The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-01-10

junior deacons not.
The other changes were very
small indeed. When it came to the
revision Of the constitution of the
church very little change was made.
With regard to the articles of
faith, the new statement is that the
articles are the same as we're adopted
when Central Union church was
formed. The general statement of
faith and theological belief is just the
same as 1t was before. A full cere.
mony for admission of members was
adopted, the ritual giving the cove
nant and that sort of thing. In the
covenant there was no change.
Whereas at the present time the
articles of faith are read, forming
part of the service of admission, it
was proposed to leave that optional
with the minister, whoever he might
be. One member was anxious to pro
vide that the articles of faith should
be read and form part of the admls-
sion service, thereby requiring the
assent of the person joining to the
articles.
When the committee finally re-
ported that requirement was left out,
and that has caused quite a sharp dis
cussion among the members of the
church.
"The question is whether or not a
person who wishes to join the church
may come in with a mental reserva-
ton, or whether the reading of The
articles should be optional with the
minister so that they need not be
assented to.
$50 far as I know that is the only
question that has caused any discus
sion, and no doubt it will be amicably
settled.
From the conversations some
members of the committee have had
with some other members of the
church, it would appear that the lat
ter have not read the report of the
committee. If the members will read
the whole report the discussion will
simmer down very small
zone prominent church member
has expressed the opinion that the
ground taken by the committee is
step toward Unitarianism."
DR.. scUDDER's STATEMENT.
There will be no schism in the Cen
trail Union Church, according to
statement made by DR.. Scudder, pastor
of the church.
DR.. Scudder, when spoken to with
regard to the proposed change of con
stitution and rules of the Central
Union Church, stated emphatically
that there was no trouble looming up
in this connection, There might be
differences of opinion on the matter.
but they were honest ones, and not
likely to lead to breakage of the mar
mony that has existed for so long
among the church members. There
was nothing to cause any trouble, h.
asserted. 1t was merely proposed to
change the constitution and rules NV
bringing them up to date, or shorten
ing up some unnecessarily long ones,
These will mean no change whatever
in the basic principle of membership
I'VE merely propose certain
changes" said DR.. Scudder. "These
have all been printed now and will be
considered by the members some
Wednesday in April Thus the church
will have a sufficiently long time to
consider the matter.
No Excitement at ALL.
"There is no excitement about the
matter whatever in the church. The
people are quietly studying the pro-
posed changes and making up their
minds as to what would be the wisest
course to pursue, which of them 70
adopt, or whether to adopt them all.
Undoubtedly when the time comes the
action will be very harmonious, as
everything always has been in the
church.
Does Not Change Character.
This proposition does not change
the character of the church in the
slightest, nor will it change the gen.
eral belief of the church. 1t will re-
main just the same exactly.
Necessity for Action.
'The rules needed bringing up to
date. For instance, take trustees. All
these sections can be shortened with
out in any way changing the article
There are long rules with regard to
discipline, all of which have been
shortened to apply to present usage of
the church. The changes in the rules
and constitution merely bring them up
to date. That's all.
Confession Needed.