Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-04
RECEIVE IDEAS
ON CHURCH UNITY
Conference to Hear Sug-
gestions for Proposed
Merge Tomorrow
FRAMING RESOLUTIONS

Practical suggestions concerning meth
Protestant determinations can be effected
will be made tomorrow at an inter
church conference being held at with
erspoon Hall.
The conference, attended by promi
nent cTergymen, opened this afternoon.
and resolved to speed up the work of
building tangible and practical system
Of church unification.
It was agreed to appoint a committee
on resolutions which tonight will obtain
views on unifcation from delegates.
The committee will consist of two
members from each of the fifteen de-
nominations represented at the con-
ference.
Disapproved Plan
The plan did not meet with the ap-
proval of the Rev. william II. Roberts,
general secretary of the United Pres
byterian Church of America. The noted
clergyman who is acting as chairman
of the conference, after explaining its
purpose suggested that business COM
mittee consisting of one delegate from
each denomination be appointed and
suggested that that committee appoint
views of delegates.
That plan was opposed' by Professor
Williston Walker, of Yale University,
who demanded immediate action.
During the argument that ensued Dr.
Roberts asserted that the plan sug
gested by Professor Willston would not
expedite matters, but would tend to
block the conference proceedings.
Turning to Professor Wiliistor Or.
Pol ar.tc RI n
Congregationalsts stand for but I am
afraid that your plan. instead of hasten
ing the movement will tend to block it."
The Rev. Louis .. Washburn. rector
of Old Christ's Church. (EpiscopaD
smoothed the troubled waters by sug-
gesting the appointment of a committee
on resolutions This plan was adopted
and to speed up the conference the com
mittee will make q report tomorrow.
Groundwork of Plan
This report il is believed, will outline
the views of delegates representing the
various denominations and give the con-
ference to groundwork of plan by which
the much sought church union can be
| effected.
Delegates from fifteen denominations
attended a conference here this after
noon on organic union of Protestant
| churches.
The conference, which will continue
three days, began at O'Clock, in With
erspoon Hall.
OF the fifteen denominations repre-
sented, twelve took an active part
In the proceedings. They were the
| Presbyterian Church in the United
states. Protestant Episcopal Church, Re-
formed Church in the United states,
United Presbyterian Church of North
| E,nigcnna1
the Congregational churches. Disciples
of Christ, Evangelical Synod of North
America, Moravian Church, United
| Brethren, North Baptist Convention and
the Welsh Presbyterian Church.
| Representatives OF the Society Of
Friends the Reformed Church in Amer
lea and the United Lutheran Cuhrch
are present unofficially.
Following this afternoons session, an
other will be held at o'clock this eve
ming at Calvary Presbyterian Church, at
which Bishop Joseph f. Berry, Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, will pre-
side. Further meetings will take place
at witherspoon Hall Thursday and Fri
day.
Final Action in 1919
The conference is meeting at the inVi-
tation of the Presbyterian General As
sembly, issued at Columbus, o., in May.
| At that time Il was declared to be the
profound conviction of those attending
the assembly that "the time has come
for organic church union IN America"
Written statements OF the views or
organic union maintained by the various
churches were presented at this after
moons sessions. These opinions were
later voiced in short addresses by the
Rev, DR.. W. NJ. Anderson, speaking
for the United Presbyterian Church
George NJ Warner, of the Society oi
Friends Bishop C. L. Moench Beth
lehem. Pa, a member of the Moraviar
Church, and the Rev. Carter II. Jones
speaking for the combined Baptis
churches.
Delegates will carry back reports o
the opinions to their various advisory
bodies, which will decide the policy to be
followed at a conference in the fall o.
1919, where decisive action will b.
taken.
Noted Clergymen TO Participate
Representatives and church d!gni
taries from all sections of the East
South and Middle West are attending
sessions. Bishop Ethelbert Talbot
South Bethlehem Bishop Thomas j.
Gailor, of Memphis; Bishop Sidney c
. Partridge. of Kansas City; Bishop Cam
eron Mann, of Orlando, Fla. Bishop
Charles II. Brent, of Paris, France, and
Bishops Rhinelander and Garland, OF
Philadelphia, attended the conference
in the interests of the Episcopal Church
In addition to Bishop Berry, Of thiI
city. Bishops Hamilton, Wilson ant
d Cooke represents the Methodist Epis
!. copal Church, while Bishop q. NJ. Mat
news represents the United Brethren.
y Among the laymen who are partici
4 pating are George Wharton Pepper anC
Francis 4. Lewis, of the Protestan
Episcopal Church; Alba B. johnson an'
! III. o. Wilbur. OF the Presbyterian
u Church, and John Gribbel, OF the Meth
odist Episcopal Church. r.