Evening star., 1924-05-29
JOIN CHURCH OR QUIT,
DECISION ON F0SDICK
Presbyterians Insist Baptist Min
lister Change Sect or Leave
Their Pulpit.
Rv tho Associated Pros.

BY the AsSocia ted Press.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, May %
Branded year ago as an advocate
of doctrines contrary to the Presby-
terian confession of faith and openly
accused of heresy for utterances he
is said to have made from the pulpit
of the First Presbyterian Church,
New York City, DR.. Harry Emerson
Fosdick, Baptist minister, 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 136th general assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of the United
States of America, sitting as a high
court, directed the New York PreSby-
terry to ask DIR. Fosdick, now and for
the past five years special pastor
at the First Church New York City.
TO unite with the Presbyterians, ac-
cept the prescribed doctrines OF faith
and thus terminate situation which,
the assembly voted, has been the
source of serious disturbance.
Claim situation Impossible. >
The existing situation, the assem-
bly, said in adopting the report of Its
judicial commission. cannot continue
longer" DR. Fosdick should be asked
to establish Il regular relationship
with the denomination, the report
said or his connection with the FIRST
Church should be terminated.
The assembly's action was regard
ed as victory for the conservative or
middle Oft the road" group, whlch
sought harmony above a victory lor
either extremist unit.
The major debate of the entire as
inv =.
dained minister of the Presbyterian
church itself-Dr William =. Merrill,
pastor of the Brick church, New
York AS a result OF the attack on
DIR. Merrill he was dropped from the
hoard of foreign missions, on which
ba had served for twelve years, ana
in his place was elected DR. John r.
Carson of Brooklyn, fundamental.
ist
Will Meet in Columbus.
The assembly selected Columbus.
obio 40 the place for holding next
years assembly.
Briefly summarized. the major ac,
of the l36th generai
Adopted a pension plan for minis
ters and other workers OF the chur n.
Adopted a resolution drafted py
william, Jennings Bryan. pledglng the
assaubly to efforts to outlaw war.
Approved a rotation plan Tor the
holding of future general aSsemoiles,
under which the country is dlVlded
into five areas, the sessions TO be
held in rotation in each.
Step Toward Reunion.
Approached step nearer union
with the Presbyterian Church in the
United States (South).
Adopted foreign and national mis-
sions reports calling for further ex-
tension of the evangelical and mis-
sionary work of the church.
Went on record as insisting that
theological instruction in seminaries
and other institutions OF the church
accord fully with the church's doc
trine.
Adopted resolutions favoring the
San Carlos. Ariz., irrigation project,
directly affecting the welfare of In
dians among whom Presbyterian mis-
sionaries are working. and the Hull
Capper bill, providing for an increase
in the number of chaplains in the
Army.
Voted unanimously to urge the
Governor of Indiana to use his power
and authority to prevent the boxing
match between Tommy Gibbons and
Georges Carpenter.
Gave it's approval to unified
finance plan, details of which are to
be completed during the coming year.