The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-02-04
MERGER PLAN OF
PROTESTANT CHURCH
To Be known as the United
Church of Christ in
America
ARTICLES OF FAITH
ARE PROPOSED
Autonomy In UNCONVENTIONAL Affairs,
But Local Churches Are To Be Open
to All Denominations Represented in
the National Organization.

NEW YORK, Feb 4-An outline Of the
plan for a merger OF approximately y
Evangelical Protestant church bodies. I'M |
der the name of The United Church of |
Christ in America. which is to be acted |
upon by the lnterchurch Council on Or |
ganic Union at a three -day conference
beginning in Philadelphia yesterday was
made public here at the headquarters Of
the Presbyterian church, the originators
of the movement
The plan approved BY an al interim
committee of 80 Protestant clergymen Of
various denominations appointed last De
cember, carries a preamble declaring faith
in God and other fundamentals of Chris
tlanlty as "A common heritage Of the
evangelical churches 1t provides 0l
complete autonomy in purely denomina
tlonal affairs; f21 formation Of a council.
a representative body, meeting bienni-
ally, through which the united church
viii act 81 representation to be on the
basis of two ministers and two laymen
for the first 100000 COMMITMENTS and
two ministers and two laymen for each
thereof: q that constituent churches
except as limited by the plan. shall con-
tinue the exercise Of their several powers
and functions as the me exist under the
denominational constitutions (5l that
the council shall harmonizc and unity the
work OF the churches. including mission
airy activities, evangelism social service
and religious education
The proposed constitution Of the
United Church Of America Is revised
sets forth the following NJ its article Of
faith
The United Church Of Christ not
adopting any symbol or creed, recognizes
in the historic creeds Of the evangelical
communions varying expressions Of their
common ChristiaaI faithsalt ayows THEN
common belief in God the Father, infinite
in wisdom, goodness and love; and IN
Jesus Christ. His Son. ON lord and Saw
Tor, Who for Us and for our salvation
lived and died and rose 8gain and livet1
evermore; IN the Holy Spirit, who taketl
Of the things of Christ and reyea1eth then
to us. renewing. comforting, and iuspir
ing the souls of men: in the Holy Scrip
lures by which the will OF God is re
yealed; in the church. the living body o
Christ; in the sacraments Of baptism AM
the Lords Supper. instituted by Chris
and committed BY him to the church; ant
in life eternal beyond the grave It &C
cords its members both as groups and a
individuals in all lesser matters tina
broad liberty 'wherewith Christ hath sc
us free.
Each local church belonging to tn
United church viii have authority owe
the following: (a1 control of propert
~ Il, A.
of members on confession Of faith: &c
the times and modes Of administering tn
sacraments; I'd the initiative in til
settling or dismissal Of a pastor; re- til
forms of worship used; On discipline {
members: (gl the causes to which it sha
contribute and the amounts to be giyel
In the interest Of fraternity, order ain
union OF effort" each church also agree
IL to receive into its membership, will
out other condition, any person beariu
certificate of dismission from an
church Of the United States; ~ it wi
maintain the stated observance of Il
saeraments of baptism, the Lords SUI
per and administer baptism by imme
sion for those who desire that form; {:
il will recognize the authority OF di
trict council and participate in its NEE
ings through stately chosen delegate
Local churches. according to the pla
will be grouped geographically into di
trict councils Of varying sizes Ea'
church will be represented III the com,
bv its pastor and one delegate, with
additional delegate for each 100 membe
or major fraction thereof. The distri
councils duties viii include The ordin
ton of ministers and it viii have, It
power of discipline or expulsion und
conditions prescribed by the national co