The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-11

"A delegate convention" they said,
that would make us a denomination
Where is there scriptural authority
for such a convention? 1t is forming
an ecclesiaSticism. It is betraying the
restoration"
On the other hand, the insurgent
members of the church insisted that
a move of this kind would be wise,
because it would insure good busi-
ness administration of the affairs of
the church.
Allan B. Philput probably will be
the standard bearer in the fight for a
change in the policies of the church.
He will insist that a church must rise
or fall on it's business policies and
safe execution of the church affairs.
Other members of the committee of
seven are expected to work for a
change and their influence in the con-
VentiOn is greatly felt.
A McLain, president of the Foreign
Missionary society of Cincinnati, will
use his influence in the convention to
prevent a change in the administra-
ton of church affairs. He will be ably
backed by the editorial staff of the
Christian Standard. The editor of that
paper recently said, There can be but
little doubt that the controlling object
in forming such an eccIesiasticism
(for in sober truth we know not what
else to call it) is to provide a receiving
agency for the r. A. Long gift of a
publishing hOuce, to accept it in the
name of the brotherhood-the church.
If you please-and to conduct it by
the authority of the church. D."
"The church. What church % the
Standard says in another place. when
did the body of Christians seeking
to restore the Apostolic church become
the whole church or a church?
THAT such a movement will come
to naught is self evident to all who
know and understand our plea. and
who know our people. We know the
pit out of which we have been dragged
and will never walk into it with our
eyes OPEN
Many Apostles Change Views.
Within the past few weeks, many
apostles of the church have partially
changed their view point on the man
agement of a church. Of the thou
sands who are coming to the city,
many express a desire to unity the
three missionary societies, the For
eign, the Home and the WOmen's Mis-
sionary societies.
A number believe in a thorough bus
mess organization and probably an
equal number of others declare that
any attempt to change the long es-
tablished precedent of only mass gath
erings, will start revolution within
the church that will prove that body's
utter disunion
President Mclean is opposed to any
action of the convention that will tend
to dictate a policy or form of action
to the individual churches.
'Such action could never be brought
about without the complete upsetting
of the fundamental scheme of the
church. declared Mr.. Mclean. 'No
act of any organization or convention
is binding on any church whether
great or small; and such a policy could
not be pursued with success. While
have no objection to a delegate body
being sent to the national convention,
yet a serious difficulty would be con-
fronted should this body elect to die
tate what the individual church should
do. 1t has too long been a policy
that each church frame its own policy,
settle its own issues and conduct its
| own government to try at this time
to revolutionize the plan. A conven-
ton is free to suggest Q policy, but
in no way is that policy binding. I
do not fear an ecclesiasricism and can
not imagine any move that will lead
| in such a direction"
Oregonian Thinks Differently.
J. F. Ghromley, of the Central
Christian church, of Portland, Oregon.
takes a much different view of the
| situation than does Mr.. Mclean.
In order that the church keep
abreast with the present day progress, -
| he said, lit is absolutely necessary
! that the church become more demo-
cratic. Church policies of a hundred
years ago viii not fittfngly apply to
the present day conduct of the church
and we are coming more to the uni
| fication and delegate form of govern
ment in our church. with some defin-
| ite head body that can administer the
church affairs. We feel the necessity
of a central body formed from the
smaller organizations; and when a
question arises such as the r. A. Long
| gift, it is essential that there be some
| governing body which may act for the
| church as a whole"
w. T. Reigor of the First Christian
| church of Portland. Oregon and presi-
1cor+in..oa an pa.a I'll.