Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-07
DENOMINATIONAL PRIDE.
Action of h Disciples on the Fed
Grafton Proposition.


GRAFTON Proposition.
Baltimore American.
The Disciples of Christ are one OF the
largest religious aggregations in Amer
lea, numbering 1900, 900 communicates.
The term aggregation is used because they
repudiate with some heat the assertion
that they are a sect OF denomination They
are known to the public both as Camp
bellites and Christians; but, as they are
in reality modest and devout, 1t is i'm
probable that they would claim to be the
only Christians. They held their national
convention in Omaha a few days ago. 1t
was a memorable occasion, 5000 delegates
being in attendance, while 5000 sat down
together to the Lords supper. The Incl
dent which differentiated It from the or
binary convention was the controversy over
an invitation to join the Federation Of
Churches. It was given by the secretary
of the federation, and a resolution accept
ing his proposal was hastily drawn up and
passed by the convention, but Immediately
after a delegate moved a reconsideration
on the ground that the resolution recog-
nized the denominations and put the Dis
ciples On a par with them. The motion
for a reconsideration prevailed, and a long
discussion followed, after which the resolu-
tion was passed by a narrow majority, a
large number Of the delegates on second
thought being opposed to recognizing de-
nominations or placing themselves on a
par with them.
The incident illustrates some of the dim
culties which religious organizations throw
In the way Of those they seek to save. 1t
is not confined to the Disciples; 1t is to
be found in every church. The Disciples
are, as a rule, exceptionally good people.
They not only believe sincerely in their
faith, but the majority Of them illustrate
It in their lives. Had the resolution not
been presented in a remarkably eloquent
and brotherly address 1t would have been
killed. The influence OF the agent had not
faded away when the final vote was taken,
and later in the week an acrimonious de-
bate occurred on the same question. Had
the opposition argued that the best in
terests of the aggregation would be served
by declining the invitation, there could
have been no legitimate criticism by out
siders. But the reason urged by the Dis
ciples for not joining the Federation of
Churches was not that the work Of the
Disciples could be better accomplished
without unity, but because by Joining the
Disciples would recognize denominations
and put themselves on = par with them.
Some OF the churches In the federation
number many millions OF members. They
did not seek to have the Disciples become
members. The object OF the federation
appears to be not so much union as har-
mony and a certain unity in the work.
While the motive is unquestionable, the
success Of the movement will not be so
clear to some people. The federation
wished to have the religious work done in
harmony, so that there would not be so
much waste; but the speeter Of denomina-
ton or sect has risen up to dispel the first
burst OF harmony, and there is little pros
pect Of cordial cooperation. While the
Disciples repudiate these terms with scorn,
IL would be dihhcult to define their organ-
/ Ization without using one or the other.