Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-20
DR.. BRADFORD is SUSTAINED BY
THE CONGREGATIONAL
COUNCIL.
DISCUSSION HEATE D
Consideration Of Missionary Societies
Referred to Next TriennaI Council
Societies to Meet Annualy-lndi.
vldual Liberty of Churches at Stake.
What the Council Did.

sustained DR.. Bradford in position
OF charging functions of moderator,
Referred consolidation of missionary
at next session.
Defeated resolution for annual SEES
sions.
Adopted resolutions providing for
annual meetings of missionary socie-
ties.
Heard important papers.
Elected standing committees.
Passed resolution to make church
polity more effective.
,Des Moines, Oct. 1s.-After siren.
uous debate the National Council Of
the Congregational church last night
voted that the functions of the mod.
orator should be interpreted gener-
ously and with the adoption of reso-
luton to that effect, the position Of
Retiring Moderator Amory H. Bradford
was sustained
The resolution was introduced in re-
Spouse to memorial from the WITCH
tia, kas.. association, asking that the
functions of the moderator be defined.
The memorial was called out by the
fact that during the last three years
since the last session of the council,
DR.. Bradford has visited many of the
churehes over the country, addressed
annual letters to them and in other
ways reached the churches. 1t had
been the custom of moderators to con-
slider their duties ended with each tri-
ennial session Of the council and Dr.
Bradford's action was interpreted by
the Kansas association, and by many
other 6p1np9fac uhn cnpnrtnI tho a.
mortal, as unconstitutional and upon
these grounds it was debated. 1t in
volved the old Puritan idea of absolute
Independence of congregations.
While there was nothing passionate
in the discussion, nevertheless there
was a good deal of feeling. DR.. Brad
ford himself was present and after
others had spoken. Rev. G. S. Sargent
of Kansas, one of the fathers of the
memorial, Rev. c. A. Vincent of Gales
burg, H., and Rev. w. 3. Barton of
Oak Park, ILL.,, the ex-moderator him
self took the floor.
Vital Principles Involved.
One of the vital principles Of the
Congregational church was at stake
that of the individual liberty of the
churches. Congregationalists have
carefully preserved the idea that no
man in the church should be delegated
with too much authority and that each
church has the right to govern itself.
The resolution carried by majority
vote, but it is possible that at some
| future time 1t may be taken up and re.
pealed. Many of those present last
night considered that there was not
sufficient time for it's debate.
Consolidation Referred.
| The consolidation of the six mis-.
sionary societies Of the Congrega.
t tional church was referred by resolu
! ton to committee of five, to make a
special report at the next triennial
meeting of the council
The council turned down the resolu
ton to hold annual meetings and
adopted the one providing for the
meetings of the missionary societies
in 1905 and 1906, thus creating a pro
i vision for annual meetings of the mis-
! sionary societies. which heretofore
| have met triennially.
Church Poity Resolution.
| A resolution was passed in favor Of
making the church polity more effect
i've. 1t follows:
The council views with interest ant
general approval attempts now beint
made in various parts of the land t,
render our Congregational polity NOR,
effective
And whereas, 1t is highly importan
that any changes should both conserv
our essential principles and develop
consistent and uniform organization
and methods. Therefore
| Resolved, That a committee Of min
i be appointed by this council to d.
what may be done, on it's own initia
1 tive and in conferences and co-opera
ton with local and state bodies, 70
the better adjustment of our Congre
: gational order to existing conditions.
This committee to report its worl
done to the next regular meeting o
the council.
VETERANS MEET.