Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-24
To Amalgamate Congregations
al. Methodist and United
Brethren Societies
CHANGE REGARDING OFFICERS
Should the Proposed Merger Become a
Reality. 1t Would Be Necessary to
Name Some Authoritative Body to
Preside Over Its Administrative At
fairs-Would be Fewer Officials.

-
ri wide interest was announced at the
a7auai conference of the United
sgethren church Yesterday. 1t looks to
le amalgamation of the Congrega-
nal. Methodist Protestant ana Unit
2 brethren churches turnout the Unit
States.
MS is the leading issue with each of
aese three denominations and IS by
t1s most important question that
III eclae UP for consideration by the
resent conference and all future gath
inSs OF these denominations until the
alter IS finally decided in a national
conference composed of representatives
czech OF these denominations.
The question will come up for con-
Iteration by the United Brethren con-
4snee this morning, and 1t is expect
I that q warm debate Will ensae. az
he modification OF the policy of the
aited Brethren church is involved
ieee The proposed union. The policy
ID administration of the United
ilren, Congregational and Metho-
Protestant churches Is similar in
my ways, although there are some
cints of difference. 1t is alleged the
tited Brethren church is more DEM
~acratic than any other denominations,
as it vests the administrative power
with its membership. The United
| Brethren districts are presided Owe by
presiding elders. who, in turn, are sub
iect to the bishops, who are eiecte,.
| fundamentally by the lay delegates of
| the church. The districts of the Con-
gregatienai church are under the sup
ervision of field secretaries While q
similar work in the Methodist Protes-
ant church devolves upon a "superin-
Etendent.'
Should the proposed merger become
j reality. it will be necessary for the
three churches to am some authofi-
alive body to preside over its admin
istrative affairs, and presumably. these
sunctionaries will he selected among
he ablest leaders in the three churches.
rhe lumber and title OF these officials
sill be the next step. The economy OF
the church, under the proposed mer-
rer. viii not require the present num-
ser OF presiding elders field secre-
sarIes.r or .superintendents,' and of
necessity a goodly number OF those VINO
hold the more responsible positions
will have their work reduced TO 1heif
pastoral duties.
should the proposed merger become
4 reality, it will be IL of the most I'M
portant and far-reaehing hange In the
ecclesiastical world during the past
quarter OF a century. The result OF the
issue will affect more than l,oou,ooo
people. The proposition has founa IA
yor among the laity of the denomlna-
fions involved, and has taken such al
hold on them that It is now conceded
that the merger is only a question OF
time. Nv
7, is held that the benefits which VIII
oncr,,a from, the proposed union Will be
many. Not the least. Of these VIII be a
very large and prosperous church In
some communities where each denom-
is represented by a small menu
bership. Among the other benefits VIII
be he union OF the colleges. MANY
of these are small and without salts
factory endowment. BY uniting their
interests the membership oul be IN
creased, finer and larger puliahhgs
would result, and the
would be very materially Increased.
REPRESENTATIVE of the three churcnes
have lately held three sessions, one IN
washington, d. c., n two IN Pitts-
burg. AS q result of these sessions
the announcement Is made that here
after 4 person who Is a member OF
either OF these churches may be ad-
mitted 10 full membership in either OF
the other two by transfer, thus doing
away with the necessity Of procuring
a church letter. This radical ana
sweeping departure is interpreted rs q
forerunner of the proposed merger.
In discussing the proposed merger
last night. Rev. T.. w. Curtis, a prom
tnent member of the United Brethren
church and branch president OF the
yo,1np peoples societies. a the fol-
to say: THE proposal means
a reduction in the number of denomin-
ations which Is something all of the
churches should endeayor to bring
a bout. 1t will also help us, economical
~ and WIN be a good thing for Chris
tendon In general, as it would show a
desire on the part OF Christian people
TO get closer together. The trust
problem Is IueIClOIC IN - = |
out the church, but a made It's APP
ran within our edifices. and has
to stay. There is no good reason
why the trusts should be confined solely
TO the business and financial world. Il
take 1t to mean a better era for Gods
people to have them combine"
The annual conference OF the United
church was opened yesterday
morning with an address by Bishop G.
M. Mathews of Chicago, the youngest
bishop of the domination.
Bishop Mathews remarks We're d.
at the clergy. He bespoke for
them a clean life and congratulated
them on the general advancement that
marked the years work. Following
Bishop Mathews address, j. w. Silver
son of Newberg was named as record
secretary and f. w. Curtis was Sc
lected as statistical secretary.
The reports of the following presid-
elders were Their received: N. f.
Hicks OF the Scranton district: George
Miller of the Des Moines district, n
w. r. Cronk of the Corning district.
Their reports showed a year of pro-
gress financially and numerically. Re
ports were next received from the pas
tors stationed at the following points:
Hastings, Mccall, Ledyard, G%randyiew,
Castle Memorial, Lake City. Blockton,
Jamaica and Garroilton.
Iowa at Washington.