Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-27
repIss FOR A DAY OF REST.

ine big religious event OF the country
FOR the last week was the reunion OF the
Calvinistic Presbyterians and the Arminian
Cunberlands, the elimination Of a move
ment looking toward that union for "a
number OF years. The separation Of the
churches covered a period of more than 100
years, hence their reunion Is fraught With
great interest not only to Presbytertans
everywhere, but other denominations as
well.
Here is a sketch written by Richard
Beard professor of theology of the Univer-
isity of Lebanon. Tenn, the seat Of the
Cumberland church, for Johnson's Univer-
sal. encyclopedia. which gives an insight
into the history Of the division;
blne Cualbefiahd Presbyterian church is a.
'efU~ liitOF me present tninetesnth) century.
an AS, a vely remarkable revival OF religion
began TO develop Itself In southwestern
kentucky. Inc primo al minister connected
with its carly deveioplhents was Rev: James
McGready. Mr.. McGreadY was Presby-
terrain AID was educated IN western Penn
sylvania, at what became JEFFERSON college,
bat ne began his ministry in North Caro-
Ina. lie man CT unusual earnest
ness ana power In the pulpit. His earnest
ness aud zeal brought hlm Into coilslon
with the community IN which he was labor
ing. Inc result was the removal from
North Carolina to kentucky in 1885. he
was settled in charge of three congrega-
lions; TWO in Logan county, KY Gaspar
4tVer and Little Muddy River, and one IN
tennessee Red River. near the dividing
lane between the two states.
In July, 1870. occurred the hrSt camp meet
ing that ever was held in Chrtstendom
1he pan OF the meeting was suggested Dy
the circumstances OF tine country and the
TACT That vast crowds were in the habit of
assembling at the sacramental meetings
from distances varying from ten 20 lW
lnI.cs. Urea. numbers professed religion at
lie camp n.eetns ana upon other occasions
and the W.rA spfcaa with wonderful rap
iAity aAa po@% over southwestern Ken.
viii. care q the 1unDtflAnQ
eSu-ist, ..<" ,----.e 4elhessse' lying so-
s~-eLt. 1E
'I.e.v N,.e .,.,o sl5leets OF dissension
1i.'e"s To- E. s-,--e.S. '-.-e vas 90 uedtlonai
a,id t..o 4 %. ,.-., ..,Oioe4cii. he revival
tainss,efs ulV i-os vp?ect 40 education lol
vi the rue OF me circumstances surround
lng tnem, 4he young men dad not object
40 the Confession OF Faith, but 70 those
expressions in II which seemed TO them to
Imply the ooctrine OF fatality. Their warm
hearted, liberal fathers thought proper 10
indulge them I'm their skeptcism on this
Subject. They adopted the Confession OF
kaitn with the single exception. The dill
ePues became serious and were nnaly
The synod OF 1904 appointed a COMMITTEES
10 attend the meeting OF the Cumberland
Presoytery and inquire into the condition
OF Things. None Of the committee fulfilled
appointments except one, ana he was mo-
torlously prosecutor Of the Presbytery and
VAS regarded as a spy. Nothing good. OF
course. resulted The synod at its next
meeting In l96, appointed a commission
CONSISTING o. HINSen uleulpcIb 10 WISH the
region In which the difnculty existed Il
confer with the Cumberland Presbytery
and endeavor to restore quiet and harmony
Inc commission met December 3, 1896. al
Gaspar River meeting house In Logan
county, kentucky. The first measure OF
oytery a surrender Of ali the young men
VINO had been licensed and ordained In
what they regarded a questionable manner
for a re-examinatiOn by the commission
with a view to conformation or an an
nuiling OF the proceeding of the presbyterS
in each particular case, IL Is TO be born'
In mind that several OF the men thus re-
Quired to be surrendered 10 the commission
we're themselves members OF the presbytery
The presbytery declined compliance upOI