The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-20
UNION SEEMS
 IMPROBABLE A Mgter of Speculation AEOng PreSbyterianS. ASsfo CLOSER RELATIONS Committees Report Read and
 Circulated. Several of AssembIy's older Members at Fort Worth Express Decided Opposition to the Proposed
 Federation.

Fort Worth, Tex, 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 general assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church the report of the committee on closer relations was read and circula- ted in printed form on the floor of the convention The report recom- mended the appointment of commit tee to confer with similar commit tees of other churches as to the most advisable course to pursue in the prem 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 it's recommendations on the question
 Following is a summary of the re- port of the committee on closer fed eration:
 1. Every church entering into this | federation retains it's distinct individ- uality, it's own creed, government and worship as every power, Jurisdiction and right which is not by these arti- cles expressly delivered to the body hereby constituted.
 2. For the prosecution of work that can be better done in union that 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 Amer ica Holding the Prebyterian System. 8. The Federal Council shall con sist of at least four representatives. ministers or elders from each of the constituent churches for each l.000 communicants or fraction therof up to 1 300. 900; and where a church has more 1 than 300, ,000 communicants, then four representatives, ministers or elders for each additional 100000 communicants or fraction therof.
 Councils Authority.
 4. The Federal Council shall exer-
 else only such authority as Is eon- ferred upon 1t by these articles, or such as may hereafter be conferred
 upon by the federated churches. 5. The Federal Council shall nro- duce the cooperation of the federated churches in following missionary work and also in their general work in the United States of America. In connection with home missions. work among colored people, church erection Sabbath schools. publication and eau cation; and may initiate movements having this CO., operation in view. sub feet to the approval of the churches concerned.
 6. The Federal Council shall have nower to deal with difficulties which may arise between the federated churches in regard to the matters within the Jurisdiction of tho coun- oil which the constituted agencies or tba churches have been unable to set- tie and which may be brought to the attention of the council by the su- nrene iudicatories of the parties there- The Federal Council shall have
 mower to deal with any other mat l ters of interest common to any two or more of the federated churches sunreme judicatories of the churches concerned for its action with such au- thority in the premises and under sucn conditions us may be decided upon.
 The Federal Council shall have nower to open and maintain a freindly correspondence with the Presbyterian and other evangelical churches Tor the
 purpose of promoting concert or ac- l tion in matters of common interest,"
 The Federal Council shall give
 s,,Ii faitb and credit to the acts, pro- ceadinrs and records of the duly con- stItuted authorities of the several fed- erated churches.
 Tantb-The officers of the Federal
 Council shall be a president Vlce-presi- dent. stated clerk, treasurer ana other
 euhordinate officers as may be neces- | sary., s-.o
 | u,,aventh-The Federal Council shall | roeet in regular session at least plen-
 nioiiv and on it's own adjournment at
 such time and place as may pc oe- | termined. ,,-, ...,o,d,.,,.o. t +he Council shall be met by fund
 to he provided by a pro rata appor- tSormant and basis of the representa- lion of the church in the council
 ''S STbirteenth-When the representa-
 lives of cre-hah of the churches at meeting of either the Councll or US
 aeencies request unit vote py obI,rches upon a pending motion, the
 vote shall be so taken: , ca,,,o,,
 Eonrteenth-The Federal Council shall have power to make such regula
 lions and bylaws as shall pc deemeu necessary for the conduct or US Dusl- ness. ., sha,, have been constituted, any church hold
 ing the reformed faith and Presby- terIau system may be received lnto the
 federation by a majority or the repre- sentatives of the churches voting by
 the unit rule and upon it's adoption or the articles of federation.
 Sixteenth-Any church in the fed
 eration may withdraw therefrom on notice officially given and on It's ob-
 servance of the same constitutional
 steps as were followed in the adoption
 of the articles.
 seventeenth-Any amendment 70 these articles proposed to the federal council shall, before it's adoption be sDnroved by the council and receive tbe consent of two-thirds of the fed erateu churches acting in accordance
 with their respective constitutions.
 In speaking of the proposed federal ,ion. several of the older members of inc assembly expressed themselves as decidedly opposed to a union. Some re- Fnse to give their reasons, but say that they will do so when the proper time comes.
 If is generally believed that there is little Likelihood of steps looking to a union of the two churches being taken bv this assembly. It is probable, how ever. that the question Of closer rela- tionship with the Northern church will be taken up and in the event that this aopa a thought that fl may lead.