The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-25

 ARE NOW UNITED
Union is Formally Declared at
 0eS Moines
EXCHANGE OF TELEGRAMS
Presbyterian General Assembly Ap- proves Proposition for Federation of All Evangelical Churches
 In Charitable Work.

1
 Des Moines. Ia., May 24-"I do solemnly
 declare and here publicly announce that
 the basis of reunion and union Is now in
 full force and effect and that the Cum I berland Presbyterian church is now re- l united with the Presbyterian church in
 the United States of America as one church."
 | With these words, uttered before the
 general assembly today Moderator Hun
 ter Corbett officially established the union
 of the Cumberland church with the Pres
 byterian church in the United States. The big assemblage burst into a storm
 of rejoicing. Hand-clapping, cheering and
 waving of handkerchefs gave expressions l to unalloyed pleasure. The consummated
 devoutedly wished and worked for through
 many years, despite many obstacles, had l become reality.
 1 Yesterday telegram was received
 from Decatur announcing the adoption of | the joint resolution by the Cumberland 1 church. At the opening session of the l Des Moines convention, q similar action
 was taken and messages to that effect dis 1 patched to Decatur. The most intense l ly dramatic scene of the ceremonies at l tending the formal union of the churches was the vote against union by two com- misisoners. Moderator Corbett put the question which was in the form of a reso- lution and called for the affirmative vote to be expressed by the commissioners ris- ing to their feet. Instantly the assembly hall was converted into stamping, cheer ing crowd As the handclapping and cheering died down, and the commissioners took their seats, the moderator said: "An who are of the opinion that the
 motion should not prevail will please rise" A laugh went around the hall for it was believed that the request was mere formality and would meet with no response To the astonishment of all present two commissioners rose to thelr feet Pandemonium broke loose and It
 was feared for an instant that indignity
 would be offered the lonely men who op-
 posed the union. One of the men was Dr. William Laurie of Bellefente, Pa, and the other was the Rev. Roger F. Crossey of Jacksonville, III. Dr. Laurie IS stai-
 wart Scotchman and his personality doml- mated the convention.
 Negative Vote.
 Greatly as I dislike to record my vote against this union, and deeply as 1 1eei
 the pain of being forced to disagree with my fathers and brothers. yet cannot
 eonscientiously vote for this union. It Is
 purely a question between me and my
 God. I have to oppose it.
 The Rev MT. Cross said: This IS
 matter of conscience with me. l cannot honestly vote for the union.
 A motion was made that the negative votes be recorded. Cries of NO were raised. pr. Laurie was on his feet lm- mediately, declaring: T desire that the | l. .41r. nH |
 was ashamed to stand by my convic- tions.''
 The record was duly made.
 Immediately after the adoption or the resolution uniting the churches and the declaration by the moderator that the union was now consummated, two repre- sentatives from the Cumberland assembly
 were introduced to the assembly, which
 came to it's feet, appauded, cheered ana waved hats and handkerchiefs for five minutes The Cumberland visitors were Prof w. II. Black, president or the MS souri Valley college, Lexington, MO, ana
 Dr. B. P. Fullerton, pastor Of the Lucas Avenue Presbyterian church, St. LOUIS.
 Professor Black was the Cumberland chairman of the joint committee oh church reunion and union.
 Roth men made speeches to the assem- hly. expressing their qualification at the union and announcing that tomorro" Moderator Ira Landreth and delegation
 of seven others from the Cumberland as-
 sembly would arrive in Des Molnes to re- ceive and extend official greetings. The assembly telegraphed the Cumber- land assembly at Decatur of the acton on the question of union immedlateiy al-
 ter the juncture was declared operatVe and received a telegram In reply cohtali-
 ing congratulations announcing the oni-
 cial of the information and the adJourh- ,..1 Acd Approve Federation.
 The proposed federation of all the evangelical churches of the country TOT charitable and humane work was ap-
 proved The report of the comnnttee
 ,.aoc.nnmending that the Presbyterian church go into the federation was unani-
 mously adopted. The federation excludes the Unitarian church by the terms or US preamble to dts agreement. The preahpie declaring that all churches which peheVe in the .'Dlvine" Lord and Saviour unite in the work. The Unitarians, disclalhins
 the divinity of Christ are therepy eN- cluded. , |. |.
 The branches of work upon which 1t Is
 agreed to unite are: Marriage and divorce; Sa abhath desecration; social evils; child labor. the relation of labor to capital; nrohlems that are created by foreign i'm
 nnigration; the bettering of the condl- lions of the laboring classes, and the
 morals and religious training Of the young, cts.
 The afternoon session of the assem- hly was devoted to a celebration or the
 2o0th anniversary of the church, It's flrst
 Presbytery having been organized In old
 Underwood" the home of the first Pres byterian church of Philadelphia in lloo-
 The consummation of church union with
 the Cumberlands added greatly to the reioicings of the occasion and unusual enthusiasm marked all of the features of the programme. The church received greetings from two foreign delegates, me Rev. William P. Patterson, D. D.. l.. l.. D.. professor of divinity. University or Edenburg. representing the church or Scotland. and the Rev. William D. Wal lace. pastor of the First church, Ramei-
 ton. Ireland. the church from which came
 Father Malsemic. who Is accredited with being the father of the Frespy- terian church in this country. Tonight a reception was rendered the commissioner and visitors at the state
 capitol by the governor and other state officials.
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