Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-27
FOR ORGANIC UNION
THREE DENOMINATIONS REPRE-
SCENTED IN SUBCOMMITTEE.
Methodist Professionals, Congregational
slider the Proposition.

subcommittee. representing three de-
nominations-the Congregational Church,
the Methodist Protestant Church and the
Church of the United Brethren-will meet
this evening at o'clock in the lecture room
of the First Congregational Church. corner
10th and G. streets northwest, for the pur-
pose of arranging details looking to the
organic union of these three bodies. The
subcommittee was appointed at general
meeting of representatives of the denomi-
nations interested. held in Pittsburg, Pa,
April D. and the plans agreed upon this
evening will be reported to the general
committee appointed at that gathering.
Rev Dr. S. NJ. Newman. the pastor of
the First Congregational Church. said to-
day that the meeting this evening is TO De
a subcommittee meeting, pure and simple,
and is not to be open to the public. he
said he wished this to be understood, be-
cause from the nature of the matters 10
be considered the committeeman Will be
obliged to conduct their deliberations In
private.
The following declaration, which was
made at the Pittsburg meeting. DR.. New
man stated, will serve as guide to the
proceedings of the meeting here:
l. The formulated statements of doctrine
as held by each of these denominations at
present although phrased differently, yet
being essentially the same, are to be af-
firmed.
2 The union. for the present is to be
expressed in the organization of general
council, to be composed of representatives
elected from the respective denominations
composing the union on some ratio of MEM
bership This council to have its powers
and duties defined, but all legislative and
judicial matters shall be referred to the
general bodies of the respective denomina-
tons. These denominations shall retain
their present name and their autonomy IN
respect to all local affairs but they shall
add to their official title the following: I'm
affilation with the general council of the
united churches"
Development of Plans.
Commenting upon this DR.. Newman said
he thought that the organization of the
general council is to be preparatory to an
organization having a more comprehensive
sphere of activity. He emphasized the
statement that the sole work of the sub
committee. which is to meet this evening
will be the arrangement of details with
view of developing the general plans de-
cided upon at the Pittsburg convention.
He thought that the subcommittee may be
able to complete It's work this evening, but
said that another meeting may be neces-
sary tomorrow.
The following are the members OF
the subcommittee: Methodist Protestant
Church-Rev. DR.. T. H. Lewis. president of
Westminster College. Westminster Md;
Rev. DIR. d. s. Stephens of Kansas City,
Mo. president national conference of the
Methodist Protestant Church: Rev. DR.. NJ.
l.. Jennings. editor of one of the leading
church organs; Rev. DR.. F. T. Tagg of
Baltimore. also editor of one of the church
organs. and Rev. DIR. George Shaffer.
United Brethren Church-Bishop ]. S. Mills.
of the four bishops of this denomina-
ton; Rev DIR. w. r. Funk of Dayton.
Ohio. manager of the United Brethren
Publishing House; Rev. DIR. NJ. NJ. Weekly
and Rev. DR.. w. NJ. Bell. also of Dayton,
and Mr.. ]. w. Ruth. a lay member.
CongregationaliSt Church--Rev. DR.. A.
II. Bradford of Montclair. N j.. moder-
atOr of the national council of the church;
Rev. DIR. Washington GLADDEN., Columbus,
Ohio; Rev. DIR. A. L. Dunning of Boston.
editor of the Congregationalist; Rev. DR..
S, NJ. Newman of this city and Rev. DR..
w H. Ward of New York. editor of the
Independent DR. Ward is chairman of the
subcommittee and Dr. Lewis Is secretary.
For More Immediate Union.
After the work of the committee req
resenting the three denominations has heeD
completed the ten committeeman repre-
senting the Methodist Protestant Church
and the Church of the United Brethren will
meet to act as a subcommittee to con-
slider by themselves the more immediate
organic union of their respective denomf-
nations. Should that be brought about, 1t
is said. the final union of all the three
denominations will be rendered less diff