The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-18
CHURCH PEOPLE.
Religious Conventions Being Held.
The Southern Presbyterians Have
Another Stormy Day.
The Subject of Foreign Missions
Causes an Unseemly squall.
Tho Executive Committee Want
Investigations Made.
The Northern Brothers of the Same Be-
lief VIII Probably Discuss the Re-
vision of the Westminster
Confession of Faith.


Confession of Faith.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, May 1.-THE
General Assembly of the Southern Pres
byterian Church met in its second days
session at o'clock. Committees were
appointed and reports heard. The follow
ing paper, which promises TO raise some
serious trouble, was submitted by the sec
retary and assistant secretary OF the Ex-
ecutive Committee OF the Foreign Board:
: To the General Assembly, convened at Chatta-
nooga
The undersigned beg leave respectfully
to state that within the past year in the
transaction OF business intrusted by the
church to the Executive Committee on
Foreign Missions, difficulties Of a painful
nature have been created. especially
charges Of a serious character, some OF
them relating to both OF the undersigned,
others relating only to the secretary. have
been made by the Rev. W. u. Murkland,
d. d., the chairman Of the executive COM
mittee. Believing these charges to be
wholly unjust, the undersigned would re-
spectfully ask OF the General Assembly
that an investigation OF them and all these
dllic u lties be made without delay, that
such relief may be granted as the case may
require. Very respectfully,
NJ. ii. HoUsroS.
ID. &. RANRiN.
II was announced that Dr. AIurkland
was in the room. and would speak for the
nNaattIftsa ..ut,,p,flg.a H.
produced the affidavit Of the members of
the committee to show that DIR. Murkland
was not authorized TO represent the com
mitee.
DIR. Murkland rose TO make an explana-
ton. The assembly refused TO hear him,
and took recess.
Upon reassembling the clerk read the
report OF the Committee on Conference Of
the Northern and Southern General
Assemblies, on cooperation in church
work. The committee OF thirteen, Of
which NJ. u. Hogue, ID, was chairman,
appointed by the Southern Assembly, met
the committee OF Northern Church in a
conference at New York City, December
2Slh last, and again at Atlanta, April IL.
They formulated an extended report re-
viewing the past relations Of the two
- churches and their cooperation in mission
work and evangelism. Alter referring TO
the causes which led 10 the rupture OF the
two organizations. the Joint committee
agreed 10 submit 10 the two assemblies the
following recommendations ~ part OF the
lasis for union Of the two bodies:
This joint committee, waiying the con-
sderation Of these differences heretofore
stated, agree TO recommend 10 the two
assemblies
!. That the relations OF the colored
people In the two churches DO allowed to
remain In statu quo. Work among them
to proceed on the same lines rs heretofore.
.. That all proper aid, comfort and
encouragement in spirit OF kindly
Christian brotherhood and confidence
shall be extended by each church 10 the
educational and eyangelzing efforts OF the
other for the colorcd race, With n view 10
the encouragement OF every laudable
effort 10 this end, on both sides.
3 The schools and churches, under the
care Of the Board OF Missions, for the freed
man, and corresponding work, undertaken
by the Southern Assembly, especially It's
theological institute for the education Of
colored ministers, shall be heartily recon-
mended TO the giyes OF our respective
churches for aid, rs mutually concerned
In the same great missionary work for the
glory Of God and the blessing OF our com
mon country.
4. As TO cooperation in matters Of pub
licalion, the committees report that such
cooperation is already secured between
the business departments OF tho Commit
tee Of Publication, ut Richmond, and the
Board OF Publication, vt Philadelphia.
IL would seem that We reached the limits
4 Of corporation so far rs publication Is con-
~ cerned. We make no report with regard TO
cooperation in educational institutions, rs
that question s scomprchcnded in the larger
one OF the ovangeliAtion Of tho colored
people and will no doubt be controlled by
the decisions Of our general assemblies in
relation 10 that great interest IL only re-
mains 10 add that the discussions which
preceded tho adoption OF the foregoing
report, both In the city OF New York and
Atlanta were characterized by freedom,
franknes5 and entire courtesy In the in
dependent expression OF conscientious con-
yiciions Of points where differences OF
opinion prevailed, there was not a word
uttered which was inconsistent with Chris
tian concord. With q single desire 10 as
certain what was true In order 10 do what
was right, brethren composing the COM
mittccs OF the two assemblies held their
protracic1 conferences In humble depend
cnco on tho wisdom which comes from
above and which Is profitable TO direct.
by q vote OF "a 10 81 the Assembly con-
cuded TO print and hold over tho report
for further discussion.
After extended and animated discussion,
five minutes time was granted DR.. w. u.
Murkland, OF Baltimore, president OF the
Executive Committee on Foreign Missions,
10 make an explanation in regard 10 the
charges made by Drs. Houston and Ran
kin. lie produced letter from the NOM
bcs OF tho Executive Committee request
ing him 10 attend the assembly. lie said
he was astonshed when he learned that
Messrs. Houston and Rankin had gone
groWd and gotten up the paper presented
10 the assembly. He said the difficulty
between Houston and himself arose, TO a
great extent, over the question Of whether
the rulings OF the New Testament should
control In mission work. The St Louis
and Baltimore Assemblies had heard the
matter and decided in his favor. II Il had
10 come up again he wanted tho whole
affair investigated.
A resolution providing for such an in
yeslgation was tabled.
A telegram Of salutation wns received
from the Northern Presbylorian Asscmbly