Evening star., 1900-06-02
RELIGIOUS EXPERIMENT.
Rival Churches i'm Maine Village
Propose to Unite.

Propose to Unite.
From tha Lewiston (Me.) Journal.
In line with the movement for greater fell
lowship among churches of various denomi-
nations, which is in evidence all over the
country, and akin to the undenonlinational
movement at Millinocket. is plan which it
is proposed to put into effect in East Frank
lin. This is not only the establishment of q
religious society on undenominational lines,
but it has for its principal object The settle
rnent of denominational warfare which
has stirred up the little community as only
such a strife can. In short, as one Of the
pastors interested appropriately states 1t,
the outline of the plan is in effect a peace
protocol; if both parties agree to it, as now
seems assured, the plan will be put into ef-
feet. The community of East Franklin is
about two-thirds Methodists and one-third
Free Baptists. The place is not large
enough for two self-supporting churches.
but denomina tional lines We're drawn and
the attempt failed. Then the two societies
got together and organized "a Christian En-
deavor Society, and in its name carried on
religious work for a time. But two years
ago the old denominational feeling broke
out afresh there was friction and Separa-
ton. The Free Baptists reorganized their
church. Sunday school societies. and the
Methodists affiliated themselves with the
Methodist Church at Franklin Village. The
this arrangement, until ii realized that
not only was the peace of families threat
ened. but that religious work in the COM
munity was retarded and Christian in
fluence diminished in the community by tho
condition of things. Then came the propo-
sition for consolidation on a stated basis.
This is drawn up in fourteen articles. and
as a novel religi )uS document il Is interest
ing. 1t follows:
First-It is asked that the Methodsts con-
ceoe every other Sunday to the Free Bap-
lists.
Second-That the Free Baptists dissolve
their church organizations.
Third-That the Methodists dissolve their
Sunday school,
Fourth-That the Free Bapttsts dissolve
Fifth-That the Methodists cease all de-
nominational work.
SiXth-That the Feee Baptists cease oil
UNCONVENTIONAL work.
Seventh-That one society. that shall be
Known as the Cndenomnational Christian
Endeavor, shall be organized.
Eighth-That one Sunday school shall be
organized, to be known as the tndenomina-
tcnal Christian Endeavor Sunday School.
Ninth-That the time shall be equally
divided between the Free Baptist and Meth
odist preachers
Tenth-That all money collected from the
Sunday school shall be used to advance
Sunday school work.
Eleventh-That all money collected from
the Young Peoples Society of Christian
Endeavor shall be used to advance Chris
tan Endeavor work.
Twcltth-That the ministers salaries shall
be paid by subscription and collections
each paying what and to whom he prefers.
Thirteenth-That in the future Il
Christian Endeavor chapel be built with the
funds now on hand and what may be coli
lected hereafter for that purpose. TO he
owned and controlled for all time by said
society.
Fourteenth-That the peace of God and
the fellowship of His spirit be with this
effort
The Rev. ]. E. Lombard. pastor of the
Methodist Church at Franklin, presented
this plan to his people last Sunday with his
Endorsement, and vote was taken on its
adoption by the East Franklin Methodists
1t was unanimously adopted. The Free
Baptists now have it under consideration
and in all probability will vote to accept IT,
Then the Methodist and Baptist pastors of
the nearby towns who will supply the pull
pit of the new society, will sign the articles
and 1t will be submitted to the higher
authorities, the state organizations of each
denomination, for approval. The expert
ment Will be watched with interest.
This plan Will put an end, temporarily, at
least. to the building of two meeting houses
In East Franklin. for each society had be-
gun such work, though it is apparent that
the community cannot successfully support
tM2 churches.