The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-25
CHURCHES ARE AGAIN UNITED - Enthusiasm At General
 Assembly. ALL PREsBYTERIANs ONE Only Twelve Votes Registered
 Against Union. Announcement of Result of Years of Hard Work Greeted With
 Cheers and Speeches
 At Des Moines.

Des Moines, Iowa, May 24.--I do sol emnly declare and here publicly an- nounce that the basis of reunion and union is now in full force and effect and that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is now reunited with the Pres byterian Church In the United States of America as one church.
 With these words uttered before the General Assembly today. Moderator Hunter Corbett officially established the union of the Cumberland Church with the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
 The big assemblage burst into a storm of rejoicing. Hand clapping, cheering and waving of handkerchiefs gave expression to unalloyed pleasure. The consuYfpation deveutly Wished and worked for through many years de- spite many obstacles had become reality.
 Yesterday a telegram was received from Decatur announcing the adoption of the joint resolution by the Cum herland Church. At the opening ses- sion of the Des Moines convention, similar action was taken and messages to that effect dispatched to Decatur.
 The most intensely dramatic scene of the ceremonies attending the formal union of the churches was the vote against union by the commissioners Moderator Corbett put the question which was in the form of resolution and called for the affirmative vote to be expressed by the commissioners rts- ing to their feet Instantly the as- sembly hall was converted into a stamping, cheering crowd. As the hand clapping and cheering died down and the commissioners took their seats, the moderator said:
 "All who are of the opinion that the m nrHV3i please rise."f
 laugh went around the hall for 1t was believed, that the request was g mere foEmaIity' and would meet with no response. To the astonishnent of all present two conimissioners rose to their feet PaudaEnonium broke ieose and it was feared for an instant that indignity would be, offered the lonely men who opposed the union.
 One of the men was Dr. William Laurie, of Bellfonte. Pa. and the other was Rev. Roger F. Cressey, Of Jack sonyille. III. pr. Laurie is stalwart scotchman and his personality domi- mated the convention.
 pr, Laurie on Floor.
 Greatly as I dislike to record my vote against this union and deeply as I feel the pain of being forced to dis agree with my fathers and brothers yet I cannot conscientiously vote for this union. It Is purely a question be- tween me any my God. have to op- pose it."
 Rev. MT. Cressey said:
 '"Thls is a matter of conscience with me cannot honestly vote for the union."
 A motion was made that the nega- tive vote be recorded. Cries of NO" were raised. pr. Laurie was on his feet immediately declaring; T desAe that the negative votes be recorded. I never yet was ashamed to stand by my convictions"
 The record was duly made.
 Immediately after the adoption of the resolution uniting the churches and the declaration by the moderator that the union was now eonsumated. two representatives from the Cumberland Assembly were introduced to the Assembly, which came to its feet and applauded. cheered and waved hats and handkerchiefs for five minutes.
 The Cumberland visitors were Prof. w. H. Black, president of the Mis- aouri Valley College. Lexington. and pr. P. B. Fullerton, pastor of the Lu- cas Avenue Presbyterian Church. St. Louis. Black was the Cumberland chairma nof the joint committee on Church Reunion and Union.
 Btoh men made speeches to the as- scmbly, expressed their qualification at the union and announcing that tomor- =ow Mod0sator Ira Landrith and del- egation of seven others from the Cum berlano Assembly would arrive in Des Moines to receive and extend official greetings
 The assembs photographed the Cum berland Assembly at Decatur of the action on the question of union imme- diately after the juncture was declared operative and received a telegram in reply containing congratulations, an- nouncing the official receipt of the in- formation an dthe adjcurnmen os the Cumberland Assembly,.