The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-02
FEDERATION
OF CHURCHES.
Annual Sessions Of National
Body Held Here.
RHODE ISLAND TO THE FRONT.
Report Of the Secretary Shows the Great
Work Being Accomplished In The Cause
Of Christianity.

Of Christianity.
The fourth annual conferences Of the
National Federation OF Churches and
Christian Workers was continued today
In the Mathewson Street Methodist Epls-
copal church with morning and afternoon
sessions and the attendance was even.
greater than at the opening session last
evening
TODAY's SESSIONS.
At the morning session today the reports
OF state and local fedsrat1ons were pre-
sented, President Alfred T. Perry OF
Marietta college. doing 30 for Ohio. and
Professor Alfred William Anthony. for
merly of Providence but professor in the
theological seminary at Lewiston, Me-.
performing similarly pleasant duty for
the "Dirigo State" The New York fed
GRAFTON was represented by Dr. A. J.
Hegeman, field secretary and Pennsyl-
vania by Rev. r. NJ. Blackburn, ID. D..
of Reading. Rev. Ruen Thomas, ID. D..
OF Brookline presented the Massa chusetts
report, Rev n. II. Roberts that OF the
state OF Connecticut. The Hartford fed
GRAFTON was represented by the presi-
dent Daniel r. Howe, while reports from
California. Michigan. Wisconsin and other
state decorations were read by Rev. T..
u. Sanford, ID. D., general secretary OF the
national federation.
After an hours intermission for lunch
which was served in the dining room OF
the church. the afternoon session was
commenced at o'clock with discussion OF
THE Rural Problem" opened by Rev. w.
IL Roberts OF Worcester; THE City Prob
lem." opened by Rev. II. Mason North. ID.
D., OF New York and The Cooperative
Parish System
-.
evening with addresses by Rev. j. Win
throp Hegeman Ph. D., OF New York.
Rev. Alfred Tyler Perry. d. d., president
Of Marietta College. Ohio. and Rev. Jesse
Lyman Hurlburt, d. d., of MUristown.
N. ].
A fairly large audience was present last.
evening when the conference was opened
by devotional exercises. conducted by
eRv. Charles NJ. Melden, D. D.. pastor OF
the Mathewson Street M. T.. church AT
the consclusion OF the devotions Prof. j.
q. Dealey OF Brown University. president
of the Rhode Island federation, delivered
the formal address OF welcome TO the vis-
iting delegates.
]. Cleveland Cady. president OF the Ma
tional Federation. responded httingly. ex-
pressing the pleasure OF the delegates
that the conference had been given to
Providence. and the hope that the result
OF the sessions would be OF great benefit
to all concerned.
sECRErARY'S REPORT.
Mr. Caay then introduced Rev. e. B..
| Sanford, ~. d., Of New York. gensrai
secretary of the National Federation. who
submitted the following report:
Federation has become very live
| word I'm our American vocabulary. 1t
Cox presses "the getting together" spirit that
| animates those who have common inter
ests. The spirit as ncv-r before. Is pulsat-
| Ing through the organic life Of the de-
nominationally divided church OF Christ
in these United States. 1t is already q
movement far reaching In It's influence.
and in the activities of this great move
ment the Natnoial Federation Of Church.
| and Christie Workers has in It's brief
history actt most important part, q
| part so acti g that II is not an exagger~
| alton of facts to say that In the four
years since II began its service there has
| been but little organized federative actor
among churches and denominations ir
which II has not exerted a very positive
and helpful influence.
The story of readJustments and ney
work undertaken In Maine by the joint
action of denominations representing the
| larger part of the Protestant church
| membership within its bounds. IL one tina 4
| IL now being repeated in other sections
| of the country. The state organizations
| through which this work is advanceds
have for the most part. received their
| initiative from the National Federation o.
| Churches
RHODE ISLAND TO THE FRONT.
''The statement OF principles adopted
| by the Michigan Federation, which In
| cludes in It's fellowship the numerically
| leading Christian forces OF the state
illustrates the practical scope Of the
movement.
I'm Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio ant
| Wisconsin the state federations have
| held important conventions. At Day
/ ton, o.. II denominations were repre-
/ sented by accredited delegates and 10
! at the Wisconsin meeting. New Jersey
| has 1ust completed It's organization,
| Under the leadership of one Of the moe
| honored laymen OF the state we an I
ticipitate an active campaign of work
I Before the close OF the year we look 10.
a good report from Massachusetts, Rhod<
Island today Is at the 'front.'
At the conclusion OF DR.. sanford's rel
port. President Cady read ietter Of re !
gret at inability to be present from PrssI
dent Faunce of Brown university. bel
cause Of earlier engagements 20 speak OF
same dates, Feb. and 2, In Philadelphia
and Washington.
Prof Dealey was then called on to s1vy
something OF the history or the locan
federation lie told In an interesttn
manner OF the history Of the Rnode Isl
and Federation and outlined the pam
/ for the future.
LAUNCHING OF THE STEAMSHIP
DAKOTA"
!