New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-30
PROTESTANT COUNCIL
Plan UNITED EFFORT.
Thirty-tsco Bodies To Be Repre-
scented at Philadelphia.
nv releeraph 70 ne Tribune. ]

fly Telegraph 10 the Tribune
Philadelphia, Nov. 2e.-In this city viii convene
from December 10 s, a meeting which must IN
ex4tahv insug.Irate a career Of influence lot
Protestant Christianity religious bodies
nearly all Of them Of national extent aho repre-
sentng nearly eighteen million adherents. are SEND
ing four hundred delegates. lay and clerical the
most honored men in their respective bodies. 10
consider what practical measures should be ADOPT
&C to make the Church Of Christ the power 'hat II
might be- eectins reforms, in raising the tone ol
rrfvsre civic national and internationa morahtS
and in bringing 10 al The world such benefits as IN
here in Christian civilization. The title by which te
body is known, the Federal touhch OF INC
Churches of Christ in America" shows that not
church unity but church federation Is me means
contemplated produce these ends
The idea is not wholly q one. For al least a
score 81 years thoughtful people have recognized
the weaknesses which inhere in the divisions OF
Professionalism They have perceived that through
these divisions there has immense waste, both
81 money and Of life. upon the mission field. and
sIso that by reason Of these divisions the Chris
tan Church has been forced to delegate 10 ot1er
agencies much work that is properly her own
charity organization. prison reform. the problems
@ housing and child labor and such social duties as
hospital service and education Nearly eighteen
Years ago Conference Of Churches and Christian
Workers hello in New York 20 consider means
~ filing 10 those Iacurse Christian service which
scanned 70 result from denonina house
70 house canvass Instituted following an eX-
ample already set IN Rochester and elsewhere, and
other cities followed with similar meetings and
kindred efforts
out ot these measures gradually developed con-
-ictfon Of the usefulness Of federation among
churches city declarations we're here and there
formed and 2 national federation organized;
snzllv in 1915. great tnterch,rch conference was
held in Carnerie Hall. New York. st which time
= plan Of federation adopted by representa-
rfves Of thirty different church bodies and was
ser- oJt hv The Associated Press 10 the waiting
nation" This plan submitted by the various
delegates TO the national conventions Of their re
spective denominations. some Of which meet an
rauallv. others triennaily An executive committee
vas appointed by the conference 10 care FOR IT'S
interests and prepare for the meeting Of the Feo-
e-al Council in 1898 the Federal Council to consist
q delegates appointed ny al churches which Al
.hefr next national convention should ratify and
adopt Plan Of federation
In the three years which have elapsed since the
Carnegie Hall meeting thrty-tU-o religious bodies
have formally ratified and adopted the plan OF
federation and have appointed delegates TO the
meeting which will convene next Wednesday in
This CITY These delegates are men prominent IN
church and state-bishops. college presidents and
professors. judges lawyers and business men, The
Eeven DAYS convention will he in one very i'm
r,ortant respect unique No papers viii be read
although number OF paper on subjects Of vital
importance TO the community have been prepared
by committees Of experts These papers will all be
printed and their recommendations or conclusions
Will form the subjects Of discussion Thus il IS
he expected that definite and constructive action
VIII result from this meeting
Al Philadelphia If astir with anticipation Of this
convention. Houses have been thrown open to the
delegates n numbers almost unprecedented in the
history OF conventions. The Academy Of Music
has been engaged for the opening meeting and
I.yric Hall for reception be rendered the
delegates. The extent Of popular interest in
dictated BY the fact that preparations have been
made for holding four simultaneous meetings IN
many different places on the evenings not occu-
pied by larger demonstrations On Sunday. De
of labor will be conducted by the celebrated
lieious labor leader Nj Charles Steele. and
the interests Of Internal konal brotherhood. with
= bishop Of the Protestant Episcopal Church pre-
siding and Judge Grossoup among the speakers.
The meeting ~ Tuesday morning, December s. win
discuss rhe question Of international relations led
ny Professor Henry Wade Rogers The president
of the council for the last three years. the Rev.
Dr William II. Roberts. former moderator f tn,
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. viii
preside ~ the opening meeting and until his sue
cessor Is elected. DR.. Roberts is also chairman
% the local committee. and under his expert lead
ership the local arrangements for this important
conference nearly perfect A anything can
nA Il is too much to say that no meeting
ever held in this country has SO commanded the
attention Of Protestant Cfristerdom or is so big
with promise for the future ~ religion.
As defined by the plan Of federation the. objects
~ the Federal Council will be:
To express the fellowship and catholic unity Of
To bring the Christian bodies of America into
united service for hrist and the world
To encourage devotional fellow ship and mutual
counsel concerning the spiritual life religious
activities of the churches
To secure a larger combined influence for the
churches Of Christ in all matters affecting the
moral and social condition OF the people. so as TO
promote the application Of the law Christ n
every relation OF human life
To assist in the organization OF local branches Of
The Federal Council 10 promote its aim in their
communities.
Among the churches which have approved the
plan Of federation and appointed delegates are the
rarious Baptist churches the Christian Connection
ne Congregational churches. Church of the Dis
,iples. Evangelical Association. Evangelical Ger
man Synsd. Society OF Friends. Evangelical LII
.hersn Church. The Mennonites. Methodist Epis-
oopal Church, North Methodist Episcopal Church
md South and both African feliowshps Of Meth
5dists: Methodist Protestant Church. Moravian
-'hurch, the Presbyterian churches, Protestant
Episcopal, Primitive Methodist Reformed churches
Reformed Presbyterian Church Seventh Day
Baptists, United Brethren. United Evangelical
church. United Presbyterian Church and Welsh
Presbyterian Church