Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-25
Maine InterdenOn1inntiOnaI Commission Holds
Its Annual Meeting in Augusta, Tuesday.

suggest the advisability of asking each
denomination to require all mission
aided churches to conduct an annual
house to house canvass and a simple
survey. Such a canvass must be the
basis of all future successful survey
work in the State. 1t is something
which is in active use by the Portland
Federation of Churches, the Free Bap-
tist denomina ton and the County
Work Department of the State Young
Mems Christian Association. This
simple device would also prove an i'm
mense help to the average pastor and
would be a most worthwhile contri-
button to the survey work of the COM
Rev. L. G. March of Vassalboro IL
Illustrated by a chart the actual results
obtained by a canvass of his own ter
ritory, the social good obtained by
bringing the people together and also
gave some figures as the amount of
money raised by some of his own
methods. Mr.. Marchs talk was deeply
interesting and he was asked several
questions by the different members of
the commission, all Of which he de-
fined clearly At the conclusion of
Mr.. March's talk the secretary of the
commission, Prof. A. w. Anthony,
5000 copies for distribution among all
the denominations in the State.
The committe on reciprocity and
foreign people submitted their re-
ports and the committee was contin-
ued.
The committee then voted for the
appropriate observance Of the State
wide movement, Go to Church Sun
day" It was voted that this day be
set for March %. as already adopted
at Portland and Bangor, and that the
other committees in the rural dis
triets, especially, decide upon a day
most suitable to meet conditions. A
vote of thanks was extended TO the
Penney Memorial church and it's pas
tor for the use of the church to hold
the meeting.
Election of Officers.
The officers elected are as follows:
President, William Dewitt Hyde of
Brunswick: vice president, Rev. d.
e. Holt of Portland; secretary and
treasury, Prof. A. w. Anthony, D. D.,
of Lewiston; executive committee. the
president and secretary, ex-officio. Rev.
f. c. Whittemore, D. D.. of Waterville,
and Rev. Henry Arnold of Corinna.
Secretary Anthony's Report.
The report of Secretary Anthony
was read and approved and is as fol-
lows:
within the State-During the past
year the executive committee has held
one session. This was in East Holden
June 10. 1913, TO consider the work Of
Congregationalists and Methodists in
that town. 1t was recommended that
the Methodists, though sustaining
Sunday school. should not undertake
to establish preching services, but
that the -Congregationalists with two
churches near at hand. and resident
members in the village, should ade-
quately care for the religious interests
of the community. At the same time
the committee made the following rec
ommendation which is Of Statewide
application:
I'VE urge all our denominational
workers in the State to take pains TO
confer with each other before enter
ing fields which for any reason might
be claimed as belonging to one de-
nomination rather than to another. In
a common Christian service we must
exercise the greatest degree of consid-
Grafton and thoughtfulness each for
the other and should plan for the full
lest cooperation of forces ana the
wisest economy of resources.
I'm the nation-Within the past year
the Federal Council of the Churches
of Christ in America has created
commission on State and local feder-
atoms, of which your secretary has
been made chairman. This commission
is engaged in compiling data of fed
erations in the country. On Dec. /,
1913, there was reported 119 fedora
tions IN the country, q of which are
State organizations.
within the last six weeks steps for
the formation of federations have been
taken in Montana, Oregon and Utah
City federations are in active opera
ton from Portland, NE, to San Fran
cisco. Cal, and are notable in their
service in New York City, Baltimore,
Cievelond, Chicago and Kansas City.
The idea of community church in
villages of $500 population and less
(the United States census character
ICES a community of less than 25O0
people as essentially ruraD has spread
and is spreading throughout the coun-
try. Four distinct types OF local
churches are recognized:
u. The Denominational church,
with which we age all familiar, what
ever be the name it bears Because OF
its connection, through its denomlna-
ticnal organization. with Worldwide
tasks of evangelization, this church
alone fully meets the New Testament
ideal of a church equipped to carry
out the Masters plan of preaching
the Gospel to every creature.
2. Tne Multi i-Denominational church.
or the federated church, is church
in which two or more UNCONVENTIONAL
churches. without sacrificing their sep-
arate existence and UNCONVENTIONAL
connections, unite for the maintenance
of common worship in one congrega-
ton. with one pastor. and in the
maintenance of other church services
apd affiliated societies. Federated