The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-04
UNITY OF CHURCH
FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE
 CHURCHES OF CHRIST.
Bishop Henarfx of Methodist Episcopal Ckureh, seath, Elected Unanl- naeusfy As President or The
 Federal Council

practically completed and the dele gates. of. whom there are more than 400. representing thirty-three denoml- nations with a membership of about 1S.000,000. have entered upon the real work of the council Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D. D.. of Kansas City. Mo. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was honored with the presidency or the federal council by a unanimous vote of the delegates.
 Two reports of committees were taken up and disposed of, one of them after an interesting debate. This re- port related to the corporation of all the churches in the foreign mission fields and was presented by the Rev. James L. Barton of Boston, Congrega- tionafist. together with five resolu- tions. one of which favored the closest possible federation of a1f Christian churches In foreign mission fields and
 "the elimination of denominational dis
 tinctions"
 Bishop Hoss. of Nashville. of the
 Methodist Episcopal Church. South. att
 tackled the resolution in vigorous speech.
 we may have too many denomina- tionss" he said. 'but who is going to
 cancel them. Unity is good. but liberty Is better"
 0IAG0&&l4hs ! the elimination of aenominational dis- functions was stricken out and the resolution was adopted.
 Another resolution adopted approves | the union of educational institutions | in mission eountriea wherever prac- l ticabIe in which teachers and students of various denominations shall have equal privileges.
 The other report considered con- l tained resolutions recommending CO., operation work along special lines of l Christian effort in interdenominationa organizations. all of which were adopt ed without diScussion Besides the naming of Bishop Hendrix as presi- dent, the following officers were elect ed:
 Permanent Recording Secretary, Rev. pr. Riyington D. Lord, Brooklyn. Free Baptist; Treasurer Alfred R. Kimball
 New York, Presbyterian.
 Four simultaneous popular meetings
 heart of the city tonight at which
 ''Christian unity at home and abroad"
 was discussed.
 Rev. Anne Vonnema, D. D., former president of the General synod of the Reformed Church in America. present.
 ed as chairman, the report of the com
 naittee on "the relation of the Federal
 Council to Interdenominational Organ"
 nations"
 Many interdenominational orsaniza-
 tions. says the report, have sprung in- to being during the last century. They represent the Church of Jesus Christ
 in America at work; they are the fore runner and partial realization of the
 result contemplated by this council.
 These interdenominational organtxa- tions are not supplemental agencies to the church. much less her rivals. They are the church itself divided somewhat spirit and servicN.
 Such. the report states. are the Amer iean Bible Society. supplying Bibles ta the poor, the blind and on the mission field in 4s7 languages and dialects; the American Tract Society," distributing Christian literature in 174 languages; the American Sunday School Union. the Young Mems Christian Association, the Young Womans Christian Association, the women's Christian Temperance Un- ion, the Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor, the Student VoluR- teer Movement and the Laymen's Mis- sionary Movement.
 The report adds: To all these the relations of the council are of utmost cordiality. Your committee therefore recommends the following resolutions:
 First-That 1t Is the sense of this council that the interdenominational organizations of tine United States, by co-operation along special lines or Christian effort, have done much to pre- pare the way for the broader c0-opera- tive work contemplated by this body.
 Second-That the work so success fully carried on by them demonstrates the practicability and wisdom of ted- erated Christian enterprise and gives inromise of success to the plans that may be adopted by this Council.
 Thtrd--That we recognize these va rious organizations as an integral part of the church, bringing into effect no small share of the work committed 10 her hands. and that we, therefore heartily commend them to the conn. dence, sympathy and generous support of the churches.
 Fourth-That while we give our en- dorsement to such organizations as are plainly Christian and interdenomina- tioual in character and are so regard ed generally, these resolutions are not to be construed ss commenting every undenOminational organization that carries one some form of good work, perhaps not distinctly religious, and that appeals to the churches for assist ance.
 Fifth-That 1t Is our conviction that the plan of work which this Council will take up will be so comprehensive as to make unnecessary the further in- crease in the number of undenomina- tional or inter-denominational organi- zatIons 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 dt- vert the stream of their benevoIence | from the regular and recognized chan | nels.
 slxth-That all organizations asking | regular financial assistance from the l churches be requested to file an annual | statement of receipts and expenditures | with the Executive Committee of the | Federal Council. together with 8 brief | outline of methods employed.
 Following devotional exercises the reports of the executive committee. the | secretary and the treasurer were adopted.
 The executive committee was ap- | pointed at the inter-church conference on federation held in New York in 1905 and was charged with carrying | forward the organization of the | Federal council now in session.
 lDr. William K. Roberts of Pnlla- l deIphia. one of the leaders of the l Presbytsrian Church. Is Chairman of i this committee and Dr. F. B, Sam | ford, of New York, secretary.
 The report contains the following:
 'The executive committee feels i'm pelIed to express its joy over the spirit which is abroad In the protestant and Evangelical churches of our country In connection with the movement renreaauted by fhe council. In the