Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-22
CONGREGATIONAL
SESSION IS BEGUN
May Choose Rev. c. S. Mills, of
MOntclair, as Mod
orator.
NEW EXPRESSION OF
DOCTRINE CONSIDERED
World Congress on Church
Unity and Other Important
Topics Scheduled.

KANSAS CITY, No, Oct. 22.-The
most important conference of Con-
gregationalists in decade began here
today, when Moderator Nehemiah
Boynton, of Brooklyn, n. Y, called
TO order the fifteenth triennial ses-
sion of the National Council of Con-
gregational Churches in the United
States.
Before it has completed its sessions.
which will occupy nine days, the
council Will have elected a new mod
orator, adopted a new constitution,
containing a new statement of doc
trine; chosen a. national secretary to
act in an advisory capacity to the
churches and societies of the country
and heard men high in the service of
the church report and suggest meth
DDS for spreading the doctrine of
congregationalism to all corners of
the world.
Six hundred delegates and 1000 WIS.,
itors are in attendance. The election
of moderator was TO take place this
afternoon. There are four candi-
dates. Rev. William Horace Day, of
Los Angeles: Rev. Samuel II. Wood
row, of St Louis; Rev. Charles r.
Brown. dean of Yale Divinity School,
New Faven. Conn, and Rev. Charles
S Mills. of Montclair. n. J. DR.. Boyn-
ton viii deliver his address as retir-
Ing moderator tonight.
Eight National Societies TO Meet.
In connection with the national
council the eight national societies
of the church. including the mission
airy bodies. will hold meetings. Prac-
tically all the prominent workers will
attend.
The reports of commissions and
committees occupied most of today's
session. That of the commission on
polity, containing the new doctrinal
statement, was considered the most
important. This commission also rec
commended the curtailment Of the
number of church societies and the
appointment of a national secretary.
The statement on doctrine which is
objected to by some members on ac-
count of its broadness follows:
we believe in God the Father. in
finite in wisdom. goodness and love;
and in Jesus Christ, His Son, our
Lord and Saviour. who for us and our
salvation lived and died and liveth
evermore; in the Holy Spirit. who
taketh of the things of Christ and re-
vealeth them TO US. renewing, COM
forting and inspiring the souls of
men.
'Strfving to Know VIII of Cod"
I'VE 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 of the Lord made
known or to be made known to us.
We hold it TO be the mission of the
church of Christ to proclaim the Cos
pei to all mankind, exalting the wor-
ship of the one true God and labor
ing for the progress of knowledge.
the promotion of justice. the triumph
of peace and the realization of human
brotherhood. Depending, as did our
fathers, upon the continued guidance
of the holy spirit TO lead us into
all truth, We work and pray for the
transformation of the world into the
kingdom of God; and we look with
faith for the triumph of righteous
ness and for life and glory eyerlast-
ing. Amen"
An extensive movement, concurred
in by churches of many denomina
tions in America, to bring about an
of the constitution of the
United States in prohibiting the man
;faeture, the sale, the importation
and expectation of Intoxicating bev-
erages throughout the United States.
was recommended to the council by
the committee on temperance.
Church Membership Increasing.
The report of the secretary showed
an increase in church membership
since 1910 of 7,451. They were thirty
one more churches. Benevolences
last year amounted to s2,s63 500.
70 are 6.064 churches in the United
trses with membership of 74SO26.
The brotherhood of the church is
now engaged In a movement TO draw
labor and capital closer together, ac-
cording to the report of the brother
hood committee which incidentally
declares men are taking a greater
Interest in church affairs.
The committee on church unity,
which has been holding conferences
with the Protestant Episcopal church
tsince the last council meeting, en-
lorsed O world conference looking
howard the consolidation of all Chris
han churches.
1--WE have agreed" says the report
"that any efforts to formulate definite
overtnres between the Episcopal
church and the Congregationalists
might we'll be deferred until this larg-
er project of the world conference
shall have been brought to fruition."