The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-02-03
CONFERENCE IN, NEW YORK.

1t will be remembered that Conference
was held last February in the city of New
York, between the committees appointed by
the General Synod of the Reformed Church
and by the General Assembly of the South
ern Presbyterian Church, and that the re-
suit was a report containing the outline OF
plan for general cO0peratiOn-organic
union not being deemed practicable. This
report was approved by the General Synod
aud the General Assembly, and the two
committees were continued and directed to
complete the whole and prepare it for final
adoption, after receiving such suggestions
as the Executive Committees and Boards
might be able to give.
Under this order second Conference was
held in the city of New York, January 10,
and was closed on the 18th. During these
sessions there were present of :he Southern
Committee, Rev. B. NJ. Palmer, D. D., Rev.
VIM. Brown, D. D., Rev. Joseph R. Wilson,
D. D., and the elders, A. NJ. Scales, and W..
H. Smith. The Committee of the Reformed
Church was represented by Rev. II. D.
Ganse, Rev. Joachim ElmendOrf, D. D.,
Rev. A. B. Van Zandt, D. D., p. d.
Van Cleef, D. D., Rev. Ebert S. Porter,
d. D., Rev. E. 7. COrwin, D. D., Rev. A.
G. Vermilye, D. D., Rev. W, R. Gordon,
d. D., Rev. A. P. Van Gieson, d. D., Rev.
VIM. Ormiston, D. D., Rev. W. j. h. Tsy-
lOr, D. D., Rev. Philip Peltz, D. D., with
the elders, Frederick HughsOn and 5. K.
w. Heath. At the adoption of the report
all of the above named members of the Pres
byterian Committee were present, and OF the
Reformed Committee only two or three were
absent. The adoption was unanimous In
both committees. The Christian IntellIgeneer
very properly remarks:
g If the report shall approve itself to the Assem-
Div and Synod it will effect some real increase OF
the intimacy that has been formed between these
two denominations. Yet it will be seen that the
relation provided for is one of cooperation only,
which implies the separate organic lte OF the par
ties which are to cooperate. Beyond this point 1t
is evident the Committees had neither the power
nor the disposition to CO. But up to this hmlt to
which the providence of God has plainly led them,
they have gone with harmony and cordiahty so
complete as to seem divine presage OF gooa re-
suits. 1t viii be seen, indeed, that the particular
forms of cooperation that have been agreed upon
are so simple that they cannot largely effect the
routine of denOminatiOna work IN either Church.
Yet they make very clear expression OF Christian
unity and they connect some important channels OF
bepeVolenee that have hitherto stood apart.
We believe that what has been done will
satisfy all in the Church unless it may be
the few who were born in state of dissstis
faction and have remained so ever since, "be-
ing foreordaiued of old to that cOndemna-
ton" The measures of cooperation devised
will tend to bring the two churches into clos
er and closer relations, and are in the mean
time safe and liable to no friction, as between
the machinery of the two. If the arrange
ment concerning Foreign Missions seems to
be but the small work of planting little seed,
vet that seed is a good one, and now is q
good time to plant it. Within fifty years
those coming after US may find it "great
tree, and thousands upon thousands in lands
now pagan may be sitting under its shadow
with great delight, and finding its fruit sweet
to their taste.
Both of these Conferences we're very har-
monious, and will long be remembered by
those participating in them as among the
most delightful Christian communings they
ever enjoyed. May it please him " for whom
are all things and by whom are all things"
to establish this work of our hands upon us.