Show Will ILL ATTEMPT UNION i Congregational Bodies Bodies Bodies Bod Bod- ies Hope ope for or Unity 1 Next Pall Fall When the national council of I Congregational churches meets at Washington D D. D C. C on October 20 it will have before It the proposal to accept Into its membership the representatives representatives rep rep- s of the Evangelical Protestant churches of America If It the council votes to accept these representatives the churches of ot the Evangelical Protestant church of North America will become to all aU Intents and purposes Congregational churches in good and regular stand- stand Ing The executive committee of the national council has unanimously unanimous unanimous- ly voted to recommend that this union take place and there is no rio prospect but what the vote will be unanimous This union union- of churches will be unique e In American church history for tor in entering the union neither body gives up anything it now possesses possesses pos pos- either in doctrine practice or worship but each will retain In the local congregations the same freedom freedom freedom free free- dom of belief and worship that they each have enjoY enjoyed d in the years ears gone by But each body will have the wider widell fellowship of the entire united bod body and each will draw from this larger fellowship inspiration and help in all the various lines of ot church work Dr Carl A. A Voss pastor of the Smithfield Evangelical al Protestant church of ot Pittsburg and one of the prime movers in bringing about the union says Our churches as churches have been Intent on safeguarding th the self government government government govern govern- ment of the congregations and the freedom of ot their people In matters of faith a and d conscience It Is a a. matter matte r of great satisfaction that our churches can avail avaH themselves of ot the privilege of choosing their affiliations affiliations voluntarily and Intelligently rather than being forced In association association tion they did not desire This union will be the more easy because of the nature of the Congregational Congregational Congregational Con Con- church fellowship ellow Congregationalism in its historic development is coextensive with the sincerest endeavors during the pas past three centuries for tor a a. higher culture and a a. nobler civilization on American American American Ameri Ameri- I can soil So successful have been the efforts of the leaders of these churches that the national council councils is s now composed of almost congregations congregations congregations con con- with approximately souls to whom tho the gospel is be being being being be- be ing preached In two twenty-two lan lan- Ten theological schools and forty colleges and seminaries IncludIng in including In- In eluding some of the largest and most successful are educating the young people and Imbuing them with a keener sense of responsibilIty Ity toward the church the nation and humanity On the other hand organized boards seek to promote religious life among all aU classes by building new churches strengthening strengthen strengthen- ing weakened ones assisting congregations congregations con con- to pay their mInisters minister adequate salaries pensioning those thos who have become infirm and functioning tunc- tunc among the young and ol olby old by br issuing of recognized standing The spirit of ot Congregationalism i inot is not one of domination but rather rathe cooperation Emphasizing independence ence of oJ each congregation and holdIng holding hold hold- Ing sacred its rights of self government government government govern govern- ment Congregationalism grants grant freedom In the choice of and liberty in the development o oJ of religious views but at the same sam time lime offers offer unbounded opportunities ties for mutual counsel and united service The word Congregational Is explanatory of Its method of or organization or- or It has no bishop Hk like the Episcopalian church no controlling controlling con con- trolling presbytery like the Presbyterian Presbyterian Presbyterian Presby Presby- terian church no dictatorial law lawmaking lawmaking lawmaking making body like the churches with wit organizations but at a aU all times recognizes the individual congregation congregation congregation con con- as the supreme body i in authority Eager to maintain these thes traditions the congregations when united in a associations conferences or ev even n the national council never pass resolutions except in the spirit of advisory recommendations Having Ha within its circles groups of ot varied traditions we find conservatives conservatives athes and liberals working harmoniously har har- harmoniously for tor the general good Tolerant free re truth seeking seeking but with kith evangelical fervor ter they labor together for tor the establishment of ot tho the Kingdom of ot God Dr Charles E. E Burton the gener il al secretary of the national council In speaking of the proposed union says There a are a a. about communicants In the Inthe the Evangelical Protestant churches which are lo located located lo- lo in two centers for tor the most part namely Pittsburg and ti vicinity vicin ity and Cincinnati and vicinity It It happens that in both of these re regions regions re re- gions glons Congregational churches have been few tew These churches will add strength to the Congregational body They will bring an n enrichment enrichment enrichment enrich enrich- ment of ot life lIe In their thought and religious devotion Moreover there is cheer and inspiration connected with the simple fact tact that another group has chosen to be a a. part of our free tree association of ot Congregational Congregational Congregational churches Incidentally this denomination has chosen a step which might well serve as an ex ex- ex ample There are many small de denominations denominations denominations de- de nominations which might seek or organic organic organic or- or ganic unit unity with some som larger body of similar poUt polity This can be done in a a. avay way vay which will surrender no part of the values of ot past ast history and life but which will add much through the wider association Why should not man many another small de denomination denomination denomination de- de nomination retain its own name and at the same time attach to it the name of another thus finding its larger self in giving Itself Itsel to I wider fellowship |