Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-02-03
PLANS FOR UNION OF PROTESTANT
CHURCHES OUTLINED AT SESSION


New York. Feb S.--An outline OF
the plan for a merger OF approximate
ly 22 evangelical Protestant churc:l
bodies. under the name OF the United
Church OF Christ in America, which
is TO be acted upon by the Interchurch
Council Of Organic Union at a three
fday conference beginning in Phila-
delphia today, was made public mere
today at the headquarters Of the
Presbyterian church. the originators
of the movement.
The plan approved by an ad inter-
i'm committee Of SO Protestant cler-
gymen OF various denominations APP
pointed last December, carries a pre-
amble declaring faith in God and
other fundamentals of Christian
ity as "a common heritage Of the
evangelical churches" 1t provides ~
complete autonomy in purely denom-
national affairs: (2) formation OF
council, a representative body, meet
ing bieannually, through which the
united church viii act; (3) represen-
tation TO be on the basis of two min
listers and two laymen for the first
100000 communicates and two minis
ters and two laymen for each addi-
tional 100000 or major fraction there
Iof; (4) that constituent churches ex-
cept as limited by the plan, shall
continue the exercise of their several
powers and functions as the same ex-
lists under the denominational con-
stitution;" go that the council shall
harmonize and unity the work of the
churches, including missionary ac-
ltivities, evangelism, social service and
religious education.
1t is pointed out that the recommen-
dations of the ad interim committee
are but steps in movement for Great
ing "a real ecclestIcal entity, with &C.
clesiastical powers, holding and ad-
ministering ecclesiastical property and
funds of such united church." This
1t Is said, may require trying out per-
iod. After the plan shall have been
in operation for term Of years." the
announcement states, ''the importance
Of divisive names and creeds and meth
DDS will pass more and more into the
dim background of the past, and ac-
quire even In the particular denomina-
ton itself, q merely historical value,
and the churches then will be ready
for and will demand a more complete
union"
The form OF union advocated, 1t Is de-
clared, does not interjeot into the deli
berations of the council any disputa-
tious topic, any question of the valid
ity Of orders or of the modes and sub
jects of baptism or Of the formulation
OF specific or comprehensive creed. Z"
The hope is expressed that the evan
gelical churches may give themselves
with new faith and ardor to the pro-
clamation of the gospel, which Is the
only hope of our stricken world, and
to all those ministries Of Christian love
and leading for the community, the
nation and the nations, by which they
shall reveal to men the mind of Christ
and hasten the coming Of his King
dam"
Emphasis is placed by the commit
tee on the federal union" feature of
the proposed amalgamation. ut Is an
organic union," the report says, that
nus .no Vi'ti p,iicipie Oh growth ana
ueye,opiiien'' me council mas definite
functions and duties and these runc-
tions and duties may from time TO
nine W ueVe'opeo ~ like manner as
the functions of our federal govern
.nei' :" 'he oni'eu states may from
..ino " 'i'ne, Wy cohst'u'iohal amend
'"erN pe INQUIRED OF enlarged
ne pnoPoseu constitution OF the
oii'e" Nhurch OF America as revised,
es'S io,'n she ioiio"ihg as its Article
" a''n,
me ohited ohurch OF Christ not
auop',ng any scnooi or creed, recog-
,'i1es ~ .iie historic creeds OF the evan
seii0ai vohnhuhiohs varying express
,o''s VI lheir common CHRISTIAN faith.
asows their common peiief IN God
sno ra'ner' minnie IN wisdom, good
noss anu ioVe' ana IN Jesus Christ, His
son, OF horu ana saviour who for us
anu ior our saiVation' lived and died
a"u lose AGAIN anu liVeth evermore;
.n, ~ wv iioiy epiIit, VINO taKeth OF the
.l'ii'ss oi Ohrist ana reveaieth them
" U.s. renewing comforting, and In
sp1, paa.ns 'le SOUS oi men, m the Hoiy
..e'.a,, suntp,uses py whicn tne VIII OF God is
,esea'oe' ss,' ~ 'ne ohureh' the living
pouy - Sn,is,' ~ 'he sacraments OF
p"p',snn anu 'he Lords supper insti-
~ u'.u ~. ~ elltls' anu committed by him
~ sne onurohi ana IN lie eternal bey-
Hn,s MN 'ae a ,s.''. s.ase, ~ aeooras us members
,"al.' po.n as sroups ana as individuals in all
lesser matters that broad liberty
",,erew,'n ,N, Shrist hath set us free"
trn,."a ~" . ,ooai cnuron belonging to the
u"i,ou eiureh WIN nave authority ov-
-, ,me a','owi,s' -, ,', Sa' control OF pro-