New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-19
PRESBYTERIAN LEGISLATORS
DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF UNION.
THE FoRaAL DEBATE PUT OFF I'LL AFTER THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIoN-HoME MISSIONS
EDUCATION

fhliadelphia, May 1s.-Enough was shadowed forth
In inc Presbyterian General Assembly to-day IN de-
bafe which was brief but exceedingly animated, to
show that tho burning question to be considered
at this centennial session Is the advisabty OF unit
Ing With the Southern Church. In perhaps half an
hour dozen men the platform, or speaking
from their seats with subdued but passionate earnest
ness II was not difficult to that sentiment on the
ono mana and conservatism on the other are strong
ana arc only waiting for an opportunity to be heard
There are many In the Assembly both cergymen ana
laymen, who hope TO this centennial celebration
fifty crowned by tho reunion Of the two great branches
OF the Presbyterian Church. the Northern branch with
It's nearly 5000 ministers, with larger number
of churches and about 100000 communicates, and
mo southern branch with 100 ministers, twice
as many churches and about 100000 communicates.
There are other leaders in the Northern Assembly VINO
are as confident that tho time for reunion has not
yet como That It Will In time, there is little
doubt, they say, but not while those who left the
General Assembly at the beginning of the Rebellion In
1861 arc active In the ministry, nor while those who
were then loyal to the Government are in tho ranks
Fraterna union thereshould be now, but not organic
union at present is their argument
The discussion camo up this afternoon somewhat
unexpectedly Correspondence between the General
Assemblies North and South, was first established In
1882 The following year fraternal delegates were ap
pointed and appeared in the respective bodies Last
practically to inquire the possibility of reunion
between these separated bodies Of brethren holding
common faith and pollty. The committees have met
and discussed the subject fully from every point OF
view, the negro question being the most vital factor
in the perpIcxing problem. for there are two General
Assemblies to agreo upon the plan before one can DO
finally adopted. Tho Rev. DR. Joseph T. Smith, or
Baltimore tho retiring moderator OF the Northern AS
sembly, Is chairman OF its committee, and when he
fn-day
question called forth multitude of answers, apologies,
explanations and comments. Dr. Smith asked whether
the report should be read written, or sent to the
printers TO be distributed later in pamphlet form. Dr.
Herrlck Johnson, OF Chicago, who Will discuss the
question later with HIS accustomed eoquence and
logic, moved that the whole matter be laid over TIL
Friday next, the day after tho Joint celebrations
OF the two assemblies in this city Dr.. W.
c. Young, OF Louisville said that Friday was too atc
No other questions will be so important, none other
will require so much timo and he would say, Let this
be taken up on Monday. DR.. Howard Crosby, OF New
York, favored DR.. Johnson's notion In the heat OF
debate arguments may be presented words uttered
without careful thought may be used which may DO
misconsruod by the Southern brethren, and thus mar
the happiness Of the great memorial day with It's at
tendant reception, excursions and exchange OF ira
ternal greetings. This was the view also Of exGov-
Pollock of this State, who thought the hour had
come when love In all its power should prevail Wait
till after the guests have gone before anything that
may possibly be misnterpreted IS said. DR.. Dickey,
OF Philadelphia, presented fervent plea for love and
peace and harmony. An unvisc speech may undo all
tha. the good people have been striving for solid
year TO accomplish to give their guests from every
State hearty reception, at which there shall be no
North, no South, but all members Of the great Pres
byterian Church and this too without reference to
ha final dispositions Of the organic union question.
Dr. Dckcy had scarcely takon his seat before Dr. k NJ
Patterson also Of this city, whose love for the pre-
viOus speaker, fellow member In the Synod OF Penn
sylvsnla, is said resemble that between saul and
David, rather than that believed TO exist between
David aud Jonathan, rose TO antagonize every point
made by Dr. Diekey. The discussion should take
place al once. There is need Of insinuating that
II will be acrimonious. 1t is to be led by Christian
men in Christian spi..t. DR.. Bingham, OF the
Chester Prcsbytery, OF which DR.. Patterson IS also
member, took issue with the last speaker All the
commissioners arc not OF mind the Southern
question There may be words used that will hurt
somebody. Delay tho debate till after the memorial
day Dr. Young spoke again in defence of his amend
ment that the question should be discussed on Monday
Dr. Crosby again urged the potponemcnt until Friday
and this point sustained by almost unanimous
vote To the great relief Of all, the subject was
ordered from the docket till next Friday morning.
The report which Dr. Smith did not read contains
a letter sent TO the Northern Assemblys Committee
by the Southern Committee, asking the Northern AS
semblys doctrine the subject Of the spirituality OF
the Church. referring especially 10 political denver
ancos" It's principles and policy regarding the rca-
the coorcd people In the South to the Church.
the powers and responsibilities Of the ecclesiastical
boards Of the Church, and finally desiring TO know
whether there traceablo In the Northern Chuieh
and distinct, twelve Of such Pelagian ana semi
Pelagian hereses were matters for controversy III
1897. The Northern Committees reply TO the hrst
question that " We dlGlalm all power as Church 20
ntermeddlo with civil affairs which concern the COM
monwealth, save as Indicated In the Confession ana
pointed out In the powers attributed to the ludlea-
tories OF the ChuIch' The negro question Is an.
swered by the remark that the Northern Church Is not
IN favor Of setting of its colored members into sep
arate Independent organization. The eccieslastlGal
boards simply the agents OF the General assembly
Elittee closes its report thus
IT. conclusion, permit express the hope that our
conferences thus far may have disclosed such substantial
unity Of belief and practice between our two assemblies
a. will induce your assembly to continue and enlarge
powers Of your committee for the purpose OK free
conference the subct OF organic reunion with similar
committee OF General Assembly. We wish frankly
TO add that while our church Is heartily In favor OF
organic reunion with yours do not believe that sueh
reunion is desirable could be effective IN the
great work OF the Master unless t be consummated with
the fullest confidence IN the Christian character aua
doctrinal soundness Of each other upon terms OF PERFECT
equality and reciprocauon, with an earnest ana s,'0
desire to maintain the unity of the Church ana our
common faith and the basis Of candid ana Seero
acceptance OF common standards.
Considerable debate INDUCED in to-day over tno
report Of special committee the management OF inc
board Of Missions for Freedmen which was reau VI
Franklin L. Sheppard, of Baltimore The report con-
sisted of eighteen pages of print defending me Oou,
explaining the criticisms which have been raised
against IT, and calling upon the churches TO raise per
maDent fund Of $50 900 to be invested In sHe'cs 'h
may be available collateral. Of which only tne il~o
shall be used in the extension OF the board WoIs. ~
colored minister, Mr. Will ans, rose 10 suppl ,be
motions OF Justice Strong, OF NdsblnstUn,, III sbciid
Standing Committee the Freedmcns boau This
investigate the special committees report: IN,
brought Mr.. Sheppard TO his feet, In defence u @ rho
mittce. In doing he reflected some"nat ~. ns
actions and the motives Of hr. Williams. ~ 81 he
ce Strong replied IN a speech highly euuSs..S eoor
colored brother Mr. Williams again tooh v' - bis
and, after mpassioncd address, the Eoo hss hcsn
defender prevailed More debate on Nhs' h ~ Freed
prvately called an attempt 20 whtewssh inc fl0oU
mems Board is expected early next week ia. n rr
H. Warner Van Norden OF New ORR an elr nart this