Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-20
A CHURCH FEDERATION.
The Plan Reported to the General Assem-
bly, Yesterday.


As stated in the assembly edition Of THE
STAR yesterday, the committee on church unity
reported on the subject of the federation OF
churches and submitted the following as the
plan between the several reformed churches
holding the Presbyterian system:
For the glory OF God, and for the greater
unity and advancement of the church Of which
the Lord Jesus Christ is the head the following
articles of constitution and federal union be-
tween the reformed churches in the United
States holding to the Presbyterian system are
recommended for adoption:
]. Every denomination entering into this
union shall retain its distinct individuality, rs
well as every power, jurisdiction and right,
which is not by this constitution expressly dele
gated to the body hereby constituted.
2. Full faith and credit shall be given by all
of these denominations to the acts. proceedings
and records of the duly constituted authorities
OF the other denominations.
3, For the prosecution of work that can be
better done in union than separately, an eccle-
siastical assembly is hereby constituted, which
shall be known by the name and style OF the
federal council of the Reformed churches in
the United States of America holding to the
Presbyterian system
4. The federal council shall consist of four
ministers and four elders from each of the con-
stituent denominations, who shall be chosen.
with alternates under the direction OF their
respective general assemblies or general synods
in such manner those assemblies or synods
shall respectively determine.
5. The federal council shall endeavor to pro-
mote united work for the reclamation of the
Christless masses in the large cities, towns and
old rural settlements OF the country; co-opera-
ton in home missionary work by the different
denominations in tbs new settlements and
among the freedmen OF the SOUTH in such a
way to remove denominational friction and
I s,,f,
nistic organizations where unnecessary, and
the prosecution of the foreign missionary wori
by the different denominations on the same
principle OF comfy. so that different denomina-
tons shall cultivate particular fields.
1t shall also keep a watchful eye on current
religions, moral and social movements, and take
| such action as may concentrate the influence OF
all the churches for the preservation OF their
religious inheritance and the maintenance OF
their fundamental principle.
6. The federal council may advise and recon.
mend in all matters pertaining to the general
welfare of the Kingdom Of Christ, but shall no,
exercise authority, except such rs is conferred
upon ii by this instrument, or such as may be
conferred upon it by the federated bodies. II
shall not interfere with the creed worship OF
government of the denominations. All matters
of discipline shall be left to the exclusive and
final Judgment Of the ecclesiastical authorities
Of the denomination IN which the same may
arise.
7. The federal council shall have the power
of opening and maintaining friendly CORE
spondence with the highest assemblies of other
religious denominations, for the purpose Of pro-
noting union and concert OF action in general
common interests.
8. All differences which may arise between
the federated bodies, or any of them, in regard
to matters within the jurisdiction of the federal
council shall be determined by such executive
agencies as may be created by the federal coun-
Gil y no r,yht of 10 ba fala loo
Gil for fiual adjudication.
Q. The officers of the federal council shall be
president. vice president, clerk and treasurer.
10. The federal council shall meet annually