The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-07-27
Basis Of Union Of NJ. P. and
United Brethren Churches

! discipline is vested in a general con-
ference, composed Of an equal num-
Der Of ministers and laymen.
| 2. The general conference shall
meet every four years, and oftener II
deemed necessary, and shall determine
the qualifications Of its representa-
tives, the moae of their election, and
the number to be chosen from each
conference district.
| 3. The general conference shall
elect, every four years, from among
the elders OF the church, such num-
Der of bishops or general superintend-
ents as shall be deemed necessary for
the proper administration Of the work
OF the church. They shall preside at
the sessions OF the general conference.
In case none are present, the general
conference shall elect chairman pro
tenn.
The United Protestant church recog-
nizes but one order in the ministry,
and, therefore, the term bishop" sig
nifies, in our economy, an Office and
not an order.
t. The general conference shall
divide the territory O. the church into
conference districts, determining their
number and boundaries. Said confer
ences shall hold annual sessions and
shall be composed of all elders, lay
representative from each pastoral
charge, and licentiates who have trav'
eled under the direction Of the confer
ence for two years, and may be ad'
Imfttsd to membership.
! Control Is Provided.
5. The general conference shall
have full control Of the church's print
ing establishments, theological SEM
iinar1es, missionary and church erec-
ton societies, educational and Sunday
school boards, and Christian Endeavor
and brotherhood organizations. 1t
shall also have power to establish and
control any other department or insti-
tuition within the church, which it may
deem helpful in promoting its larger
life and usefulness, and to enact such
rules and regulations as shall be deem
ed necessary to enhance the growth
and welfare of the annual conferences
land local congregations.
g. The right of appeal shall be
inviolate.
{. The right, title, interest and
claim of all property, both real and
personal, Of whatever name or descrip-
ton, hitherto acquired by purchase or
fotherwise, by any person or persons,
for the use and benefit of either of the
uniting churches, or that may be Sc
cured hereafter, are hereby fully rec
ognized and held to vest in the said
United Protestant church, the same
being the legal successor Of the de-
nominations composing it. The new
Organization shall be the legal sue
cessor to each of said denominations
force, together with all boards, cor
iporations, societies. associations, In.
Istitutions, activities, and subordinate
organizations and auxiliaries, SO far
and for such time as may be necessary
to accomplish their purpose, to dis
charge their obligations, to execute
their trusts to preserve their prop
erty. rights, requests, legacies and
other interests, and to conserve the
effort of said denominations.
s. Amendments to the foregoing
constitution and confession OF faith
may be proposed by any general con-
ference, two-thirds of It's members
agreeing thereto, and said amend
ments shall be submitted to the sew
eral annual conferences of the church
for ratification, majority vote Of two
thirds of the conferences voting in
favor thereof being necessary to adop-
ton.
Respectfully submitted,
W. M. Weekley, chairman: L. E.
Davis, G. NJ Mathews, D. G.. Helmick
I'M. l.. Jennings, w. o. Fries, commit
tee.