The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-21
Union Presbyterian and
Reformed Churches.
IT is IN COMMITTEE
Outlook for Steps Toward Union Not
Bright al This Assembly. Older
Members Oppose. Number of
Reports are Read Before
the Assembly.
the Assembly.
(Ry the Associated Press.)

Fort Worth, Texas May 19.-The
question of uniting the Reformed and
Presbyterian churches still remains
matter of speculation. Just before
the close of todays session of the gen.
eral assembly of the Southern Pres
byterian church, the report of the
committee on closer relations was read
and circulated in printed form on the
floor of the convention. The report
recommended the appointment of
committee to confer with committees
of other churches as to the most adj
visable course to pursue in the Srem-
ises. On motion of Dr. G.. b. Stick
Ter, of Richmond, Va, the report of
the committee was ordered to be re-
ferred to a committee Of thirteen to
be appointed by Moderator Plunkett.
This committee will report back to
the assembly its recommendation on
on the question.
Summary of Report
Following is a summary of the re-
port of the committee on closer fed
Grafton:
1. Every church entering into this
federation retains its distinct individ-
uality, its own creed, government and
Worship. as Well as every power, juris-
diction and right which is not by the Sc
articles expressly delivered to the body
hereby constituted
For the prosecution of work
that can be better done in union than
separately, an ecclesiastical council is
hereby established, which shall be
known by the name and style of THE
Federal Council of the Reformed
Churches in the United States of
America, holding the Presbyterian sys-
tenn"
3. The Federal Council shall con-
sist of at least four representatives
ministers OF elders, from each of the
constituent churches for each one
hundred thousand communicates or
fraction thereof up to 100000 and
where a church has more than 100000
communicates. then four representa-
tives, ministers or elders for each adj
ditional 200,0 communicates or frac-
ton thereof.
4. The Federal Council shall exer,
else only such authority as is conferred
upon it by these articles, or such as
luay hereafter be conferred upon it by
the Federal churches.
s. The Federal Council shall pro-
mote the cooperation of the Federal
churches in foreign missionary work,
and also III the general work in the
United States of America in come c.
ton with home missions, work among
the colored people, church erection
Sabbath schools, publication ana Ids
cation, and may initiate movements
having this cooperation in view, sub
ject to the approval of the churches
concerned.
6 The Federal Council shall have
power % def. with differences which
may arise between the federated
churches u regard &. matters within
the Jurisdiction of the council
whether the constituted agencies of
tic churches concerned have b., n able
80 .altle and NAV be brought to the at
teIltlon of the council by The supreme
jGdicatories Of the parties thereto.
T. The Federal Council shall have
power to deal with any other matters
of interest common to any two or
more of the federated churches which
may be referred to it by the supreme
judiciatories of the churches concern
ed for it's action with such authority
in the premises and under such con-
ditionS as may be decided upon.
g. The Federal Council shall have
power to open and maintain a friend
iy correspondence with the Presbyte-
rian and other evangelical churches.
for the purpose of promoting concert
of action in matters of common inter-
est.
9. The Federal Council shall give
faith and credit to the acts, proceed
ings and records of the duly consti-
tuted authorities of the several FEEDER
ated churches.
10. The officers of the Federal Coun-
ell shall be a president, vfce-presldent,
stated clerk, treasurer and other sub
ordinate officers, as may be necessary