The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-05-26
DISCUSSED AT MOBILE.
Arguments for and Against the
Union of Churches.

w
Mobile, Ala, May 25.-Those attend
ing to-day's session of the Presbyte-
rian General Assembly heard the most
heated discussion of the present ses-
ed almost entirely to a discussion of
the negro question, which came up
on a report of the Committee on Col
ored Evangelization, the particular
section of the report which interject-
ed the debate being a statement by
the committee that there are many
doors open to useful efforts which can
not be entered unless more money is
put into the hands of the committee
and in view of these facts we recon-
mend that effort be made to raise not
less than $4,000 during the year"
The report was made second special
order for tomorrow morning.
At the afternoon session the special
order was on the resolution submit
ted by the Committee on Bills and
Overtures for the appointment of a
special committee to consider the tel
egraphic message from the northern
assembly in session at Buffalo, and
this interjected into the proceedings
a discussion of the whole question of
closer relations, the debate being the
warmest that has yet characterized the
session of the body. There was con-
siderable excitement shown by some
of the speakers, and statements made
by some of them were characterized
as untrue by others and afterwards
modified, with mutual explanations.
Among the principal debaters this
afternoon were Rev. ]. S. Lyons Of
Louisville, KY, who may be termed
the leader of the forces favorable to
a closer relation with the Northern
church; Rev. w. T. Palmer of New
Orleans, the leader of the OPPOSITE
and Rev. w. M. Morrison of Licking
ton, Va, in favor of closer relations
Cumberland Question.
Rev. j. w. Flynn of Columbia said
in substance: There are conditions
that make 1t the belief of some commits
sioners that a Committee on Confer
ence should not be appointed at this
time. Prominent among them are the
negotiations now in progress between
the Cumberland Church and the Pres
byterian Church in the United States
of America. 1t was unwise to take a
step looking to union with the North
ern church, when that church seems
about to assimilate to itself. or to as
simulate lISelI 10 DOOy ana a Greco
so fully and VIGOROUSLY Arminian as
the Cumberland.
at is probable that this union be-
tween the Northern and the Cumber-
land Church will be contaminated
hence the more need of cautions wait
ing upon our part.
I'VE may call the ultimate purpose
by what name we choose, but the pur-
pose is logically organic union"
Rev J. M. Wells of Wilmington said:
1.-The appointment of the committee
means hurtful agitation the coming
year. This is All inopportune time.
The churches have been drawing close
together in heart; why hasten this WORK
and drive them further apart in heart
by trying to yoke them together in
body The Northern church is con-
sidering union with the Cumberland
Church. Let us wait until they set
tie the question. Why should we enter
the negotiations? Why interfere with
their plans?
Union up here is hanging in the ball
ance. If they will let us wait and see
whether the united church still wants
us. If they do not unite, then it is
time to consider this.
But it is an open secret that some
of the advocates of this committee want
II appointed to save the Northern
Church from union with the Cumber-
land Church. 1t is trembling in the
balance up yonder at Buffalo. They
think that a telegram from here hint
ing that we would take the place of the
Cumberland, would prevent that ur-
fon."