The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-22
CHURCHMFN HOLD
TO PRESENT NAME
Church Clubs Decide to Con-
tinue as Protestant Epis.
COpaI Church.

Whether the Protestant Episcopal
church should change it's name and
what the new name should be, was not
agreed yesterday morning by the
twelfth conference of Church Clubs of
the United States in it's closing ses-
sion at the parish house of Christ
church, Fourth and Franklin streets.
The question of adopting a new name
was treated in a paper written by F.
=. Niles, of Concord, N. H., and read
by President Taylor Brown, of Chi
cago Mr. Niles is the son of Bishop
Niles
/ The present name" said Mr. Niles,
does not explain but needs explaining.
1t is not sufficient to drop either the
word Protestant or the word Episcopal.
The assertion of our Professionalism in
the name, as it stands today, is wholly
unnecessary. Everyone knows we are
not Roman. We cannot declare our
church to be the Episcopal church
without infringing upon the claims of
other branches of the church
1t would seem that the instincts of
self preservation would induce us to
openly and fearlessly adopt the name.
The American Catholic Church. That
name would stand for orthodoxy,
breadth and inclusiveness. In essentials
in would represent unity; in nOn-es-
sentials, liberty; in all things, char
ity. But it would not imply universal
1ty in the sense of mere geographical
boundaries"
Maj. Moses Veale, of Philadelphia,
vice president of the conference, ar
gued that there is manifest inconsist-
ency in the practice of requiring all
persons confirmed by the Protestant
Episcopal church to declare their be-
lief in the holy Catholic church. THE
present name is not a name for unity
but a name for discord. 1t is merely
name of protest against the Roman
church.
The Minnesota delegates, although
they did not express their opinion for
mally, applauded arguments in favor
of the name American Catholic"
Opposed Change of Name.
But John S. Conner, of Cincinnati, the
retiring president, insisted that it would
not be advisable at present to change
the name. 1T is haIowed to us because
it is Protestant. Moreover if we adopt
the proposed name we shall assume a
title to which we have no right"
So Judge L. l.. Marvin, of Cleveland
Ohio, maintained that the name "Ameri
can Catholic" would require more ex-
PLANTATION than the present name. THE
word Catholic" he continued" has be-
come generally known and recognized by
all English-speaking peoples Jas applying
to the Roman Catholic church. Why do
we want to contradict an understanding
that has become universal and take
mere historical definition? If we are go
ing back to primary things, why do We
not call ourselves the Christian church?
To be sure, there is denomination of
that name today, but we would be tres
passing upon fewer people than if we
took the name Catholic"
The committee to whom the proposal
of biennial conferences had been referred
reported in favor of continuing the an
nual meetings. They would better main
tain the interest Of members in club
work.
Another committee recommended that
the place for the next convention be chos-
en- by the executive officers. Rochester,
n. Y, it is said, will probably be selected.
The conference adjourned finally yes
terday noon. At o'clock p. m. the
delegates. as guests Of the Minnesota
Church club. enjoyed a trolly ride about
the Twin Cities.