Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-21
NEW YORK.
A PresbrterIan Alliance.

NEW YORK, April 20.-The committee
appointed to prepare a draft Of a constitu-
tion for the confederation of the Presbyte-
rian churches, to be considered at the
meeting in London on the 21st Of July,
submitted the same to the meeting to-day.
The following was adopted:
1t is agreed to form Presbyterian alli-
ance to meet in general council from time
to time, in order to manifest the oneness of
the churches, and combine them in fur
thering the great ends for which the
church was instituted by her Head; it be-
ing understood that the Presbyterian
churches in thus uniting do not mean to
separate from other churches which hold to
Christ, but win be ready to join these in
Christian fellowship, in promoting the
cause Of the Redeemer.
Article 1. This shall be called the Con
federation Of the Reformed Churches hold
ing to the Presbyterian system.
2 The bond Of union is Christ and the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Any church can by its supreme court OBJ
tain admission to the confederation on sub
mitting 10 its creed, and being admitted by
a vote Of the General Council. The creed
must be in conformity with the cOnesnsus
reformed churches.
8. The Constitutional Council shall con-
sist of delegates appointed by the churches
Joining the confederation, the number
from each church being regulated by plan
sanctioned by the council, and proceeding
on the principle Of the number of cOngre-
cations in the churches, the delegates from
each church always consisting of an equal
number of ministers and elders. The
council NAV, on the recommendation Of
the Committee on OVertures, choose assO-
ciates not delegates, and Invite them to
sit, deliberate, etc. .
4. Porers of the COimcil.-While it has
power TO determine what Presbyterian
Churches shall be allowed to join, it shall
not interfere with the internal order or
discipline Of any church, but take up only
such evangelical subjects as have been
committed to the church by her great
head. Topics may be brought before It by
any church which is a member of the con-
federation, or by members Of the council
on being transmitted by tAe committee on
oveTtures. The recommendations Of the
council shall be submitted TO the supreme
court Of the several churches, and be en-
titled to receive respectful consideration.
9th ObjectS.-The Council shall seek to
keep all struggling churches, to promote the
freedom of church action, and disseminate
information concerning the church at large,
to commend the Presbyterian system as
combining prime Piles and adaptation TO all
times aud conditions. 1t shall entertain
all subjects directly concerned with the
work of evangelizatlOn, as the following:
The peace of churches, distribution Of
mission work, combination of church ener-
gies, especially in reference to great cities
and destitute districts, religious instruc-
tions for the young, sanctifcation, suppress
sion of intemperance and other great pre-
vailing vices, systematic benefcence, and
the over throw of infdelity and Romanism
g. MethOdS-The Council shall seek to
guide and stimulate public sentiment by
papers, addresses, publishing and circula-
ting information about tn state of the
church and missions, and by expOsitiOns Of
sound scriptural principles and truth.