Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-10-08
PROPOSE UNION
OF CHURCHES

Cleveland, o., Oct. S.-With the
project union of the Con gre cat onal-
lists. the United Brethren and the
Methodist Protestants as the princi-
pal matter TO be decided. the trien-
NAL national council OF the Congre-
gationalist churches assembled I'm
Cleveland today. Hundreds of clergy
and lay delegates from all sections
OF the country are here TO take part
in the deliberations OF the council
and the six affiliated benevolent and
missionary organizations Prelim-
mary sessions OF the national coun-
Gil were held today. during which
organization was effected reports of
committees heard the council well
coined to Cleveland and an address
made by the retiring moderator. the
Rev. DR.. Washington GLADDEN.. of Co
lumbus. The program adopted Is 10
have the sessions OF the national
council continue through ten DAYS.
allowing the other organizations such
time as may be necessary 10 com
plete their business.
Beginning tomorrow morning and
continuing until Friday noon. the
American board of comm issioners
for foreign missions will hold its an
nual meeting. Friday afternoon and
evening the national council will
have sessions. On Saturday. the
annual reports of the Sunday school
and publishing society, the cduca-
tional union and the church build
ing society will be heard.
Sunday afternoon a mass meeting
for the wage-earners of Cleveland
will be held, and in the evenine
prominent clergymen from all over
the country will join in an evange-
hstic service. The Rev. Or. Francis
f. Clark founder OF Christian En-
deavor; the Rev. DR.. w. ]. Dawson.
of the Evangelistic committee, and
the Rev. Dr.. NOVEL; Dwight Hills.
OF Plmouth church. Brooklyn, will
be among the speakers.
On Monday and Tuesday until
noon. the annual meeting Of the
American Missionary society. which
will close with the afternoon session
ON October 16. The remainder o.
the time, to tho close OF the serie,
OF meetings on the evening of DC
tober II will he occupied by the ma
tional council. the most importan'
meeting being that of the evenint
of October 16, when the matter OF
church union will come up. Final
action on the matter may not be
reached until the following day.
Among the delegates expression IT,
divided as to whether the proposed
union Of the Congregational BODY
with the United Brethren and the
Methodist PTotestants is practicable
or desirable. although a maioritv
appear to favor the project What
ever action may be taken. II is con
coded that the matter is the mos
important that has ever come be.
fore this body. The union will be-
recommended by the committee
which has had the matter in charg
since the meeting Of 1904, held I'm
Des Moines. Ia.
Despite the apparent majority
opinion favoring the considera ton.
a number Of the strongest Congrega
tional churches have gone on recor
as being unalterably opposed TO the
project and have virtually fled nc
tice that should tho union be effec
cd they will withdraw from the M
tional body and continue their wors
on an independent basis.
In the ranks Of the United Breth
rem considerable opposition has als1
arisen and It f. believed that fl the
union plans 20 through split IN
that denomination will almost CO..
tainlv result Netho1iet Protestant
almost to man. favor union.
has been sugeo ted by ONE church