Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-24
UNION CONSUMMATED
Two Branches of Presbyterian
Church Reunited.
AT DES MONIES, IOWA, TODAY
Storm of Rejoicing Marked End of
Long Contest.
WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED
Sensation Followed Recording of Two
Negative Votes-Pandemoni
Broke Loose Over Opposition.
WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED

DES MONIES, Iowa, May PAT do SOL
emily declare and here publicly announce
that the basis of reunion and union is now
IN fuil force and effect, and that the Cum
beriand Presbyterian Church Is now reunit-
ed with the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America as one church."
With these words uttered before the gem
efst assembly today Moderator Hunter Cor
bett officially established the union of the
Cumberland church with the Presbyterian
church In the United States of America
Inc big ecclesiastical assemblage burst
into storm of rejoicing. Handclapping,
cheering and waving of handkerchiefs gave
expression to unalloyed pleasure. The con-
summation. devoutly wished and worked
for through many years. despite many OBJ
stacles. had become a reality.
Yesterday a telegram was received from
Decatur announcing. the adoption of the
joint resolution by the Cumberland church.
assembly similar action was taken. and
messages to that effect dispatched to De-
catur.
Intensely Dramatic Scene.
The most intensely dramatic scene of the
ceremonies attending the formal union of
the churches was the vote against union by
two commissioners Moderator Hunter
Corbett put the question, which was in the
form of resolution, and called for the az
firmative vote, to be expressed by the COM
missioners rising to their feet Instantly the
assembly hall was converted into a stamp
ing. cheering crowd. AS the handclapping
and cheering died down and the commits
sioners took their seats, the moderator said:
"All who are of the opinion that the mo-
ton should not prevail will please rise
A laugh went around the hall, for it was
believed the request was mere formality
and would meet with no response. To the
aStonishment of all present, two commits
soners rose to their feet. Pandemonium
broke loose, and it was feared for an in
stant that indignity would. be offered the
lonely men who opposed the union. One of
the men was DR.. VIM Laurie af Belefonte.
Pa, and the other was Rev. Roger F. Cres-
Sey of Jacksonville, III.
DIR. Laurie is a stalwart Scotchman, and
his personality dominated the convention.
Forced to Disagree.
Greatly as I dislike to record my vote
against this union, and deeply as l feel the
pain of being forced to disagree with my
fathers and brothers, yet cannot conscen-
tiously vote for this union. 1t is purely a
question between me and my God. 1 have
to oppose it,
Rev. Mr.. Cressey said:
This Is a matter of conscience with me.
1 cannot honestly vote for the union
A motion was made that the negative
votes be recorded. Cries of NO were
raised. DR.. Laurie was on his feet imme-
diately, declaring: Il desire that the mega
tive votes be recorded. l never yet was
ashamed to stand by my convictions
The record was duly made
Demonstration Over Delegates.
Immediately after the adoption of 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 and applauded, cheered
and waved hats and handkerchiefs for
five minutes. The Cumberland visitors
were Prof. w. H. Black, president of the
Missouri Valley College, Lexington, Mo-,
and DIR. B. p. Fullerton. pastor of the Lu-
cas- Avenue Presbyterian Church, st.
Louis. Prof Black was the Cumberland
chairman of the joint committee on
church reunion and union.
Both men made speeches to the as
sembly, expressing their qualification a
the union and announcing that tomorrow
of seven others from the Cumberland as
sembly would arrive in Des Mones to
receive and extend official greetings.
The assembly telegraphed the Cumber-
land assembly at Decatur OF the action
on the question of union Immediately
after the juncture was declared opera
tive, and received a telegram In reply.
containing congratulations, announcing
the official receipt of the Information and
sembly.