The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-23
DR.. J. v, stage ON
FEDERATION PLAN
Pastor Writes Letter to Dr..
Thomas Clyce
OLORED EVAN6ELIZ ATI0N
Or. Stage Thinks mighty Poorly of
the Proposed Consolidation.
Letter in the Presbyte-
rlan Standard.
0OLORED EVANGELI ZAIlON

In the Presbyterian Standard of May 10
a weekly magazine published at Charlotte,
N. c., is a letter written April % by the
Rev. DIR. ]. w. stagg. pastor of the First
Presbyterian church of Birmingham to
the Rev. DIR. Thomas S. Clyce, president
of Austin college. Sherman, Texas, in
which DIR. Stage sets out the reasons why
he is opposed to the plan of federation
between the Northern and Southern Pres
byterian churches. Here is DR.. StaSg $
letter:
DR.. Stages Letter
My Dear DR.. Clyee: In reply to your
inquiry as to my views of the plan OF
federation, l may answer, in one word,
that | think nightly poorly of 1t. What
Is to be accomplished by it l cannot see,
more than the making it possible for a
body of fine gentlemen to gather once
year and discuss plans that we're before
the Northern and Southern Presbyterian
churches years ago, and have been re-
jected by both bodies To my mind, those
who have written in defense of the plan
have been very profuse in words and pit
liable in pointing out the results that flow
from such a federation. Any one at all
familiar with Presbyterian history in this
country knows well enough tnat the
Northern church will never turn over its
funds to the Southern church for colored
civilization, or for mission work In the
mountains of Kentucky and Virginia, or
the prairies of the Indian territory or
Texas. 1t doesn't matter how fine may be
the personnel of the COMMITTEES the Pres
byterian church will never have its work
carried on by councils outside OF itself,
which this practically Is. since it is COM
posed of representatives of so many
churches
at ,,,,-.oIf n ~, Il, fo.-or IF union with the
Northern Presbyterian church; We have
been on the verge f organic union more
than once. When the southern assembly
met at Nashville, the proper leadership
would have voted organic union by good
majority. Last year, when Teunis Ham
lin made his motion to expunge from all
records all offensive epithets against the
southern states, it would not have been
difficult, had a motion been on our
records favorng union, for it to have
taken place then. If we cannot be one by
uniting, it's absolutely impossible for us
to be one under the plan of federation.
That which causes the churches to work
as separate organizations now, will ever
prevent them from working otherwise
even though they may be represented by
united committee. Only union can
change this Ecclesiastical bodies will not
accept the dictum of committees, even
though they be the creatures of their
own making. If union ever takes place. 1t
will be after the fashion of the falling
of a ripe apple, and will be done by an
act of the assemblies of the two churches,
and never by any committee clustered
in hotel somewhere. discussing difficult
ties and differences.
Controlled by Principles.
SIN the days when separation took
place. our fathers were controlled by prin-
ciples, and could give sound reasons for
the opinions they then held. No real man
in the south will ever repudiate what they
did and said. The northern church. by its
action, has made 1t unnecessary for refer
ence ever again to be made to the old
record / would not criticize the represent
tatives from our church on this. fedora
ton committee; some of them are my
warm personal friends; nevertheless, 1t
is my firm conviction that a majority of
this committee will always prevent either
closer relationship or organic union when
they have 1t In their power to do So They
are men who are governed by traditions
and not opinions. If l were a commits
sioner to the assembly at f ort Worth, I
would do all In my power to dissolve the
committee and bring this question back
before the church as it has been since
the separation In 81. believe in trusting
the people; they do not often go wrong
Il despise a close corporation, and this
federation committee has that coloring to
me. Very respectfully yours,
JOHN w. stage"