Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27

1t was resolved thatthe supplementary report
for today.
The third order was given to the report on
young peoples societies.
DR.. Young, for the committee on bills and
overtures, reported on several matters referred
to the committee.
The overture for the presbytery Of Zanes-
vile asked to the part that women may
take in promiscuous and general assemblies.
The report stated that the committee did not
regard the prohibitions Of the Bible as applying
to such meetings. and that the exercise of this
privilege could safely be left to the pastors and
sessions The report was adopted.
The action of the home board in refusing to
take money from the government for day
schools and, beginning next year, for boarding
schools was commended.
no ACTION ON THE QUESTION OF UNION.
The overture from the presbytery Of Balti-
more, relative to union with the southern as
sembIy, was reported back with the recon-
mendation that no action be taken at this time.
Also an overture from the pIesbytery of
West Chester favoring the holding OF national
conference on missions. The committee stated
that while the proposition was good one yet.
in the opinion Of the committee this was not
an suspicious time.
The various recommendations were approved.
Church Unity.
Rev. DR.. Smith Of Baltimore then spoke OF
the report Of the committee on church unity.
He spoke first OF the conference with COM
mission from the Episcopal Church. He said
that years ago the Episcopal Church approached
the Presbyterian Church for union on the
basis of common faith and order. 1t was not
their idea to absorb this church. as they knew
that the Presbyterians were as tenacious OF
their form of church government az they were
Blu. they asked that they unite on a
platform of the Scriptures. the creeds. the
sacramento and the historic episcopacv. They
do not ask Presby terians to abandon their
Westminster confession nor did Presbyteriaus
ask them to abandon the thirty mine articles.
They are to keep their lturgicai form
and the presbyterians their form OF
church worship. They do not stipu-
late any theory Of the espiscopate. but simply
the broad idea which includes the idea
recognized by the Presbyterian Church.
The Presbyterians believe that the government
of the church is An episcopate one Of over
sight. Presbvterians believe in the Office OF
bishop, but differ with the Episcopalans to
the jurisdiction OF that Office.
DR.. Smith then went on to speak Of the gen.
eral grounds on which the two churches could
come together, and said that the results would
be of advantage to both bodies.
When the history and the antecedents Of the
two bodies were considered and their church
no two denominations much alike and go
fitted for corporation, The reason that the
two were apart was mainly that no effort had
been made to bring them together. They have
asked US and we have met them and
agreed to act with them on the basis
of Christian unity. He referred to the visit
made some time ago by several of the bishops
to the meeting OF the synod of Baltimore in
Baltimore. He also spoke OF his conference
with representatives of the Episcopal Church at
Grace Church in New York city.
DIR. Smith said that they were now awaiting
an answer from the Episcopalians in regard to
an additional proposition submitted by the
committee relative to an in interchange of pulpits.
In con clusion he said that he believed the pros
pect of reaching definite conclusion in this
important matter was favorable.
DIR. DUFFIELDs INQUIRY.
DR.. Dufield asked question when DR.. Smith
finished. He understood DIR. Smith to say that
the Episcopal commissioners in their PROPOSE
ton to combine on the basis of their historic
unity proposed to make Presby terrain bishops.
DR.. Smith said that they had not considered
that. What was proposed now was merely CO.
operation as Christians. This, it was believed,
would be Il step toward unity.
DIR. Warfed asked OF DIR. Smith whether i.
was meant by cooperation that they should
exchange pu!pits and meet together at times.
DR.. Smith said that proposition had been dis
no definite answer had been given.
Rev. DIR. Patterson then spoke on the report
made by the committee on federation of
churches of the resbyterian family. The pro-
posed federation does not intend to interfere in
any manner with the forms of the government
OF the several churches. DIR. Patterson gave re-
port somewhat in detail of the conferences held
by the representatives of the different churches
resulting in the report which had been pre-
ented to this Assembly. as well as to the general
assemblies and general synods OF the other
bodies. Five If the ten Presbyterian organiza-
lions in the Presbyterian Alliance had COM
mitted themselves to the idea of fedora
ton. The five organizations represented
over two-thirds of the Presbyter-
ian strength OF the country. They
did nos ask the assembly to adopt the plan
now. 1t had not yet reached the proper stage.
its committee with the view to continuing the
conferences They would like to have such a
hearty commentator of the idea as would help
the idea elsewhere.
CHURCH COOPERATION.
Rev. DR.. Thompson, chairman Of the COM
mittee on cooperation. then took the floor to
discuss the report of that committee, it having
been decided to consider the report on CO.
operation and that On church unity at the same
time.
DR.. Thompson said that cooperation was
SoHSttNco All tHS StSdt heNEt ot hoNaTu
Crosby. Those familiar with the home mis-
sion field knew that some thing should be done
to economic the means of the church-tQ, save
men and money. 1t was on that narrow idea
that the committee was al work. A conference
had been invited Of representatives of
evangelical denominations. 1t was attended
by representatives Of three denominations be-
sides the committee on cooperation OF this
assembly. DR.. Thompson said that they had
decided upon rules governing the work of the
churches IN mission fields. which, it was be-
heved. would prevent duplication Of work.
As the outcome of that conference. the COM
mittee proposed tentative plan for co-oHera-
ton on human ground. The one principle that
underNes it was local conference on the mission
field. They thought it important that there
should be timely conferences by the representa-
tives in the mission field. Tho committee
believed that if this plan OF local
conference was adopted. they would be getting
ready for larger federation. such as that con-
templated by the committee on church unity.
He went on with an explanation OF the scheme
for local conferences which he urged a
simple, direct and practical plan. He read a
letter which he said he had received from DR..
Sturtevant of Illinois. chairman OF tie Congre-
gatonal committee Christian conference,
expressing interest in the work Of the COM
mittee on cooperation.
DR.. Thompson urged the assembly to adopt
the reports of both committees. that of church
unity and corporation. II in the future their
work should come to junction it would then
be time to merge the committees or to dis
charge one Of them.