The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-07-08
CHURCH UNION AGREED ON
Three Influential Denominations are
Drawn Closer.
WILL NOW CHOOSE GENERAL COUNCIL.
The Congreg ga,ionaI, Methodist Protestant and
United Brethren Demon nations Have OnIy
10 Ratfy the Report Which VIII Be Sub.
mitted to Find Themselves Embarked ln
the Same Ship.

Pittsburg (SpeciaD The joint COM
mittee representing the Congregational.
Methodist Protestant and United
Brethren Church after an all-day ses-
sion here, came to an agreement OH a
platform for the union of the three de-
nominations.
The greater part OF the day was taken
UP in considering the report of the sub
committee of five members of each de-
nomination, which met in Washington a
few weeks ago to form a basis OF union.
This report embraced a number OF rec
concentrations and a letter to the
churches. 1t was amended to some ex-
tent and finally adopted. An address
to the governing bodies Of the three
churches was also adopted and both
will be sent out at once for Considera-
tion.
The recommendation of the subcom-
mittce as amended and adopted are:
First-That the basis Of representa-
ton in the General Council shall be
one for every 5000 members.
Second-The power of the General
Council shall be advisory and any rec
concentrations it may make shall be re-
ferred TO the constituent bodies of the
three denominations for approval.
Third-That a committee of three
from each of the general bodies repre-
sented shall be authorized to arrange
for the time and place Of meeting Of the
first general council.
Fourth-That at the first session OF
the General Council a temporary organ
zation shall be effected by the election
OF chairman and secretary and that
the council itself shall determine the
officers it may need and the manner OF
permanent organization it may prefer.
Fifth-The purpose Of the general
council shall be:
(a) To present to the world some
realization Of that unity OF believers
which, in accordance with the prayer
Of our Lord, seems so desirable among
Christian churches
(b) To promote better knowledge
and a closer fellowship among the
Christian bodies thus uniting.
(c) To secure as far as possible the
unifcation OF kindred organizations
now existing in the different bodies.
CD To consider methods by which
in the State, annual and district confer
cnces the bodies may be brought into
co-ordinated activity and organic unity.
(e) To prevent the unnecessary null
tiplication of churches and to unite
weak churches of the same neighbor-
hood whenever practicable.
% To unite and encourage the af-
filiation with the council OF the Chris
tian bodies cherishing kindred faith
and purpose.
The letter to the churches give his
tory OF the work of the joint commit
tee, an explanation Of it and the re-
suits hoped for.
DR.. Washington GLADDEN., of the
Congregational Church, chairman Of the
Joint committee, and DR.. w. NJ. Week
ley, of the United Brethren Church, sec
retary OF the committee, were chosen
as commissioners to present the action
to the governing bodies.
These bodies will not meet until next
year, but in the meantime the letter to
the churches will be sent to every min
lister of the three denominations. that it
may be laid before the congregations
and considered deliberately.