-
lief, might be tremendously adjusted. The Com
mittees, indeed have little doubt that all the NIL
nor elements of difference which have grown mp
in the two Churches during their separate life,
cordial and intelligent attempt to bring these he
formed Churches under single banner.
g. The Committees, however, are constrained to
say that some other obstacles to union seem to be
of a less manageable character The most patent
of these lies in the fact that while both OF these de-
nominations accept the Heidelberg Catechism, the
Reformed Church in America adds to this symbol
the Belgic Confession and the Canons OF the Synod
Of bort ln order, therefore, to an organic union
of the two bodies the one or the other would be
compelled to make material change in its doctrn-
al standards. Since neither Committee feels pre-
pared to advise its Synod to make so important
concession, they can only agree in making a frank
statement of this difficulty, in the hope that time
and the best wisdom OF the two denominations,
and, above all, the providence Of God, may direct
to its Just solution. In addition to this, the pro-
bable fact that body made up of these two de-
nominations would include important differences
in doctrinal views and ecclesiastical feeling, has ap
peared during the conference. These obstacles
seem TO preclude any further present negotiations
In the direction of organic union The Committees,
10 conclusion, are fully persuaded that although
their interview has developed no plan or distinct
prospect of the organic union OF their two Church
es, real advance toward that most desirable re
suit has been made In the frank and friendly con
ference which has now been held The difficulty
of merging denominations so old and so we'll estab-
llshed could not be expected to be small. 1t is
something gained to be able to see at what point
the obstacles are greatest Not less valuable is that
cultivation of brotherly acquaintance, esteem, aud
sympathy which the conference has greatly fur
thered. The ultimate issue of their interview the
Committees intrust to Christ the one Head of tie
Universal Church, in the faith that He has kinded
in these sister denominstions,the desire of union,
and that He will not suffer the desire utterly to
fail"
4. Y. GERHART Chm. Com. Ref Oh. in U. s.
l. H. REITER. Sec.
Fl. u. GANsE, Chm. Com. Ref Oh. in America
E. T. CoRwIN, Sec. g
Philadelphia, November 18th, 1874