The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-09-19
Criticized at Morning ses-
sion Of the North Dakota
Baptist Convention. s..
COOPERATION IS
URGED, HOWEVER
Dr. G. e. Hen,ans Declares He is not
SO strong Believer in Ama'gama.
t,on-Germ.n Delegate Objects to
too Much Stress ON scandinavians.

Church federation. as 1t now ex-
lists. was criticized at this morning
session of the North Dakota state
Baptist convention. A short debate.
which gave promise OF deveiopints
was ended by request, for the re-
mainier Of the program. was pre-
cipitated by the reading OF resoin-
tions passed by the Grand forks
Baptist church.
The resolutions were reao py ~.
B. Griffith in connection with ms
discussion Of the question, "a are r the
Baptists able to serve the best inter-
ests of members of other denom-
nations without church OF their
choice in the community and now
can 1t be done?"
How Local Church Met Problem.
Mr.. Griffith, declaring that the time
had come when denominational COM
petition must give way to denomina-
tional cooperation, presented tne
resolutions to show how the Grand
Forks church had met an existing
problem.
The resolutions provide for an as
sociate membership list. These as
sociate members include those who
believe in the fundamental principles
of the Baptist denomination, except
that of immersion. and they are
eligible to vote on all questions, ex-
cept those pertaining to faith, mem-
bership and transfer of property;
They also are given all benefits and
nrivileQes Of the Baptist home in this
city.
The resolutions started a string Of
questions which developed into sew
sral interesting addresses, one OF
which was given by DIR. G. y. He
mans, corresponding secretary OF the
state convention.
One Church Better.
It was DIR. Heman who objected to
church federation, as 1t Is known at
present. He declared, however, that
he believed one strong church, serv-
ing the best interests Of the commun-
ity, was ashetter than several churches
Of denopsipations. each one
OF which was struggling to Keep alive.
But. Il have changed my convfc-
tions, somewhat" he said. II am not
such strong believer in church fed
GRAFTON. 1t has not succeeded In
North Dakota as church workers hop
ed. Leaders of other denominations
have told me that it has not been
great success in their work.
Something Must be Done.
''The time has come, though. when
something must be done. feel that
the church is in a place to serve the
religious interests of the community.
II am not ready to agree with ev-
erything set forth by Mr.. Griffith. I
believe it is on the right track, but
there are some important features to
be worked out"
The "sprinkling of infants" and
Immersion" questions, as we'll as the
matter of partaking Of the Lords sup
per, were included in questions and
addresses that followed.
One delegate wanted to know what
the Grand Forks church did regard
ing the "sprinkling Of infants con-
viction.
No Sprinkling Convictions.
I'VE have no such convictions"
said DR.. Homer M. Cook, pastor of the
local church. I'VE believe in conse-
Grating the children, not in soaking
them up"
DR.. Cook, in speaking Of this. re-
ferred to the manner in which the
problem was worked out in his for
mer church in Chicago, an institu-
tion which ministered to people Of
several denominations. Instead Of
sprtnkling. he said, they simply con-
secrated the lives Of the children.
The same method was used in this
city. he explained.
II the associate MEMBERS" said
the delegate, have no convictions re-
garding the sprinkling of infants. per-
haps we can make them have some
convictions regarding immersions and
make them full-fedged Baptists."
Consider Scantlinayfans.
The adoption of North Dakota by
the Norwegians also came in for it's
share of attention this morning, and
several speakers expressed the opin-
ion that the Baptist churches would
have to do more work among the
Scandinavians.
This brought forth a protest from
one Of the German ministers pres
ent. and rather severe criticism OF
the policy adopted by the convention
In discussing the question.
This part of the debate followed
Rev. e. E. Barnhart's address. on the
relation between the English and
Scandinavian people in each COM
munity.
Several speakers followed Mr..
Continued on Page 10.)