New Britain herald., 1925-02-19
MINISTER'S ISSUE
 PEACE STATEMENT
Appeal Made for Liberty Within
 the Presbyterian Church

Auburn, N. r., Feb. 19.-A state- ment entitled For Peace and LIbcr- "" signed by S1 members of the Correspondence Committee, compos- ed of Presbyterian ministers from many part of the country, was is- sued yesterday by Professor R. II. Nichols, of Auburn. Professor Nichols emphasized the fact that the statement was not manifesto of any theological party, but an appeal for liberty within the Presbyterian church for the holding of various forms of evangelical Christian belief, and for subordinating theological differences 10 united work for the world. The statement and the names of the signers are as follows:
 Tn view of recent acts which arc disturbing the peace of. our church and threatening the liberties of its offlce-bearers, we, the undersigned ministers make this statement to the thousands of our brethren who may not know all the facts but who, we are assured, agree with us in ardent desire to preserve the unity of the church.
 "The affirmation issued in 1924, signed by over 1900 of our ministers, asserted the historic freedom of teaching, within evangelical bonds, guaranteed to ministers of our com munion. The General Assembly of 1924 agreed with the position taken in the affirmation by rejecting as unconstitutional an overture which sought to require of certain officers of the church subscription to par ticular interpretations of the stand ards set forth in deliverances of general assemblies.
 "In spite of this decision of our highest court, efforts are still being made 10 impose these doctrinal in- terprations upon ministers, and in effect to apply to members of the boards and other church officers the very tests which the assembly de- clared unconstitutional. A letter has been widely circulated which insinu- ates dishonesty on the part of some of our ministers and asserts that rn- belief is widespread among them, and therefore urges agitation to in- form the people of the church of these alleged conditions, for the pur- pose of securing the election of what are called loyal commissioners to the next general assembly.
 Such actions are formenting spirit Of division. casting unwarant- cd suspicion on the loyalty and can dor of faithful ministers, threatening the disruption of our church, and hindering that concentration of our energies on Chritian ministry to the world which the heart of our church desires.
 Therefore, we appeal to our brethren in the presbyteries to stand firmly for the maintenance of our historical liberties, to discourage un- brotherly judgments, to cherish the ideal of an inclusive Christian church, and to unite the whole strength of our communion in for warding the work to which our mas ter has called us.'
 Signers:
 Wendell Prime Keeler, First Church, Yonkers, N. Y.; Albert J.. Alexander, First Church, Beaver, Pa; Robert Brewster Beattie, First Church, East Orange, N. J.; Philip Smead Bird, First Church, Utica, N. Y.: William Adams Brown, Professor in Union Theological Seminary, New York; Charles L. Candee. Westmin- ster Church. Wilmington. Del; James E. Clark, Editor Presbyterian Advance, Nashville, Tenn; Henry