Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-04
movement For Unity Of Church
Action Begins Business Sessions
Most Auspcions|y.
COOPERATION R!P9sI DISCUSSED
Southern Methodist Bishop Attacks
Resolution Favorins closest Posi-,
Churches in Foreign Mission Fields
Says Liberty Better Than Unity.

PHILADELPHIA. PA. Dec. -
With unanlmity of action that went
far beyond the expectations of III"
leading spirits in the movement foT
unity OF church action. the Federal
Council Of Churches Of Christ In
bringing together of III" Christian
bodies of America into united service
for Christ and the world, began its
business sessions today.
The organization of the council has
been practically completed. and thu
delegates. OF whom Their" are more
than 400 representing thIrty-thre" de-
nominations with a membership OF
about $4,000 900 members. have en-
tered upon the real work OF the coun-
ell. Bishop f. X. Hendrix, D. D.. OF
Kansas City. Mo, OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South. was honored
with the presidency of the federal
council by unanimous vote.
Reports Cause Debate.
In reports relating to the coopera
ton of all the churches in the foreign
mission fields. presented by Rev.
James L. Barton. OF Boston. congre-
gational secretary OF the American
Board OF Foreign Missions caused an
interesting debate.
In connection with the report be
presented five resolutions one OF
which favored the closest possible
federation of all Christian churches in
foreign mission fields ana the elm
! ination of denominatiOnal distinc-
: lions.
! Bishop Hoss, OF Nashville. Tenn.
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
South, attacked the resolution in a
vigorous speech. II denominations
are to be eliminated. he wanted TO
know to which denomination the
teachings in foreign fields shall cor
respond.
Unity Good; Liberty Better.
We may have too many denomina-
tons" he added, but who is going
to cancel ihem' Unity is good. ou;
liberty is better
DR.. william H. Roberts, of Phi!a-
delphia. stated clerk Of the PrestT-
terrain church in the United States.
,supported the resolution.
DIR. BARTON did not think mission
aries shorld waste their time explain
ing to the unsaved the diff renee be-
tween the beliefs of Calvin. Wesley
or other great church leaders. but
shCr,' devote their energies to the
, salva., OF souls. The reference TO
tho eth. nation of denominations!
distinctions was stricken out after
considerable debates and the resolu
'tion was adopted.
Union Of Institutions.
| Another resolution adopted ap
proves the union Of educational insti-
tut;ons in mission countries. where
ever practical in whicJ t"ach' rs and
students of various denominations
shall have equal privileges
/ The Other report considered con
tanned resolutions recomn:| nding CO
operative work aionC special lines ot
Chris:ian effort among interdeno'ni-
national organizations all Of which
were adop:"i without discussion.
Among the assist ant recording Soc
reiaries chosen for ihc present s"s-
sion was Rev. l.. n. Reynolds. Ports
mouth. Va. A. VI. r
The report Of the committe" on
intcr-!cnominat :onai organization fol-
lows:
Roy. Amc VoHn' ma. n u former
president Of tho General synod OF tn"
Reformed Chr rch in America. rr"-
scr'cd as chairman nc repn.: of III
committee ON the relation of the fci"r-
al council % intcrirromiIational or
CARNATIONS
MANY northumberland rsaniza
iions. say- the r. port. have spTua: ~
to rcing during III" last century.
They r'p:cs"n' tn" church - jesus
Christ = America AZ work they arc
to 10, 'nnrr and partial r aiiza 'on
nj tn" r0templaicd nv this
c,' nCil
Thcsr igtrrdcrominat' nnal orgsniza-
trions arc rot supplementary aE"nci"s
10 'h' church-muCh less her rivals
Tho. arc tho church its"'' divided
somewhat IN namc and TRADITIONS. Sst
:nli.r in spirit and s"rVicc.
Such tho report states. cr" the
American Biblc Socirtv. supply ing
bib. The roor. he blind and 81