New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-18

ness OF the hour. The discussion will be resumed
tomorrow
Church unity was discussed for an Aour to-
day Dr.. Joseph T. Smith. Of Baltimore. the
chairman OF the committee. instead OF reading
the report presented his resignation as chair
man OF the committee. and also as a member OF
IL. saying. in explanation OF this action. Il at
while the most cordial relations existed between
the members Of the committee. the purpose Of the
committee appeared 10 him and 10 the majority
Of the members differently especially in regard TO
the question OF union with the Protestant Epis-
copal Church. The chairman thought that the
committee had been appointed 10 bring about
union with that Church II the way was clear,
while the majority seemed 10 think that the
present conferences were merely steps III 'hat
direction Before any action was taken on DR..
Smiths request the report OF the committee was
read by Dr. H. NJ Patterson. OF ldd-lphia.
who said in part:
The action of the last Assembly with reference
Commission Was transmitted to the Commission.
and since that your committee has addressed nom
receipt OF the commlttces letter. ana assured Va
that 1t would be laid before The General ronv.n-
lion, which meets IN October. Ihey add Tor them,
selves that they regard the action OF The General
hs' all ynexota,ons ctw~en the two bodies snail
cease. For the purpose OF correcting ms erroneous
e. proposes to write the Commission TO the effect
Thar the General Assembly by its action did not d.
rect that all negotiations shhil cease Out mat theS
BE- suspended until the General Convention shaii
take action upon the subject OF mutual recognition
and reciprocity referred 10 by the resolutions OF the
Assembly The last Assembly passed resolution
IN the effect that the Committee ON Church Unity
should suspend further correspondence with the
Protcstant Episcopal Commission until It's thufch
Recognized the validity OF the ordination Of l'res-
byteran minister's and, as step toward unIty, III
reefs It's clergymen to exchange puIps with Pres
byterian minister's
The report OF the Committee on Church Unity In
reference to the Federation OF Reformed Churches
and other Presbyterian systems formed the
greater part Of the report OF the committee; l93
presbyteries have taken action upon the plan OF
| federation sent to them by the last Assembly. "
that number fifty expressed dissatisfaction with
the plan without giving any reasons Tor their ac-
tion: seventeen expressed their disapproval. with
reasons: six were out OF sympathy with the move
| ment altogether: twenty-five gave their approval
| and Expressed q desire that plan should be
| adopted: 100 gave approval TO the plan
| seventeen took exception 10 the equal rep
! resentation proposed thirty-two took no ac-
| ton or at least, reported none. The conclusion
| OF the committee is that federation has taken
1 deep hold upon the Church; that the Assembly OF
1890 committed the Church TO a plan OF fedora
ton by inviting other churches to join In "A con-
fcfe ne. looking to that end The report said mat
| a majority OF all the Presbytcries reporting APP
| proved the plan adopted last year and a majority
OF all the prcsbyteries on the roll cxpresseo 'ne
| sympathy with the federation movement Out ~
| added that If the Assembly was not satisfied with
| the present plan and would recommit to the COM
mittee the members Wouiu e"oed'oi " "'N"'S
satisfactory notifications
While Dr. Patterson was speaking on the re-
/ MORT the payel fell and the matter was laid over