The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-26
ON CLOSER RELATIONS.
The Report of the Committee Special
Order for To-Day.
(By the Associated Press.)

Mobile, Ala, May 24.-Following is
the report of the committee on closer
relations, submitted today before the
general assembly of the Presbyterian
church in the United States in this
citv.
your committee respectfully states
that it has carefully considered the
various oVertureS and memorials from
synods and other Presbyterian
churches, asking the appointment of
committees to confer with commit
tees from other churches on the bring
ing about closer relations and coop
GRAFTON between the various Reformed
and Presbyterian churches We
have also considered 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 should be
| likely to result in closer fellowship.
| We have had for our careful con-
| sideration overtures from the presby-
| teries of Arkansas and the Red River
| asking the appointment of n commit
tee to confer with a committee OF
| the Presbyterian church in the United
States of America, looking to closer
| relations with that church.
{ I'VE have considered also q COM
munication from the Reformed church
/ in America (Dutch) expressing their
willingness to confer with commit
tee from our church on closer rela-
| items with us-and also overtures
from our presbyteries of Durant, Will
| mington, Tuscaloosa and North Ala
bama. asking us to appoint a COM
mittee of conference with the Re-
| formed church in America. We
/ have also given due consideration
to the action of the Presbyterian
church of the United States of Ameri-
ca, resembling all former expressions
| of the general assemblies, rejecting
on the Christian character of our
| church, and this. with a view to re-
move all obstacles to closer relations
| between these two churches
your committee recognize that
| there is not only in our church, but
also in other churches holding Pres
terrain Reformed Calvinistic systems,
very general and strong desire of
closer relations.
1--WE, therefore, recommend that
this assembly. wishing to promote
closer fraternity in a spirit of love
| and candor appoint a committee of
| six ministers and three ruling elders,
| which committee shall be named by
| the moderator who shall be author
| lied and empowered to confer with
similar committee that may be APP
pointed by other Presbyterian Re-
| formed churches, when notified that
| it 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 sub
ject of closer relations with such
| churches as enter the conference with
| a view to discover:
| 81 The real sentiment of the
| churches on this subject.
| go. The leadings of Gods providence
| in the matter.
60 The obstacles that may stand in
| the way of closer fellowship.
"a. Whether or how such obstacles
can be removed
| "5. Whether of what may be the
nature or form of the relations which
shall best secure effective cooperation,
| by federation or otherwise, and at
| the same time preserve loyalty to
those great pronciples for which the
various churches have been called to
testify.
And this committee shall report to
the next meeting OF the general as
| sembly the result of its conferences.
'"Tha report was made the special
| order for tomorrow afternoon.
| Fort Worth was chosen for the
Injecting nlace next year.