Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-04
ARE NOT SATISFIED
ASSEMBLIES CHURCH OBJECTS TO
PLAN OF UNION.
Demand That Project for Cathedral
Be Plainly Stated in Articles
Of Agreement.

In voiuminous petition presented to thu
Presbytery of Washington this morning a
majority OF the members OF the Assembly's
Presbyterian Church. corner OF 9Th and I
streets northwest asked that body TO re-
scind its action in approving the union OF
the Assemblys and the New York Ave-
nue. Presbyterian churches. and to give to
the congregation Of the former church Yts
right to hold a congregational meeting.
The petition stated that the congregation
OF the Assembly's Church had decided upon
union with the New York Avenue Church
TOT the purpose of furthering the so-called
catheorai idea. advocated by Justice Har-
ian OF the United States Supreme Court and
an elder Of the New York Avenue Church.
and that since the presbytery at its last
meeting had failed to approve of this idea
the people of Assembly's Church were I'M
wan a, TO consumrnate the union.
~ also stated that majority OF the elders
OF the church had refused to cali a con-
gregational meeting. thereby itsregardinR
the wishes of a large majority of the MEM
bers.
Neither Approved Nor Disapproved.
A clause In the resolution OF the presby-
terry, passed at its last meeting TO the effect
that the body neither approved nor dlsap-
proved OF the Idea of Justice Harlan for a
larger church." while approving of tho
union of the two churches mentioned, and
the striking out OF the section OF the origi-
nal petition of the Assembly's Church in
which reference to this project was made
was the cause OF the trouble and has re-
suited In chaotic condition in Assembly's
Church.
L. c. Williamson. as the commissioner
from a mass meeting OF the congregation
OF Assembly's Church, presented the new
petition this morning and explained the
reasons for the changed attitude of the
majority OF the church.
The question was at once raised by O d.
Brown. representing the other side of tina
controversy, as to whether or not the
presbytery had In reality altered the plan
of agreement between the churches In any
essential particular.
Mr.. Brown stated as his firm opinion
that 1t had not, and said II was for this
reason that he and the two other members
OK the session. constituting the majority.
had voted against the calling of a congre-
gational meeting to discuss the subject. He
held that the union already consum-
mated and that nothing more, was to be
done.
A similar view was expressed by DIR. Rad
cliffe. who discussed the question at length.
After considerable discussion, in which
many ministers and elders took part. II
was decided to refer the portion OF the Pc
tition asking for the right to holdsa con-
gregational meeting to the session of the
church, with instruction that such a meet
Ing be called at the earliest opportunity.
Presbytery Itself the Best Judge.
Rev. DIR. Albert Evans. chairman OF tho
committee which reported upon the matter
at the last meeting of presbytery said in
his opinion the presbytery itself was thu
best Judge of what 1t meant by Ats own
action. and suggested that a vote be taken
to determine whether IL meant to change
the agreement between the two churches as
originally made by them.
DIR. Radcliffe offered a resolution looking
toward that end. and stating that II was
not the intention of the body to interfere
In any way with the individual agreement
OF the two churches.
1t was shown, however, both by Mr..
Williamson and Rev. DIR. Donald c. Me-
Leod. who was a member of the DIR. Evans
committee, that the presbytery had strick-
en- out OF the original papers I'm the ngree-
ment the clause relating to the cathedral
idea.
Our people are willing to unite only
with the cathedral idea plainly In view"
Mr.. Williamson said, land with this sec
ton stricken out Of the papers we must
decline to transfer property and be-
come a part Of the New York Avenue
Church.
A vote on DIR. Radcliffe's resolution had
not been reached when the presbytery adj
journed at 1 pm, account of the sud-
den death of Rev. DR.. Charles b. Hansdell.
The discussion will be continued tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock at the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Justice Harlan was not present at the
meeting.