The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-02
HISTORIC SYNODS
 NEARING AN END
Neither Recognizes the Exist
 enCe of the Other
LEGAL FIGHT MAY ENSUE
cumberlands Pass Stirring Resolutions Demanding Books, Money and
 Property From pr. Wither-
 spoon, Past Stated Clerk.

The peculiar condition of two churches, each with its own Synod and Presbyteries
 yet each ignoring and denying the eXis-
 tenee of the other is now the visible ef-
 feet of the split which took place Tues
 day in the Synod of the Presbyterian
 church in the United States of America
 composed of former Cumberands and
 commonly called the United synod and 1t
 is pointed out that if the example of Ten
 nessee is followed the resulting entangle- ments will bring the matter to the courts i soon.
 Following is the first step towagd bring
 ing the matter to a head which Was
 taken yesterday morning:
 .l5e it resolved, That the Cumberland ] Synod make demand upon the Rev W, B. Witherspoon, fo, mer stated clerk of the i synod, for moneys, books, records papers
 and all properties belonging to the Ala
 bama synod of the Cumberland Presby- 1 terian church, and demand possession of same.
 "Be it further resolved That N. A. Eis- I gins and W. J. Millgan be appointed l committee to present copy of these
 resolutions to Mr. Witherspoon. i Be 1t further resolved, That all con-
 gregations of the church arc called upon
 to employ none except Cumberland Pres
 byterian preachers, and to ask the resig-
 nations of all pastors who have joined the Unionists.
 Be It further resolved, That more at tention be given to tho church authorities.
 and that respect for the church's caurts
 be more diligently enforced"
 The Present Status. With a unanimous vote these resolutions
 were passed, and 1t is said that litigation
 will inevitably follow The Cumberlands
 claim that since all this property is deeded 1 in their name they have a right to de-
 mand it. The Unionlsts, however. do not 1 recognize any such body as the Cumber- 1 land Presbyterian church, holding that 1 the action of the Cumberland general as 1 sembly the highest tribunal, in uniting
 with the Presbyterian church in the
 United States of America carried with it all the property of the church, and abol- 1 ished the name of Cumberland. They say they will never agree to give up thelr present holdings.
 Whether the seeding Cumberlands will
 immediately go to the courts, or seize everything possible and await the action of the Unionists is a mooted question. It will be remembered that in Tennessee the Presbyterian church in the Unit d States of America sued out an injunction against the use of the name Cumberland, but the injunction was finally dissolved.
 In almost every church in the state there is lewiston in the membership and both sides will make a strong fight to |. a.F \ f Lake the Cumberland adherents have asked for the resignation of the Rev. NJ Alexander, Unionist and although he has not yet resigned, they are now negotiating with the Rev. F. Hudson ot Pulaski. Tenn, to fill the pastorate As the season is said to be equally divided, there is great uncertainty concerning the final outcome.
 Actions of the Day.
 When M M Russell, moderator of the Cumberland, called the body to order yes terday morning the election of stated clerk resulted in the choice of R. s. Hud- son. The reports of the committees on education missions, Sabbath observance and temperance were eXaustiVe and full o1 interest. Coco-cola as a beverage was condemned as injurious. both mentally and physically, discussion of the con ditions in the Birmingham synod brought out the opinion that steps should be taken immediately by the congregation of Bir- mingham to organize themselves under pastor
 The reports of committees were con- tinued in the afternoon session, including the reading of all the presbyterlal records, and the various standing committees were reorganZed.
 Considerable rivalry accompanied the selection of a place for the next meeting, but Gaylesville, CerolIee county, received the highest vote. The meeting will take place on the last Tuesday in October 1907
 A part of the Robert DOnall presbNterN in Marshall county, south of the Tennes- see river. was transferre~ to the Spring field prcsbytery. After passing resolu- tions of thanks to the Methodist church for the use of their building and to the community sor the Entertainment so Kind ly provided, this meeting of the Cumber- land synod which Is now historic. closed with a prayer by Rev D. P. Deader, and the benediction by the Rev. M. C. Mllli- gan. Most of the members departed on the afternoon trains, but the Rev. r. G. Reed of tho Robert Donall presbytery re- mained to conduct the services Sunday morning at the East Lake church. United Synod. The day with the Presbyterian synod in the United States of America was one
  rare addresses being delivered, and exten- sfve reports of committees showed the work of the church to be progressing in every department
 The Rev. M. Hollister of North Ala bama opened the morning session with thirty minutes devotional service, which was followed by the reports of commit | tees being those for ministerial relief, Sabbath observance, and young peoples work A permanent committee on young | peoples work was appointed, consisting | of S. A. Russell J. S. Bridges, Rev. | David Brown. Rev. J. A. Foster and Rev. | NT NJ. Crow.
 An interesting communication from the l American Bible society was read and l spread on the minutes With the report of 1 the committee on education the business | session adjourned, and the Rev. s. D. | into the synod, preached the Il o'clock | sermon, taking as his text: Blessed are | tho 7 that hunger and thirst after right | eousness, for they shall be filled" His address was regarded as Il masterlv | argument for the better life and was | highly appreciated by the audience. | When the synod met in the afternoon, | Ave brethren from other states, the Rev. | pr. Nixon of New Jersey, the Rev. Dr. | Calhoun of Pennsylvania the Rev. pr. Darby of Indiana and the Rev pr. Full l lerton of Missouri, were Invited to seats as corresponding members and introduced 10 the synod
 The first item on the programme was the home mission conference, to which the Rev pr. Dixon and Dr. Fullerton brought comforting and helpful messages. The committees on foreign missions, tenn ,,,,l,l nm, han do fbai,.