Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-20

OA>NA~As
to order by the retiring president, Rev. D.
g. Stephens. D. D., of Kansas City, Kan,
chancellor of the University of Kansas.
Attracted by the probability of hearing
the views of President Stephens on the pro-
posed cooperation or union of the Metho-
dist Protestant, Congregational and United
Brethren denominations, many visitors
were present this morning, the pews on
the main floor and in the galleries being
filed.
This matter of union was introduced in
a manner which undoubtedly stamped 1t
as the most important question to be dis
cussed by the body within the first half hour
of the session. Following the opening prayer,
offered by Rev. F. D. Little of Baltimore,
president of the Maryland conference, the
regular conventional report of the presi-
dent was read. Fully half of DIR. Stephens
address had to do with this important
church problem.
From President Stephens recommended
tions, which in part reflected the views of a
committee which had reported on the propo-
sition, 1t appears that the extent of the
movement is connectionalism," which,
said he, would not necessitate closer
union. The creation of council
composed of representatives of the three
churches and having an advisory capacity
Is the form of the cooperative plan as in
t1oduced In the general convention by DR..
Stephens. This. he declared, need not
cause any change whatever in the indi-
vidual organizations of the respective de-
nominations.
President Stephens Address
President Stephens said in part:
about eighteen months ago received a
communication from DR.. VIM Hayes
Ward. chairman Of a committee appointed
by the national council of the Congrega-
oil oh, 81.
union. DR.. Ward requested that I should
appoint committee to confer with his
committee upon the feasibility of union
between the Congregational and Methodist
Protestant churches.
"A short time later / received commu-
ntcation from committee of the United
Brethren Church making a similar re-
quest.
LAS result of the negotiations thus be-
gun, committees representing these three
churches met in Pittsburg, Pa, and after
several meetings basis of cooperation
on certain lines was agreed upon, with the
idea that ultimately organic union might
follow.
while the committee from the Methodist
Protestant Church was clothed with nc
official authority, it included some of the
representative men of the denomination
The report of this committee will no doubt
come before the general conference for Its
consideration. While the basis for the
cooperation OF the churcheS Keeps in view
the possibility of future organic union, the
only phase of the subject that will come be.
fore this body for immediate consideration
is the plan proposed for joint cooperation
of the three churches in a general council
that shall have an advisory relation to
the three bodies. Otherwise, the churches
will remain as they now are. If this plaL
Is adopted.
1T is anticipated that the acquaintance
and fellowship thus fostered may result
at some future time in further steps to-
ward organic union. 1t is important, how.
ever, to note that this plan does not pre-
cipitate upon MS the l'.cs.tea OF immediate
organic union.
Should we adopt the plan now proposed
the question of organic union of these
churches still remains for future decision
II time or experience should prove that or
ganic union is undesirable. 1t will be practi.
cable to decline to move further In this III.
rection should we SO desire.
There are many things that can be said
In favor of union of ecclesiastical forces
Christ's last prayer on earth was that His
| followers might be made perfect in one.
The trend of the age is toward solidarity o.
organization. Economy of the working
forces of the church would thereby be pro
NOTED.
"But az desirable as church union ma,