The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-18

EffOrtstO BringtheSOuthern
and Reformed Together.
WOULD HAVE MANY MEMBERS
No Radical Differences in the Creeds
and Doctrines of the Two Branches.
Opposition to the Scheme.

The Southern Presbyterian Church will
hold its forty-third annual assembly in
Lexington. Va. May 21-30 There are
several very important questions to be
discussed at this assembly, chief of
which is an organic union between the
Southern Presbyterian Church and the
Reformed Church-of which President
Roosevelt is a member. Several synods
of both churches have proposed that
committees be appointed to meet and
consult about, this matter, and many
members of both churches are favorable
to such a union
The two churches are nearly the same
aiZe, each having about 250, 900 COM
municants. The combined churches would
number more than half a million The
churches are at present sectional, though
both fight against such a distinction:
The Southern Presbyterian Church IS
confined almost entirely to the South
and the Reformed Church TO the North.
1t is urged by many that the union would
do away with any suspicion OF sectional
ism
Distinction in Confessions
The Southern Presbyterian Church
uses the Westminster confession and
catechism, the Reformed Church-for-
merly the Dutch Reformed Church-uses
the confession of the synod of bort and
the Heidelberg catechism. The doc
trines of the churches, though expressed
in different language. are practically
the same. and would permit of union.
Should such a union be effected the
name of the new church would probably
be the Presbyterian Reformed Church,
thus taking in parts of the names OF
both churches
Another question of Importance to be
considered by the assembly is the
amendment of the church government
so that candidates for a license to
preach will no longer be required TO
write thesis in Latin. The church
also requires candidates to pass a thor
ough examination in Latin, Greek. and
Hebrew. 1t has Teen urged that those
examinations are sufficient and the Lat
in thesis can be done away with. The
majority of the presbyteries, however.
do not favor this change and the motion
viii probably be dropped
The new "catechism on the church"
will be submitted to the assembly by
the Rev. DR.. R. p. Kerr, OF Richmond,
Va, the chairman of the committee In
charge of compiling a catechism that
will set forth the nature of the church
in it's work and Offices Such q cate
chism was presented at the last assem-
bly,, but proved unsatisfactory.
Consolidation of Offices.
The assembly viii also decide whether
the office Of general superintendent of
Sunday school work for the entire church
will be continued or will be permanently
united 10 that Of secretary of publica-
tions. At present DR.. a l. Phillips, of
Richmond, Va, is filling both Offices,
the secretary of publication having died
recently. Though DR.. Phillips has per-
formed the double duty remarkably well,
the church is opposed to one man hold
ing both Offices, on the ground that it
would be step backward and each
Office demands the whole of one mans
time.
There are two Southern Presbyterian
churches in Washington, the Central
Presbyterian Church and the Second
Presbyterian Church. These churches
belong 10 the Chesapeake Presbytery in
Virginia. and VIII be represented in the
assembly by DR.. D. ]. Shopoff. DR.. B.
F. Bittinger, however, who is in charge
OF the Second Presbyterian Church, is
alternate for the West Hanover Presby-
terry, and may attend the assembly