Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-17
PLAN OF ORGANIC UNITY
Another Interesting Session of
Presbyterian Assembly.
REPORT ON CHURCH UNION
Some Very Important Resolutions to
Advance the Work.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
To Put Articles in Effect It Is Neces-
sary to Elect Thirty-Two
Representatives.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Representatives.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 1.-THE Presby-
terrain general assembly was opened today
by the new moderator, Rev. DR.. William
Henry Roberts Of Philadelphia, who was
elected by reclamation at yesterday after
Moons session. After prayer he introduced
Gov. Harris, who, on behalf Of the state
of Ohio. delivered an address of welcome
to the 1000 commissioners and their wives.
Mayor Badger welcomed the assembly on
behalf of the city.
The report of the special committee on
church union and cooperation was then
submitted, after DR.. Palmer had presented
the moderator with a gavel. The entire
report was listened to with great interest,
but the portion awaited with most inter-
est was that In regard to articles of agree
ment adopted at the last general assembly
To put the articles into effect, it is nee
essary for the assembly to elect thirty
two representatives to the council Of the
reformed churches in America holding the
Presbyterian system. This council was to
consist of four representatives, ministers Or
ruling elders from each of the constituent
churches, for each 100000 Communicates or
fraction thereof up to 100000; and where
church has more than 100000 communi-
cants. then four representatives for each
additional 100000 communicates or frac-
ton thereof.
Referred to by Last Assembly.
The last assembly referred to this COM
mittee the work OF providing a plan for
the selection of the representatives of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States
of America.
The committee today submitted the fol-
lowing plan:
The first two members of the delegation
to be the moderator for the time being and
the stated clerk; the other members to be
divided into three classes of five ministers
and five ruling elders each, one class to be
elected by this assembly for one year, one
for two wears and one for three years, and
the election thereafter to be annual, one
class of ten members each. 1t is recon-
mended that the assembly appoint a COM
mittee to nominate the thirty delegates by
classes.
Taken Under Consideration.
The committee reported that It had taken
under consideration the following matters
and DISPOSED of them In tie manner
named:
AS to union with the Reformed Presby-
terrain Church general synod action post
poned by the general synod, and recon-
mended by the committee that the assem-
bly, POSTPONE further negotiations until
God in His providence shall open a way
for their resumption" informing the gen.
eral synod of this action and assuring the
Reformed Church of desire for its con-
tinued prosperity.
AS to relations with the Reformed Church
in the United States, at a joint meeting
of committee Of Reformed Church and the
Presbyterian in the United States of Amer
lea, at Charlotte, n. c., resolutions passed
to recommend to both assemblies appoint
question of closer relations. Recommended
that the matter be recommitted to commit
tee on cooperation and union
Plan Of Federation.
AS to the plan of federation of the Chris
tan churches of America:
That the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America is entitled to thir-
ty representatives in the federal council;
recommended that the twenty-four men,
bers of the committee on cooperation and
union be made representatives and in addi
ton the following: Rev. j. Ross Stevenson,
Rev. d. Stuart Lodge, Rev. William L. Nc
Evan, Robert N. Wilson, John NJ Gaut and
S. S Brownell.
Overtures referred for the presbyteries
of Bellingham, Olympia, Puget Sound and
Spokane, regarding organic union with the
reformed churches holding the Presbyte-
Ran system:
Recommended. that the assembly pass
resolution expressing willingness to enter
into such relations of cooperation, fedora
ton or organic union as may be mutually
acceptable. This because the Reformed
Church in the United States has not had
opportunity to act on the resolution of the
committee on closer relations of it's general
synod.
Reconstruction and consolidation of the
boards and permanent committee of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States
Of America and the Cumberland Church.
Situation Is Complicated.
Recommended, that the assembly pass
resolutions directing each of the incorpo-
rated boards to proceed as PROMPTLY as
possible to transfer all it's property and
accounts to the appropriate board of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States
| OF America and to legal dissolution. unless
otherwise directed by competent legal
counsel, and in the meantime each of these
boards be considered as holding boards
only unless otherwise specifically directed
by the assembly.
The committee states that the situation
has been complicated by the bringing of
civil suits in the courts, and for this reason
advises the assembly to proceed cautiously
and take no action further than that rec
commended.
Should Be Recognized.
Cumberland University:
Recommended. that the amended charter
Of the Cumberland University be recognized
as the law defining the relations of the
theological department of the university to
the general assembly; that the trustees
shall require all theological professors to
adopt the confession Of faith of the Pres
byterfan Church In the United States of
America before assuming their duties and
that at least two-thirds Of the trustees of
Cumberland University shall be members
OF the Presbyterian Church In the United
states OF America. On adoption Of these
resolutions the committee understands the
trustees Of the university will Immediately
amend their charter