The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
Union Movements.

Two Conferences in relation to the
Union OF distinct, yet closely related
Churches were held in the closing days
of the last year, The Committees APP
pointed by the Synod of the Reformed
Church Germany and the Synod of the
Reformed Church (Dutch) met in New
York on the We before Christmas, and
conferred togt II touching the Union OF
the two bodies. The former Church is
strong in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the
latter in New York and New Jersey. The
Heidelberg Catechism is the doctrinal
standard OF both Churches. The Confer.
ences did not result in the formation Of
any definite plan of Union, but DIR APP
pie, of the Reformed Church (Germau),
publishes the information that num-
Der Of important points were tentatively
agreed upon touching the nature OF the
Union that should be aimed at" These
points are to be reconsidered and re-
viewed at another meeting to be held in
Philadelphia in March of the present
year. Meanwhile, we are told that in
the intercourse of the representatives OF
these Reformation Churches in New
York the desire seemed general for a
closer fellowship in some fora between
the two Churches.
Another Conference on the same sub
ject was held on the 29th OF december in
Allegheny, Pa, where the Committees
appointed by the General Assembly OF
the United Presbyterian Church and the
Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, to confer in reference to Union
of these two Churches, met in Joint SEES
sion in the Fou 4h ULited Presbyterian
church. The Conferences in this case
did not result favorably to a speedy
Union Of the bodies represented The
special point of difference was the relation
Of the Church to the government OF this
country, under the compact of the
written Constitution" The general doc
trine of Christs dominion, as Mediator
over the State, is held by both Churches,
but the United Presbyterian Church,
on the one hand, leaves it with the indi-
vidual conscience to decide whether the
nation does or does not so far comply
with the word of God as to permit the
followers of Christ consistently to take
part In the administration of the govern
ment, under the compact of the written
Constitution of the United States. On
the other hand. the Reformed Presby-
terian Church regards this written Con
stitution as an agreement from which all
appeal to the authority of Christ and his
law in national affairs has been excluded,
and as an agreement to administer the
government without an appeal to the law
Of Christ as being over the Constitution
and the Nation itself, and on this ground
requires her members not to become
parties, by any act, to what she believes
to be an immoral compact"
This divergence, in the practical APP
plication OF principle held in common
constituted, as the members of the Com
mittees thought, an insuperable barrier
at present, in the way of the Organic
Union" OF the Churches.
The actual differences between these
Churches, as set forth in the sentences
quoted above, may be boiled down into
the statement that the United Presoy-
terrain Chucb allows it's members to vote
at State and National elections, and the
Reformed Presbyterian does not.--Pre8-
bzfeTl07