The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-06
FAVOR FEWER SECTS.
Cougrega tionalists Adopt Reso1u-
tions for Church Union.
PLEDGE THEMSELVES TO WORK FOR IT

IUEUuD 1uGMOGH Ed III II INN FUN IL
An Extremely Liberal stand Taken
by state Association In Favor Of
Less Rivalry and UNCONVENTIONAL
ism.
The following resolutions were adopted
unanimously this morning at the meet
ing of the Kansas Congregationalists
They relate to the much discussed ques-
ton of church union and advise that it
be accomplished, suggesting a national
convention to do it.
The passage of these resolutions is al
most without precedent in the history of
the church. The resolutions read:
Whereas, There exists in the Chris
tisn world a growing conviction of the
sin and folly of disunited christendom
as manifested in the narrowness, rivalry
and weakness of intense denominations
alism and Il tendency varIouSly mani
fested to bring together in one the sun
dered branches of the church of Christ.
Resolved, First-That we, the minis
tiers and delegates of the Kansas Con-
gregational church Assem- bied at our an
nual association meeting heartily rejoice
in the prOvidential tendencies toward
the ultimate reunion of the church of
Christ.
Resolved, Secondhand we are ready
to enter into cooperative union with any
and all branches of the church on the
basis of our common faith in the divine
Lord and Savior, for the maintenance of
the common life of the spirit, for the
prevention of unchristian denominationaI
rivalries, for the consolidation of
competing churches in narrow
fields, and for concerted, fraternal aud
aggressive effort to evangelize our own
land and to disciple the natives for
Christ
Resolved, Third, That a permanent
committee of five be appointed at this
meeting and reappointed every year
hereafter to invite the cooperation of
other denominations within the state to
the accomplishment of the ends already
designated. and to cooperate with SINH
lar committees whenever such shall be
appointed, in all efforts to prevent undue
multiplication of competing churches
and to secure the lessening OF the num-
Der of the same in all over-churched
communities where churches of our or
der exist.
Resolved. Fourth, That we avow our
readiness as a denomination to meet all
others in spirit of fairness and mutual
concession where rival organiza-
tions exist and that we recon
mend to the members of our own
churches when mutual conference of
denominational representatives shall be
convinced that consolidation should be
effected, that they enter at once and
heartily into active mem bership in the
church or churches remaining in the
field
Resolved, Fifth, that we memorable
our national triennial council to meet
fnllV tho IF 10
vention which met at Haverhnl, Mass.,
in October, 1894, by appointing a SINH
lar commission to confer with them in
the ends they propose.
Furthermore, That we memorable the
council TO issue call for a congress of
Protestant Evangelical denomina-
tions in this country to meet at Chicago
in the year 1900 to consider and mature
on the basis of our common faith in the
Lord, a plan for national cooperative
union.
A resolution was also adopted to place
in the archives of the State Historical so
ciety the interesting paper of Rev. L
Armsby of Council Grove on Twenty
five Years of Kansas Passionate"
A resolution of sympathy was alsc
passed for presentation to Rev. r. D
Parker of Manhattan, who was one o.
the earliest ministers in Kansas, and fol
several years editor of the Kansas Tele
phone, the Congre gational publication
and who is now dangerously ILL., Mr.
Parker was also editor of the Manhattan
Nationalist.
The usual vote of thanks was extend
ed to the churches, Rev. DR.. BlakesIey
the musicians, the railroads, the people
who entertained the visitors, WashburI
college and the press.
The meeting closed with devotiona
aYaFoiSaS lnd nv Poxr
this morning at 1920 o'clock, to meet a
Lawrence next May.
Mrs. F. B. McKeroher. formerly q