The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-13
POSSIBILITY OF
 SINGLE CREED IS
 ONE STEP NEARER
Meeting of Delegates From Nearly 100 Churches Will Discuss Possibilities of
 Christian Union
By Associated Press

Chicago, August 12.-Church union and the possibility of all Christen- dom recognizing one creed appear to be step nearer than they have for many centuries according to re- port of the commission on the World Conference on Faith and Order which will be submitted to the gem eral convention of the Episcopal church in Portland. Ore. next month.
 The report announces there will be a meeting in Washington, D. c. in May 1925, of delegates from near ly a hundred denominations, from score of countries. to discuss the possibilities of Christian union. Tnis will be reconvention of the pody which met in Geneva in l92o. UT this gathering the report says oeep differences were manifested put all were convinced that great progress can he made" At the Washington conference all the denominations present at Geneva are expected. in- cluding Anglican, Baptist. Consre- gational, Czek, Armenian, Disciples Eastern Orthodox Friends, Lutheran Methodist, Presbyterian, and Ne- formed churches. Before the confer ence meets the committee suggests that fundamental questions snail pc discussed, the report suggested are'
 Fundamental Questions
 "1.-what degree of unity in faith will be necessary in a re- united church?
 "2.-Is a statement of this one faith in the form of creed neces- sary or desirable?
 .3.--If so, what creed should pc used. Or what other formuiary would be desirable?
 "4.-what are the proper uses or A creed and of a confession or faltn!
 Until Christians are agreed as to rbat the church is and the place and function of a creed. tne ,epo.. continues. Tt seems futile to take up othera It has been well said that there ia no church which has not .nuething of value to give to US .tster churches or to receive rom .n.u If we believe that. let us test Its truth.
 "At Geneva 1t was proposed that snecial commissions should be ere afed for the study of dogmauc' DIS torical and lIturgical questions, ana .hA.e concerning ministerial orders
 a authorities, as affecting the dif- sarences between Christian com rnunions; and that negotiations ror closer fellowship as step toward the goal of complete union. "Ths Eastern Orthodox churches arc now very hopeful as to the world conference. ,,,,.
 "An encyclical letter Of -he Hoiy orthodox Eastern church of con stantinople was issued in ls2o' urg7 s.r tne promotion of closer rela- tons of friendship among the churches, and to that end, @ the sccentance of uniform calenoar' @hS the exchange of brotheriy let tsr.. (c) a more friendly intercourse h.tween the representatives Of the s.a riou. churches; (d) an intercourse hatween theological schools, and the exchange of theological and ecclesi- astical periodicals; (e) the exchange of students between the seminaries of different churches; CD the con vcning of pan Christian conferences to examine questions of common interest; (g) impartion and histori- cal examination of doctrinal differ ences; (h) mutual respect for the customs and usages prevailing in each church; G) mutual permission for the use of places of prayer and of cemeteries; CD the settlement of the question of mixed marriages; and (k) the mutual support If the churches in the work of strength- ening religious belief, of charity and the like. A favorable reply was made to this communication"