Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20
Of CHURCHES
BRINGS HOT DEBATE
AT CONG. MEETING
DELEGATES IN CLASH WHEN
PROPOSITION FOR ALLIANCE
OF ALL CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS
is BROUGHT UP AT STATE CON.
FERENCE.

The most exciting and important
session of the Congregational state
conference held since the opening
yesterday took place before the CON
ference adjourned at noon today. The
session was a debate brought about
when the question of the progress to-
ward Christian unity was introduced
by DR.. w. f. Barton, pastor of the
First Congregational Church of Oak
Park. DR.. Barton spoke in a very
conservative manner of the part the
Episcopal church was playing in the
church union, and DR.. John Gardener.
pastor of the New England Church of
Chicago, feeling that there was a tinge
of criticism in DR.. Barton's remarks,
replied. Both men are brilliant
scholars and well informed on the
church union. and the talks which
followed were brilliant ones, as only
learned men can give when they each
feel that they are in the right.
Both men favored church union, ana
their discussion hinged on the points
churches would be called upon to con
cede provided all churches We're
united
The afternoon session opened with
the customary devotional and with
several excellent short talks. Rev. A.
f. Leonard Of La Grange spoke on
The Church as an EvangelistiC
Agency; Rev Wilfrid A. Howell of
HilIsdale, THE Minister as an Evan
elist"; Rev Gordon of Rockford, The
Evangelistic Message, and Rev. Fred
erck L. Fagley, Messages That Sue
ceed."
The feature of the afternoon was toI
be an address by Rev Ernest Bourner
Allen of Oak Park, and a report by
Mrs Henry w Cole, former ottawa
girl and a niece of Judge Edgar Ell
dredge, who is now residing in Oak
Park
This evening, instead Of the two
short talks by George r. Wilson Of
and Harry J. Dunbaugh of
Chicago, Rev. w. f. Barton of Oak
Park, who has bee ntaking such an
active part in the convention will de
liver an address, and IS. ]. Duncan
Clark, editor of the Chicago Evening
Post, will speak
Morning Session.
The morning sessions at both the
congregational Church, where the
general meeting is being held, and at
the First Baptist Church, where the
missionary conference is being con
Quoted, were largely attended There
were more than 800 persons on hand
at the former church, and about 1870
ladies We're present at the missionary
conference.
This conference was presided over
by Miss Anna f.. Beard of Oak Park,
state president, and Mrs. j. A. Fal-
coner OF Chicago acted as secretary
It was the first formal session of the
meeting, the time yesterday afternoon
being given over to a general mis-
siOnary conference and discussion of
ways and means for carrying on the
work
The meeting opened with a hymn
and prayer, after which the chairmen
of the various districts read their re-
rorts showing the work that had been
carried on in their districts Mrs. S
C. Harkinson of Aurora reported the
work which was done in her depart.
ment. Mrs. C. w Boyden for the Blu,
reau district. Mrs. G. II Frise for the
central division. Mrs J. w HOLIDAY
for the Central East division, Mrs. Fl
II. Clark for the Central West diyi-
sion Mrs r. A Matthews for the Chi
cago division. Mrs n L. Johnson for
the Elgin division, Mrs. A. W Hopkins
for the For River division, Mrs. II. T,
Graham for the Quincy division, Mrs.
c. +. Stebbins for the Rockford divi'
sion. Mrs. Harry Ainsworth for the
Rock River division, Mrs. f. s Mil
Ter for the southern division, and Miss
Georgia NJ. Fairbank for the Spring
field division.
The reports showed that the mis-
sionary societies all over the state
had accomplished a large amount Of
work during the past year.
An open discussion followed the
reading of the reports. after which the
president. Miss Beard appointed the
following committees:
Treasurer's rerOrt-Nrs Charles
Harkinson. Aurora; Mrs. J. !. Collins.