The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-29
PEACE ON EARTH.'
The Presbyterians are About
to CLASH Hands,
AND THERE is REJOICING.
Greetings From the Northern to
the Southern Church.

PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-The question of
reunion Of tho two great bodies of the Presby-
terrain church, which was the occasion of such
an exciting episode at yesterday afternoons
session Of the general assembly again came up
unexpectedly this morning, and in the twink
ling of an eye almost, it passed out of the range
of controversy and debate, as far as this assem-
bly, is concerned, and long step was made in
the direction of organic union. The result
was received with perfect whirlwind OF APP
rlause and congratulations among commits
sioners and spectators who crowded the CALLER
les, and who were apparently taken completely
by surprise by the suddenness of the turn in
the proceedings.
The second order of the morning-the report
of the standing committee on temperance--had
just been reached and Rev. w. 0. Campbell,
d. D., had mounted the platform to speak to
its adoption, when Rev. Dr. Smith, of Balti-
more, the venerable ex-moderator of the as
sembly, stepped forward and announced that
the special committee of conference, to which
had been referred yesterday all matters relat-
ing to treating with the southern assembly,
was ready to report.
hush fell upon the assembly, as Rev.
William G. Young, d. D., read the report.
Substantially it was as follows:
That this general assembly commend the fidelity
ana efficiency of the committee appointed last year
to confer with the committee from the southern
assembly as expressed in the report yesterday sub
mitted, and that while it would be premature and
improper to accept that report as definite form OF
union this assembly declares its hearty approval of
all answers in the committees report touching the
various questions submitted to it by the committee
OF the southern assembly.
Furthermore, the general assembly expressed the
hope that the fraternizng spirit that had been man
Tested i'll these centenniel days might prove the
beginning of an of more cordial fellowship and
cooperation between the two assemblies of the
Presbyterian church.
1t was recommended that the committee of
conference appointed last year be continued
with the addition of five members to confer with
any similar committee that might be appoint
ed by the southern assembly respecting the CO.
operation of the two branches of the church.
The report concluded by declaring that this
cooperation, in its fullest sense, could be ac-
complished only by an organic union and ex-
pressed the fullest confidence in the brethren
of the southern assembly.
The report RECOMMENDED the addition of the
following members to the committee of con-
ference: Rev. Henry Darling, ID. D., of Cleve-
land, Ohio; Rev. VIM. G. Young, ID. D., of
Louisville, KY. Hon. S. NJ. Breckenridge, of
ST. Louis, Mo-; Hon. S. NJ. Knox, of Mime
apolis, Mimi.
DIR. Young had scarcely finished reading the
report than score of voices moved its adop-
ton, and there was visible excitement among
the commissioners and auditors. A single
member was seen struggling for recognition in
the body of the hall, but he was unable to
make himself heard, and Il mighty volume of
"ayes'' answered the moderator's question.
That settled it, and the stated clerk Rev.
VIM. II. Roberts, d. D., Immediately tele-
graphed the action to the southern general as
sembly. at Baltimore.