The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-10
EIGHT MAY SESSIONS
General Assembly Met In Dallas, South
ern Church In Birmingham, United
In Boston, and Dutch Reformed at
Asbury Park, y. J.
By w. t. Ellis.

have proved futile The famous Split |
P's'' OF Presbyterianism are TO remain
split for the present This is the out
come Of attempted negotiations between |
two general assemblies last month. All |
who had observed the conditions in the
two churches expected nothing else.
May is the month for Presbyterian |
general assemblies OF these there were |
eight in session last month in the United
States and Canada. The largest was
the general assembly Of the Presbyter-
ian church, U. S. A.. commonly called
the Northern church. at Dallas. The
PRESBYTERIAN church. known colloquially
as the Southern church, met in Bir-
mingham. The United Presbyterian
church went to Boston. The General
synod OF the Reformed church in Amer
ica, called commonly the Dutch Re
formed was in session in Asbury Park.
n. j.. early in the present month. The
general assembly of the Cumberland
PRESBYTERIAN church met in Lincoln,
Illinois. The general synod Of the Re
formed church In the United States,
known generally as the German Re
The Reformed Presbyterian church in
America holds its general synod during
the present month, while the general
assembly of the Presbyterian church In
Canada is in session now in Montreal.
The general synod OF the Associate Re
formed Church of the South will not
convene until November.
All these many names and bodies are
essentially one. in history, doctrine and
polity They would make large and
powerful church II united and it is the
confident belief Of the members of most
OF them that united they one day viii
he. When union does come however,
II win probably be after the recent Lu-
theran fashion. like the breaking up OF
the ice Of winter and the sudden on
rush of the new life OF sDring.
Political Rather Than Popular.
The northern assembly made much
Of the reunion of Presbyterianism at
its Dallas assembly. and 1t sent tele-
graphic greetings TO the sister body at
Birmingham on the subject Interest
in this project has been assi1uously
worked up in the Northern church. and
the ecclesiastical leaders were for il.
The popular interest in the subject was
by no means commensurate. Nothing
was heard Of the subject in local church
es. and scarcely anything in the demon
national press. What interest showed
itself was plainly worked up.
Indeed, this process OF working up
the subject gave considerable offense 10
the Southern Presbyteries, which oh
jectei to receiving letters from the
New York Presbytery upon the sub
ject. II was feared that these were
meant to influence their action at the
general assembly.
II the whole truth must be told, II
seems 70 me that there is real slumT
An church union enthusiasm throughout
America This does not mean thai
Christians have lost sight OF this goal
but the practical operations OF at
temnts 10 consummate church union
weariei the average church member
Recent unfortunate experiences in thi'
direction have chilled enthusiasm. Thus
the Northern Presbyterian church and
tho Cumberland Presbyterian church
after much heated debate and discussion
effected a union-which only resulted ir
splt In the Cumberland Presbyteriar
denomination. and an unpleasant cours'
90 legislation ever since. The unior
OF the larger part OF the Cumberland
church with the Northern Presbyter
ian church has apparently not hastenes
Tho larger union Of the northern ani
southern denominations. The impres
sion Is now widespread that Il Is onh
dhe ecclesiastical politicians who ar
rslaylpg With the subject
New York An Issue.
II was frankly avowed In the South
ern Assembly at Birmingham that IN
churches we're not ready for union wit
40 blr brother to the north. Avowedl'
tho Southern church Is afraid OF IN
snlrlt Of the New York Presbytery.
was openly said I'm assembly that ~
New York Presbytery is not sufficient
careful in the doctrinal eoundness 9
the voung men whom II licenses for IN
ministry.
Famously conservative. the Sou'her
church Is not afraid 10 confess It's fet
Of doctrinai laxity. Until recently u
great Prcsbytery Of New York WI
ruled by ministers who are no long'
in the pastorate. The Southern churc
O.. which are more generally rural tha
the northern. look askarce upon u
tlnge OF ecclesiasticism IN certain sc
,Iors OF the northern body thot cent?
about a few OF the big cities To ha'
forced the issue OF church uriNn at III
time would have created great de
of unfortunate discussion.
Dropping n Delicate Issue.
This matter Of church union strict
nv legislation Is like trying TO for'
two Young people into matrimony. TIT
s,rairhtway become self-conscious NJ
shy on from Il. though n let alone th'
would very likely fall in love With ea'
other. Church union Is assuredlJ col
gnv not only in the Presbyteri'
church but throughout christendom-
q not TO be hastened. however. by pF
mature attempts 10 enact legislati'
upon the subject
A few years ago both the southel
and the United Presbyterian bodies