Bridgeton pioneer., 1912-12-19
CHURCH UNITY
IS FASTENED
Big Contributions Bring Inter
national Conference Nearer.
I,P. MORGAN GIVES S1OO,OOO

The Plan is 10 NsSeH'o'S ~
Creeds on Common Ground-Flace
and Date of the Conference Have NOT
Yet Determined.
With the payment of contribution
of 100000 by J. Pierpont Morgan as a
basis. the universal movement looking
toward world unity in religion has re-
ceived impetus, and its founders look
for much quicker carrying out OF
their plan for an international confer
ence than they had hoped for. Inc
idea was born in the general cOnven-
ton of the Protestant Episcopal
Church of the United States at Gin
cinnati in October, 1910, and the Rev-
DR.. W. r. Manning, rector OF Trinity
church. New York, brought it forward
He is chairman of the committee on
plan and scope.
The fact that Mr.. Morgan had con-
tributed such large sum to the move
ment was not generally known until
Alfred w. Martin, associate leader OF
the Society For Ethical Research,
made the announceme,,C recently
Mr. Morgan is member of the gen
eral commission of the Episcopal
church. and associated with him on
that body, of which the Rev. G. +. An
derson of Chicago is president, are
Bishop Rhinelander of Pennsylvania,
Seth Low, George Wharton Pepper of
Philad ,. hia, Francis Lynde StetsOn,
Samuel Mather of Cleveland and
George Zabriskie of New York, who is
treasurer.
Cardinal Gibbons FaVors It,
A world conference for the consid-
Grafton of questions of faith and or
DER as the movement is officially
termed, had never been proposed un-
til Dr. Manning introduced resolution
in the general convention of 1910 that
steps be taken to bring about such a
gathering of representatives of all
Christian communionS throughout the
world. His resolution was adopted
unanimously, and Mr.. Morgan an
nOunced he would aid the plan in
every way. Later it was made known
that he would contribute 100000.
This sum has been paid to the joint
commission and in conjunction with
many other gifts, somewhat smaller in
amount, will serve the financial pur-
poses of the commission until the con-
ference is actually held.
The most recent recruit to the world
conference idea is Cardinal Gibbons.
His support has greatly encouraged the
commission. This action on his part
will, it is believed, result in the ap-
pointment to the joint commission of
representatives of the Catholic church
in America.
Religious Bodies interested.
The religious bodies that already
have named representatives are the
Episcopal church in the United States,
the Congregational church, the Com
mission of the Disciples of Christ, the
Presbyterian church In the United
States, the executive committee of the
executive commission of the Alliance
of Reformed Churches holding the
Presbyterian system, western or Amer
lean section: the Southern Methodist
Episcopal church, Southern Baptist
convention, Moravian church in Amer
lea, Reformed church in the United
States, Methodist Episcopal church.
Evangelica! Lutheran church, United
Presbyterian Church of North Amer
lea, Reformed Presbyterian Church of
North America, Northern Baptist con-
vention, Free BaptistS, Reformed
Church in America, Reformed Presby-
terian Church in North America and
the Church of England in America.
The Greek Catholic church also has
taken cognizance Of the movement, and
the chief authority of that sect is ex-
pected to appoint representative.
The bishops of the Church of England
also will be represented.
One of the problems is where to hold
| the world conference. The English
bishops think this country should be
selected, and the members of the COM
mission from the United States are
| working to that end. When the CON
ference will take place bas not been
determined, DR.. Manning says. 1t may
not be for two years. since an enormous
amount of work will be necessary TO
arrange for what is expected to be the
greatest religious gathering of modern
times