The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-28
Protestant Episcopal Board of Missions Reaches Deci- sion After Two-Day Con- trOversy
ROMAN CATHOLICS
 HAD DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE IN IT
Meeting Adjourns Without Taking Action on Resigna- tions Rendered By Five Members

New York, October 2T.-The board of missions of the Protestant Episcopal church, after spirited controversy last ing two days, today voted to send seven delegates to the Panama Interdenomina- tional Missionary congress, to be held in | February. The controversy developed around the purpose of the congress and the action of the Roman Catholic church in declining to participate.
 After long series of arguments today the board passed a resolution that it shall be the purpose of the Panama con gress to recognize all elements of truth and goodness in any form of religious faith, and also stating that the Episco- pal board of delegates will attend the congress with mo purpose. authority or power of committing the board to CO., operation"
 The meeting of the board adjourned to- day without taking any action upon the resignations rendered by five prominent members yesterday when the board, vot- Ing two to one, defeated a motion to re- scind the resolution passed at the last meeting favoring participation at Pana- ma. Efforts to cause the five men to re- consider their action were made without success throughout the day.
 Those Resigning
 The five members in question were the Right Rev. Reginald H. Weller, bishop of Fond du Lac, Wis. the Right Rev Alfred Harding, bishop of Washington, D. C.. I; the Rev. Dr. William T. Manning. rector of Trinity church. New York city; the Right Rev. G. Mott Williams, bishop of Marquette, Mich, and the Very Rev. Selden F. Delaney of Milwaukee, Wis The first three men did not attend today s meeting. Bishop Williams and the Rev. MT. Delany attended the meeting, but they are not voting members and took l little part in the discussions. All bishops Of the church are ex-offcio members of the board but only those elected by the general convention of the church have voting powers
 l The Right Rev. Alexander Mann, rector | of Trinity church, Boston, offered a reso- luton stating the purpose of the Panama congress, as understood by the board, but not embodying any instructions to delegates. This brought forth consider able opposition, and in the discussion which followed it developed that the main objection among members of the Protest ant Episcopal church to the Panama con- gress was not based upon the fact thai the Roman Catholic church had declined | to participate, but upon a question o1 | whether or not the board had authority to authorize a conference with delegates from boards of other denominations.
 To Confer With Other Denominations l It was decided the board could sent delegates to confer with representa- tives of other denominations, but tha the delegates could not take part in an, Legislation upon ecclesiastical ques ltions. nor cooperate in any way upol missionary plans
 Bishop Weller spent several hours il the church mission house, where tn meeting was held, and gave out a state ment in which he declared a specia convention of the house of bishops o !the Episcopal church might be called il an effort to prevent the board from par ticipating in the Panama congress am making what he termed a direct attacl against the Roman Catholic church. H said he would not consider returning t
 the board until the principles show at the present meeting were material ly altered"
 The resolution concerning sending tn delegates as adopted stated that tn Episcopal board understood the pur poses of the Panama congress were: To be along the same general line as the Edinburgh meeting in 1910.
 That it was not to be a gathering fo Legislation on ecclesiastical questions or even on matters of missionary policy
 That it shall be the purpose of tn congress to recognize all the element of truth and goodness in any form o religious faith, and that it's approac to the people will be neither critical no antagonistic, but inspired by the teach lings and examples of Jesus Christ.
 That all communions and organiza tions which accept Jesus Christ a Divine Savior and Lord, and the hol. scripture of the Old and New Testa ments. and whose purpose is to mak the will of Christ prevail in Latin
 narica arc cordially invited