The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-04-15
PRESBYTERIAN
MERGER SOON
ORGANIC UNION OF SOUTHERN
AND UNITED DENOMlNA-
TioNS is RECOMMENDED
BY co MMITTEE.

a new topic of Importance has been
precipitated into the arena of religl-
Gus discussion by the recent action. at
a joint meeting held In Pittsburgh, of
committees Of the Southern Presby-
terrain denomination and the United
Presbyterian denomination in recon-
mending that the general assemblies
Of both bodies take proper steps to-
ward an organic union OF these two
historic bodies. Both assemblies meet
next month. the southern Presbyterian
at Bristol, Tenn. and the United Pres
byterian at Seattle Discussion and ac-
ton by these two highest courts will
bring the matter before the churches,
and then the whole Christian world
will learn of this momentous action,
and what is involved in it.
Some Other Union Schemes.
OF all the projects for church union
now on the horizon. this seems the
most hopeful. There are some nego-
tiations afoot looking toward Il reunion
Of the Methodist bodies. This follow
ed the collapse OF the much debated
proposal OF the Congregationalists
United Brethren and Methodist Protes-
tants. The Free Bapists are pract-
cally back with the Northern Baptist
body.
The immense undertaking of mer-
ger Of the Presbyterians, Congrega-
tionalists and Methodists OF Canada,
which has hsap up1.r c,,,ei o,.o tio,, o..
a number of years, still drags its slow
length through the church courts
Something In the way of decisive ac-
ton Is expected this spring.
The sentiment of the German Re
formed churches concerning the pro-
posed union with the Northern Pres
byterian church is being canvussed,
and on the whole il is said TO he ia
vorable. This will probably be the next
union to which the parent Presbyterian
body Will be party. The legal diff
culties which have attended the re-
union with the Cumberland Presbyter-
ian have darupcned the ardor of many
church leaders FOR new union enter
prises.
Ecclesiastical "Affiinities."
Men who follow religious affairs
closely, seem to think that the move
ment which has suddenly shown such
vitality for a union of the southern
and United Presbyterian churches falls
into a unique classification. IL is not
the result of agitation by men whose
hobby is church union. In fact. IL
springs from no agitation at all. Nor
is II a plan proposed by ecclesiastical
leaders 1t seems more like the Gaze OF
two young persons who have grown up
together as good friends and who ali
at once discover that they are meant
for each other and should get mar
ried. This could be diagnosed as case
OF ecclesiastical afiinlties.
Both the United Presbyterian and
the Southern Presbyterian churches
hold fast to the old Presbyterian
forms and doctrines Both show mark
edly the Scotch-Irish strain. Both have
been conspicuous for Sabbath keeping
and for family religion. Both are in
the forefront of foreign missionary ac-
tivity. Both have led American Chris
tendon In lay activity. Both are rath-
er suspicious Of what they esteem the
lax theology of the Northern Prcsby-
terrain church; and both have pointed
~ veered OFF from overtures To union
with this larger body Both are small |
er denominations, the United Presby-
terians numbering about 100. 900 men,
bers, and the Southern Presbyterians