Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-24

also a third district known as the eastern
field, each under efficient superintendent.
Then there are comfy commissions in
every state. local declarations in all the
leading cities. with more than twenty-five
local or district declarations of churches
established for work and uplift through
out New England and the great middle
west.
Naturally the national Office in New
York is the clearing house for all matters
and factors in this new movement. and r.
in frequent touch with all the auxilia: les.
national and local, 50 that pull one,
pull ALL" becomes the working motto OF
the federal council. with every agency
within its control devoted TO well con-
certed and wasteless effort along lines of
church unity.
That the various denominations cheer
fully recognized the need of and gladly
welcomed this exceedingly virile new
force in religious affairs is proved by the
fact that such legislative bodies as the
Methodist General Conference. north and
south, and the great Presbyterian Cen
eral Assembly promptly voted funds for
the support of the federal council and
It's work. an example that was. or will
be. eheerfully followed by other and
smaller bodies
At this moment the federal council
represents nine-tenths of all the Chris
tan churches of
Churches America. Although
.Ranrasen+.d the Protestant ,Epis-
PAS"sA'So' copaI Church., by the
nature of its polity. did not formally in
dOrse the federation idea at it's triennial
conventions of 1907 and 1910, yet unof-
fcially the movement has its approval,
and several of its prelates are represent
ed in various official positions, active or
advisory. This great body is also rep
resented through its own committee on
Christian unity.
All the great creeds being now consu
tutiOnally and practically federated. 1t
for the first time becomes possible to
meet and discuss common denOminat ional
or interdenominationalq questions on equal
ground and for the best commonweal.
There is no REIMBURSEMENT of creed nee
essary, and consequently no room for
more or less acrimonious discussion along
that line. The federal council renders
possible a real Christian unity without
destroying or tampering with any indi-
vidual beliefs. Baptists Congregational
lists. Presbyterians, tnitarians. Cniver-
salists. Disciples of Christ. Quakers, Luz
therans Episcopalians and Evangelicals
may now work together for the glory and
advancement of the kingdom Of God. pro-
noting the spirit of fellowship. service.
cooperation and essential oneness among
the several churches upon earth.
Lastly, but by no means least among
the benefits conserved by the Federal
Council of the Churches of Christ in
America. is a consequent public expression
Of the fellowship and catholic unity of
the Christian Church.; the bringing of the
Christian forces in America into line for
united service for Christ and for the
world, and to encourage devotional amity
and mutual counsel concerning the spir-
itual life and social activities of these
same churches Surely these are no
mean objects, and the federation which
makes them living, breathing reality
deserves a hearty God-speed from all
sorts and conditions of men
TOmOrrOw-Heating and Ventilating.