Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-02-07

lWNlun ~, reu, tr-Eiilihrhl en"i'u
men from oil sections OF the country
gathered In conference In this city to-
day and their deliberations and con
illusions viii have important bearings
on the future Of the Congregational
lists. the United Brethren and the
Methodist Professionals. For II Is ex-
pected that before the conference ad-
jonrns q plan will have been consum-
mated for fcderating the three bodies
In an organization 10 DO known as
u General Council. II the project goes
through, as seems possible now. II Will
mean a new ecclesiastical unit In Anne
rica representing over . million OF
Christians and thus practically reduc.
Ing by two the number Of Protestant
sccts.
The movement toward the fedora
tion OF the three denominations be-
gan several years ago. The proposal
for such a union came first from prom
inent men In the Methodist Protestant
church, and later, leading men In the
United Brethren church, who believ.
ed the union OF several smaller eccle-
sIasticaI bodies would be In harmony
with the Christian SPIRIT Of the age,
petiti0ned their bishops to take such
steps az might be necessary TO open
negotiations with certain other
churches. looking TO permanent union.
When proposals for such a union
were made to the Congregationalists
Of the United States by the Methodist
Protestant and United Brethren
bodies, the Congregationalists imhne-
diately, In their national council, In
etructed the committee on comfy,
federation and unity to look up the
matter. A preliminary meeting was
held In Pitsburg last year at which
arrangements for the present confer
ence were concluded.
Following the call to order today by
Rev. DR.. Washington GLADDEN., the con-
ference took the necessary steps to
perfect It's organization. Committees
were then appointed to discuss plans
for the coordination Of benevolent 30
c%ieties, colleges, sen4inaries and all
educational institutions. In the open
Ing addresses the speakers dwelt upon
the benefits to be derived rom unity
and stated the purpose OF the confer
enc TO be to decide just how far the
proposed federation shall go.
Organic union OF the three denomi
nations Is not the immediate aim Of
the General Council. for. while II Ii
agreed that the doctrines held by thu
three are essentially the same, there
are marked differences Of polio!
which 1t will take time TO reconcile
II Is felt to be possible. that union 0
effort can be effected In benevolence
In educational work, and possibly Il
publishing interests. The immediate
aims OF the union will be to promote
better knowledge and closer fellow
ship or the bodies. coordination Ii
evAngelistic, educational and mission
airy work. to prevent unnecessary mul
DUPLICATION Of churches. to unite weak
churches and to encourage affiiiation
with other Christian bodies. Accord
Ing to present plans each denomina,
ton IL to retain its distinctive name
and its autonomy In respect to Its own
government. but Ia 10 add to It's Off
cial title In utilization with the Gen,
eral Council Of the United Churches
The Congregational church has $50,
600 members and vast educational
publication and missionary interests
The United Brethren have 10000
members. five colleges, a theological
seminary. a series Of religious jour
nails. two publishing houses and flour,
fshing missions In Africa, Japan and
Porto Rico. The Methodist Protest
ants have lS5. 900 members, four col.
1eges. a theological seminary. several
religious journals, a large publishing
house and foreign Missionary work In
China and Japan.
The numerical strength Of the Uni.
ted Brethren Is confined principally to
Pennsylvania. Ohio. Indiana and II
linois. The Methodist Protestants are
found chiefly In Maryland. West vir.
ginia and Pennsylvania and to some
extent In Ohio, North Carolina and
rudt.ca To- all 80 shoaa .tnta. sw{th