Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-02-03
PLAN MERGER
protestant CHURCHES
IAT PHILl. CONFERENCE

the plan for merger Of approx
mately 90 evangelical Protestant
church bodies. under the name Of
The United Church of Christ in
America, which is to be acted upon
by The Interchurch Council on Or
ganic Union at a three-day confer
ence beginning in Philadelphia to-
morrow. was made public here today
at the headquarters of the Presby-
terrain church, the originators Of the
movement. .-~%
The plan approved by an Ad
Interim Committee of so Protestant
clergymen of various denominations
appointed last December, carries a
preamble declaring faith in God and
other fundamentals of Christianity
as common heritage of the
evangelical churches" 1t provides
% complete autonomy in purely de-
nominational affairs: (2) formation
of Council. representative body,
meeting biennialiy, through which
the united church will act; (3) rep
resentation to be on the basis of two
ministers and two laymen for the
first 100000 communicates and two
ministers and two iaymen for each
additional 200, 900 or major fraction
thereof: az that constituent church
IS except as limited by the plan.
snail continue the exercises of their
several powers and functions as the
same exist under the UNCONVENTIONAL
constitution" go that the Council
luI tov 81, IL
OF the churches. including missionary
activities, evangelism, social service
and religious education.
Il is pointed out that the recon-
mendations of the Ad Interim Com
mittee are but steps. in a movement
for creating "a real ecclesia steal
entity, with ecclesiastical powers,
holding and administering ecclesi-
astica! property and funds of such
united church" This, it is said may
require trying out period. After
the plan shall have been in operation
for term Of years" the announce
ment states. the importance Of di-
visive names and creeds AID methods
will pass moro and more into the dim
background of the past. ard acquire,
even in the particular denomination
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. it is
declared, does not interject into the
deliberations Of the Council any dis
Hut2tious topic. any question of the
validity of orders or OF the modes
and subjects of baptism or of the
formulation of a specific or compre-
hensive creed" The hope is ex-
pressed that the evangelical church
as may give themselves with a new
faith and ardor 10 the proclama ton
of the Gospel, which is the only hope
Of our stricken world. and to all those
ministries OF Christian love and lead
ing 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
dom"
Emphasis is placed by the com
mittee on the federal union" feature
OF the proposed amalgamation. 1T
is an organic'union." the report says.
mat has the vital principle Of
growth and development. The
Council has definite functions and
duties and these functions and duties
may from time to time be DEVELOPED
IN hSe manner as the functions of
our Federal government in the United
states may from time to time. by
constitutional amendment, be modi-
fed or enlarged"
The proposed Constitution of fbe
Cnlted Church of America. as re-
Vlsed. sets forth the following as its
Article of Faith:
Inc L nited Church Of Christ not
adopting any symbol or creed. recoe.
niAes IN the historical creeds of the
evangelical companions VARYING ex-
pfesslons Of their common Christian
iaith. 1t avows their, common belief
IN God the Father, Infinite IN Wis
dom. goodness ard love: and In Jes,,s.
Christ His Son. our, Iorr, ana
'aSiout. VINO Tor us and for our sal
'dtion hfed and died and rose again
a"u ii'e'h eFermore; IN the HOLY
spirit, who taketh Of the things of
Christ and revealeth them to us. re-
he"lhg. comforting. and inspiring the
SOUS OF men; in The Holy Scriptures
oy which the will of God is re-
Fealed; In the Church, the living hody
or Christ; in the sa craments of han.
tism and the Lords Supper. insti.
tuted by Christ and committed nv
aim TO the Church: and in life
eternal beyond the grave. It accords
It's members. both as CLOUDS and as
individuals in all lesser matters thar
oroao liberty 'wherewith Chris. hath
set US free"
Zach local church belonging to the
United Church will have AUTHORITY
over the following: fa) control of
property held by it; (b) the terms of
ADMISSION of members on confession
OF faith; fc) the times and modes of
administering the Sacramento: fdD
,he INITIATIVE in the settling or dis
missai OF a pastor: (e) the forms ~
worship used; 90 disciplina ~
members; (g) the causes to which II
shaii contribute and the amounts to
be given
In the interest Of Fraternity. order
and union of effort" each church alec
agrees Q) to receive into its mem
bership, without other condit;or
any person bearing a certificate of
oIsmhssiop from any church Of the
United Church; (2) it will maintain
the stated observance Of the sacr,-
ments OF baptism, the Lords Supper
ana administer baptism by i'm
mersfon for those who desire that
form: (3) it win recognize the an
tnorlty OF a District Council and