Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-30
CHURCHES UNITE IN
BIG RELIEF MOVEMENT
President Wilson Is Asked by Fed
eral Council to Md in
Undertaking.
WILL ISSUE SPECIAL APPEAL
Proposed To Set Apart Week Pre-.
ceding Memorial Day for Collcc-
lions on Broad Scale for Relief of
Distress in Europe and Asia.

The following letter, relative to Eu-
Iopean War relief, was presented to
President Wilson. at Washington, yes
terday morning by Dean Smaller Math-
ews, president Of the Federal Council
of the Churches Of Christ in America:
Rev Howard Il. Crosse, vicc-chairman
of the executive committee and Rev.
Charles s. Macfarland, general secrc-
tary. accompanied by the members OF
the advisory committee OF the Wash
inGton office OF the council:
Sir.-At special meeting of the
executive committee, consisting of the
official representatives Of the thirty
constituent bodies OF the Federal Coun-
ell of the Churches of Christ in Ameri-
ca, held on April 10. tho following ac-
ton was taken:
lnasmuch the conditions Of suf-
fering and need in the nations directly
affected by the war in Europe and Asia
are appalling beyond description. aud
are not known to the masses OF our
people. who have not been sufficiently
informed concerning the facts TO in
spire them TO interest or action and
since the inability Of the nations.
strained as they arc, TO meet these
needs, constitutes an urgent appeal to
the neutral nations. and especially TO
the people of the United States. to use
their utmost cndeavors to bring relief
whenever possible TO all who suffer;
therefore,
Resolved, That the Federal Council
of the Churches Of Christ in America,
while recognizing The various relief
organizations already at work, and
having no purpose save that OF CO.
operation, believes that the time has
come for relief movement Of such
magnitude as shall nttingly recognize
Ia AZ Af - Il
spOnd To all human need and empha-
size to all the world the moral and
spiritual consciousness and the Chris
tian and phlanthropic spirit Of the
American people.
l. That the Federal Council Of the
Churches Of Christ in America initiate
a nationwide movement for the relief
of suffering in Europe and Asia grow
ins out of conditions created by The
war.
:. That the movement shall he under
the leadership and inspiration uf o.
churches. pre-emincntly religious ap-
peal tn the people through the churches
and religious orders and organizations
endeavoring Ia arouse among all
classes the sentiment Of personal self
sacrifice
3. That the Federal Council Of the
churches of Christ in America suggest
FOR the inauguration Of the movement
Tor the solicitation Of funds for the
suffering people of Europe and Asia
that the President OF the United States
he requested to invite all the churches
ana religious organizations of the Uni
ted States to set apart Memorial SUN
DAY. May -, 1916. for the consideration
OF the widespread sorrows Of the Moo
pies and for most generous contribu
tons to relieve the sufferinG: and that
delegation he appointed to present
IN persons this proposal To the Presi-
dent of the United States.
4. That the movement he unrestrict-
ed In its appeal both in respect TO the
securing Of funds and in the distribu-
ton of relief and that when individuals
churches. and other organizations de-
sire. they may designate their prefer
en"e for the use of funds
.. That the administration hereafter
To b" appointed shall follow up these
initial appeals so long as necessity
may exist or until the Executive Com
mittee shall otherwise order.
The President of the Federal Co,n
ell. the General Secretary and the
chairman or the executive commit
tee with others to he associated with
them were appointed as the delegation
to wait upon the President Of the Uni
ted states We. therefore, hereby con-
NcE 10 you in behalf OF the Federal
Council and its constituent bodies this
important memorial. believing that this
movement while appropriately intiat-
ed by the churches should through
your co-operation become nation-wide
movement reaching all the people
Respectfully yours
'SiEned) SMALLER MATTHEW'S
President:
tSigncd). FRANK MASON NORTH
Chairman Of the Executive
Committee
'SiEncd' CHARLES S. MACFARLAND.