The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-22
CHURCH UNITY
Of MISSIONS
SEEN
congresationaIists Take Up
important Issue at Session
This Afternoon

Final. disposition Of the matter OF,
merging all the various missionary
units OF the Congregational Church
into one body, with departments for
home and foreign service, was ex-
pected to be made at a session of
the National Council of Cohgrega-
tiona! Churches at tho Washington
Auditorium this afternoon.
This meeting of the council was
called as special session to dis
pose oOf the merger matter, which Is
the main issue OF the convention
by the delegates at the meeting
originally been planned for the
afternoon, but unsatisfactory wea-
Their conditions and the pressing
need of action on the matter in.
volyed resulted in the calling of
the afternoon meeting.
Adjustment Forecast
The Reverend Doctor Charles II.
Burton, secretaryN Of the national
council. forecasts a satisfactory ad
justment o. tho matter. with some
qualifications TO the acceptance Of
the report ana recommendation
submitted to the council by the
designated committee of twelve at
yesterdays session. There may be
some details to be altered, accord.
ing to the secretary, but the gen.
era1 idea of consolidation into one
organization, with two departments,
one for home and one for foreign
work, will prevail. Some opposition
Is evident to 1.-The matter OF com
bining the three. publications of the
missionary division into one organ,
and this matter may have to be
threshed out at a later session.
The organizations. of missionary
work involved in the proposed
merger represent around $4,000
600 in holdings, equipment, ETC.
The annual expenditure in the
work is $4,000. 900. Under the pro-
posed arrangement, the Committee
OF Twelve proposes much more
efficient expenditure OF funds, with
less overhead cost.
Social Greed Discussed.
The morning session today was
taken up with consideration of q
new social creed 4 for Congregational
churches. The creed, as proposed
by the commission on social service
of the national council, met with
general favor. 1t comprised a
statement Of social ideals emkody-
ing such proposals as a national
system of adult education, a six
day working week and an eight
hour day maximum, establishment
of a minimum comfort wage for
workers, 8 system Of education for
youths and adults employed in
farm work, organization of rural
communities for welfare work, !
equality Of all races in America,
and several other features.
An important step in the meeting
this morning was an amendment
made to the council bylaws pro-
viding for the election OF an Nsso-
ciate moderator for the council. II
the moderator is OF the clergy, a
layman must be chosen for asso-
ciate.
The amendment was made on the
meetings the duties OF the office are
too severe for one person.
20 at Breakfast
This morning at the Powhatan
Hotel a breakfast was given for
seventy leaders of the denomina-
ton interes tdein Near East relief
work Clarence II. Wilson, chair.
man of the national, committee on
near East feIIeI. presided. IHlhs
Vere given by Doctor James L.
Barton. who has just returned from
making a survey Of conditions in
Turkey, Greece, Syria, and the Near
East; Doctor William w. Peet, who
has represented American educa-
ton interests in Constantinople for
forty -four years past, and Edward
w. Blatchford, OF Chicago, super
visor of Near East relief work in
Jerusalem and Palestine.
Tomorrow morning, a delegation
Of young people Of the Congrega-
tional church from all over the
country will arrive in Washington.
The delegation will number about
500. Special convention sessions and
entertainment, comprising q young
peoples weekend" will be fea-