The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-25
SOUTHERN ASSEMBLY
ON CLOSER RELATIONS

MOBILE, May 4.-Following is the re-
port of the committee on closer relations,
submitted to-day before the General As
sembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States, in this city:
Your committee respectfully states that
it has carefully considered the various over
lures and memorials from synods and other
Presbyterian churches asking the appoint
ment of committees to confer with COM
mittee from other churches on the bringing
about of closer relations and cooperation
between the various Reformed and Pres
byterian churches. Also we have conSid-
cred a memorial from the PreSbytery of
Nashville asking this assembly TO assure
our sister churches of our Willingness TO
confer on the subject of closer relations,
whenever such conference would be likely
to result in closer fellowship. We have had
for our careful consideration oVertureS
from the Presbyteries of Arkansas and
Red River, asking the appointment of a
committee TO confer with committee OF
the Presbyterian Church of the United
States of America, looking TO closer rela-
tons with that church.
we have considered also a communica-
ton from the Reformed Church in America
Dutch) expressing their willingness to con-
fer with a committee OF church on
closer relations with uS-and also overtureS
from our PresbyterieS of Durant, Whining
ton, Tuscaloosa and North Alabama, ask
ing us TO appoint committee of conference
with the Reformed Church in America. We
have also given due consideration 10 the
action of the Presbyterian Church OF the
United States of America, resembling all
former expressions of the general assem-
blies, rejecting on the Christian character
of our church; and this with view to re-
move all obstacles TO closer relations be-
tween these two churches
Your committee recognize that there is
not only in our church, but also in other
churches holding Presbyterian Reformed
CalvlniStic systems, a very general and
strong desire of closer relations. We there
fore recommend that this assembly, wish
ing to promote closer fraternity, in spirit
of love and candor appoint a committee of
six ministers and three ruling elders, which
committee shall be named by the modera-
tor, which shall be authorized and empow-
cred to confer with similar committees
which may be appointed by other Presby-
terrain Reformed churches, when notified
that il is the wish of such other churches
TO enter into conference with us. And the
committee appointed by this assembly is
to confer on the subject of closer relations
with such churches as enter the conference,
with a view to discover: First, the real
sentiment of the churches on this subject
second, the leadings of Gods providence in
the matter; third, the obstacles that may
fourth, whether and how such obstacles
can be removed; fifth, and what may be
the nature and form of the relations which
shall best secure effective cooperation, by
federation or otherwise, and at the same
time preserve loyalty to those great prin-
ciples for which the various churches have
been called to testify. And this committee
shall report to the next meeting of the
General Assembly the result of its con-
ferences."
The report was made the special order
for tomorrow afternoon.