Cumberland Presbyterian Union Controversy
Cumberland Presbyterians do not all appreciate the idea of amalgamation with the Presbyterian Church of the United States. It was supposed that the official union would settle the matter, but it is developing that a number of the Cumberland body are desirous of perpetuating that wing of Presbyterianism. Not only on the Pacific Coast has it been decided to preserve the name and policy of the Cumberland body, but in the South as well there is a decided disposition to ignore the union. At the recent session of the Cumberland Presbyterian Synod of Alabama, held in Birmingham, a resolution was adopted calling upon all congregations to employ none but Cumberland ministers, and to ask the resignation of all pastors who may have agreed to the union of the two Presbyterian bodies. It was also resolved to demand the money, books, records, etc., which it is claimed are the property of the Cumberland Church. It is expected that extended litigation will result in order to decide this feature of the controversy. The right of an organization to unite its members to another body against their will, and to abolish the organization to which they belong, is the question at issue.