The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-10-25
disciples Of Christ from All Over the
World Gathered Together at ST.
Louis Last Week for An
nua Conference.
A REMARKABLE GROWTH
Reports Show That Work in Missions,
BenevoIsnees and Education Has
Greatly increased Chris
tian Unity, the Goal.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Oct. 25.-The
international convention of Disciples
of Christ which opened in the Coli
scum here last Tuesday, is attracting
attention Of the religious world by
reason of it's unprecedented proceed
ings. The convention closed Sunday.
Thousands of religious enthusiasts
were in attendance from all parts of
the United States, Canada, and many
foreign countries. The genius of the
Disciple movement or Christian
church, is for the union of the divided
church. Since 1909 its emissaries
have gone throughout the land pro-
claiming the sin OF division in reli-
gious affairs. While the Disciples lay
no claim to the successes Of christian
unity efforts among the denomina-
tons, the fact that christian unity is
well on the way toward reatfza ton
has strengthened this plea.
The remarkable situation present
ed by this convention was the growth
in missions, benevolence and educa-
ton. The late Rev. Alexander Camp
bell, founder of the Disciples faith.
established Bethany (West Virginia)
college as foundation for what has
proved to be powerful religious
body. Twenty-Five such colleges now
dot America, while educational insti-
tutions have been established abroad.
Indications OF present educational
zeal are reflected tn reports of the
educational board Of $6,000,o00 gath
cred in single year for education,
of which approximately 100000 has
been paid in. This is reported re-
CARELESS of the failure Of the Inter
church World movement, in which
the Disciples co-operated. The stu
dent body in Disciple colleges is
greater than ever before, and the
number Of ministerial students Is
largely increased
offerings for missions and benevo-
lence totals another $3,000,000 bring
ing the total offerings this year to
about nine millions. Evangefistic
zeal has always been feature Of
Disciple activity. Last year 100000
new converts were added to Disciple
churches by methods meeting local
needs. The church has largely aban-
doned a type of sentimental evange.
lism and adopted modern method
OF religious instruction In the
churches The body is abreast OF the
times in social welfare, benevolence
and Americanization among foreign
speaking peoples. Thousands OF dol
lars have been appropriated by this
convention for hospitals, homes. and
institutional plants for orphans,
afflicted, the immigrant, and the
American Indian. Mountain schools
are maintained for the people OF east
Tennessee. Kentucky and the Vir-
ginias and the negro of the south.
The country church is live issue.
Messages from other religious bodies
and from interdenominational asso-
Citations testify to the rapid and con
slant growth of this body pleading
for reuniting of Christ's followers.
W. C. Pearces of the international
Sunday schools and Bishops Brent
and Richards were here to deliver
greetings. =
Internal problems require much
thought and energy. 1t is unth.nk-
able that people numbering LBS
OPS in 1888 congregations could be
recruited under one banner in a
single century even in progr Assiye
America without MISUNDERSTANDING.
But we are facing great Issues
bravely, and talking 1t out openly
and the progress this year IS con
sidered marvellous. Brave mission
aries in dozen foreign lands are