The Washington times., 1906-04-10
PRESBYTERY ACTS
ON CHURCH UNION
Special Committee Now Has
Proposition in Hand.
JUSTICE HARLAN'S PLAN
Explains That Both New York Avenue
and Assembly's Are Agreed
on Joining.
JUSTICE HARLAN'S PLAN

Inc washington Presbytery, in Ses
sion at the Sixth Presbyterian Church
engaged this morning in the prelimi-
nary discussion or the proposed con-
soidation of the New York Avenue and
Assembly's churches. Discussion on
the merits was obvfated by the refer
ence of the whole matter to n special
committee of five. The Rev. DR.. George
Bailey is moderator of the presbytery
The question was presented to the
presbytery by DIR. George r. Wilson
pastor of Assembly's Church, and DR.
Wallace Radcliffe. pastor of the New
York Avenue Church. 1t embraced the
terms of union of the two churches
looking finally to the establishment
OF great presbyterian cathedral. that
has been outlined in The Times.
Opposition Petition.
The reading of the petitions in favor
Of the consolidation of the two churche,
was followed by a petition in opposi.
tion, signed by Mrs. Sarah E. Shane
and twenty other members of Assem-
bly's Church. This petition averred that
the plan Of union had never been le-
gally and regularly ranctioned by AS,
sembly's. would disrupt a church in a
place where II was needed. and would
and the Presbyterian church
Justice Harlan, who is in a sense the
sponsor o: the movement for the build
ing of The cathedral, outlined his posi-
tion- He said the plan of union had
beer unanimously approved by the Of
Ulcers OF both churches
Question 10 Decide.
'The question for the presbytery to
decide" said Justice Harlan. 'is
whether IL shall approve and confirm
a union which is thus shown to be de-
sired by the two churches affected"
o. B. Brown, of Assemblys. said
the figures of church membership in the
opposition petition were erroneous. In
this petition the membership is given
as $50. Mr.. Brown said the books show
a membership of 22s, Of which number
htty-five have not been in the church
for two years.
I want TO say in addition" said Mr.
bIowh' that In listening to the names
OF the slgners OF the petition there was
one siSEer who is not a member of the
Shurch Many of the signers are chill
The special committee to which the
Whole matter was referred consists of
the Rev. Albert Evans, the Rev. Don
aid c. Macleod. the Rev Titus r
laws, 1. Il. Linton and c. H Merwin
the matter under consi 1eration
various reports of committees wer,
received and adopted.
Question of Accessories.
The Rev. Donald MacLeod's renort
upon Narrative of the Presbytery"
caused much discussion. DR.. Macleod
had embodied in this report a lament
that accessions to the church in Wash
ington have been relatively small for
the past year.
OF the thirty-two churches in the
presbytery twenty-six had submitted
reports. from which it appeared that
In all there had been only 3S1 accessions
10 membe-ghip, through confession of
faith. DR.. Macleod insisted that such
acceSSionS were the true and only just
indication or 4 church's religious life and
growth.
This drew an indignant reply from DR.
Ieunis 5. Hamlin. Of the Church OF the
covenant. DIR. Hamlin declared that In
many churches such accessions are DR.
possible.
DIR. Macleod lives IN a section of the
city, said DR.. Eamlin, where the in
nuence OF the President is paramount
and large. families are the rule"
The report of the special committee
having under consideration the proposed
consolidation of the New York Avenrs
and Assembly'S churches will be rnadn
late today. II was In session an hoIn
during the forenoon and another meet
ing viii be held before a final decision
Is reached At this second meeting the
opponents OF the consolidation will he
given another opportunity to appear an,
state and support their objections.