Evening star., 1902-03-15
SUGGESTS FEDERATION
CIRCULAR LETTER ISSUED TO
MEMBERS OF MEMS CLUBS.
Proposed Union Which Will Embrace
Several Thousand Members
The Plan Outlined.

circular letter has been issued and
mailed to some of the active members In
each OF the mems clubs and like societies
connected with the Protestant churches of
this city, as well as to the pastors of
churches wherein the organization of these
clubs is contemplated suggesting the wis
| dom Of federating all such societies into a
league without destroying the individuality
of any. This letter is signed by represen-
tative members from eighteen different
clubs, and majority Of them bear ere
dentials as delegates or appointees from
their clubs which have indorsed the prop
| osition In outline.
1t Is explained by a gentleman actively
identified with the movement that as only
two or three meetings a year would be heio
they would not detract from the interest in
the meetings Of the component clubs; on
the contrary. the league meetings would be
such large affairs that they could secure
lectures or talks" from speakers OF wide
renown, who are not generally available to
the individual clubs where the audience is
necessarily restricted in size. Such a fed
Grafton would be representative of the best
element from ali sections of the city. he
said. and could exert a powerful influence
In public or private questions relative to
church or state. IL thought wise, and on
quickly assembled with the assurance of a
large attendance, well organized and
differed.
Being secular. or at least interdenomina-
tional in character and including a large
| number of non-church members, WELL
known business men would be preferable to
pastors for the officers.
Spur to Activity.
AS an Office in such an organization
starting with a membership of nearly two
thousand, would be something Of an honor
it is thought that friendly rivalry among
the clubs would be produced by their re-
spectively pressing their "favorite sons
for election. which activity would increase
the membership of and interest in every
club in the league. 1t is suggested that
interclub debates could be arranged. as
wen as yisitations either formal or in
agitation some clubs now in process or
formation have been assisted by sugges-
t1ons from others already established.
hence 1t is foreseen that the league would
stimulate interest in churches having no
such clubs and lead to their eventual for
nation. Many other objects will develop
and will be utilized to the advantages OF
ALL
The Suggestions.
The letter above referred to Is signed by
thirty-six gentlemen. 1t asks that each
club consider this subject and appoint dele
states that in due time joint meeting OF
those delegates will be called for the for
nation of the league. However. as the
purposes Of such a federation are not ex-
tirely clear and its advantages cannot be
told until the scope is outlined, a prelimi-
nary meeting of all those Interested has
been called for Friday evening next in
the Sunday school room Of the Luther
Place Memorial Church. This meeting is
for an Interchange of views and q discus
sion of the expediency OF the movement
Since the league will be what its pro-
Jectors make 1t. 1t Is highly desirable that
the views OF the various clubs be thor
oughly understood before the project takes
shape, and it Is perhaps necessary that an
outline OF the policy to be followed shall
be framed before the clubs win be willing
to appoint delegates empowered to commit
them to anything. No person or club. It
Is explained. need be bound by attending
terest already manifested large gathering
is predicted