The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-07-25
CHURCH UNION DISCUSSED.
Explanation of Movement Made 10 MINIS
tiers by Rev. Dr.. 7. H. Lewis, OF western
Maryland College.

Instead OF holding the regular meeting in Baitl-
more the ministers Of the Methodist Churches met
in Baker Chapel at Western Maryland College, last
Monday by invitation of President Lewis, whom
they had requested to address them upon the pro-
posed union of their denomination with the Con-
gregationali>ts and United Brethren.
Among those present were Rev. DR.. :. B. Souther-
land probably the oldest minister in this branch Of
Methodsm, Rev. DE- F I. Little President OF the
MARYLAND Annual Conference, Rev. Dr. +. l, lagg
editor of the Methodist Protestant, Rev. Thomas o.
Grouse Rev. John 5. Bowers, Rev. Frank T. Ben
son, Rev G. ". Haddaway, Rev. J. NJ. Holmes
Rev. J. W. Kirk Several ministers from Washing
ton also atteuded-Revs. Or. J. d. Kinzer. j. NJ
Gill 4. Norman Ward and J H. Staughn.
Dr. Lewis Was not only member OF the commit.
tee acting under the authority of the General Con-
ference of the Methodist Protestant Church, with
similar committees from the General Conference OF
the United Brethren and the National Council of
the Congregational churches which held their first
meetings in PittsbUrg, April - and D. 1893, when
the whole question Of uniting these denominations
was fully discussed. but he also member Of
the subcommittee which drafted the church union
syllabus and letter addressed to the churches at
large. formulating the results OF the deliberations
Of the April meeting and explaining the eOnclu-
sions reached
IN MS AtuEtsN 1T Lev gave 4NApl lthA HANhNAA
of the present movement from its beginning and
brief resume Of the historical position Of the two
churches with which the union of the Methodist
Prutestauts was proposed ana made descriptive
analysis Of the PROPOSED plan Of union The full
COMMITTEES Of the three denominations held its last
meeting in PittsbuTg July And ratified, as its ne
port to the general bodies Of the churches concern
- the church union syllabus ami letter prepared
hy the subcommittee.
I, now remains tor these general bodies to act en-
tn, report. IL will come before the General Con
ference Of the Methodist Protestant church in May.
1904 before the National Council Of the Congregs-
tionA church ia uciober 1904. aud befor' the Gen
crtI Conference Ut the Unitcd Brethren in May.
l4lE
The vital feature q the pJeseni movement Is the
creation OF "GcnerAI Council Of the Un!tei
Churches. composed % one representative for
every 40 members in each Of the churches to
meet every thuag OF foHT years aad 10 have only
advisory powers, AL Of it, recommendations being
submitted fay the approval Of The Constituent bod
lcs she constituent churches - retain taeiT usme
ami Heut4ty aud power, now usiuE the present
general bodies Tor the Transaction % al denouiina-
tana! business while the General C0uacu Of ihe
limited Churches wo8id D. iAe meeting and con
shifting plEcr Tor hztsvrr the churches might sh
90 10 n combination The report declares ihc pag-
pos. OF The council 20 De among other general 90
jeyts ihs spccar o,cc: Il securing the co-ortifA-
tau aat gniHasuaa uf the isTrc bottles In evAngrl-
istic educational api missionary vors aud Of
'-8oiliuE gisa by which the ;hrcs bodies uasy Dc
broazb} into e-5rl.aA.c activity sud organic nal-
s." Tee caanr.i wuaH therefore &c eIpec;ei 20
address ItSrtg ya this wOrS lmneitaiey bul g =
fhe * Fectztioa that the r0mFlyfe union q tar
.Aros Jssiios wou1 Erov ustursi.y ifosa surh 90
gglaGat4ueo AuI consultation -airF tHza from suS
immediate anI rsr-hArsrsi pan