Evening star., 1949-06-19
New Congregational
Council Approved al
World Conference
BY Casper Nonnes
Sicr Sfoff Correspondent

sier ssoff Correspondent
WELLESLEY. Mass, June 13.-I
Delegates to the sixth information
al Congregational Council today
formed a new organization of
Congregational churches and
councils throughout the world.
Meeting in Houghton Memorial
Chapel at Wellesley College. the
225 delegates from 81 nations rep
resenting more than 100000
Congregationalists approved a.
constitution for "the International
Congregational Council"
Signing OF the document
touched OF a brief but impressive
ceremony. Delegates and visitors
stood and sang "A Church's One
Foundation" as the flags Of IS
countries were carried down the
center aisle to the chancel by boys
and girls. The fiag-bearers then
marched onto the stage. lining up
along Its front side by side.
Six Delegates Sign.
Below them the Rev. DR.. Sidney
M. Berry of London, England, re-
tiring moderator Of the council,
stood near table and called the
names Of six delegates from as
many continents to sign the docu-
ment. First to sign was James d.
Northey Of Australia. He was
followed by the Rev. Maurice 8.
Watts Of England: Miss Helen
Kenyon Of the United States; the
Rev. Michio Kozak Of Japan; the
Rev. Vernon e. Miller Of South
Africa. and the Rev. synesio Lyra
Of Brazil.
The gathering then sang "A
Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
widely known as the Battle Hymn
Of the Reformation" to end the
ceremony.
First elected moderator of the
new body is DR.. Douglas Horton
Of New York, secretary of the
General Council Of Congregational
Churches In America. He was
nominated by the Rev. Leslie E.
Cooke Of London, and was elected
unanimously as the first business
following the constitutions adop-
tion. He will serve for five years,
until the councils next meeting.
DR.. Horton, graduate of Prin-
ceton University and of the Hart
ford Theological Seminary, has
been active In Ecumenical Protes-
tant movements for many years.
He In q member of the Central
Committee, World Council OF
Churches. His wife, Mrs. Douglas
McAffe Horton, former command
er of the WAVES. is the retiring
president Of Wellesley College.
Five Previous Councils.
Although there have been five
previous Congregational interna-
tional councils. the organization
approved today creates for the
first time q body that will func-
ton during the period between
council meetings. Previous gath
erings, the first in 1891 and the
last in 1880. were in effect purely
consultative bodies without any
permanent organization for in
terim periods. The new body is
similar In operation to the Bap-
tist World Alliance and the Lu-
thern World Council.
The council. in addition to it's
constitution, will have perma-
nent Secretariat with headquar-
ters in London. DR.. Berry was
elected executive secretary. to hold
office for five years. An estimated
budget Of $33,600 for 1949-50 to
run the secretariat was voted.
The constitution adopted pro-
vided for 235 council members,
with rs delegates Of churches in
the United States, rs Of those in
Great Britain and Is of other
constituent churches. Ten mem
bers at large may be chosen by
the Executive Committee of the
council. The Executive Commit
tee will comprise the councils off,
GERS and Is other members.
British Envoy Speaks.
Sir Oliver Franks, British Am
bassador to the United States, this
evening told the gathering "the
false Identification Of progress
with material development con-
fiicts with the basic beliefs on
which Western civilization has
been built" These beliefs re-
quire that progress should be
judged by the extent to which
men use their possessions and
their power to realize and express
their hope and confidence in the
world. It derives. I think, In the
end from q religious view OF the
universe"
Tomorrow will be devoted to a
Sunday worship service In the
morning and divisional meetings
Of laymen. ministers, women and
youth In the afternoon. On Mon
day the council will take up the
first Of four discussions regarding Il
the church and world issues. It
will be "the universal church in
Gods design" which seeks to
study the church as both q di- 1
vine and human institution.
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