Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-02-11
THOUSANDS WILL ATTEND.
Great Meeting to Which Some abb
Iencites VIII Go.

Il The International convention Of th
8 Christian church will be held at Pitts
Q burg, Pa, October IL, 1909. Delega
8 tions from the Christian church o
this city as well as from the othe
D churches Of Christ Ct the state and o
the United States will attend this con
vention.
R. A. Long Of the Long-Bell Lum
Der company. Kansas City, a promi
nent member OF the church will char
! ter a car and take officials Of the
church from his city. 1t is expected
that $4,000 delegates from the Chris.
tian churches will attend this conyen-
tion. 1t will be the largest religious
convention and meeting in America.
The object Of this gathering is to
celebrate the centennial anniversary
of the Declaration and Address Of
Thomas Campbell, delivered August
II, 1909, at Washington, Pa. The
address was delivered to company
Of people who organized an associa-
tion to promote Christian union
among evangelical churches. 1t was
accompanied by declaration OF prin-
ciples set forth In several articles
which were adopted by the society.
The meeting consisted Of persons Of
different religious denominations,
most Of them In an unsettled state as
to fixed gospel ministry. Among
the articles that were adopted was
one which set forth the purpose Of
the society as follows: "The sole
purpose to be that Of promoting
simple evangelical Christianity, free
from all mixture OF human opinions
and inventions of men," In MIR.
Campbell's declaration was this:
That "this society by no means con-
siders itself q church, nor does 1t at
all assume to itself the powers pc
culiar to such a society; nor do the
members as such, consider themselves
as standing connected in that relation,
nor as at all associated for the pc
culiar purpose Of church associations;
but merely as voluntary advocates for
church reformations." The society
was to meet twice year. 1t encour-
aged the formation in different parts
Of the country Of similar societies to
promote the cause Of Christian union.
This federation movement In which
several UNCONVENTIONAL adherents par
took, anticipated by 100 years the
present federation which met but q
few weeks ago In Philadelphia, CEN
SiSting Of all evangelical churches.
The advocates Of federation or union
In various localities were compelled
10 draw from their various churches
ind thus began the movement result
ng in the organization Of various
,hurches Of Christ, which today num-
Der 1900, 900 members, who last year
'aised 81, $50, 900 for missionary pur-
,oSes; which have $500 ministers In
ctive service, and 1000 young men
n schools and colleges preparing for
he ministry, and which have 1000
Missionaries in all countries OF the
World.
During the past four years, the va
ious churches through their various
Missionary associations have been
repairing in fitting way to celebrate
he centennial anniversary. Certain
inns have been adopted among which a
re: "To increase the missionary and t,
assets OF the churches q
10000, OOO;" every church to have J,
s mission" "Daily worship in every o
ome;" "All the members Of the o
,urch and as many more in the Bible
'hooli" IAN offering from every a
ember to some Christian college;" =,
Ten thousand preachers" Each
aggregation has been urged to adopt
rtain definite aims for itself. :
The local church has already
ached some Of the aims and many
hers it hopes to be able to reach
ring the year and to send its dele
ties to Pittsburg prepared to make
excellent report. Much attention
Il be given Com now until October
St in preparing for this great Occa-
IN.