Evening star., 1924-02-24
= HE President was christened
in infancy. Probably he had
never Joined a church because

! never joined a church because
Il there was no organized con-
gregation near his home, but he had
always been believer in the funda-
mental teachings of Christianity.
The history of his recent uniting
| with the First Congregational
Church in Washington is very frank
ly related by his pastor.
Having noticed that Mr.. and Mrs.
Coolidge always remained till the
conclusion of every service in the
church on Sundays. even the COM
munion, the pastor took occasion on
the first Sunday in August to extend
an invitation at the communion serV-
ice to any believers who had not yet
made a public profession of their
faith to do so then by partaking OF
the communion, and this the Presi-
dent did-very quietly, naturally,
sincerely.
That was his public confession of
faith. But the pastor, knowing his
native modesty and conservatism in
such matters, refrained from asking
Mr.. Coolidge to join the church at
that time.
Early in October was held the Ma
tional Council of the Congregational
Church at Springfield, Mass, when
two notable things were done:
By a nearly unanimous vote an
overture was made to the Presbyte-
rian Church for an organic union,
and by a unanimous vote President
Coolidge was made honorary mod
orator of the council. an honor which
he modestly accepted.
After this public recognition in a
religious way, there seemed no longer
any good reason to postpone his
uniting with the church, and accord
ingly DR.. Pierce proposed it, and Mr..
Coolidge agreed to it and did so. His
membership was dated back to the
first Sunday in August.
Many are asking just what the
President believes, or what doctrine
and practice he processes in this act
of joining a church. Congregational
doctrine is, in a very mild sense, and
often with exceptions, what is
known as Calvinism, being rather
closely allied in doctrinal teachings
with the Presbyterians. The manual
of the First Congregational Church
in Washington states. under Beliefs
and Purposes" (adopted May 13,
1915):
I'VE believe in God the Father, in
finite in wisdom, goodness, love and
power; in Jesus Christ, His Son, our
Lord and Savior; in the Holy Spirit,
who enlightens, quickens and renews
the hearts of men; in the Scriptures
as containing Gods self-revelation
to men for their sufficient guidance
and their salvation; in the mission
of the church to proclaim to all man.
kind the gospel-the good tidings of
salvation through faith in Jesus
Christ-and to pray and to work for
the coming of the kingdom of heaven
on earth: and we look with faith for
the triumph of Righteousness and the
life everlasting.
Gail true followers of Christ are
eligible for membership in this
church. ?, The church was
founded on faith in Jesus Christ.
We propose as the basis of
our fellowship the following confess
SIOu. DO you DelleNe III 1Ou dS your
Heavenly Father and desire to be
true child of His? Do you accept
Jesus Christ as your Savior. Lord and
Master and earnestly desire to serve
and follow Him? Do you accept the
Bible as having Gods supreme mes
sage for you, and do you seek to
know and follow its teachings?'
When this has been assented to, the
question concerning baptism is asked:
|. "Do you who have already been
baptized accept that baptism as the
sign of your own conservation?
You who have not been baptized
now present yourselves for that sa-
cred rite, the historic symbol of your
dedication to God and that purifica-
tion of life which you covet." (And
to the latter the rite is then admin
istered.)
Following baptism, all candidates
for membership in the congregation
are supposed to assume by open prom
Use the following obligation:
you have each expressed your de-
sire to enter the fellowship and serv-
ice of this church. Do you promise