The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-03-23
ian to Unite Both Congregations H.
to One Strong Body.
CLOSER RELATIONS ARE TO EXIST
One Baptist Leader Is Favorable to
Mersins, Methodists Talk
For II Also.
From Mondays Daily.


Since the movement was started by
the Congregational church to form un-
ion with the Christian church, if pos
sible, there has been great deal OF
favorable talk on this proposition III
the city, as well as outside, and mem
berS of the Methodist church have ex
pressed themselves as being in favor OF
that church going into the union, and
building structure big enough for the
amalgamated congregation. One of the
leaders in the Baptist church is also
Known to favor church union.
While it is considered hardly posi-
bic, or probable, that the Mathodist
and Baptist churches will join in the
church union movement that has been
so auspiciously started, still an OPP
portunity is to be given their members,
churches in the city, to express them
selves on the proposition. Therefore
the conference committees of the Con-
9regational and Christian churches have
arranged a joint meeting or open con-
ference to be held next Friday evening
in the chapel of the Y. NJ. c. a. build
ing. All who favor the uniting of the
churches are invited to be present and
express their views, and the invitation
is extended to the members of all OF
the churches.
The following is the letter invitation
of the committee of the Congregation
al church to the Christian church to con-
slider the question of union:
To the First Christian Church, Man
kato, MINI. Greeting: We, the mem
bers of the First Congregational church,
as your nearest neighbor in the sister
hood of churches and standing with you
for the ideal of Christian unity, be-
lieving that the cause of Christ would
be promoted and our work for Him
strengthened by the uniting of our
forces so as to make one strong Eng
disappearing church at the south end
of the city, respectfully and cordially
commend to your consideration the
question of the union of our two
churches and, if it shall seem good
to you, the appointment by you of a
committee to confer with the commit
tee from this church whose names are
undersigned.
We offer this suggestion at the pres
ent time because we have begun move
ment toward remodelling our church
building during the present year, and,
since n union of our two churches, if at
any time desirable and feasible, would
involve reconsideration of the form
and extent of Our plans, we would de-
sire to have such question considered
by both parties before contracts for our
building are let and work commenced.
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace,
For the church, NJ. B. Haynes, Thomas
Hughes, c. H. Cooper, E. L. Heer-
nance, committee.
Mankato Mimi, March 18th, 1906
The following is the answer made by
the committee of the Christian church:
The First Christian Church, to the
First Congregational Church Sendeth
tililStldu olcCliHS' We, thO iiiS 30
Christian church, Mankato, whose dis
tinctive plea is (a) The unity of Gods
people, and (b) the restoration of Apos
tolic teaching and practice, as the basis
of such unity.
DO, hereby, express our Joy upon the
receipt of your proposal, and we hasten
to assure you that nothing of our own
shall stand in the way of its realization.
Therefore, believing (a) that party
creeds, party names and party shiboleths
present to the world divided Christ
and perpetuate a divided church. e..
Cor. l2:l3);
Believing (b) that these parties gen
der jealousy and strife, cultivate sec
tartan feelings and thus hinder growth
in grace II. Cor. 3. IA; l. Pet. 2. |, p ;
Believing (c) that they also delay the
evangelization and the Christianization
of the world. and thus defer the king
dom of God and wound Christ, our Saw
ior.
Do most certainly agree with you IN
'believing that the cause of Christ
would be promoted and our work for
Him strengthened by the uniting of cur
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