Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-05-26
IN FAVOR OF CHURCH UNION
Move to Unite All Presbyterian Bodies
Given Great Impetus.
ACTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Hearty Fraternal Greeting IL Sent to
other Presbyterian BOdies--Plan
for Federal Council of
Churches Approved.

KANSAS CITY. May 25.-Co-operation
and closer relations leading ultimately to
union with other churches of the Presby-
terian faith, the duty of the church to the
negro and religious education we're the Inn
portant subjects considered by the general
assembly of the Presbyterian church In the
United States today.
Rev. Dr. William H. Roberts Of Philadel-
phia, in reading the report of the com
mlttee on church cooperation and union,
submitted resolutions which were adopted.
recommending the heartiest response to
any movement inviting union with the
reformed church in America, the Presby-
terian church in the United states, the
United Presbyterian and other churches
of the faith. The assembly, was told by the
report of the fraternal relations which al
ready exist between its church and every
other Presbyterian church. and the resolu-
tions of the committee called for action
which will induce closer relations. mes
sage of fraternal greeting was sent to the
general synod of the reformed church in
the United States in session now at York,
Pa, inviting action with view to fur
ther consideration of the subject Of closer
relations between the two denominations,
in harmony with the resolution adopted in
1906, by the joint committees representing
both churches.
Plan for Federal Council.
The assembly adopted a resolution ap-
proving the plan of the federal council
of the churches of Christ in America,
which is composed of twenty-seven of the
leading protestant and evangelical churches
in the country with the hope that the first
meeting of the federal council will result
in the adoption of plans of cooperation
which win manifest more clearly the unity
in Jesus Christ of the churches and the
advonce in a noteworthy manner of the
interests CT the kingdom of Christ in the
United States and throughout the world
The work Of the counsel of the Reformed
church in the United States in advancing
the cause of church cooperation was ap-
proved by the general assembly.
Speaking on the report of the committee
on education Dr. Leslie French of the Uni
versity of Michigan said the church should
make great efforts to reach state univer-
sity students. He said that one-seventh Of
the student body OF the Michigan university
were Presbyterians.
DIR. George S. Burnfied of Philadelphia
said that the educational work of the
church was of the most vital Importance.
Negro Members Speak.
Four negroes were among the speakers
who supported the report of the committee
on freedmen. Rev. e. NJ. Clark, a negro OF
Birmingham Ala. made an eloquent speech,
the burden of which was that the same
agencies should be at work In the interest
of his race that were working for the bet
terment OF the white race. Rev. A. d..
Mccoy and DR.. o. A. Williams of Okla
homa, both negroes expressed their ap-
probation for the interest the assembly
took in their race. Rev. Thomas K.
Bridges negro whose field is in the Choc-
taw nation in Oklahoma, told of his ex-
periences there trying to uplift commun-
ty OF superstitious negroes who are domi-
mated by Indian thought.
DR.. e. p Cowan, secretary of the board
of freedmen, said that the church had
been doing missionary work among the
negroes of the south for forty-three years
and during that time illiteracy among them
had been reduced 40 per cent.
The discussion developed the fact that the
negroes lack ministerial leadership and it is
| the purpose of the board to establish local
academies of primary grades and industrial
branches. 1t Is not the purpose to interfere
with the denominational relation of the
students. Close cooperation of all PIesby-
terian churches is encouraged.
Committee on Education.
The report of the committee on educa-
tion was as follows, in part:
The work shows that 500 candidates were
accepted by the board last year, eighty
three in academic, 354 In collegiate and 372
| in theological courses. OF these 2S3 were
new men and 556 renewals" a decreas
Of fifteen in the former and an increase N
thirty-siX in the latter. This unusual con-
dition is due probably to the fact that the
increased cost of living has constrained a
number OF candidates who had believed
themselves able to pursue their further
training unassisted to renew their applica-
tions.
A notable dearth of candidates is OBJ
served in number of presbyteries east OF
the Alleghenies. seven of the strongest
averaging but one candidate to 5,137 church
members. In the large centers OF wealth
ana population comparatively few candi-
dates are being raised up to face with a
mastery born of intimate experience the
complex problem of urban life The re-
suit is that the churches of the east draw
heavily upon the ministerial forces of tht
west, struggling as II is with Its vast
stretches of unevangelized territory, intc
which immigration is pouring with ever g
1t is beyond the Mississippi that the ma.
lority OF our 22sl vacant churches lie. II
the eastern homes, churches and school,
cannot furnish enough ministers for the
needs OF their own territory, but mus
drain away some of the best workers from
of supply and demand in the church hav,
become seriously disturbed. The call foI
men 70 man the fields in the south. wes
and southwest is stronger and louder to
day than ever in our nations history. Ovel
800 men could be used at once on hom,
mission territory II the money and tn,
men we're available. There are count,
seats In the southwest having no evangeli
cal church Of any denomination.
The board wishes to emphasize the neeC
on the part of presbyteries of exercisinI
the most scrupulous care in the examina
tion OF candidates.
A large share OF the time ana money de
voted to higher education Is being ex
pended upon the developments of technica
courses even In the UNCONVENTIONAL col
? leges and there Is eminent danger tina
the A. b. degree shall be allowed I,
stand for less and less In the midst of Al
l age when the reactions OF material pros
/ perity are felt so keenly in our educationa
system.
The receipts were s175.742 and the expen
ditures SlH.S6' leaving balance Of $3.50.
Aid Needed for Freedmen,
The report OF the board OF missions TO
freedmen was submitted al the mornin,