Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-05-28
SWEPT AWAY
THE BARRIERS OF ORGANIC UNION
OF the Two Great Branches Of the Presby-
terrain Church.

PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-The question
of reunion of the two great bodies Of the
Presby terrain Church, which was the Occa-
sion of such an exciting episode in yester-
day afternoons session Of the General As.
sembiy, again came up Unexpectedly this
morning and in the twinkling of On eye
almost it passed ous of the range of con-
troversy and debate as far as this Assem-
bly, is concerned, and long step was made
in the direction of organic union. The re-
sult was received with . perfect whirlwind
of applause and congratulations among the
commissioners and spectators who crowded
the galleries and who were apparently
taken completely by surprise by the SUD-
denuess of tire turn in the proceedings.
The second order of the morniDg-the
report Of the standing Committee on Tenn
perance; had Just been reached and Rev.
W. O. Campbell, d. D., had mounted the
platform, to speak to its adoption, when
the Rev. DR.. Smith, of Baltimore, the ven
cradle ex-Moderstor Of the Assembly,
stepped forward and announced that the
special committee of conference, to which
had been referred yesterday all matters
relating TO treating with the Southern AS
ssmbly, was ready to report. Rev. VIM.
@. Young, d. D., read the report.
Substantially, it was as follows: That
this General Assembly commend the fdel-
ity and efficiency Of the committee ap-
pointed last year, TO confer with commit
tee from the Southern Assembly, as ex-
pressed in the report yesterday submitted,
ard that while it wonld be premature and
improper to accept that report as definite
form of union, this assembly declares its
hearty approval of all answers in the COM
mites report touching the various ques-
tions submitted to it by the committee Of
the Southern Assembly; further
more, the General Assembly
expressed the hope that the fraternizing
spirit that had been manifested in these
centennial days might prove the beginning
of an era of more cordial fellowship and
cooperation between the two assemblies
of the Presbyterian Church. 1t was rec
commended that the Committee Of Confer
ence appointed last year be continued,
with the addition of five members, to con-
fer with any similar committee that might
be appointed by the Southern Assembly
respecting cooperation Of the two branches
Of the church.
The report concluded by declaring that
this cooperation, in its fullest sense, could
be accomplished only By an organic union,
and expressed the fullest confidence
10 the brethren of the South |
ern Assembly. The report recon-
mended the addition of the following mem
hers to the committees Of conference: Rev
Henry Darling, d. D., of Clinton, N. Y;
Rev. Chas. s, Pomeroy, D. d of Cleye- |
lard, Ohio; Rev. VIM. c. Young, of Louis- |
vrllr, Ky Hon.. S. NJ. breckenridge, OF
81. Louis; Hon, Henry N. Knox, OF Min
peapoli.
DIR. Young had scarcely finished reading
tho report than n score OF voices moved its |
adoption, ard 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 a
mighty volume of ''syes" answered the |
MOderatcr's question. That settled 1t, and
the Stated Clerk, Rsv. VIM. II. Roberts, !
q. D., Immediately telegraphed the action
to the Southern General Assembly at Bal
timore As soon ~ the excitement had
subsidized the regular order was quietly re-
sumGd.
The report of the standing committee on
temperance was presented. The report
recommended that church people by no |
means endorse tine traffic in liquor. They |
recommend TO the sessions that church |
membership be denied to liquor dealers. |
DE- Caupbell spoke in favor Of the adop-
tiOn Of the report and it's accompanying
resolution. DR.. Howard Crosby opposed
the adoption Of the resolution denying |
church membership to liquor sellers, and
hoped ii would be stricken ont. The SEN
timent Of the assembly was apparently so
strongly in favor of the resolutions that |
the debate was not prolonged, AMI they .
went through without dissenting voice. |
The Assembly adjourned until Monday.