The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-12-05

Or. William II. Roberts Presiding.
Philadelphia. Dec 3.-At today's ses
sion OF the Federal Council OF the
Churches Of Christ in America In the
Academy Of Music the report OF the
committee on interdenOminational or
CARNATIONS was presented by its chair
man, Rev. Anne Vennema, d. d., lot
mer president Of the Reformed Church
in America After praising the work
of the American Bible society, the
American Tract society, the J. NJ Z.
A. the Y. p. S. of c. T. and kindred
organizations, the report recommends
the following resolutions:
THAT 1t is the sense Of this council
that the INSTRUMENTATION organi2a
lions of the United States by cooper
alton along lines of Christian enort
have done much TO prepare the way
for the broader cooperative work CON
templated by this body.
THAT the work so successfully car
ried on by them demonstrates the prac'
ticabllity and wisdom OF federated
Christian enterprise and gives promise
of success to the plans that may be
adopted by this council.
THAT we recognize these various
organizations as an integral part OF
the church, bringing into effect no
small share OF the work committed to
her hands, and that We therefore hear
tily commend them to the confidence.
sympathy and generous support of the
churches.
THAT while we give our endorse
ment to such organizations as are
plainly Christian and interdenomina-
tional In character and are so regard
ed generally, these resolutions are not
to be construed as commenting every
undenominational organization that
carries on some form of good work,
perhaps not dis;inctively religious. and
that appeals TO the churches for as
sistance.
THAT 1t is our conviction that the
plan of work which this council viii
take up will be so comprehensive as
to make unnecessary the further in
crease in the number of undenOmina
tional or interdenominational organi-
cations for special work, and will thus
protect the churches from many ap-
peals for aid which tend to dissipate
the energy Of the churches and to
divert the stream OF their beneyolence
from the regular and recognized chan
nels.
THAT all organizations asking regn-
lar financial assistance from the
churches be requested to file an annual
statement Of receipts and expenditures
with the executive committee OF tie
Federal Council, together with brief
outline of methods employed"
More than 400 delegates. represent |
ing thirty-two religious denominations
and 100000 communicates, are in
attendance. At the opening session q
chorus of 1000 men and women sang
the anthem, 20 Lord, How Manifold
Are Thy Works" The women OF the
chorus were all dressed in white and
the men In black and were so arranged |
taat their somber clothing formed
cross in a massed body, which plainly |
contrasted against the white COS
tunes.
The proceedings were officially !
opened by Rev. DR.. William Henry |
Roberts, permanent chairman OF the /
interchurch conference of 1905, at
which the council had its inception.
DR.. Roberts in his address outlined |
the character, purposes and spirit OF
the council. From a religious stand
point, the speaker said, the council |
was distinctively evangelical. hat tie
churches Of diverse origin, villa differ
ences in their creeds. in their govern
ment and in their worship. are In &c
cord upon the fundamentals Of Chris
tan doctrines and practice. In its ma
tional relationship. DR.. Roberts de- |
clared the council to be American. |
while it stands for the hope of organ
ICED work for the Christian advance
toward world conquest. The council
seeks to make evident the substantial
unity Of the Christian churches Of the
nation and the fact that the churches
realize the need for cooperation, as
churches. for the moral and spiritual
,ro1foro - Tho nation apd world