Churches May Unite
Three Leading Denominations Taking a Step.
Pittsburg, July 2. -- The joint committee representing the Congregational, Methodist Protestant and United Brethren churches, after an all day session Wednesday came to an agreement on a platform for the union of the three denominations. The greater part of the day was taken up in considering the report of the sub-committee of five members of each denomination, which met in Washington a few weeks ago to form a basis of union. This report embraced a number of recommendations and a letter to the churches. It was amended yesterday to some extent and finally adopted.
An address to the governing bodies of the three churches was also adopted and both will be sent out at once for consideration. Some of the recommendations of the sub-committee as amended and adopted are:
First, that the basis of representation in the general council shall be one for every 5,000 members:
The purposes of the general council shall be to present to the world some realization of that unity of believers which, in accordance with the prayer of our Lord, seems so desirable among Christian churches; to promote a better knowledge and a closer fellowship among the Christian bodies thus uniting; to secure as far as possible the unification of kindred organizations now existing in the several bodies; to consider methods by which in the state, annual and district conferences the bodies may be brought into co-ordinated activity and organic unity; to prevent the unnecessary multiplication of churches and to unite weak churches of the same neighborhood whenever practicable; to unite and encourage the affiliation with this council of the Christian bodies, cherishing a kindred faith and purpose.
The letter to the churches gives a history of the work of the joint committee, an explanation of the work done and the results hoped for.
These bodies do not meet until next year, but in the meantime the letter to the churches will be sent to every minister of the three denominations, that it may be laid before the congregations and considered deliberately.
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Ann Arbor Argus-Democrat