The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-03
CHURCHES HELPED
STOP RACE TRACK
GAMBLING
SPEAKER AT PROTESTANT couN-
GIL GAYS GOV. HUGHES. VIC
TORY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
PROTESTANT FEDERATION.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3.--Live Is
sues were taken up at the very begin
ming of the federal council of the Pro
testant church. In America today In
Witherspoon hall. Every Protestant
denomination In the country was rep
resented. and true to the purposes OF
the federation, creedal differences
were forgotten when subjects such as
the divorce and gambling evils were
considered.
After the splendid welcome accord.
ed them In the Academy Of Music last
night the delegates got down to bust
ness.
The Rev. Dr. Z. b. Sanford. Of New
York, aroused the great gathering OF
churchmen by recital OF some OF
the achievements of the executive
committee appointed by the inter
church conference In New York In
1905.
To the state church federation OF
South Dakota he gave credit for the
change In the notorious divorce laws
that made the state colony for per-
sons firing of the marriage yoke. Gov.
Hughes Victories over the race track
gam bling element In New York, he
declared was made possible by the
New York State Federation of Protest
ant churches.
Simple devotional services marked
the beginning OF the convention. The
Rev. Dr. George s. Bennitt, rector or
Grace Protestant Episcopal church. OF
Jersey City. n. j., read a, scriptural
lesson and the Rev. DR.. VIM. V. KEEL
ley, editor Of the Methodist Review.
offered prayer The committee on
credentials reported the presence OF
delegates from 80 denominations and
there had been no contests.
The most important business before
the morning session OF the conference
was the report of the executive COM
mittee having charge OF work and ar
rangemeIts under direction OF the IN
terchurch conference of 1905. At that
time the federation was only an expert
ment, and the committee was instruct
ed TO call a conference for permanent
organization only when twothirds of
the religious bodies that had attended
the 1905 meeting had ratified the terms
of federation.
The Rev. DR.. VIM. II. Roberts today
presented the report, which said that
even those denominations that had
not ratified all the terms OF the pro.
posed union at least sent representa-
tives to the present gathering. or the
Protestant Episcopal church, the re-
port said:
THE general convention OF the Prot
estant Episcopal church which met in
1907 in Richmond, Va, while not adopt
ing the. plan, yet authorized Its com
mission on Christian unity TO appoint
delegates TO the council, and these
delegates have been duly enrolled"
The committee disclaimed any
thought of an organic union between
the various denominations. Continu-
ing. the report reads:
The committee likewise feels I'M
PEELED to express its Joy over the spirit
which is abroad In the Protestant and
evangelical churches of our country In
connection with the movement repre-
scented in the council. In the great ma
jority OF the governing and advisory
bodies of the churches represented.
the action taken upon the plan OF fed
Grafton was unanimous. and In no
church has there been a distinct mega
tive given to any proposal looking
towards the cooperation of the
churches In the work of their common
Lord.
Everywhere is their recognition of
the statement found In the preamble
to the plan OF federation: That In the
providence Of God the time has come
when 1t seems fitting more fully to
manifest the essential oneness OF the
Christian churches of America in
Jesus Christ as their divine lord ano
savior and to promote the spirit OF Eel.
lowship, service and cooperation
among them"