Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-05-27
SWEPT AWAY
The BARRIERS OF ORGANIC UNION
OF the Two Great Branches Of the Prssby-
terrain Church.
4 SCENE OF GREAT EXCITEMENT
In the Session Of the Assembly at Phila-
dalphia.

PHILADELPHIA, May 26.-The question
of reunion Of the two great bodies of the
Presby Church, which was the occa-
sion Of such an exciting episode in ysster-
day afternoons session of the General As.
sembiy, again came up Unexpectedly this
morning and in the twiuklipg Of an eye
almost it passed out of the range of con-
troversy and debate as far as this Assem-
bly, is concerned, and q long step was made
in the direction of organic union. The re-
suit 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-
denness of tre turn in the proceedings.
The second order of the morning-the
report of the standing Committee on Tenn
psrance; had Just been reached and Rsv.
W. o Campbell, ID. D, had mounted the
platform, TO speak TO its adoption, when
the Rev. DR.. Smith, of Baltimore, the ven
erable ex-MOderator 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
sembly, was ready to report. Rev. VIM.
c. Young, ID. d read the report.
Substantially, it was as followa 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, rs ex-
pressed in the report yesterday submitted,
and thst while il 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
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 Chulch. 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 CO operation of the two branches
of the church
The report concluded by declaring that
this cooperation, in it's fullest sense, could
be accomplished only By an organic union,
and expressed the fullest confidence
in the brethren of the South
srn Assembly. The report recon-
mended the addition of the following niem-
bers to the committees of conference: Rev.
Henry Darling, d. d, OF Clinton, N. Y;
Rev. Cnas. S Pomeroy, ID D, Of Cleve-
land, Ohio; Rev. Wm. C. Young, Of Louis-
Vile, Ky; Hon. s. NJ. Breckenridge, Of
st. Louis; Hon. Henry NJ. Knox, of Min
neapOli4.
DR.. Young had scarcely finished reading
the report than q score OF voices moved its
adoption, 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 a
mighty volume Of 'ayes" answered the
Moderator question. That settled 1t, and
the Stated Clerk, Rev. VIM. II. Roberts,
d. D., Immediately telegraphed the action
to the Southern General Assembly at Bal
timore. As soon as the excitement had
subsided the regular order was quietly re-
sumed.
The report of the standing committee on
temperance was presented. The report
recommended that church people by no
means endorse the traffic in liquor. They
recommend to the sessions that church
membership be denied to liquor dealers.
DR.. Campbell spoke in favor Of the adop-
tion of the report and its accompanying
resolution. DR.. Howard Crosby opposed
the adoption Of the resolution denying
church membership to liquor sellers, and
hoped it would be stricken out. The SEN
timent Of the assembly was apparently 80
strongly in favor of the resolutions that
the debate was not prolonged, and they
went through without dissenting voice.
The Assembly adjourned until Monday.