The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-26
IN FAVOR OF
 CHURCH UNION CumberlandS Vote on
 AmalgamatiOn MAJORITY IS ONLY FIVE Debate Hinged on Three
 Important Matters. Predestinatfon, the Color Question and the Educational Standard of the Church of the United states
 Buffalo Waiting.

Dallas. Texas, May 25.-Complete union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was favored tonight by the General Assembly of the first named church in q vote which was closely contested and after a heated de- bate of two days and a night. The vote was 162 for and 75 against, two-thirds vote being required, a majority of only five.
 The result of this test of the two ele- ments in the church was little short of dramatic. The commissioner to the as- sembly had listened patiently since Tues day mornig to the arguments presented. Those arguments hinged in the main upon three points: As to whether or not the doctrine of predestination was a part of the cred of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America; as to whether or not other races should be admitted to equal rights in the church in certain instances. and the question as to whether or not the educational stan dar dof the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was too high.
 Church's Best Orators.
 Up to the night session, all of those various features had been Argued by the opponents The best forensic talent in the church participated in the debate. The close tonight was between Judge Joseph H. Russell of Columbia, Tenn, and the Rev Dr. s. NJ. Templeton of Clarksville. Texas.
 Judge Russell opened for the anti-union- ists in an eloquent speech of an hour and half. He devoted himself mainly to the handling of the predestination feature of the Presbyterian creed. pleading with the members of the Cumberland Church that they should not give up their belief and their identity for the confession of faith of any church.. In closing he read largo number of telegrarns from congre- gations and Individual members through cut the country urging him to oppose the vnion
 pr. Tcmpleton Speaks.
 Dr. Templeton, who was the mover of A resolution of last Friday that the re- port of the Committee on Fraternity and Union which favored this union, be re- commended to the 1i6 presbyteries of the church for adoption, spoke for more than an hour fin support of that, and in oppo- sition to the argument advanced by the antis. Both addresses were listened to with profound interest, but when they were concluded the delegates vehemently clamored Tor vote, seeming anxious to finish the work
 The vote was called by presbtyeries and synods. showing generally all of them to be more or less divided on the subject.
 In Mississippi and the Indianoia sy- mods, which Is composed of Oklahoma and Indian Territories, and in parts of Texas. there was strong opposition to the union on the proposed basis.
 Satisfaction Over Conclusion.
 Expressions heard tonight after the assembly took recess until tomor- row morning at g o'clock, indicated that there was general satisfaction that the question had reached a solu- ton so far as the assembly is con- cerned. and that the various presby- teries would approve the action. Judge w. E. Settle, the moderator, said:
 T am glad it's over"
 Further than that he declined to talk. although he evidently was gratified at the vindication of the fraternity and union committee being a member of the Same.
 J. N. Parker of Tennessee, a strong oppositionist. said:
 The question would not have been lost by us had not some of our voters been absent. The significance of 1t is that there will be a split in the church: not now, but later, when the presby- teries come to decide on the question:
 It Is expected that the assembly will complete It's business tomorrow.