Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-02-04

United Church of America. as re.
Vised, sets forth the following Ms its
article of faith:
Proposed Constitution.
THE United Church of Christ
not adopting any symbol or creed
recognizes in the historic creeds OF
the evangelical communions vary
ing expressions of their common
christian faith. 1t aYows their
common belief in God the Father
infinite in wisdom, goodness and
love. and in Jesus Christ, His Son
our Lord and Savior, who for us
and for our salvation lived and
died and rose again and liveth
evermCre; in the Holy Spirit, who
taketh of the things of Christ and
Tevealeth them TO us, renewing,
comforting, and inspiring the souls
of men; in the Holy Scriptures by
which the will of God is revealed
in the church, the living body of
Christ: in the sacraments of bap-
tism and the Lords supper, insti-
Wted by Christ and committed by
Him to the church; and in life
eternal beyond the grave. It ac-
cords it's members both as groups
and rs individuals in all lesser mat
ters that broad liberty 'wherewith
Christ hath set us free.
Each local church belonging to
the United Church will have au-
thOrity over the folloWing-fa)
control of property held by it; CD
the terms of admission of members
on confession of faith; (c) the
times and modes of administering
the sacraments; (d) the initiative
in the settling or dismissal of a
pastor; (e) the forms of worship
used; Q) discipline of members;
CD the causes to which 1t shall
contribute and the amounts to be
given.
In the interests of Fraternity,
order and union of effort" each
church also agrees % to receive
into its membership, without other
condition, any person bearing a
certificate of dismission from any
church of the United Church; (2)
it will maintain the stated observ-
anCe of the sacraments Of baptism,
the Lords supper and administer
baptism by immersion for those
who desire that form; CD it will
recognize the authority of district
council and participate in its meet
ings through stately chosen dele
gates.
Grouping OF Churches.
Local churches, according to the
plan. will be grouped geographical
ly into district councils of varying
sizes Each church will be repre-
scented in the council by it's pastor
and one delegate, with an addition
al delegate for each 100 members
or major fraction thereof. The dis
trict councils duties will include
the ordination of ministers and it
will have "the power of discipline
or expulsion under conditions pre-
scribed by the national confer
ence." 1t also will have the power
to terminate the membership Of
any church refusing OF meet its OBJ
legations" Each church will be re-
quired to pay a per capita tax of
rs cents q member, the same to be
known as Council dues" and
which will be used for admins
trative expenses.
A state synod, composed Of
churches in each state, and con-
sisting of five delegates from each
district council and five additional
delegates for each twenty
churches or major fraction thereof,
Will hear and pass upon appeals
from the district councils, support
the bishop or bishops, superintend-
ent or superintendent chosen by
it in the prosecution of their duties
and have supervision of missionary
educational, Sunday school and
corporate administration.
The central authority in the
United Church, it is proposed, will
be vested in national conference.
1t will meet annually and will be
composed of two delegates chosen
by each synod, with two additional
for such number of churches in
each synod as shall make the con-
ference membership not less than
500 nor more than 1000 at any
tifpn