New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-15

appeared, n the opinion OF tho leaders OF the
various branches OF Presbyter4anisIn, and now
the reunion Of several. If not al of the bodies is
desired. In the language OF the New-York Pres
6yteryi eft is goal to be hoped for. prayed for
and Iabored for"
Two years ego the Cumberland people took tho
Initial step toward returning home, and joint
committee Of the two assemblies prepared basis
OF union satisfactory each body, which has been
under discussion for year and has received the
required constitutional majority in tho Presby-
tsr4es. The following IS the basis.
'"The unicn shall be effected the doctr1nal
basis OF the Confession OF Faith Of the Preshy-
terrain Church n the United States OF America
revised Ia 1903, and Of Its other docrinal and &C.
czesissacal standards; and the Scriptures OF the
Old and the New Testaraents shall be acHnowl-
edged as the Inspired Word OF God. the only IN
Gs1lfbis rule of faith arbd practice"
Coupled with this basis Of union II the plan pre-
scented by the committee another itenl-the con-
sent OF the Northern. or mother. Church that
separate Presbyteries should 10 allowed
whenever they were desired This simple request
RsouCed good deal OF opposition both North and
South. tho cofored hrethren and many Of their
friends feeling that the negro had q sufficiently
hard time Ia his present efforts TO withstand the
pressure OF race prejudice IN the South without
bag1ng the mother Church add her approval to
The proposition to set him and his churches outside
the family circle. He told. In reply to this
objection, that he would stu be within the outer
sim OF the circle, separate Presbyteries and
mon assembly; but he said that he feared the
habit OF exclusion would grow by what It fed upon
and be would find himself in g Yin Crow
church wen af''Jim Crow car and "Jirn
Grow" school The spirit Of union with the Cum
serlanc body has spread rapidly during the year
that both oyertures-uniUn on tho proposed basis
and separate PTesbyteries and Synods-have car
Eied and report to that effect will be presented
next Friday morning
Ordinarily, the announcement OF that fact would
g. debate, and steps would be taken Immediately
10 sOnsumnaAte the union, but ecclesiastical techni
calit.es nay he interposed To delay the actual
working union for q year two longer. Unlike
any other overture presented IN many years, this
one has "Tider'' attached: The union is 10 be
effected Il the constitutional majority is secured
IF the way be clear" What that phrase means
tn this connection none have been found who
know, and how it win be interpreted the shrewd-
sEt theological prophet has not dared TO suggest
Ana this pliss1ul uncertainty IS leading eSnerts
ana woulo-oe experts theologiaus end Tarlia men
Se11aIh, lacuclaIls ana stTategists TO study rules
action E4@iiS "
The Presbyteries are greater than tba General
Assembly when il comes 10 arnendina, The cooetT
tuition OF the Presbyterian Church as the S-stc,
are greater than the Congress that submits the
serted these words az 4a VS. IE oTher wise. IN
of the leaders, this rider IS vaIueless. when fhe
PresbgteI1es have spoken overture the as
sembly must record the fact and take Immediate
steps 10 carry out the provisions Of the overture
This done at IN the ease of tba recerf
revision OF the WestIaiIlster Confession Of Faith
ScIl's~fat s5AgQiHsfy, The proposed delay IS IA
Vored by both the advocates and the opponents OF
the union Of the two bodies. The former wish to
secure perfect harmony the part OF the large
minority OF the Cumberland people, nearly hair
OF the churches and probably third OF the minis
ters being in f7resbyteries which voted against the