The Washington times., 1916-04-29
Federal Council Of Churches Of
Christ in America Appeals to
Wilson.
CONDITIONS LITTLE KNOWN
Masses OF People Not Sufficient
" Informed to Inspire Them
to Action.

President Wilson ha, ocen appealed TO
by tho Federal council OF the Churches
of Christ in America, through President
Dean Mathews, the Rev. Howard b.
Crosse. vice chairman of the executive
committee. and the Rev. Charles 8. Mac
farland. general secretary, accompanied
by members OF the advisory committee
or the Washington office OF the coun-
ell. to set aside Sunday. May %. as
memorial Sunday.
Tho purpose Is to invite all churches
end religious organizations of the United
States to consider the widespread sor-
rows 0. the peoples and contribute to
relieve the suffering in Europe and Asia
growing out of conditions created by
The following resolutions adopted at a
specia, meeting of the executive COM
mittce. consisting of the official repre-
sentatives OF the thirty constituent
bodies OF the council, were presented 10
President Wilson: -.
Appalling Beyond Description.
"Inasmuch as the conditions OF suffer-
ing ard need in the nations directly af-
fected by the war In Europe and Asia
are appalling beyond description. and
are not known to the masses of our
Informed concerning the facts to inspire
them to interest or action; and since the
INABILITY OF nations. strained as they
are, To meet these needs, constitutes an
urgent appeal TO the neutral nations, and
especially to the people Of the United
stateg. to use their utmost endeayors
to bring relief whenever possible, to ali
who suffer; therefore be Il
Resolved. that the Federal Council of
the Churches Of Christ In America.
while recognizing. the various relief or
ganizations already at work, and having
no purpose save that of cooperation
believes that the time has come for a
relief movement Of such magnitude as
shall nttingly recognize the obligation
or Christianity to respond to all human
| need and emphasize to all the world the
moral and spiritual consciousness and
the Christian and philanthropic spirit
OF the American people.
Start Nation Wide Movement.
]. That the Federal Council OF the
Churches OF Christ In America initiate
nationwide movement for the relief
of suffering In Europe and Asia, grow
Ing out OF conditions created by the
war.
:. That the movement shall be under
the leadership and inspiration of tho
churches, a pre-eminently religious APP
| peal to the people through the churches
ana religious orders and organizations.
INihcdNoihB 70 drOuSe among all classes
the sentiment of personal self-sacrifice.
| 3. That the Federal Council OF the
Churches Of Christ I'm America suggest
for the Inauguration OF the movement
the week preceding Memorial Sunday
for the solicitation of funds for the
suffering people of Europe and Asia /:
that the President of the United States
be requested to invite all the churches
and religious organizations of the United
| States to set apart Memorial Sunday.
May q, 1916. for the consideration OF
the widespread SORROWS of the peoples
and for most generous contributions to
relieve the suffering; and that dele
CATION be appointed to present in per-
son this proposal to the President of the
United States.
May Designate Preference.
T. That the movement be unrestricted
in Its appeal both In respect to the Sc
curing of funds and In the distribution
of relief, and that when individuals.
churches. and other organizations de-
sire, they may designate their prefer
ence for the use of funds.
8. That the administration hereafter
to be appointed shall follow up these
initial appeals so long as necessity
may exist. or until the executive COM
mittee shall otherwise order.