New Britain herald., 1924-05-29
DR.FOSDICK ASKED
 ID CHANCE CHURCH
PresbYterians Invite Him Into
 Their Fold
Ry the Associated Press.

Grand Rapids, Mich, May a. Branded year ago as an advocate of doctrines contrary to the Presbyterian confession Of faith and openly accused of heresy for utteranCes he Is said 10 have made from the pulpit Of the First Presbyterian church. New York city, Dr. II. E. FosIick, Baptist min ister. teacher and writer, yesterday was invited to join the church in which for the past year he has been the subject of constant controversy.
 The 1S6th general assembly Of the Presbyterian caurCh in the United States of America. sitting as a high court. directed tho New York Presby- tery to ask pr. Fosdick now and for the past five years q special pastor at the First church, New York, city, to unite with the Presbyterians, ac- cept the prescribed doctrine of faith 6nd thus terminate a situation which, the assembly voted, has been the source Of serious disturbance
 The existing situation, the assem- ply said in adopting the report Of lis judicial commission, cannot continue longer. Dr. Fosdick should he asked to establish regular relationship with the denomination, the report said or his connection with First church should be terminated.
 The assemblys action was regarded as a victory for the conservative or middle of the road' group which sought harmony above for either eX- tremist unit.
 The major debate Of the entire as- sembly, however involved an ordained minister of the Presbyterian church itself--Dr. William r. Merrill, pastor of the Brick church, New York. As a result of the attack on Dr. Merrill, he was dropped from the board of foreign missions on which he had served for 2 years, and in his place was elected Dr. John r, Carson of Brooklyn, fundamentalist,
 A touch of drama came at the height of the attack upon Dr. Merrill. Dr. George E. Alexander, so years old, former pastor of Dr. losdick's church, a member of the board of foreign missions for 40 years and its presi- dent for two decades, rose during the debate and rendered his resignation.
 Laboring under emotions he cos'd not conceal, the venerable church. man offered to step aside 10 permit both Dr. Merrill and Dr. Carson to have places on the board.
 Dr. Merrill Removed,
 Dr. Merril's removal from tho board MAS accomplished when the as- sembly voted 44e to s76 to accept his offer Of withdrawal.
 Liberalists expressed regret over Dr. Merrill's defeat, but were pro- claiming a victory in .he fosdick case. They also pointed 10 the defeat Of the fundamentslist overture, originating in the Philadelphia Presbytery, which would have required the affirmation or reaffirmstion of the standards Of faith by officials Of boards. teachers in seminaries and officials Of other agencies Of the church. The vote against the adoption Of this overture vas unanimous.
 The assembly selected Columbus Ohio, as the place for holding next assembly
 Briefly summarized. the major Ae- complishments of the i56th general | assembly were:
 Adopted a pension plan for minis- ters and other workers of the church. | Adopted 2 resolution drafted by Will | liam Jennings Bryan pledging the as- ssmbly to eTor:s to outlaw war. Ap- | proved q rotation plan for ihe holding | of future general assemblies. under which the country is divided into five areas. the sessions tn he held in roc