Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-06-05
HUNDREDS POUR
INTO HERSHEY TO
BRETHREN FEST
Church Delegates to Wrestle
With War and Doctrinal
Problems

Hundreds of persons are gather
ing to-day in preparation for the
annual convention of the Church of
the Brethren which will open to-
morrow at Hershey Thousands are
expected to attend the event with
the high-water mark being reached
on Sunday, with $4,000 in attend
ance.
The million dollar hall, construct
ed through the generosity of Milton
5. Hershey for the exclusive use of
the Brethren at their annual confer
ence, will be used at this weeks
meeting of the body. The confer
ence crowds will be taken care of
at Hershey and in this city, Steelton,
Middletown and Hummelstown.
Problems of more than ordinary
interest will be laid before the con-
ference. These will pertain largely
to the world crisis and church ex-
tension.
Ohio and the PENNSYLVANIA dis
tricts have submitted some of the
questions. The Leamersville church,
in the middle of the Pennsylvania
district, asks the conference to pro-
test to the Washington authorities
against using for cultivation of to-
| bacco lands which could be employed
in raising of foodstuffs and also
against the use of grain in the man
ufacture of liquors. The Spring Creek
| church, in the Eastern Pennsylvania
district, has petitioned the defini-
tions on the doctrine of avoidance"
for clear ruling on feet washing,
revision of rules on qualifications of
n
tions of ministers and other officers.
The West Johnstown Church, in
the Western Pennsylvania district,
asks the conference to define the age
at which children shall be capable
! of intelligent voting, instancing that
| at times children do not have discre-
| tion to vote on contracts, selection
of pastors, etc.
! Raisin Church, In California,
wants churches given the right to
use musical instruments, and North
ern Illinois people want doors of
standing committee meetings open.
The question of the attitude of
the church toward war comes from
the Cerra Gordo Church, in Southern
| Illinois district, which asks for a re-
definition "as regards the propriety
of our members holding any office
uhuCi Jul NlNil "hlCIl
would necessitate their using or
| causing to be used, physical force,
carrying carnal weapons or admins
tering oaths."
From Indiana comes a proposition
that members not in accord with the
church should not have parts on pro-
grams, and the query whether n
member who wears what is ter'H ed
'the worldly necktie" is in as good
| standing as one 'u.s does not.
First Virginia district asks that
there be added to the certificates "the
| doctrines of the simple life, peace.
temperance and non-secrecy with
suitable scriptural tests" and South
ern Virginia presents this petition:l
There seems to be an increasing
| disposition on the part of some of
our dear brethren to enter politics
and offer for and accept worldly or
| political office, thereby grieving other
members, and whereas this tendency
seems to initiate against our breth-
rem securing exemption from mill
tary service. and whereas we believe
the church is better judge of what
would hinder the work of the church
than the aspirant for office" that
an amendment be made whereby mo
brother shall offer for or accept
worldly office of any kind without
the counsel and consent of the
church.