The Washington herald., 1909-08-10
COUNCIL DISCUSSES
REUNITING CHURCH
Dissenting LutheranS May
Return as individuals.
AN EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD
Public Not Permitted to Attend, and
Members OF Council and COngrega-
vulge the ProceedinEs-AnnO
Strong Man VIII BE Chosen.

Behind closed doors. last evening. the
council OF Luther Place Memorial Church
and a number Of the men Of the congre-
cation held a conference on the matter
Of inviting the seeding members OF the
church who have been worshiping for
six months IN Vermont Avenue, 20 return
TO the fold.
Those who participated IN the executive
session were retIcent when questioned as
20 what took place. II was stated that
no definite action was taken toward a
reconciliation. but that the matter Of
inviting the seeding members TO return
individually was discussed favorably.
Technicalities in ecclesiastical precedent
and administration will have no inoon-
siderable weight in the manner OF a re-
Cancellation should there be one A
prominent member OF Memorial Church.
who participated IN last evenings DELHI
erauons. said there Is a desire on the
part of many OF the dissenters 20 return
He said all such would be warmly vel
coined. and that there is no desire on
the part Of members Of the mother
church 10 prevent them from returning.
Must Make Application.
But the dissenters must make applica-
ton 10 be taken back Individually as
any plan 70 incorporate one congregation
into another would be without warrant
or precedent. say those familiar with
church administration.
Whether all OF the dissenting mem
bers OF the church will be Invited 10 re-
turn, is a question 70 be determined
Some who left the mother church. It is
understood. are more deeply grieved at
the step than others. and likewise their
departure IS more keenly regretted. the
feeling being general that many who left
In haste would not have taken the step
upon more mature elaboration.
When the insurgent members left
Memorial Church and organized another
congregation they naturally lost all
rights and privileges IN the church they
left II the Vermont avenue congrega-
ton desires TO return individually. there
IS no doubt means can be devised Tor
such a return
Members OF the Independent congrega-
ton are keeping their own council as 10
their plans. 1t IS an open secret. how
ever. that they VIII take no action look
Ing 20 a return unless overtures are
made By the parent church. A congre-
Bational meeting has been called for
October. and II Is likely action will be
deferred until then.
The meeting IN October Is scheduled for
the twOfOld purpose OF taking active steps
toward the selection Of a pastor and of
adopting a constitution. which has al
ready been drawn up and is In the hands
OF the members for consideration.
Choice of n Pastor.
Another matter. which will have bear
Ing by M means remote IN the recOncilia-
ton Of the two bodies. will be the choice
OF a successor 10 the late Rev. Dr. But
Ter
1t was stated last evening that there
Is unanimous feeling in Memorial
Church that only a strong man be chosen
to fill Or. Buffers pulpit. It was pointed
oct that the Memorial pastorate offers
one OK the broadest fields for a ministerial
career, and the desire Is everywhere man
Hest for the ablest and best clergyman
10 be found
II Is likely that Rev Charles II. Butler
will oe asked 10 continue In cnarge OF the
work until a successor to his father is
procured.