The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-13
l1(.Iy:2a

America. But the Northern Church
takes a different view OF the mat"
ter.
These are some of the more inn
portart differences between these TWO
largest branches of the presbyterian
family in this country
TIL United Presbyterian Church Is
much nearer to the Southern Church
in doctrines and practices than u "
to the Northern Church, although
is located almost entirely IN inc
North and Middle West The pom
at which this Church differs especially
from the Southern Church is on the
question of hymnology. The United
Church sing only the Psalms in Their
public works, while the Southern
Church, like almost every other
church in this country. sings unin-
spired hymns az well as the inspired
Psalms. This may seem "a very small
matter to most people, but to iarea
majority of the United Church
seems to be of sufficient importance
to present serious barrier TO It's
union with any other branch OF the
Church.
A great deal has been said about
the union OF these and other branches
of the Presbyterian Church. rs
pecially has this been true of the
Northern and Southern Churches. Rut
thus far no basis Of union has been
found that IS satisfactory to both
And for several years its discussion
has almost been dropped.
But at present the question Of union
between the Southern and the United
Churches is q very live one. y year
ago each of the assemblies represent
ing these churches appointed com
fs.v t{rxEs N xtS4s
basis of union could be- discovered.
They have met and prepared report,
W ich is to be presented TO the Two
assemblies What this report viii re-
commend is not known as the eof1-
mittees have not given the slightest
intimation as to what they viii suggest
M~mbershfp of Each.
The membership of these churches
heirhborhood OF $685. the Southern
Church being somewhat tha larger.
Those who advocate the union do SO .
upon the ground that II wall make 3
is. and so 1t will be able the better
To accomplish it's work. Those who
oppose the union say that. each chpren
In homogeneous occupying its own
territory, the Southern Church occupy
ing the territory south OF the Mason
and Dixon line and the ohio river.
belt OF States just along the northern
border of this territory. They claim
that these two sections are so distinct
in many ways that il would he hard
for their people to work together to
any great advantage.
There are some who see In the meet
ing of these three assemblies IN Atlanta
an effort to arouse a sentiment In favor
OF the organic union of all three bodies,
but those who have been the leaders
In bringing about this great gather
ing insist that this Is not their pur-
pose They claim that their only de-
sire is that the churches may. through
their representatives, come together in
fraternal intercourse to discuss the
great questions in which they are all
Interested, and to show to the world
that in spirit and aims they are one,
although they may differ in minor and
non-essentia1 matters.
One thing Is very certain II will he
a great gathering, and II ~ claimed
that in the union meetings there viii
be- more Presbyterians in the great
,auditorig ~ ao when en- mas seam capa.
building before anywhere in the world.