New-York tribune., 1891-12-24
WILL THE CHURCHES AFFILTATE.
EFFORTS TO HEAL THE BREACH BETWEEN TIE
LOCAL CONGREGATIONAL BODIES.

EFFORTS TO HEAL THE BREACH BETWEEN TIE
LOCAL CONGREGATIONAL BODIES.
The discussion OF the question Of union between
the Manhattan Conference Of congregational Churches
and the New-YOrk and Brooklyn Association Of Con-
gregatonal Minister'S and Churches. at the meeting
Of the former recently, was regarded as dgnid-
can't The division between the two bodies OF Con-
gregational churches In New-York and Brooklyn has
been marked and distinct since the famous councils
When Mr. Beecher repeed the charges Of unCon
gregatonaI polity In the management OF the affairs
OF Plymouth Church. The recent effort 10 unite them
was begun a year ago by the appointment OF a conf
mittee BY the New York and Brooklyn Association to
confer with q committee from the Manhattan Confer.
ence. Tho latter appointed committee IN May, ana
the two met In October But no action was taken.
and when the committee reported ID the Manhattan
Conference that any steps toward the consolidation
the two bodies would be inexpedlent at this time. the
Rev. Dr. II. r. Meredith opposed this and advocates
union, and tlre report was recommltted. mo
changes were made In the committee OF the
haitian Conference In place Of DIS lngerson aA
Mcleod, Drs. Behrends nnd Meredith were appdntcd.
and five laymen, A. G. Perkins, W. j. Harris, C. d.
Wood J. W. washburn, and G.. III. Stockwel, were
odded to the five ministers OH the committee.
Dr. Meredith has said that hc strongly favored union
There was no difference In fundamental principles
faith keeping the churches apart, and 1t would DO OF
great advantage 10 have all the churches working side
by side. lie had been sunable TO find any reason up
holding the divided state Of the churches. Dr.
Thomas H. Mcleod, president of the Conference
said the other day that there were doctrna personal
and sentimental differences and questions Of eecles-
siastca pollty that caused the difference originally
and had served to keep the churches apart The
union OF the two bodies secured by force majority
vote would be freezing together and not fusion
Unless there could be perfectly free and harmonious
union, 1t would be better to stay apart DR.. Mcleod
expressed the hope that at some time In the futue
all lines of division would be Obliteraed and peecs
harmony would be restored.
A minister, who did not wish TO be quoted by name.
said: "There will be union Of the two bodies
Of Congregational churches in the two cities SO lons
as DR.. Storrs Is alive lie and his church took hrm
stand in regard TO Plymouth Church after the later
dropped Theodore T1ton from its roll without IN
vestigation OF the allegations he made against MI.
Beecher, and they propose to maintain that stand.
Dr. Meredith thinks he them and bring aD9us
on appearance Of harmony In the denomination. ng
starttd the movement by organizing the COnsresauy
Club, but the Storrs influence dominates H. anu es
Plymouth Church people are In II. The ulumae oas x
come may be that Dr. Meredith and his great ano
powerful church will leave the Manhattan body anu }"
over to the New-YOrk and Brooklyn nsSocalon, u -
cause the olive branch OF peace extended by tue sos
Is rejected by the former The subject VIII ooH'
up for final consideration next spring