The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-08
ORGANIC UNION OF ALL PRESBYTERIAN
 CHURCHES PROPOSED
Status of Oglethorpe University and Its Relation to Church to Be Deter mined-Systematic Benevolence and Family Religion Are
 Other Questions
By MAMIE BAYS

the Southern Presbyterian church, which will convene in South Highlands Presby- terian church here on Thursday morn ing, churchwide interest is centered all ready upon the action of the assembly regarding the following matters.
 THE FEDERAL COUNCIL
 It is well known fact that for at least two years the continuance of the South ern Presbyterian church as a member of the federal council of the churches of Christ in America has been uncertain and that it did not withdraw from the council two years ago was due, largely, to the persuasion brought to bear upon the assembly of 1915 that withdrawal be deferred until after the meeting of the council in December, 1916, and that if at that meeting action satisfactory to the Southern Presbyterian church be taken, by which the church can consistently re- main member of the council, that it so remain
 The protest of the assembly of 1915 held at Newport News, Va, was repeated by the assembly of 1916 held at Orlando, Fla. this protest having reference to certain actions taken by the council in political matters The protest was pre- sented to the federal council at it's meet ing in December, 1916, and the reply of the council to this protest will be received by the assembly at Birmingham and the action of the assembly touching this reply will determine whether the church will retain membership in the council.
 NO REAL LINE OF CLEAVAGE
 The council has said this, among other things, in its response to the protest: Tt is our judgment that with proper understanding of the situation there is no real line of cleavage between the princi- ples of the Presbyterian church in the United States and the constitution of the federal council. We think it proper, however, to recommend that the federal council clearly affirm it's adherence to that absolute speculation of church and state which is one of the cherished heri- tages of the great body of American Pro- testantsm. The churches of the federal council stand squarely upon this historic principle
 Another affirmation of the council is that of it's recognition of the paramount value of evangelism and the primary place which it must occupy in the world of Christian activities and relation
 ORGANIC UNION
 In view of the fact that the Presby- tery of New York of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America (Northern Presbyterian church) will send to the general assembly of that church, which convenes at Dallas. Tex, on May IT,, an overture in which that assembly will be asked to make proposals to the assembly of the Southern Presbyterian church looking toward the organic union of the two churches. it is practically cer- tain that the subject of organic union will occupy a prominent place in the pro- ceedings of the Birmingham assembly.
 It is known that overtures touching the subject of organic union will be presented to the assembly from several presby- teries. The sentiment in this connection throughout the church is that any steps toward closer relations of churches should include all of the Presbyterian and Re- formed churches in the United States. The assembly of 1916 in answering an overture touching the union of these churches said that while it responded to the spirit of this overture, it did not deem the time opportune to take such steps" Already the assembly has au- thorized the Council of Reformed Churches in America that hold to the Presbyterian system to take steps look ing forward closer cooperation of all Presbyterian bodies.
 OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
 Among the reports of ad interim com mittees appointed by the assembly of last year to be submitted 70 the Birmingham assembly, special interest attaches to that of the ad interim committee on Ogle- thorpe university. This university, which has been erected at Atlanta, as the re- suit of efforts of cerva1n Presbyterians, has not been indorsed by the assembly, and the purpose of the appointment of this ad interim committee was that the committee might hold a conference with the board of directors of the university to determine whether some agreement might be reached regarding the relation ship of the university to the Southern Presbyterian church that will prove satis- factory to all parties concerned. Tt is not to be doubted that the presentation of the report of this committee will be fol- lowed by one of the most interesting dis eussions that will take place on the floor of the assembly.
 SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE
 Always the report of the permanent committee on systematic beneficence is one of the most important to come be- fore the general assembly, and it is known already that at the Birmingham assembly this year this committee Will present a report that is one of the most encouraging it has yet submitted. This committee each year >pportions the en- tire budget of the assembly to the various causes.
 FAMILY RELIGION
 The keynote of the general assembly cf this year will be Family Religion and the assembly's permanent committee on the Sabbath and family religion has prepared suitable programme for one evening session on the subject of family religion, the assembly of last year hay. ing instructed that this be done. When the report of this committee is submit ted 1t will be shown that within the past few months more than 120O members oi the Southern Presbyterian church, most of the number being heads of families, have joined the Family Altar League, J and pledged themselves to conduct daily religious worship in their homes. Of this number 23 are members in presbytery in south Texas and are Mexicans who have but recently been removed from
 he influence of Roman Catholicism.
 The assembly of s~.s year will be the first to recognize the reorganized Afro American synod. which will hold its first meeting one week before the assembly convenes.