The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-07-24
I'I.ESBYTEIsIAN UNION.
The Great Meeting In England
Church Bodies Tint Will be
IIepresented-A Proposed Con-
StitutlOn.

TIC Ofput Mcel1nB Ill LsnRlunU-
Church sBOdlcS Tint Will be
IIepresented-A Proposed Con-
StitutIOn.
On the 2Otll Of this month TUESDAY
the delegates from the Presbyterian
Cburchesthroughout the world assembled
in London in order to perfect the scheme
Of Presbyterian confederation. As many
as fortyeight organizations were repre-
sentcd, comprising the PreSbyterians Of
England, Scotland, ireland, Australia, the
United States, New South Wales, and
other parts Of the Christian world, This
contemplated union of all Prcsbyterians
has been for some time in process Of pre-
paration. It was ilrst suggested In con-
neCtiOn with the tri.Centenary commem-
Grafton Of the birth Of John Knox, and was
approved by the Presbyterian Assembly
Of this country which met IN 1872. At
the Worlds Conference Of the Evangelical
Alliance, held in this city, October, 1873,
d meeting Of the Presbyterian delegates
present was called by the Rev. DR.. James
McCOsh, and their assent 10 the ideA
of confederation secured. A committee
representing the State Church Of Scot.
land, tho Free Church Of Scotland, tile
United Presbyterian Church, the Re.
formed Presbyterian Church, the Prcsby.
tcrinn Church Of Ireland, and the Eng.
lish Presbyterian Church, met in Edin.
burgh, November, 1874, and discussed the
programme Of the meeting now about to
be held, and came to several distinct con.
Clusions. II was their opinion that the
gathering in London should he strictly
representative, and should be composed
Of commissioners appointed by the
churches; that in regard to the English
speaking churches, the Westminster Con.
iessiOn should constitute the doctrinal
basis Of union, but in regard to other
churches having Presbyterian govern.
ment, general agreement with the he.
formed symbols Of doctrine should be re.
Quired.
II will be the business Of this Confer.
ence in London to draft n Constitution as
a basis Of a formal confederation. The
Committee appointed by representatives
of the American churches TO prepare o
draft Of the Constitution OF the Council
presented the following, which was ar.
cepted at meeting held in this city April
90, 1915.
II Is agreed to form Presbyterian
Alliance, to meet In General Council
from time to time, in order TO manifest
the oneness Of churchesnnd combine them
In iurthering the great ends for which
the Church was instituted by her Head
Il being understood that Presbyterian
churches In thus uniting do not mean 10
separate from other churches which hold
to Christ, but will be ready TO join these
in Christian fellowship and In promoting
the cause Of the Retleemer.
Article !. This alliance shall he called
the Confederation Of Reformed Churches
holding TO the Presbyterian system.
Art 2. The Basis Of Union il Christ
and the Scriptures Of the Old and New
Testaments. Any church can, by ils all.
preme court, obtain admission to the
Confederation on submitting its creed
and being admitted by vote Of the Gem
eral Council. The creed must be in con-
formity with the concenSus Of the he.
formed Churches.
AA. 3. The General Council shall con-
sist of delegates appointed by churches
Joining the Confederation, the number
from each Church being regulated by a
plan sanctioned BY the Council and pro.
ceeding on the principle Of the number Of
the congregations in the churches, dele
gates from each Church always consist.
Ing Of an equal number Of ministers and
elders. The Council may, on the recon.
mendation Of the Committee on Over.
tutes. choose associates, not delegates, and
invite them to all, deliberate, &c.
At 4. The powers oil the Council,
while IL has power to determine what
Presbyterian Churches shall be allowed
to ioiii in the Confederation, shall not in.
terfere with the internal order or discl.
pline Of any Church, but shal u Ike upon
herself only such evangelical subjects ns
have been committed to the Church by her
great Head. Topics may be brought be.
fore II by any Church which Is member
Of the Confederation, or by members cl
the Council, on being transmitted by the
Committee on Overlutes. Decisions and
recommendations OF the Council shall be
transmitted to the supreme court Of the
several churches, and be entitled TO re.
ceiye respectful consideration.
AT. 8. The objects Of the Council shall
be to seek TO help all weak and struggling
Churches; to promote freedom Of Church
action together, and disseminate informa-
tiOn concerning, the Church at large to