New-York tribune., 1890-06-07
DIVIDED ABOUT UNION.
SHALL THEIR CHURCH SURRENDER

LIVELY DEBATE OF THE REFORMED PRESBY-
TERRAIN SYNOD.
AT the session of the Reformed Presbyterian Church
SYNOD yesterday the interesting question was brought
up of uniting with the other branch Of the Church. which
seeded in 1888 because of its failure to secure n
modification of one of the principles Of the denomina
ton prohibiting the exercise of the right of suffrage
by its members in view of the absence of recognition
in the Federal Constitution of the Christian religion.
The debate was exceedingly spirited, some of the
speakers induging in personalities to such extent
that they had to he called TO order repeatedly.
The subject was introduced hy the Rev. DIR. David
Steele and the Rev John Graham, representatives of
the General synod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church. who made addresses in favor Of the union.
This was followed by the report of the committee on
conference. which said that meeting had been hcld
in Pittsburc, January 81, 1890, when the representa-
tivcs Of the General synod presented terms as basis
on which union might he effected. II was found
that there was only point Of difference between
the bodies. the one party holding that 1t was not
sinful compliance with the religious defects OF the
Constitution Ia vote the other party holding that such
action was sinful and could not lie done now any
more than in the past by members Of the Reformed
PRESBYTERIAN Church. The discussion showed tha.
the two committees were Of mind with regard
10 the evils Of division, but could not agree npon q
basis for consolidation The report ended follows
Your committee Is Of the opinion that the synod
may not abandon its practical dissent from the GOV
crnmcnt of the United state. even 10 attain nnlo
with sister churches whose testimony i~ like oar
own and whose work the reforms Of the day j. "h
lines parallel with our OWN, ana thd' WhIt We
hold ourselves in READINGS. 10 cou-ummat" union.
We do 50 only on condition that there hc surrender
of testimony Of The Reformed Prc,bl teran Church and
departure from practice by which that b'u
mOny is made most effective.
The report was signed by the Rev. ". r. Johnston.
II. II. George. David McAIlistcr. W. !. Knparr.k and
W. J. Coleman The Rev. u. B. Wilson. Of Ac-heny.
spoke strongly in favor Of the adoption of the rI"H.
He said that the General synod had stood hy H.
committee. honor compelled the present synod {"
stand by It's committee He Quotcd the testimony
of the synod to show its historical position. The
Constitution had reference to God. Christ or the
Holy Word and Therefore the Church should not
abandon its position. He thought hi, Church night
and the other body wrong. just o. il was wrong on
the slavery question and believed that the Nation
would yet 10 the position Of the synod
The Rev. j. c. X. Milligan. who is one Of seven
Of that name at the convention read from
the testimony To show that the Church had
no well defined position on the question and chal
lenged the other side To diSprovc his >tatcmcts lie
was in favor of poltc, dissent bGt wonh l,aVc
the matter of voting to the individual conscience
Henry O'Nel an elder, said That moi one Reformed
Presby terrain in New York out Of ten adhered to the
principle OF political dissent lie was % the ollhlo
that too much attention was being paid 10 bcanns
testimony, Instead Of saving souls which was the
great mission OF the Church
strong speech was made in favor of the report
BY the Rev. Dr. NcAllstor, Of l1tteburg. weo said
! that the Church bound 20 uphold the principle
of political dissent md characterized those mcmhcr-
who disrogaricd this duy aS being guilty ~ " thc
grosscst mmorality.H lie not IN favor Of leaving
the matter n voting 10 individual conscicncc'.
After speeches by the Rev. j. :. MilAgHn. Of
Dcni-on Kan. in fayur Of union. and The Rev 7.
Stevenson, Of Philadelphia against II, he question
laid over unul today, when The d"b"o on thc
rcpor1 will 90 ON. The question VIII occupy tho
attention Of the synod for several DAYS more Th'
afternoon session vas closed with the reports from
several Prcsbvterics.
In the evening q mission meeting vi- held ard
address were mGdc bv The Rev. Dr. NcAli-tc. ih'
! Rcv. Dr. !. X. Met mrlun the Rev d. II. toultcr
| the moderator. and the Rcv. -. Mcthcny.