The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-24
THURSDAY EVENING, MAY %, 1906.
CHURCH UNION IS
DECLARED A FACT
Dramatic Scene at Des Moines
When Two Commissioners OPP
pose Cumberland Plan.

-Des Moines,( May 24.-FttI do SOL
emily declare and here publicly an,
nounce that the basis of reunion and
union is new in full force and effect,
and that the Cumberland Presbyterian
church is now reunited with the Presby-
terrain church in the United States of
Ameria as one church.
With these words, uttered before the
general assembly today, Moderator Or
the union sof the Cumberland church
with the. Presbyterian church in the
United States of America. e. L4-.zs- H.
The big assemblage burst into a storm
of rejoicing. Handclapping, cheering
and waving of handkerchiefs gave ex-
preston too unalloyed pleasure. The
consummation devoutly wished and
worked for thru many years, despite
many obstacles had become a reality.
from Decatur announcing the adoption
Of the Joint resolution by the Cumber-
land church. Ats3the opening session
; Of the Des Moines assembly similar ac-
ton was taken and messages to that ef-
feet dispatched toSDecatur.
T. Two Opposed Union. g.. /. =
The most intensely. dramatic scenes
attending the formal union Of the
churches was the vote against union by
two commissioners. Moderator Corbett
form of O resolution and called for the
affirmative vote to be expressed by a
rising vote. Instantly, the assembly
hall was converted into stamping,
cheering crowd. AS the handclapping
cheering died down and the commission
ers took their seats, the moderator
said: "All who are Of the opinion
that the motion should not prevail will
please rise. y 81 ...s~ ~ ~
A laugh went around the hall, for it
was believed the request was a mere
formality and would meet with no re-
sponse To the establishment Of all
present two commissioners rose to their
feet Panderno broke loose and it
was feared for an instant that indigni-
| ty would be offered The lonely men who
opposed the union. One of the men
was DR., William Laurie Of Bellefonte
Gressey of jacksonville, III. Dr.. Lau.
RE is stalwart Scotchman, and has
been a strong factorEin the convention
I tGreat1Y asEI dislike to record my
vote against this union, and deeply as
n feel the pain Of being forced to dis.
agree with my fathers and brothers. =
he. said, 1tyetI cannot ann conscientiously
vote for this MIN l-stto It IS purely
| have to opposss.it'' .....z,... 7
Rev. Mr.. N;essey said: - This, is {
Ematteri Of 5coRseie nc efwitir 1ne.a1:zI Z Gan
| not honestly Vote FOR the union. - :
| A motion was made that the negative
votes be recorded. e. Cries Of emo
were heard and DR.: Laurie was on his
feet declaring: II desire that the
negative vote be recorded. I never yet
was afraid to stand by my convictions
The record was duly made. -. -,
| Cumberlanders Come In.
Immediately after the adoption O:
the resolution uniting the churches an(
the declaration by the moderator thai
the union was now contaminated, repre-
sentatives from the Cumberland assem-
bly, were introduced to the assembly
which came to its feet and applauded
cheered and waved hats and handker
chiefs for several minutes" The Cum
berland visitors were Professor w. H
Black, president Of the Missouri Val
ley college, Marshall, Mo-, and DR.. B