Evening star., 1953-06-14
United PresbYterians
Give Initial Approval
To Merger Proposal
By cospor Nonnes
SioF Staff ceFFesnond0nf


By Cospor Nonnes
Sior staff Correspondent
CARLISLE, Pa, June 13.-The
United Presbyterian Church of
North America voted unani-
mously today to send a plan Of
union to its Presbyteries for study
this year.
The action Of the denomina-
tion'S 95th general assembly fol-
lowed similar initial approval of
plans for merger taken earlier
this month by the Presbyterian
Church in the U. A. at Min
neapolis, Mimi, and the Presby-
terian Church in the US. at
Montreal, N. c. The three bodies
propose forming the Presbyterian
Church Of the United States.
Approval by the general as
semblies of the three church
bodies to send the plan of union
to the Presbyteries for study is
the first of many hurdles to be
passed before a merger can be
achieved.
Next Test in 1854.
The next test, considered by.
many church leaders to be the
crucial one, will come next year
when the 1854 General Assem-
blies meet. At that time the
question Of whether the three
bodies shall merge will be voted
on. Passage by all three gather
ingS is necessary.
The present situation stems
from a move in 1888 by the
Presbyterian Church, U. S., and
the Presbyterian Church, u. S. A.
for exploratory talks regarding
union. In 1851 the United Pres
byterian Church was invited by
the other two bodies to join in
the merger discussions.
A plan of union worked out by
Representatives of the three
churches was submitted to the
1858 General Assemblies, which
were asked to send it to their
presbyteries the coming year for
study.
The proposed merged church
would have 3.5 million members
Of whom 2.5 million will come
from the Presbyterian Church,
U. S. A., 100000 from the Pres
byterian Church, U. S., and ESQ.,
900 from the United Presbyterian
Church.
Irwin Proposal Beaten.
The motion to send the plan
to presbyteries for study was
adopted after a substitute Of
fered by the Rev. Don Irwin of
Washington. minister of Wallace
Memorial Church, was defeated.
Mr.. Irwin added four points
to the committees recommended
tions. They were to conduct IAN
educational plan" on the union;
to discuss it fully in "presby-
teries and open meetings" with
both sides being heard; to have
Church papers and individuals
keep their statements in accord
ance with the facts" and to
have disposition of the three de-
nominations boards and agencies
worked out before the plan of
union is presented to the as
semblieS" rather than afterward
as is now provided.
DR.. Robert w. Gibson, chair
man of the Denominations Com
mittee on Church Relations, de-
clared "it would take them years
to complete the merger of the
boards and agencies. That can
take place over a long period of
time. think from the stand
point Of all three churches that
we can do it better after rather
than before union"
He also pointed out that the
plan was to enable each denomi-
nation ito come up to the union
with all wheels rolling"
Sent to Committee.
After Mr.. Irwin's proposals
were beaten, they were recon-
mended to the committee for
further study.
A scattering of "noes" was
heard when the vote on the
union plan was submitted. Mr..
Irwin then proposed it be made
unanimous, and the delegates
did so.
The 300 delegates today took
another step toward strengthen
ing the quality of their ministers
by adopting resolution denying