The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
REPORT ON FELLOWSHIP AND
DISCIPLINE.


To The Universalist General Conven-
ton
The committee appointed at the session
of 1895 to consider the matter of Fellow
ship and Discipline, respectfully submits
the following report and recommended
tions:
In response to series of questions sent
to the chairman of every Fellowship Com
mittee vast amount of material bearing
upon this subject was received from which
the committee gathers: That while the
warning words of the Board of Trustees
regarding certain abuses in the admins
tration of our laws, were not without
foundation of deplorable facts, the COM
mittee is led to emphasize the high char
acter of our ministry.
That while there is universal demand
for the highest standards in our ministry,
there is also jealous regard for liberty in
the Interpretation of our laws.
That there are certain serious defects
either in the laws or the administration of
them which enable some unworthy candi
dates to enter our ministry and some un-
worthy minister to retain our fellowship.
Instances were developed showing that
candidates refused ordination in ore
state had received it in another, within
so short time as to forbid the conclu-
sion that there had been any change in
them showing that the committees of
different states were acting under such
different standards as to put our church
to confusion.
Also that ministers disfellowshipped by
the committee of one state had been re-
stored by the committee of another state
in direct violation of Art. " Sec l.
Also that ministers who according to gen.
eral report were unworthy, have been
readily transferred from one state to
another.
That one state has its own code of laws,
which, while conforming in general to the
laws of our church, appear so local in
some of their requirements as to show
lack of appreciation of the extent of our
church life, and afford the possibility of
abuses
That in the matter of transfer under
our present laws the Committee of Eel
lowship is helpless to act as restraint,
unless charges are preferred by some one
outside of its own membership.
That the committee as at present con-
stituted are not always selected with
care; that sometimes the sacred Office is
used to give recognition to a section of
the state or to some church rather than
for the integrity and efficiency of the min
istry
That there are members of committees
not only unfamiliar with the personnel
of our ministry, but with the very laws
under which they are acting.
That evils arise through undue haste in
the matter of ordination, leading to insult
ficient examination into the record and
abilities of the candidate.
That in many instances not only is
great depend ence placed upon the gradu-
alton of candidates from our divinity
schools, but the entire responsibility is
shifted upon the school, which should be,
but is not always, sufficient guarantee
as to fitness for the ministry.
That there appears to be lack of dis
tinctively UNCONVENTIONAL and doctrinal
preparation on the part of the candidates,
even among those who graduate from our
own schools.
That the ordination of students ON
graduation in class before they have
been actually in the field of work, ap-
pears to be in violation of the spirit, if
not the letter of our law and to take
away from the sacredness of the occasion.
That Examining Boards as at present
constituted are liable to be weak church
es are asked to send a delegate, often
choosing, not on account of fitness, but
convenience.
That while Fellowship Committees are
held responsible, the only time the COM
mittee deals directly with the candidate
is when he is licensed; after that the
committee can do nothing until charges
are preferred; that at the present time
there is no means of protecting our
churches from unworthy ministers save
by the voluntary service of the faithful
That the evils herein enumerated are due
to lack of loyalty or ignorance, careless
ness and incapacity rather than to defec-
tive laws. Your committee therefore
recommends:
FIRST, In view of the fact that assent
to the laws OF the convention is essential
to fellowship, that arrangements be made
to have these laws brought Systematically
to the attention of all divinity students
sometime during their course of study.
SECOND, That State Conventions be
urged to exercise greater care in the
election of members of this committee on
which depends so largely the purity and
efficiency of our ministry.
THIRD, That the Board of Trustees be
directed to take such steps as shall lead
to the enforcement, and if necessary to
the modification of our law, so as to Sc
cure uniformity throughout all the states
and prevent the abuses which are detri-
mental to the coed name and efficiency of
our church.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. BIsBEE.
EBEN ALEXANDER, Com.
JOSEPH kIMBALL MASON.