Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-21
PRESBYTERIAN.
Draft Of Proposed Constitution for the
Confederation Of Presbyterians at
London 10 July.
An Example for Other Divided Bodies Of
ChFistiaHs-"UnIty, Peace and
Concord"

NEW YORK, April 20.-The commit
tee appointed to prepare and draft
constitution for the proposed cOnfedera-
tiOn Of Presbyterian churches, to be con-
sidered at a meeting in London on the
twenty-fiIst OF July, submitted the same
to the meeting to-day. The following
draft was adopted:
1t is agreed to form a Presbyterian al
lance to meet in general council from
time to time in order to manifest the
oneness OF churches, and combin in
furtheriDg great ends for which the
church was instituted by her head, it
being understood that the Presbyterian
churches thus uniting do not mean
TO separate from other churches which
hold to Christ, but will be ready to join
these in christian fellowship and in pro-
moting:the cause Of the Redeemer.
Article /. TBis alliance shall be called
the confederation Of the reformed
churches holding to the Presbyterian
system.
Article 2 The bond OF union is Christ
and the scriptures Of the old and new
testaments. Any church can, by its su-
preme court, obtain admission to the
confederation on submitting to its creed
and being admitted by a vote Of the
general council. The creed must be in
conformity with those of the reformed
churches.
Article 8. The constitution of the
councils shall consist OF dele gates aD-
pointed by the churches joining the con-
federation, the number from each church
being regulated by the plan and sahc-
toned by the council, aud proceeding
on the principle of the number Of con-
gregations in the churches, the dele
gates from each church always consist
ing OF an equal number of ministers
and elders. The council may, on re-
commentator of the com mittee on
overture, choose. assoc 'ates not dele
gates, and invite them to sit, deliberate,
etc.
Article 4. The powers OF the council.
while it has power to determine what
Presbyterian churches shall be allowed
to join, shall not interfere with the in
ternal order or discipline Of any church,
but shall take up such evangelical sub
jects 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 confederation,
or by members Of the council, or by be-
ing transmitted by the committee on
overtures. Decisions and recommends
tions Of the council shall be transmitted
to the supreme court Of the several
charges, and be entitled to receive re-
spectful consideration.
Article 5. The council shall seek to
help all weak and struggling churches
to promote freedom OF church action to-
gether, and disseminate Information
! concerning the church at large; to COM
mend the Presbyterian system as COM
bining simplicity, efficiency, and aGap-
tation TO all times and conditions. 1t
shall entertain all subjects directly con-
cerned with the work Of evangelizstiOn,
such as the following: The peace Of the
churches; the distribution Of church en-
ergies, and especially in reference to the
great cities and destitute districts; Teli-
gious instruction for the young; the
sanctificatiOn Of the Sabbath the sup
preston Of intempeTance and other great
prevailing vices; systematic beneh-
ence, and the overthrow of intidelity
and ROmanism.
Article 8. The council shall seek 10
guide and stimulate public sentiment 10y
papers, addresses, publishing and circu-
/ lstiug information about the state of the
/ church and missions, and by exposition
Of sound, scriptural principles in the
I defense of truth.
Article Z. The constitution shall not
/ be changed except on 8 motion made at
/ the meeting of council and carried by a
/ tWo-thirds vote at the next meeting.
There was heavy snow at Richmond,
Virginia, Sunday.