Evening star., 1925-10-10
CHURCH ADOPTS
IMMERSION RULE
Disciples of Christ Vote
Upon Policy for Use in
Foreign Field.
be the Associated Press.

6e the Associated Press.
OKLAHOMA CITY. Okla. October
In.-The International convention of
tne Disciples of Christ late yester.
lay committed itself to a policy re-
auirins baptism by immersion of all
sew church members received in
foreign fields.
This stand was taken when the CON
q, ntion adopted resolution prepared
! ny 4 cancellation committee. appoint
ed last year to appease diScordant
fH"tionS of the church The resolution
WaS adopted after the convention had
re 'ected suggestion of the recon-
mtndations committee that it disap-
prove the demand for immersion.
The resolution recommends that no
person be employed by the United
Christian Missionary Society. the
principal mission organization of the
church. who has committed himself
10 belief in, or practice of. the re
cepion of unimmersed persons into
he membership of churches of
Christ. 1t further recommends that
u any such person is now in the en-
pioy OF the society. his relationship
he severed.
Faction Hits Acticn.
Opponents of the resolution at
lacked 1t as a credal action. definitely
committing the church to stand on
doctrine, in opposition to the ideals
of the founders
Supporters contended that the reso-
fluon Is merely Il statement of policy
TO be used as a guide in the employ
nlent of missionaries and does not
disturb the fundamental tenets OF
the church
Immediately after adopting the i'm
Ttersion resolution the convention
accepted another resolution by the
s.,nle committee. recommending that
al our agencies adhere To our his
l''rlc position of taking the New
testament scriptures as an all-Suffi-
cent rule Of faith aud practice with
out legislative interpretation or doc
trlnal enactmentS
Dr. Frederick W. Burnham of ST.
i.oulS. president Of the United Chris
tan Missionary Society. pleaded for
me rejection of the immersion policy.
He warned that acceptance of the
resolution might lead to the division
of the board of managers of the Socie-
ty and even the church itself.
Sees Press Attack.
Il can already see headlines in
Shanghai newspapers. disciples put
screws on Missionaries and disciples
gong to force immersion" declared
fdWln Marx OF Nankinc. China.
missionary of the society Mr. Marx
declared that the question of open"
or closed" church membership was
not an issue in China, and that the res
olution's only effect would be 10 arouse
resentment among Orientals as an un-
warranted assumption of authority.
j. B. Briney of Kansas city. S6-year-
old pioneer minister. denied that the
resolution was A statement of doc
trlne, and said il was Il question of
whether the employer has the right
to direct the services of the employe
Suppose missionary goes out and
starts TO practice Mormunism.'' Mr.
Briney said. Are we to say that the
society has no right to recall it,?
Il. \. Long. millionaire Kansas city
lumherman. championed the INNER
sion policy. II fear you have not eX-
erciSed the extreme care in sending
men 10 foreign fields that YOU should
have exercised" he admoniShed the
society board of mana gers
After the convention had refused to
. listen to his plea for The rejection oI
the immersion decree. Dr. Burnham
declared that. although he still felt
the action was ill-advised he would
follow the wish of the ma iority To the
letter.
1T will be the rule in the United
Society from today, he said