Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-06
CALL 1T THE CHURCH
NEW RELIGIOUS SECT RECENTLY Or
CANNED IN PITTseURo.


wealthy Woman OF That City . Chief Or
gsnissr and Fouader-No Denomination-
al Crssds or Rules savs Those Of the
Apostle.
A new church has boen organized In
Pittsburg. 1t Ia tho second Of its kind In
the Christian world. IL has neither de-
nominational creed nor laws.
It's followers call IL "The Church." II
is founded on the simple rules which gov.
ern the apostolic church, lone Lord, ono
faith and one beptism." A lady Of large
wealth and wide religious learning IL tho
organizer OF tho now church.
"The Church" was established In West
ern Springs Ills, two years ago. The sim
plioity OF Its faith the Bible basis, the alb
sence of all dogmas and doctrines, the lack
OF creed or formula, appealed to tho inter
est Of Miss Mary Moorhcad OF Pittsburg.
She went to Western Springs, Ills, where
the first congregation N located, to investi-
gate. She remained several months inqulr-
Ing into the principles which governed the
action OF the church.
None was found save tho stanch Bible
doctrine as quoted, "One Lord, one faith
and one BAPTISM" tho baptism by i'm
mersion. This principle coincided with
the convictions OF Miss Moorhead, who Is
known locally as the head of the Bethany
work In Pittsburg, and she announced her
intention OF becoming member.
This intention was quietly rScde known
to the officials of the Third Presbyterian
church Of Pittsburg, In which the general
assembly has just met and OF which Miss
hao "a, y,.,r
childhood.
The church polity could not permit her
the grant of a letter to the new organiza-
tion, and Miss Moorhead did not urge 1t.
Her name was taken from the church
books at her request, and she returned to
Western Springs. There she received the
rite Of baptism by immersion and tho
hand Of fellowship into the new body.
Several associates, who believed as she
did, assembled themselves and soon the
new church was instituted. Organization
was effected, and Rev. Ferguson, formerly
OF Western Springs, was called as the head
OF the local church.
Services are now being conducted on
Sunday mornings, at IL o'clock, in the
chapel Of Bethany Home. Communion,
the breaking Of bread and tasting of wine,
Is an order Of worship each Sunday. The
membership numbers at present 40. Mem
bers receive the hand Of fellowship on the
statement Of their simple belief. IL they
have never been baptized by immersion,
the rite must also be observed.
Miss Moorhead, when interviewed, said
"The new church must not be confounded
with the work OF Bethany. 1t stands dis
tinct. The workers are Bible students of
Bethany and are of varied UNCONVENTIONAL
beliefs. Tho faith Of the new church will
not be forced on any.
II am convinced that the new church
organized Is the only true Bible church.
The hand Of man has nothing to do with
It. 1t is the same as the church as Cor
inth, the church at Ephesus and those
other churches to which the apostles wrote.
The Bible does not say that those churches
were Methodist, Baptist Presbyterian or
the like. Denominationalism and creed
have crept In through man. Why, the
Presbyterians used to immerse about 400
years ago. But their assembly decided by
a small majority to accept sprinkling in
stead. The hand Of man rules all religions
of the present.
81 believe that the end Of things Is at
hand, and that IL Christians want to be
ready or to have an anchor that will stand
the final test they had better get back to
the simplicity of the gospel. To build on
the Bible, first last and every time, has al
ways been my desire.
"Our organization is simply known as
'The Church. We will build no grand
edifices and indulge in no complicated
services. But we will carry out the pre-
cepts Of the Bible after the simple manner
of the apostles, and like them we hope to
add to our numbers daily"
The anniversary Of Bethany Home was
held two weeks ago. at which time interest
was greatly awakened in tho new organi-
zation. Reports also were submitted from
all departments OF work. Miss Moorhead,
it may be stated, is the first philanthropist
to open free baths for men In Pittsburg.-
Pittsburg Dispatch.