The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-28
.PRESBYTER|ANS
VOTE FOR UNION
Proposal to AmaIgamate With
Southern Church Adopted
With Enthusiasm.

BUFFALO, N. Y, May 27-The gem
eral assembly of the Presbyterian church
IN the United States by an overwhelming
vote today, adopted the reporf\ of the
committee on union with the Cumberland
FresDyterian church. The resolutions
adopted included not only favorable ac-
ton on the report, but recommended GER
tam other steps to be taken to secure the
union of the churches and to make plain
the position of the church
The question of proposed basis of union
Will now go to the presbyteries of the
general assembly. If it is approved by
two-thlrds of them the necessary steps
Wlll De taken at the next general assem-
bly to effect the union. The announce
ment of the result was received with
great cheering. The vote was taken on
the following propositions on motion of
Dr. James d. Moffatt:
Basis of Union.
Shall the report of the joint commit
tee be adopted?
That the question of basis of union be
sem sem doWn to the presbteries before April,
d9O9, Tor action. The union shall be eff
fected on the doctrinal basis Of the con
1ess1on of faith of the PRESBYTERIAN church
IN the United States of America, as re-
nS Rlseo IN I903, and of its other doctrinal
and ecclesiastical Standards and the
scriptures of the Old and New Testa-
ments shall be acknowledged as the in
sPlrea word OF God, the only infallible rule
Oh Ialth and practice.
That the report of the presbyteries shall
De submitted to the general assembly
IN 1905; and if approved by a two-thirds
vote. the necessary steps shall be taken.
If the way be clear, to complete this un-
ion.
That the assembly places on record that
its revision of the confession of faith in
1903 has not impaired the integrity Of the
system OF doctrine taught in Holy Scrip
ture.
Affirming freedom of prejudice against
The belief was expressed that the
assembly would complete it's business
by holding q session Saturday night
and adjourn sine die. Winona, Ind,
was selected as the next place of meet
ing. The names of the members of the
newly formed college board which will
undertake to raise a fund of $12, ,000, 900
for, educational purposes were an
nounced.
Color Question Settled.
Elder Robert M Alexander (colored),
of Wexford. S. c., obtained the floor in
opposition to separate presbyteries for
the colored brethren. The territorial
presbyteries, he said. would tend to
foster lower degree of morality and
false doctrine.
DR.. N. ]. Niccols, of st. Louis, chair
man of the committee, in his reply, en-
deavored to make clear that the church
made no race distinction and that this
very plan was designed to bring all
together in the end as they are now
brought together in the assembly.
1t was pointed out that the only ad-
vance made by Presbyterians among
the colored people had been where sep
arate presbyteries had been establish
ed. On motion of Rev. James d. Mof-
hit 1t was resolved to apply the rule to
synods as well as presbyteries and in
this form the report was adopted.
DR.. Samuel S. Palmer of Columbus,
Ohio, presentad the report on theolog-
ical seminaries, which was adopted.
The reports of the committee on
finance and church erection were
adopted.
Elder R. S. Simmons, of Chicago en-
tered a protest against the organiza-
tion of separate presbyteries for for
eign or coloFed members of the church
as contrary to the spirit of the church
and laws of God. A committee was ap-
pointed to reply to the protest.