New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-28
THE FACTIONS FOR PEACE.
CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS WILLING
TO UNITE.

EAGER TO FORGET THE DIFFERENCES THAT
DIVIDED THEM
The New-York and Brooklyn and the Manhattan Asso
Citations OF the Congregational Church, when were
formed more than fifteen years ago. owing TO differ
ences arising from the opinions of the ministers In the
Beechec trial. will be united. in all probability In
few weeks. The preliminary steps toward recon
citation which has been desired long by influential
members of both organizations have been TAKEN ana
there is little doubt that they will lead TO union.
The question will be discussed Mt the meeting Of The
Manhattan Association in Brooklyn today The first
step was made at the gathering of the New-fork
and BROOKLYN Association two weeks ago. Following
the suggestion Of member of the Manhattan Assocn
ton who attended their deliberations, the New iorh
and Brooklyn Association. after passing resolution
favorlng settlement OF existing differences appointed
committee, consisting of the Rev. DIS j. G. Roberts
5 b. Halliday and Howard S. bliss, to consider the
question Of union and future cooperation Since then
the committee has held number of consultations ana
has decided upon communication. wh-h VIII be
read to the Manhattan organization today
This communication, however, Is in no way final
After referring 10 the resolution adopted by their aSso
ciation the committee ask the Manhattan Association
for the good Of the of our Church and the ad-
vancement Of the Redeemer's Kingdom" to appoint
similar committee TO consider the proposed union
The Rev. DR.. James G.. Roberts. pastor Of
tho Rochester Avenue Congregational Church ;
the Rev. DR.. S. B. Halliday, of the Beecher
Memorial Church, and the Rev. DIR. Howard
s. Bliss, assistant pastor Of Plymouth Church. VIII be
present at the meeting to-day and will urge favorable
action upon their communication.
There Is. of course, opposition to the proposed
union, although the majority Of the Congregational
ministers to favor 1t. One Of the leaders In the
Manhattan Association Is the Rev. DR.. samuel H.
Virgin. In speaking of the proposed changes WIN
a Tribune reporter yesterday, DR.. Virgin sald that
nothing now stood In the way of the union unless
il was theological differences. "Thc New-Iork and
Brooklyn Association" he added contains more new
departure men, who are in closer sympathy with An
dover and who critics Of the American Eoard, than
does our own They include Dr. Lyman Abbott, Dr.
j. ~ Wilton and Others. Again, the New York and
Brooklyn Association is composed Of ministers and
churches while the Manhattan Association is compose ed
only of ministers There is, however. also tan
Conference which Is composed Of MINISTERS ana
Citations as Is a conference of churches, VIII; mo
other is body Of ministers. Yet If there Is real
desire for union that could be adjusted II would %
better for work to have lly one a'sncld-
ton to cover the ground Of the cities; for IN sucn
an association there need moi he absolute theol0gcal
agreement. The cause Of the old differ nee wIci
divided lis has been removed. Years have knitted
relationships IN varied forms of Christian activity.
should be glad to have only one association havo
hoped for that many years. II the resolutions are
feasible shall hail them with pleasure. The pur-
pose of each ASSOCIATION + the same
The Rev. DR.. Roberts was unable to say detnlteN
what would be the result Of his committees r com
mendation. THE people with whom have talked
he added, favor the union. ! think there would be- a
unanimous vote In association for an honorable
union. There are men in the Other association VINO
| DO not think these differences need be any obstacle
| favor the union"
Much interest is taken In the coming discussion.