The Washington times., 1904-05-24
PLAN Of CHURCH
UNION PRESENTED
TOCONFERENCE
DR.. Washington GLADDEN.
Makes a Formal Prop
oSition.
DR.. WEEKLY SECONDS IT
Scheme to Unite Under Gen
eral Council Several De-
nominations.
DR.. WEEKLY SECONDS 1T


Formal presentation of the plan for
denominational union was made at this
mornings session Of the General Cor
ference Of the Methodist Protestant
Church in the North Carolina Avenue
church. Dr. Washington GLADDEN.. OF
the Conversational Church, chairman of
the joint union committee. and d.. VIII
nam NJ. Weekly. OF the United Bretb-
ren. appeared before the conference To
submit the conclusions Of the Joint com
nittee and to explain the attitude of
! their respective churches I'm regard To
the contemplated union.
Every seat in the gallery and audito-
rum OF the church was filed with eth
er delegates or spectators when the ses-
sion was called to order Immediately
aIter the opening exercises President
Iass announced that the representa-
| ives OIL congregational and United
Brethren churches were present. and
would address them on the subject ron
Of the most vital interest to the Meth
odist Protestant Church-denorninat tjonal
union.
DR.. GLADDEN. Speaks.
DR.. GLADDEN. was extended an enthu-
slasue greeting when he arose to speak.
Without any preliminary remarks he AZ
once look up the subject OF church union
and submitted the following syllabus
"hlcn was adopted by the joint commit
tee and which furnishes the kevnote n,
the entire plan of union:
y. We are agreed that The rorro,,1, ,oa
statements of doctrine as held nv, eacE
OF these bodies at present are essen
tially the same; and we affirm them ali
as expressing the truth as it is in
Jesus -
2 We are agreed thst theSe bodies
shan retain their present name and
their autonomy In respect to all local
affairs. but that they add to their or
fetal title the words. In affliation with
the general council Of the united
churches
g. We recommend that these bodies
authorize the creation Of a general conn
ell. composed Of representative elected
from their respective bodies. on the
basis Of one representative for every
5000 members.
q. The powers Of the general council
shall be advisory, and any recommenda
ton 1t may make shall be referred to
the constituent bodies for approval.
.. A committee of three from each Of
the general bodies Represented shall ar
range for the time and place OF the first
meeting of the general council.
80 At the first session OF the general
council, temporary organization shall
be effected by the election of a chair
man and secretary. and the council
itself shall determine the officers IT may
need and the manner Of permanent or
ganization 1t may prefer.
Purposes of Council.
.. The purposes Of the general coun-
Gil shall be:
20. To present, so far as we possibly
can. a realization of that unity which
seems so greatly desired by Christian
20 To promote a better knowledge
and closer fellowship among the
Christian bodies thus uniting
"(3). To secure the coordination and
unification of the three bodies I'm evan
Echstic, educational and missionary
work.
three bodies may be brought into CO.
rdinate activity and organic unity
unity representing some form of con-
ucctiOnallSm-
''C5). To prevent the unnecessary null
tiplication of churches. to unite weak
churches of the same neighborhood
wherever IL is practicable and TO in
vite and encourage the afflliation with
this council OF other Christian bodies
cherishing a kindred faith and pur-
pose"
after presenting the syllabus. DR.
Sladden embarked on a discussion of
the merits OF a consolidation of the
three denominations. and in the course
of his remarks he said:
Action Now Decisive.
Yours is the first national body to
assemble since the plan was formulated.
Your action upon II may very likely
be decisive. II you should decline to
adopt these proposals there is reason
TO fear that the other bodies would be
discouraged from further pursuing the
matter II you should heartily adopt
them a great impulse would certainly
be given to the movement in each of
the other bodies.
"a very serious responsibility. there
fore rests upon this conference.-the re-
sponsibiIity of leadership is a matter
which deeply concerns the Velfare of
All these denominations and the pro-
gram Of the kingdom of God.
IF any sacrihc Of conviction or es-
sential truth were involved in this pro-
posed union. you could not, Of course,
consider it. But we were all salts
fed. after a fun conference on the sub
ject. that there were no real or i'm
aginary theological barriers between
people who are in the habit of attend
ing church in these days; we know that
the old lines OF division between the
various evangelical churches are prac-
tically obliterated; you cannot tell one
time in twenty. from the preaching IN
which you are listening. whether Won
are in a Presbyterian Church or a
Methodist Church or a Baptist Church
the controversies with which me air
was filled when some Of you were bovs
mo longer enlist the interest of earnest
christian.
(Coatinued on Second Page.)