Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24
UNITED CHURCHES TO PLAN
FOR CLOSER COOPERATION
Further Steps in Merger of Congrega-
tional and Christian Congregations
to Be Taken Tuesday.

The primary part Of the plan is that
each party to 1t shall recognize the
other as teaching and practicing the
essential principles Of Christianity, a
platform upon which, 1t is pointed out,
all Christian churches Of whatever de-
nomination should ultimately be able
to agree.
The governing body of the new union
will be, for the next two years at
least, the executive committee of the
General Council. It will consist of
leaders Of the Congregational churches
and four heads of the Christian
Church. This division is roughly pro-
portional to the number Of members in
each body.
Executive Committee Chosen.
When this executive committee meets
Tuesday the following men will repre-
sent the Congregational churches: DR..
Fred B. Smith Of New York, moderator
Of the National Council of the Congre-
gational Churches; the Rev. DR.. Charles
Emerson Burton of New York, general
secretary of the National Council; the
Rev. DR.. Clarence H. Wilson of Yon-
kerS, Charles H. Seaver of New York,
Roger w. Babson of Babson Park,
Mass; John Calder of Springfield,
Mass; Franklin H. Warner of White
Plains, N. Y; DR.. Robert E. Lewis of
Cleveland, Mrs. Daniel C. Turner of
New York, Mayor Frederick c. Nc
Laughlin of White Plains, NJ Y; Mrs.
Charles J. Chandler of Detroit, the
Rev. DR.. Warren S. Archibald of Hart
ford, Conn; the Rev William W. Pat
ton of Glen Ridge N. j., and George
d. Chamberlain of Springfield, Mass.
The four who will represent the
Christian Church are the Rev. DR..
Frank g. Coffin of Columbus, Ohio,
president Of the General Convention of
the Christian Church; the Rev DR.. D.
b. Atkinson of Albany, Mo-, vice pfesi-
dent OF the General Convention; the
Rev. DR.. Warren H. Denison of DAYTON.
Ohio, secretary of the General Conven-
ton, and j. L. Reck of Covington.
Ohio. treasurer Of the General Con-
Vention.
Plan Of Union Work Of Years.
Though there were representatives Of
both churches at the two conventions
where the plan of union was adopted,
ofncials Of the denominations have not
met since the two churches have off,
c1ally become one. Consequently, though
the plan OF union has been adopted. it
devolveS upon this executive committee
TO work out the almost endless details
OF complete union, task which may
take years and which cannot be hurried.
The plan Of union was the work of
many persons in both denominations.
1t matured only after several years of
effort by standing committees on church
unity. 1t was finally reported to the
National Council Of the Conversational
Churches for adoption last May % by
Rev. DR.. Frank Knight Sanders, form
erly dean Of the Yale Divinity School,
who then said:
Our commission regards this pro-
poSal OF major Importance, not, Of
course, because 1t will create a some
what larger unit, not~even because It
Will promote as we believe the spiritual
interests Of each group, but because it
becomes definite step ahead in the
actual realization in North America of
our Lords prayer for his followers that
they all be one
Challenge to Other Churches.
eft pioneers the way by means of a
plan so simple yet so flexible, so broad,
so considerate of all interests. that it
becomes an inspiring challenge to
churches Of all types. Through its ac-
ceptance we will pass from theoretical
approval Of the desira bleness4of unity
TO practical demonstration of g. rea-
sonable way to achieve it-one that
leaves the largest practicable freedom
to the believer, to the church to which
he belongs and to the system of think
ing and practice which appeals to him.
This plan, as indicated in our
printed report, has undergone all sorts
of criticism. friendly and otherwise
The commission has taken every prac-
t1cable means to give 1t publicity. It
has been approved in general by very
many associations. by all the State con-
ferences within whose bounds Christian
churches are to be found as well as by
others.
Governing Committee Created.
at has been modified in response to
the intelligent critical study given it
by those who administer our affairs
until your commission feels assured that
1t represents fairly the judgment and
desire OF our congressional fellowship
and IS worthy of adoption
1t was adopted by unanimous vote by
the National Council at Detroit and
With few minor changes by the Gen.
eral Council of the Christian Churches
In october at Piqua, Ohio. Its first eff
fect Is to create the governing commit
tee and the merger of the two councils
under the name the General Council of
the Congregational and Christian
Church. which will hereafter meet
biennially in the odd-numbered years.
Local churches are not affected in
name or policy. A church may retain
its name OF Christian or Congregational
or combine the two names with a
hyphen. In both the Christian and
Congregational organizations local
churches are still supreme in matters
which affect themselves. Virtually the
only effect of the merger which win be
felt by these units. church leaders have
fn@ d h. H. E-I ~
which will be enjoyed by members Of
both groups.
COngregatiOnalists Are Stronger.
In Ohio and Indiana the membership
OF the two churches is almost equally
divided. In New England and in the
Far West the Congregational churches
are quite strong, particularly in the for
mer, while In the South and Southeast
the Christian Church has more men,
bers. Thus geographically the merger
will mean a mutual reinforcement and
a more general spread of influence. Al
together the Congregationalists have
of more than $40. 900 and
total of 5,497 churches The Christians
have membership of about 114,000 and
4 total of 1853 churches.
In New England the Congregational
sts have 1911 churches. In the New
York metropolitan area they have 173
and total actual membership
IF 62,017. This gives constituency, as
some church memberships are now fig
lred, Of about 100000 Congregationalists
n this region.
The Christians are represented in the
area by eight churches and
lave a total actual membership of 1872
IF the Christian churches, two are II
Brooklyn. two in Queens. three IN New
Jersey and one In that part of Connecti-
nut which comes within the so-called
metropolitan area.