The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-17
CHURCHES SHOULD
 STAND TOGET TIER Interchurch Conference in Ses-
 sion in New York
NATURE OF HE MEETING
Greater Good Can Be Accomplished, Especially In Foreign the Mission Field, By More Cooperation
 Among Denominations.

 the executive committee before the inter church conference on federation in Car negie hall was the first business taken up by that body today. The report re- viewed the beginning of the movement toward a conference and declared that there was no intention at any time to invite all the churches to the conference but only the larger churches and those "already in fraternal relations and sub stantial agreements as to fundamental Christian doctrine"
 The letter of invitation sent out by the executive committee, the reports says. has received an affirmative response from twenty-eght churches. This letter contains the following statements as to the nature, object and powers of the movement:
 What we propose is a federation of denominations to be created by the de- nominations themselves.
 Should Stand Together.
 we believe that the great Christian bodies in our country should stand to- gether, should enter in the discussion and give impulse to all great movements that make for righteousness. We believe that questions like those of marriage, divorce, sabbath dissertation, social evils, child labor. the relation of labor to capital, problems that are created by foreign im- migration, the bettering of the conditions of the laboring class and the moral and religious training of the young-concern Christians of every name and demand their united and concerted action.
 Tt is our conviction that there should be a closer union of forces and a more eff fective use of the resources of the Chris tian churchs in the different cities and towns, and when feasible in other com munities and fields. with a view to an in crease of power and of results in all Chris ton work.
 Ut Is understood that it's basis would not be one of credal statement or gov ernmental form but of cooperative work and effort.
 ization shall have power only to advise the constituent bodies represented.
 ''In closing this report the committee desires to emphasize the fact that the source of the improvement toward fed eration which has resulted in the as- SeinDllnB or lnlS co1IeTence IS IOunQ III the growing fraternal feeling between the try, and in the widespread desire for con- certed action in Christian work with a view to the spiritual welfare of the nation and world"
 Speaks Word of Welcome.
 The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Macarthur os the Calvary Baptist church spoke few words of welcome in which he said the present conference would be far and away the most important conference on Protes- tantism ever held, and that his report would be made on it during the next few days.
 The Rev. William Hayes Ward of New York. chairman of the committee on the federation and unity of the National Coun- cil of Congregational Churches, then ad- dressed the conference.
 After reviewing various methods used by those who attempted to unify the Christian churches in the past Dr. Ward said:
 Example Set By Apostles.
 The great and successful fellowships and unions that are now achieving at home and abroad. are on the old basis, set by the example of the apostles at Jerusalem on the liberty of the several bodies of believers to wear their own colors, whether they chose to march as separate companies, or consent to lock step in the same regiment. Thus we ex- press both sound fellowship, and yet the consent of seperate convictions in our Young Mems Christian associations, and our Christian Endeavorers, and our Bible societies, and our local federations as also in the unions which in Scotland Australia, Canada and the United States have consolidated strong denominations into single bodies of greater composite strength and influence. And it Is on this basis of mutual recognition of each oth- er's essential Christian life and service allowing each corps or division or reg- ment. or company In the Lords army its own liberty. that we propose to create here visible and recognized expression or our essential oneness, something more organic and permanent than the evangel- fcal alliance which blazed out so magnifi- gently thirty years ago and then gradu- ally departed into cemetery space, or than the admirable great missionary confer ence which lately met In this hall.
 This, our present alliance could never be accomplished except the spiritual forces of the churches. working outwa rd Tor the conversion to Christ of the multi tudes of unevangelized souls in so-calIed Christian lands. and in the dense popula tons or paganism-unsaved after nineteen centuries of separation and schism-have
 eS NiVsci ioSttHeT, union Dy evangelism as of old"
 He was followed by Rev. E. R. Sanford secretary of the executive committed and general secretary of the National Federation of Churches and Christian Workers.
 Dr. Sanford detailed the steps which led to the calling of the present conven- ton.
 Rev. Dr. ". H. Robert of Philadelphia was elected chairman of the conference. and secretaries were appointed represent Ing the various creeds
 Rev Washington Gladden. presented n paper fmploring the Russians as Chris tians to cease from the massacre of the Jews. The petition in the name of 1S OoO,- 900 of communicants in the free protes- tant churches of American implores Rus sian Christians lin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to do what they can without delay to put an end to the dread fu1 cruelties which are now being infict- ed on the Jewish people in many parts of the Russian empire.'
 This appeal was referred to a commit tee for action.
 Prisoners Taken to Boston.
 Boston, November 16.-Louis Craw- ford and William Howard, charged with complicity in the illegal opera fiOn nprformad on Cucappa Gaorv tho