Arizona republican., 1913-10-20
READY FOR COUNCIL OF
 THE CONGREGATIONAL|STS
Arrangements Complete for Church
 Gathering in Kansas City
Especial to The Republican,

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Oct. 19.-All arrangements have been completed
 for the reception and entertainment of the delegates to the triennial ses- 1 sion of the National Council of Con gregational Churches, which com | mences here Wednesday. The dele gates include many of the divines, educators and business men of the country. There are also delegates from Canada, Australia and Great Britain, together with missionaries of the denomination from all parts of the pagan world. Talks with the delegates already on the field give abundant evidence of general ex- pectation that the convention is des- tined to be the most important in the history of the church.
 new constitution, containing new statement of doctrine, will be one of the first and principal matters to be considered by the national council. If the constitution to be voted on is adopted by the council, which thus far has been purely an administrative body will have it's powers vastly increased. The consti- tuition to be presented to the con Vention has been in process of con- struction for several years. The final
 
 nineteen members of the council, con- tains the following statement of doe Urine, which is understood to be an adequate expression of the Congrega- tional faith:
 We believe in God, the Father, in finite in wisdom. goodness and love; and in Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord and Savior, who for us and our salvation lived and died, and liveth eVermore; and in the Holy Spirit, who taketh of the things of Christ tnd revealeth them to us, renewing, comforting and inspiring the souls of men.
 We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and in our purpose to walk in the ways made known or to be made known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the church Of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all mankind, exalting the worship of the one true God and Iaboring for the progress of knowledge the promotion Of justice, the triumph of peace, and the realization of human brotherhood.
 "Depending, as did our fathers, up- on the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, We work and pray for the trans formation of the world into the king dom of God, and we look with faith for the triumph of righteousness and for life and glory everlasting. Amen"
 It is proposed to create a secretary of the council with large advisory powers. committee to transact the business of the denomination between sittings of the council is to be con- sidered. This committee, it is said, will not trespass on the authority of the local church. A commission of missions is proposed to consider some method for an effective supervision of the six denominational benevo- fences. Another question of moment to be considered at this gathering is that of theological seminaries. Con- gregationalists have at present but three seminaries for the training of their ministers in traditional ways, at Atlanta, Ga. Bangor, Me, and Chi cagO. An effort may be made to start a movement for the establish ment of one or more additional sem inaries- Another question which may cause considerable discussion is the of holding the. meetings of the national council every two years. instead of every three years as has been customary.
 Much interest is manifested in the coming election of moderator and a secretary of the national council There are several candidates for each office and the outcome of the elec- ton is awaited with considerable in teTest by Congregationalists through cut the country. Among the prin- cipal candidates for the moderator ship are President Henry Churchill King, of Oberlin college: former Mayor D. Percy Jones. of Mime apolis; the Rev. Dr. Charles z. Mills, | Of Montclair, N. J.; Governor Bald 1 win of Connecticut and the Rev. pr. | Samuel H. Woodrow, now president 1 of the Congregational Home Mission | ary society.
 The principal candidates mentioned | for the secretaryship are the Rev. Dr. l w. H. Day. pastor of the First | church of Los Angeles; the Rev. pr. l William l.. Barton. of Chicago, now | active in Congregational journalism; | the Rev Dr. Edward Lincoln Smith. | lately of Seattle, but now with the 1 American board, and the Rev. pr. | Hubert c. Herring of the Home Mis- 1 society.
 The office of secretary, which is | important as it is now, will be even more important if some proposed | changes in the constitution are made. | because under the new plan the pow CTS of the secretary will be greatly 1 and he will be made chair man of the proposed missions com mission.