New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-05
PREsBY7ERIANS COMING TOGETHER.

RESULTS OF THE RECENT CONFERENCE IN THIS
CIrY-THE OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.
The conference between the Northern and Southern
Committees of tho General Assemblies Of the Pres
byterfan Church was closed Monday, and there Is
strong interest among Presbyterans to learn
what results were accomplished at this important
conference The members Of the two comm'ueeS
were unwilling to give particulars about he "orA
Tho difficulties of organic union were discussed IN inc
press and It was known that the conference was en-
deayoring to effect cooperation on the lines OF home
and foreign missions educational and evangelical
work among the freedmen But 1t is fair to infer that
encouraging progress made toward organic union
in the future. Some good points were gained ID eha'
respect, and they were learned yesterday nom
well-known Presbyterian who was unwilling, however,
TO allow the use of his name He discussed nrst inc
difficulty which presented itself to the committees.
He believed that the majority Of Southern Presby-
terians were warmly In favor of an organic union.
The negro question was of course, serious obstacle
But the case In the committee was this, ne ADDED
"The machinery OF the Southern church was III INC
hards of those who opposed an organic union. Inc
Southern Committee was opposed TO union because
IL WAS organized TO oppose union. and Its directions
,,ac,icaIlv forbade union But great points were
gained by cooperation. Friction is greatly enhanced
bv the starting of new church enterprises rival or
competitive in some degree, In the growing towns OF
the South and Southwest. Northern people going
lntn Southern States for commercial purposes or seek
log a milder climate. in Florida. for example,
establishing themselves IN considerable NUMBERS pro
vidng church privileges for the families. naturally
seek afhllaton with the Northern church. The same
IA true I'm such districts as Northern Alabama and
Texas where the young and vigorous life Of the South
meets face to face with like element coming from
the North. The lack OF financial means In the south
for aggressive mission work is a well known fact.
the strength OF the Northern church, with nearly
nonIa p..pd
Ia the calls made upon it from this section to enter
fields which the Southern church must necessarily
decline II IS presumed that the spiritual force In
either case Of ministers and the average pey are not
UNEQUAL and hence some extent 10 is question OF
men and money, which providentially to have
fallen into the hands of the Northern church.
"When In this new process a church is organized,
and occasionally Of each Of the North and the
South is organized all unwholesome rivalry ensues
So there are little centres of cOrrOson which actively
progress in the body polite of each church. which
keeps the whole body In a state of irritation.
A great step toward unity is accomplished when
the body having first occupied given place is allowed
undlsputed possession. The same effect is likewise
produced by similar arrangement in educational
work, including the organization Of schools. academies
and colleges for colored people.
The social intercourse between the Assemblies and
committees will necessarily disarm prejudice Such
meetings that between the two General Assemblies
at Philadelphia last May and Of the committees
here together with the social reception by the Prcsby
terrain Union, have been wisely followed up by all
journment to meet in the capital city of the New
South, Atlanta meeting there Will result in
mngling Northern and Southern people together.
AN these steps In the right direction. The
day of argument has been In progress since the close
Of the War. Many Of the Old Southern leaders have
passed away, and those who remain are becoming
more liberal. The young do not inherit the
bitterness and feeling OF exclusion. The weapon
of the elder men is augmentation, and II Is not
believed that there is solid basis Of principle that
for trivial reasons perpetuaie schism in the
ing that prevents union, and hence when these
leaders die those social feelings which kndled,
and those bonds which formed, will be strong
and lasting"