The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
CONGREGATIONALISTS PLAN
COMPLETE REORGANIZATION
Changes of Great Importance Urged
by Leaders in Denomination in
Interest of CentraIIzation-Wu
Affect American Board.


Interest of CentrnIIEation-W
Affect American Board.
The Congregationalist makes this edi-
torial comment on the report:
The commission deserves praise for the
pidity and thoroughness with which II
has done its work. Appointed only a
year ago to consider the most difficult
problems that have ever come before
the denomination, it has reached its con-
cusioA and given them 10 the public
almost two years before any action can
be taken upon them. This affords the
time necessary for discussion and the
necessary denominational education on
the matters concerned. The fact that
nineteen men representing in the start
quite diverse attitudes toward the gen.
eral movement OF reorganization now pre-
sent,a unanimous report, will be 4 power
full factor in favor of its ultimate adop-
ton. Yet the report is not beyond cri-
ticism, and II will be splendid thing
for the determination II IL becomes the
subject of earnest and animated debate.
Nothing could be more unfortunate than
to have it fall upon listless ears. We shall
recur frequently to the subject and we
invite at once expressions of opinion from
pastors. laymen, secretaries Of our mis-
sionary societies, Congregational eduCa-
tors. and any one who has at heart the
welfare and usefulness Of the Congre-
gational churches. Let the debate begin
at once and cease only when the Con-
gregational clans come together at Kan
sas City in 1913 for the greatest meeting
in their history. to ratify. reject, or
amend this most important report of
their own commission"
Organic changes of very far-reaching
import are proposed by Congregational
lists. The changes are outlined in a re-
port made by nineteen representative
men. appointed a commission on polity
by the national council one year
ago in Boston and instructed to report
two years hence to the council to meet
in Kansas City. On the commission are
the moderator of the council, the Rev
DR.. Nehemiah Boynton; the president OF
the American board, Hon. Samuel B.
Capen: the chairman of the international
committee Y. NJ. c. A. DR.. Lucien c.
Warner. and leaders of like grade. among
them the Rev. DR.. Henry A. Stimson, the
Rev. DR.. Rockwell II. Potter, the Rev
DR.. William z. Barton. Prof. Frank K.
Sanders, and Prof Williston Walker.
The trend OF the report is in favor OF
complete reorganization of American
CongregatiOnalism. and greatly to CEN
tralize il. II Is claimed. however, that
Congregational traditions are not vio-
lated in any marked degree. The legis-
lative power and the representative char
acter are introduced. The national Coun-
Gil, volunteer body, becomes much more
an official one. 1t Is to sit every other
instead Of every third year, and through
its nomination Of fixed proportions of
managers of missionary societies 1t is
in effect TO come into control of all Con-
grega tional benevolences.
The American Board, the oldest of
American missionary societies, is con-
tinued for foreign work, subject to con-
troll as just outlined, but for home work
there is proposed a home board of mis-
sions into which all existing home be-
nevolent organizations are either merged
or to which control is surrendered. Sew
eral of these organizations are compare
lively small. like education, church build
ing, ministerial relief, and publishing,
but two well-known societies, both home.
form the basis of the proposed home
board. These are the present home and
the American Missionary. The former
celebrated its diamond jubilee a few
years ago. II grew out of society
formed in early days in Connecticut, and
has had much to do with the planting
of Congregational churches throughout
the West. The American Missionary As |
sociation grew out of civil war contro- |
versies and times. and has had to do
with Fisk University and similar educa- |
tional institutions in the South, and with |
Indian and Eskimo work, and later with |
Porto Ricans.
DIR. S. H. Woodrow. president of the |
Home Board, expressed no opinion of |
the proposed changes. The board meets |
next month in Madison, and the Home |
Association holds its annual meeting in |
Toledo next May. At both sessions the |
report will be considered.
Tkn of Nho ,r1Fue J, S,,rt
been made public. 1t has not been |
adopted. and its features are put forth |
at this time in order that ministers |
associations, congregations, and members |
may study IL. If a vote were to be |
taken at this time, it is said to be likely |
that some amendments would be pro-
posed, but as the vote is two years in
future, the prediction is made that by |
that time its approval will be unani-
nous. The aims are decrease of ad-
expense of benevolences, and |
closer cooperation of all general
AS step toward the latter
aim, the same commission report pro-
poses to magnify greatly the office of
of the National Council. So
marked is the change that. the secretary,
II on the foundation now suggested, will
virtually be at the head of the denomina-
ton, in even larger degree, and with
rather more powers, than the presiding
bishop in the Episcopal Church or the
of the General Assembly in
the Presbyterian. The report recommends
hat the council secretary be selected
and set to work as soon as possible. The
suggestions are among the most radical
ever made by any religious body in what
nay be called a time of peace; that is.
when there was upon 1t no stress of doc l.
.rinaI dispute or division.
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