Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-20
AS INylrArIoN no rHE pEgsIpENr.

the opening pral er. PRAYING tnas tne WISDOM OF
God might be impaired to each one Of them in
their deliberations.
AN INVITATION TO THE PRESIDENT.
Rev. DR.. Roberts offered resolution. which
was adopted. that the moderator be author
lied this afternoon to invite the President of
the United STATES 10 visit the assembly at such
time NAV SUIT his Convenience
DR.. Dickey, chairman of the committee ap-
pointed at the last general assembly on judicial
commissions, made repor. submitting over
ture to be sent down to the pres6yteries pro-
viking for form % trial by judicial commits
appointed either by presbyteries. synods or
BY the general assembly. The report was
ceived and the reconmendati ton adopted that
the overtures be sent down 20 the presDyterles.
Church Unity.
Rev Dr. Jos. T. Smith thea presented the re-
port of the committee on church Unity.
The repors gave an account OF the various
meetings held during the wear and the confer
euces with tine Episcopal commission The re-
port included letter from DIR. Herman c.
Duncan. secretary of the Episcopal commits
sion on Christian unity, expressing strong
hopes of accomplishing the objects in view.
At session of the Presbyterian committee DIR.
Green had been requested 20 prepare u reply
and had performed that duty. The letter
drawn up by D-. Green was read by DIR. Smith
as part OF his report. In this letter DR.. Green
suggested that If they could not yet come to-
geiher as churches they might come together
as Christians. cooperating In work. He re-
ferred TO the many social questions in which
they were a,ise interested. and in the consider
ton Of when they might protitably combine.
The letter suggested that if Episcopaiians
and Presby terians could be brought together in
harmonious work in some public way great
step would be taken toward unity.
The Episcopal commission had been in ses-
sion in this city this week and had sent a reply
to this letter.
FROM THE EPISCOPAL STANDPOINT.
This reply, at DIR. Smiths request. was read
by DR.. Francis Brown. This letter discussed at
some length the differences between the two
committees. The first matter considered was
that e.ating TO the authority of the episeopate.
The commission, however. expressed its will
ingness to sacrifice even much OF the law re-
lating TO the episcopate to bring about
unity. The commission expressed itself as
prepared to recommend cooperation. as sug-
gested. IN benev o.ent and social work. They
suggested also the holding of public meetings
to promote unity, to be addressed by speakers
OF both denominations; also that the people
be urged to prayer IN the interes: Of unity.
THE PRESBYTERIAN REPLY,
DR.. Brown also read the answer prepared by
the Presbyterian commission today. This
avowed readiness to maze n sacrifice equally as
great that proposed by the Episcopal COM
mission and hearty approval OF the sugges-
tons made by that commission. Further, the
committee suggested the exchange of pulpIts,
under proper regulations, as q means that
might lead TO unity.
The committee submitted several resolutions.
These reeited that the assembly noted with
pleasure the advances made toward unity. and
recommended the measures thAt had been sug
gested and especially ministerial reciprocity.
When DIR. Brown had finished reading the
portion of the report relating to the Episcopal
church the proceedings were interrupted for a
moment by the applause called forth by the
appearance In the church Of the venerable DR..
Patton, the missionary to the New Heb-ldes.
PROPOSED PLAN OF UNION.
DR.. Smith then went on with the report, CIV
ing an account of the conferences held with
Representatives Of other denominations having
suit was the recommendation that the reformed
churches having Presbyterian form of govern
ment should retain their individuality. but that
a federal council OF the reformed churches in
the United States of America be established.
A plan for the organization Of this federal
council Was provided In the report.
At DIR. Smiths suggestion, before action was
taken on his report, the report Of the commit
tee on cooperation was called for.
Church Cooperation.
DIR. Chas. L. Thompson Of New York there
upon presented the report Ct the committee
cooperation. The report related especially to
home mission work, and gave the result Of the
conferences held with other evangelical de-
uomiu -.ions. These results were in the form
of recommendations looking to a suppression of
a merely UNCONVENTIONAL zeal in endeavoring to
establish mission q church in a field
already occupied. 1t was agreed that sectarian
considerations should not rule. The committee
recommended that the rules suggested by the
conference referred to be adopted by the
assembly.
When DIR. Thompson had finished reading
the moderator announced that it was time to
prepare for the call on the President. The
reports were received.
After a number of announcements were made
the assembly at o'clock adjourned until to-
morrow morning.