The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-17
FAVOR UNION
 OF CHURCHES Committee of Congrega-
 tionalists Reports. 3 DENOMINATIONS CONCERNED Congregationalists, Methodists and
 United Brethren.  Report Was Made to TrienniaI Coun- ell Now in sessien at cIeve- iand--Text of the Report and Resolutions
3 DENOMINATIONS CONCERNED

Cleveland, Oct. 1e.-The report of the committees of twenty-eight to which had been referred the question of tri- church union, was made to the Trien- nial Council of the Congregational Church in session here tonight The committee is unanimous in it's report fayoring the proposed amafgamation of the Congregationalists. Methodist Frotestants and United Brethren. The report recommends the adoption of the following minutes.
 -The National Council of the Congre- gational Churches of the United States, in session at Cleveland. O.. Oct s-17. 1907. having heard a remarkable vol- ume of testimony from all parts of the country. hereby records It's conviction that our churches will go forward to consummate union with the church of the United Brethren in Christ and the Methodist Protestant Church.
 We recognize in the act of unit n adopted by the General Council of the United Churches at Chicago the fun damental principles by which such union must be accomplished. The aim of that act Is the desire of our churches. The act provides for q rep resentative council of thcr United churches. combining their benevoient interests. It makes provision for the gradual amafgamation Of their state and local organizations. leaving the people Of each locality free to choose their own times and methods for the completion of such unions. It contem- plates, as the result of a continued fei- iowship of worship and work, blend ing of the three denominations Into one. This Is the end to which the act of union looks forward and these are essential means of it's accomplishment.
 Some Modifcations.
 We recognize that for the con- summation of this union each denomi- nation Is prepared to modify It's ad- minietrative forms. AnorR our min- istry ane churches there have arisen divergent opinions. both as to the in depreciation of certain clauses and as 10 the effect of certain provisions n ths act of union, while of some aetaiii therein proposed, important criticisms have been made, ssWe recognize, further, that the oth- er church bodies, when they convene for considerations of the act of union may Likewise find that certain of its features can be improved. We there- fore invite the other two denomina- tions to unite with us in referring the act of union to the general council oi | the United Churches, to afford oppor- tunity for perfecting the plan of union; the general council to report iti results to the national body of each denomination.
 I've also recommend the adoption oi the following resolution: That the committee on comity, federation and unity be authorized to act with repre- sentatives of the other two denomina' tions in procuring the reassembiing oi the general council in aiding the con. summation of the proposed union ane l fin the further advancement of the cause of comIty, federation and unity among various Christian bodies. That oul membership in subsequent meetings oi the general council of the United Churches be thoroughly representa- tive.
 Council of the United Churches Is t be thoroughly representative of ou churches and elected in their State or ganization: the securing of such cleo lions on a proper ratio of representa- tiyes in the various State bodies an' the filling of vacancies to be in thu hands of the provisional committee.
 "That committee consisting of Doc tors Rev. Washington Gladden.. w. D McKenzie and William Hayes Ward t he appointed to present this action t the United Brethren and the Methods Protestant bodies"