The Washington herald., 1920-05-25
SECTION LINES
ABOLISHED BY
PRESBYTERIANS
Northern and Southern
Bodies Almost Certain
To Unite.
MAY EMBRACE MOVE
Reformed Organizations
And Covenanters Also
May Amalgamate.
MAY EMBRACE MOVE

Pnlisoelpnla, IA, may ~ = ne
greatest church union in the history
of Protestantism,n namely. a union Of
the Presbyterian Church in the U. s.
A. and the Presbyterian Church in
the U. s., otherwise known as the
Northern and Southern Presbyterian
churches, was practically consum-
mated by the general assemblies Of
the two church bodies today; one
meeting in Charlotte, N. c., and the
other in the Academy of Music, in
this city.
The plan OF union also embraces
the Dutch Reformed Church, Ger
man Reformed Church and Scotch
Covenanters, including all church
bodies adhering to the Presbyterian
and Reformed system, which enroll
upward of 100000 communicates.
Overtures are being made to the
United Presbyterian Church to join
with her sister denominations.
Vote Ii Unanimous.
A plan of union. adopted by the
committee on closer relations, was
adopted by a unanimous vote of the
general assembly of the Northern
Presbyterian Church this morning In
the Academy of Music The 1000
ious to put it through, so much SO
indeed that they refused to take any
time to debate it when the plan was
presented by the Rev. DR.. J. Ross
Stevenson, president of the Prince
ton Theological Seminary.
In the closing minutes of the
afternoon session a telegram was
received from the General Assem-
bly, Of the Southern Presbyterian
Church, signed by the Rev DR..
Thomas H. Law, stated clerk, an
nouncing that that body had adort-
ed the plan by an unanimous vote
Oddly enough, there was no demon
stration. The plan of union pro-
vides for a United General Assem-
bly,. which will meet every two
years, while the General Assemblies
of each of the five church bodies
will continue to function Ulti-
mately 1t is believed these yearly
general assemblies will cease to
exist.
Opposition, I'm South.
The entire Northern Presbyterian
Church and a large and influential
element in the Southern church de-
sires organic union, but such strong
opposition has sprung up in the
South that leaders of the movement
are convinced that such action at
this time would split the Southern
church. Just as it split the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church a decade
ago.
In consequence the committees
which have been at work during the
past year took the plan Of union
adopted by the General Assembly ar
ST. Louis put teeth in it" and pre-
pared the plan which was adopted
today. 1t has two principal fea-
lures Q), 1t provides for the con-
u 'atlon of the missionary and
benevolent boards of the Presby-
t"rIan and Reformed bodies. and
Cd. 1t will advise the consolidation
OF local congregations where their
parishes overlap; thus doing away
with one of the most wasteful fea-
lures of the Protestant system
Presbyterian leaders said it was
practically certain that the general
assembly of the German Reformed
Cnurch. now in session at Reading
Pa. will adopt the plan of unIon
which will make its adoption by tba
Dutch Reformed Church-a forepons
conclusion. The Welsh Presbv-
terrain Church adopted the articles
OF union with the Northern Presny-
terian Church a few days ago, and
thirty commissioners from thar
oody VIII be seated in the General
Assembly before it adjourns.
Report Made to Council.
A report of today's action will
be made to the council of churches
adhering to the Presbyterian and
Reformed system. when that bodv
meets in June. The council viii
adopt the plan, in all probability
and appoint a committee which will