CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1906-05-31

themselves more nearly together than
the most ardent friends of union had
even supposed. These committees re-
ported to the general assemblies the
following spring, earnestly recon-
mending union, taking as basis the
confession of faith of the Presbyterian
church, which had been revised some
what in the year 1908. This recon-
mendation was almost unanimously
adopted by the Presbyterian General
Assembly, but owing to some misun-
derstanding of its terms, was carried
by very small majority in the Cum
berland assembly. According to the
rules of both bodies no action is valid
which involves the larger interests of
the churches unless it be submitted
This was done in both assemblies with
the result that SO per cent. of the
Presbyterian presbyteries voted for
union and the action was finally vail
dated, insofar as the Presbyterian
church was concerned, by the general
assembly of that church at Los An
geles in 1905. But as the committee
of the Cumberland Presbyterian
church was almost evenly divided so
were their presbyteries, and in the
general assembly the recommendation
was carried only by small majority.
1t was deemed wise to resubmit the
matter to the presbyteries in the hope
that a more nearly unanimous action
could be secured. This was done. The
second vote in the presbyteries, which
was taken this year, showed quite
gain in the sentiment of union, but
was not yet by any means unanimous.
The Presbyterian General Assembly
met this year at Des Moines, Iowa, and
the Cumberland Presbyterian Assem-
bly, at Decatur, Illinois. The local
Cumberland Presbyterian church was.
represented by Mr.. John w. Rogers,
who returned last Saturday. He re-
ports that after somewhat stormy
but on the whole successful meeting
the question of union was finally dis
posed of and the Cumberland Presby-
terian church, as such, is no longer in
existence.
A small minority refused to abide
by the action of the general assembly
and have organized a separate body.
But the United States courts have de-
cided that the entire property of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church be-
longs now to the united body.
Canon City people have been in
terested to know what will be the eff
feet of this action upon the two local
churches, as both denominations are
strong in this city
In the Presbyterian church govern
ment the general assemblies cannot
legislate for local bodies. Therefore,
the status of the local churches Is in
no way effected. The two churches
here, or the two churches anywhere
else, can unite If it is deemed wise by
the congregations, but it is entirely
matter to be disposed of by them.
There is, however, no longer a Cum
berland Presbyterian church in Canon
City, but a Second Presbyterian
church It is rumored that the new
Second Presbyterian church will re-
locate and rebuild, but exactly what
action will be taken in this regard is
matter of conjecture.
The action of the general assemblies
of these two great churches is signifi-
cant in that it more than any other
ecclesiastical procedure in recent years
shows the tendency of the times.
One hundred years ago churches
were divided and new denominations
sprung up on every side. Today there
is more charitableness of feeling,
more practical and a more active re-
ligious life.
The tendency is decidedly toward
union. That this union step could
have been taken by two churches that
have always stood especially strong