Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-30
PRESBYTERIANS
TO Be REUNITED
NORTHERN AND CUMBERLAND
BRANCHES AGREE
After a Division Lasting Nearly a
Hundred Years Arrangements
Are Completed for combins
ing the Two Churches
by Associated Press.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 29.--After q division
of almost 100 years, steps were con-
summated today I'm the Joint session of
general sessions, which, when formally
ratified. will unite the Northern Pres
byterian church Of the United states Of
America and the Cumberland Presby-
terian church.
Almost two days have been consumed
by subcommittee in arranging details
for the union. Their reports were sub
mitted to the general committees repre-
senting each church this afternoon.
Within two hours the two general com
mittees had met in joint session and
agreed upon basis for the union of the
two denominational bodies. This agree
nent will be reported to the general
assembly of the Presbyterian church
meeting at Des Moines, Iowa, on May
IL, 1906, and of the Cumberland Presby
terian church meeting in Decatur, ILL.,,
on the same date, for formal ratification
of these two executive assemblies,
which will be followed by the official
announcement that the union of the two
churches has finally been consummated.
The general committee of the Cum
berland Presbyterian church had its
full quota Of twenty-one members pres
ent. Only sixteen of the twenty one
members of the Presbyterian general
committee were present.
The joint session was executive in
character. It was stated that on the
joint ballot on the question of the pro-
posed union there was but one dis
senting vote. 1t was further stated
that when the Cumberland committee
was appointed seven men known to be
in opposition to the proposed union
were placed on the committee. The
vote today Indicated that six had
changed their minds.
Terms of the Report
The report adopted in the joint ses-
sion of the joint committee declares
that the confession of faith of the Pres
byterian church of the United States
of America, as revised in 1903, and the
other doctrinal and ecclesiastical stand
ards of that church have been constitu-
tionally adopted by the Cumberland
Presbyterian church, as has also the
Joint report prepared by these two gen.
eral committee two years ago, that
their union and the union of the two
churches has bccn fully agreed to by
both and it is recommended that imme-
diately after the foregoing effects of the
steps, thus far taken. have been an
nounced, the confession of faith and
the other doctrinal and ecclesiastical
standards of the Presbyterian church of
the United States of America shall be
binding upon the ministers, ruling
elders, deacons, officers, churches, adj
judicators boards, committees and all
other agencies of the Cumberland Pres
byterian church; that when this an
,nouncement has been made by the
moderator of the general assembly of
the Cumberland Presbyterian churches,
and that body shall have adjourned sine
die as separate assemblies and before
the general assembly of the Presby-
terian church, United States of America,
shall adjourn sine die, the moderator
of the latter assembly shall announce
that all of the Presbyterians of the two
churches shall elect commissioners to
the united general assembly of 1907 on
basis of one minister and one ruling
elder for every twenty-four ministers
or moiety thereof; that the new mod
orator of the united assembly shall pre-
side over the united general assembly
or 1907, and it is recommended that the |
moderator of the Cumberland Presby- |
terrain assembly of 1906 shall preach the
opening sermon of the united general |
assembly of 1907, the stated clerk of the |
presbyterian assembly, with the assist
ance of the stated clerk of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian assembly, making I'D
the role of the united assembly.
Announcement of Reunion
Finally that when the foregoing has
all been adopted and official announce.
ment of the fact telegraphed by each
of the assemblies to the other. the
moderator of each assembly shall be
empowered to announce that the re-
union and union of the Northern Pres |
byterian church of the United States of
America and the Cumberland Presby- |
terian church has been fully consum- |
mated and will be henceforth in full
force and effect.
1t is provided that all boards, COM !
mittees, trustees and other agencies of |
the Cumberland Presbyterian church
that have hitherto been required to re-
port to the general assembly of that
church shall report to the united as
sembly in 1907 and thereafter unless |
these boards or other institutions shall
be united with similar existing Presby- !
terian organizations.
All other details as to property rights