The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-03
DR. STUART LAUDS CHURCH COUNCIL
Says Birmingham Congrega- tions Stand Behind Annual
 Columbus Convention

Birmingham churches are deeply interested, though not directly, con- nected, as local institutions. with the Federal Council of Churches, but are intensely in sympat thy with that Cr- ganfzation," Dr, George R. Stuart. pastor of the First Methodist church, stated Sunday afternoon when quer- jed as to the forthcoming meeting in Columbus, Ohio, December 12, l3 and 14.
 Our churches as whole, togeth- CT with 2S other protestant churches are aligned with the federal council,' Dr. Stuart said. Personally, I am in favor of Birmingham pastors becom- ing affiliated, through the pastors union, and becoming actively en- gagged in the annual programs. Their work and their aims are sponsored, however, and actively furthered by our denomination as whole" pr. Stuart stated. At his suggestion a summary of the organization meet tug is given herewith:
 International cooperation, prohi bition and evangelism will be three chief subjects for discussion and ac- tion when representatives gather to decide upon the joint work of the churches for the coming year.
 The gathering will be the annual meeting of the executive committee of the the Federal Council ot Churches. This committee is made up of representatives officially des- ignated by the highest body in the different communions. It speaks with authority.
 Review Of Year.
 It will review the work of the council during the last year and out line the general character of work for the coming year. The go com munities have an adult membership of more than 20,000,000 with a total constituency exceeding 50,000OOO persons.
 The Columbus meeting will be of special importance as 1t will mark ganization of the Federal Council of Churches. One of the purposes of the council, according to the consti- tuition, is: Ito secure a larger com- bined influence for the churches ot Christ in all matters affecting the moral and social conditions of the people so as to promote the appllca- tion of the law of Christ in every relation of humon life"
 Senator William E. Borah of Idaho will he the leading speaker at one ot the two evening meetings. The gen eral topic for the first mass meeting. which will be held December IS, Will
  center around the issue of the duty of church members to stand for en- forcement of law with special refer ence at the present time to the eight eenth amendment and prohibition legislation.
 eral councils commission on local councils of churches who was the leader in organizing and carrying through the citizenship conference held in Washington in October, Will also speak at this meeting, which will be notable as showing the stand ing of the churches on prohibition at this time. pr. Daniel A. Polling, president of the United Society ot Christian Endeavor. will be the third speaker. Need Of Christ.
 At the closing meeting, December 14, the theme will be The Need or Christ in the World Today" Dr. Robert E. Speer, president of the council, and Bishop William F. Nc Donald, of the Methodist Episcopal church and chairman of the Wash ington committee of the council, Will be the speakers. During the three day sessions the church representa- tives will discuss the various phases of church cooperation, including eyange elism, social service, inter racial goodwill and international relations.
 An annual feature of the meeting this year will be the presence of seV- eral dignitaries of the Orthodox Eastern church, who will be in at tendance for the first time as guests of the executive committee. Those who have already accepted the lnVl- tations to be present are: Archplshop Alexander, head of the Greek church in American, and Archbishop Ponte- . lehman AIhanacssiadcs of Jerusalem, who is now in this country.
 pr. Robert B. Speer, president or the council, is secretary of the boaro of foreign missions of the PreSpy = terian church in the United States or America. The former presidents nave been Dean Smaller Mathews, or the Divinity school of the University or Chicago, and pr. Frank Mason North, Secretary of the board of missions ot the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Frederick W. Burnham of St. Louis president of the United Christian Missionary society, who Is chairman of the executive committed. will pre- side. ,.x
 The communions affiliated with the Federal Council of Churches are:
 Northern Baptist churches. Ma tional Baptist convention. Free Sap list churches, Christian church Christian Reformed church in North America. Churches of God in North America, general eldership), Con rrepational churches. Disciples of Christ. Friends, Evangelical synod of North America, Evangelical churches Methodist Episcopal church, Method