The Jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 18??-1907, 1906-08-11
''THE UNION OF PRESBYTERI.
ANS.U

w L
After the G. P. Assembly had adj
journed the Presby terrain Assembly in
session at Des Moines, Iowa, passed the
following resolution:
That ministers, ruling elders and dea-
cons, in expressing approval of the
Westminster Confession of Faith as
revised in 1908, are required to assent
only to the system ofdOctrine contained
therein; and not to every particular
statement in it; and inasmuch as the
Assemblies meeting in 1904 did declare
that there was then sufficient agree
ment between the systems of doctrine
contained in the Confessions of the two
Churches to warrant the union of the
Churches, therefore the change of doc
trinal standards resulting from the I'M
ion involves no change of belief on the
part of any who were ministers. ruling
elders or deaconssin the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. Further, this
Assembly specifically declares that since
the revision of 1908, by which the Con-
fcssion of Faith was amended, by change
of it's text by declaratory statement,
and by additions, 1t is no longer allow
to fnterpret our system of doctrine in
any fatalistic sense; nor are we willing
to admit that such fatalistic interpre-
tation was ever warranted, whatever
misrepresentation may hav existed in
the mind Of any person."
Certainly this is sufficient to set at
rest forever the charge that Cumber-
land Presbyterians in entering the unit
ed church, must accept the doctrines
which we protested against SO years ago.
We are expected to go on preaching
the same "Who sever-will gospel" in
the great re- united Presbyterian Church,
of which we are part. We have not
been swallowed up neither have we lost
our identity. True, we have given up
our distinctive name and now wear the
came name we had before the separa.
ton in 1870. Yes. we have adopted
another confession of Faith, but we are
the same people, holding the same doc
trines, preaching the same gospel oweing
the same property, holding the same
form of government and heving our
same ministers, presbyteries, and syn
DDS as before.
But some have asked "what are you
going to 60 with the negro in the united
church,"
There seems also some misunderstood
ing in some places as to the position Of
the church in regard to the colored race.
some of our members, say they would
remain in the Presby terrain church, but
it stands for social equality and they
would have to have negroes in their
churches.
My friends, there is no danger on this
score. We have provisions in our con-
stitution for the separation of the races
not only in congregations, but in the
presbyteries and synods,
We sustain exactly the same attitude
toward the negro, that the Southern
Presbyterian Church does, and no one
has ever, so far as L know, accused
that church or advocating or practicing
social equality. The few colored pres
byteries are entitled to send commits
sioners to the General Assembly in our
church, as in the Southern Presbvte
ran church, that they may receive the
advice, counsel and help of the assemb-
ly, but it is the EXTREMIST only who con.
siders to mean social equality. To my
mind Cumberland Presbyterians have
| gained much in this union-'a union
alike lowering to both" 1t means d
National Presbyterian church.
We have now congregations in every
state and territory of the union and
thriving churches in every continent
and in almost every island of the sea.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church
has never been a sectional church. 1t
knew no North no South. no East, no
West. 1t did not devide during the
times of the civil war. 1t had many
congregations in The north and far west
as well as in the South. But the large
body of its membership was in a few
states in the South and Southwest.
1t could not be properly called a
National Presbyterian church, for there
were many states and territories where
Cumberland Presbyterians were almost
entirely unknown.
By this union we became indeed a
national church, and to whatever sec
ton of our great country, we or our
children may go, we will find there a
church of our own, where we will find
companionship and help.
This union Of churches means better
facilities for evangelization. The chief
mission of the church in the world is
to carry the gospel to every creature.
Every movement which helps in carry