CONGiEGATIONAL CHURCHES

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THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES

OF THE UNITED STATES

REPORTS OF COMMISSIONS AND MISSION BOARDS,

MODERATOR'S ADDRESS, COUNCIL SERMON,

MINUTES, ROLL OF DELEGATES,

CONSTITUTION AND

BY-LAWS, ETC.

NINETEENTH REGULAR MEETING

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, JULY 1-8, 19^21

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL 289 FOURTH AVENUE. NEW YORK

lOi^I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page The National Council

Ofificers, Committees and Commissions 5

Missionary' Agencies 1 1

Sessions 15

Reports

Executive Committee 1'

Treasurer :

Year Ending Decemiber 31, 1919 23

Pilgrim Tercentenary Fund for 1919 24

Year Ending December 31, 1920 25

Pilgrim Tercentenary Fund for 1920 26

Commission on Social Service 28

Commission on the Status of the Ministry 32

Commission on Organization 34

Conmiission on Ordained Women, Church Assistants and Lay

Workers 37

Commission on Comity, Federation and Unity 47

Delegation to American Council on Organic Union 48

Commission to Confer with Episcopal General Convention.. 58

Commission on Evangelism 74

Commission on Moral and Religious Education 88

Commission on Congregational World Movement 108

Commission on Pilgrim Memorial Fund 142

Corporation for the Natiopal Council 156

Annuity Fund for Congregational Ministers 165

Congregational Board of Ministerial Relief 180

Congregational Home Missionary Society 194

Congregational Church Building Society 204

Congregational Sunday School Extension Society 214

Congregational Education Society 219

Congregational Publishing Society 252

Commission on Educational Survey 274

Council Sermon, "The Ultimate God," Rev. G. Glenn Atkins.... 321

Moderator's Address, "A National Educational Policy for the De- nomination," President Henry C. King 330

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Memorial Address, Hubert C. Herring,, Rev. Charles F. Carter.. 350

Program, Nineteenth Aleeting, 1921 359

Minutes, Nineteenth iMeeting, 1921 362

]\Iembers of the Council

Delegates 397

Summary of Delegates 417

Honorary Delegates 418

Former Moderators, Speakers, etc 419

Delegates whose terms expire 1923 420

Delegates whose terms expire 1925 424

Substitute Delegates. Los Angeles, 1921 428

Constitution and By-Laws of the National Counch 430

Index 449

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

OFFICERS 1921-1923

Moderator, Rev. William E. Barton, Oak Park, 111. Assistant Moderators, Rev. R. H. Potter, Hartford, Conn. ; Rev. E. G. Harris, Louisville, Kj-.

Secretary, Rev. Charles E. Burton, New York City; Treasurer, Mr. Frank F. AIoore, New York City.

COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

Executive Committee

Moderator and Secretary, Members ex officiis.

For Tivo Years. Rev. E. H. Byington, West Roxbury, Mass.; Mr.

L. R. Eastman, Upper ]\Iontclair, N. J.; Mr. W. W. Mills,

Alarietta, O. For Four Years. Rev. Charles F. Carter, Hartford, Conn. ; Mr.

George D. Chamberlain, 'Springfield, Mass. ; Mr. Albert M. Lyon,

Boston, Mass. For Six Years. JIr. F. J. Harwood, x\ppleton. Wis. ; ]Mr. Charles S.

Ward, Flushing, N. Y. ; Mr. Lucien T. Warner, Bridgeport, Conn

Nominating Committee

For Tzvo Years. Rev. James A. Blaisdell, Claremont, Cal. ; Rev.

Edward D. Eaton, Cambridge, Mass. ; Rev. A. N. Hitchcock,

Chicago, 111. ; Re\'. Frank W. Merrick, Indianapolis, Ind. For Four Years. Mr. A. J. Crookshank, Santa Ana, Cal. ; Rev.

Marston S. Freeman, North Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Rev. Robert W.

Gammon, Chicago, 111.; Mr. Epaphroditus Peck, Bristol, Conn.;

Mr. J. M. Whitehead, Janesville, Wis.

Commission on Missions Rev. Charles E. Burton, Secretary ex officio, New York City. For Tzuo Years. Rev. Erne;st B. Allen. Oak Park, 111.; Mr. H. AI.

Beecher, Binghamton, N. Y. ; Mr. E. H. Bigelow, Framingham,

Alass. ; Mrs. A. M. Gibbons, Cleveland, O. ; Rev. Arthur L.

GiLLETT, Hartford, Conn.; Mr. E. C. Goddard, Ann Arbor. Mich.;

Rev. Irving Maurer, Columbus, Ohio; Rev. Luther A. W!eigle,

New Haven, Conn.

6 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

For Four Years. Rev. Raymond C. Brooks, Berkeley, Cal. ; Rev. Robert E. Brown, Waterbury, Conn. ; Rev. H. J. Chidley, Win- chester, Mass. ; Mr. W. K. Cooper, Washington, D. C. ; Rev, H'. P. Dewey, Minneapolis, Minn.; Rev. Chester B. Emerson, Detroit, Mich; Mr. Alfred H. Lundine, Seattle, Wash.; Mr. H. M. Pfl.\ger, St. Louis, Mo.

Society Representatives. Rev. G. Glenn Atkins, Detroit Mich., American Missionary Association; Rev. A. H. Br.adford, Provi- dence, R. I., American Board; Rev. Charles F. Carter, Hartford, Conn., Executive Committee of the National Council; Rev. William Horace Day, Bridgeport, Conn., Education Society and Publishing Society; Mrs. H. Hastings Hart, White Plains, N. Y., Woman's Hiome Missionary Federation ; Rev. Henry C. King, Oberlin, Ohio, Congregational Foundation for Education ; Mrs. E. A. OsBORNSON, Oak Park, 111., Women's Boards; Rev. Rock- well H. Potter, Hartford, Conn., Church Extension Boards ; Mr. Geo. N. Whittlesey, Brooklyn, N. Y., Board of Ministerial Relief.

State Representatives. Rev. Frank J. Van Horn, Oakland, Cal. ; Rev. Carl S. Patton, Los Angeles, Cal. ; Mr. Charles Welles Gross, Hartford, Conn.; Rev. James A. Richards, Winnetka, 111.; Rev. E. W. Cross, Grinnell, la. ; Rev. John W. Herring, Terre Haute, Ind. ; Rev. William M. Elledge, Sabetha, Kan.; Rev. Daniel I. Gross, Wood fords, Me.; Mr. Henry K. Hyde, Ware, Miass. ; Rev. E. W. Bishop, Lansing, Mich. ; Mr. A. W. Fager- STROM, Worthington, Minn. ; Mr. C. H. Kirschner, Kansas City, Mo.; Rev. John 'A. Holmes, Lincoln, Nebr. ; Rev. Lucius H. Thayer, Portsmouth, N. H. ; Rev. A. M. Wight, Syracuse, N. Y. ; Rev. John H. Grant, Elyria, O. ; Rev. A. E. Krom, Providence, R. I. ; Rev. Chauncey C. Adams, Burlington, Vt. ; Rev. Hor.\ce C. Mason, Seattle. W'ash.

Conference Groups' Representatives. Rev. Reuben A. Beard. Fargo, N. D. ; Mr. Walter E. Bell, Montclair, N. J.; Rev. Charles W. Burton, Chicago, 111.; Rev. Thomas H. Harper, Dallas, Texas; Rev. William T. McElveen. Portland, Ore. ; Rev. Albert W. Palmer, Honolulu, T. H.- Rev. L.\wrence A. Wilson, Greeley, Colo.

Pilgrim Memorial Fund Commission

Mr. H. M. Beardsley, Kansas City, Mo., Chairman; Rev. Charles S. Mills, 375 Lexington Ave., New York City, Executive Secretary.

Members

Mr. H. M. Beardsley, Kansas City, Mo. ; Mr. Henry G. Cordley, Glen Ridge, N. J.; Rev. D. J. Cowling, Northfield, ^Nlinn. ; Mr. Lucius

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES /

R. Eastman, Upper Montclair, N. J. ; Mr. B. H. Fakcher, New York City; Rev. Frank J. Goodwin., Litchfield, Conn.; Rew Oliver HucKEL, Greenwich, Conn.; AIr. Arthur S. Johnson, Boston, Mass.; Mr. Frederick B. Lovejoy, Montclair, N. J.; Mr. James Lyman, Evanston, 111. ; Rev. Oscar E. Maurer, New Haven, Conn. ; Rev. Lewis T. Reed,i Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Mr. Alanson H. Scudder, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Mr. William Grant Smith, Cleveland, Ohio; Rev. Henry A. Stimson, New York City; Rev. Jay T. Stocking, Upper Montclair, N. J.; Mr. Lucien C. Warner, New York City; Mr. Charles C. West, Montclair, N. J. ; Mfe. Geo.. N. Whittlesey, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Rev. Clarence H. Wilson, Glen Ridge, N. J.

Commission on Evangelism and Devotional Life.

Rev. Wm. Horace Day, Bridgeport, Conn., Chairman ; Rev. Ernest B. Alu;n, Oak Park, 111.; Major John T. Axton, Washington, D. C. ; Mr. David P. Barrows, Berkeley, Cal. ; Rev. E. I. Bos- worth, Oberlin, Ohio; Rev. Robert E. Brown, Waterbury, Conn.; Mr. J. P. A. Burnquist, St. Paul, Alinn. ; Rew Charles E. Bur- ton, New York City; Rev. E. H. Byington, W. Roxbury, Mass.; Mr. W. M. Crane, Jr., Dalton, 'Mass.; Rev. E. W. Cross, Grinnell, Iowa; Rev. Ozora S. Davis, Chicago, 111.; Mr. Sherwood Eddy, New York City; Rev. R. W. Gammon, Chicago, 111.; Rev. J. P. HuGET, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Rev. Charles E. Jefferson, New York City; Rev. Geo. F. Kenngott, Los .Angeles, Cal.; Rev. Eugene W. Lyman, New York City ; Mr. Wm. Merrill, Salt Lake City, Utah ; Rev. Geo. M. Miller, Billings, Mont. ; Rev. J. E. Park, West New- ton, Mass. ; Mr. Raymond Robins, Chicago, 111. ; Mr. Fred. B. Smith, New York City; Mr. Franklin H. Warner, New York City.

Commission on Social Service

Rev. Nicholas Van der Pvl, Oberlin, Ohio, Chairman; Rev. HIenry A. Arnold, Toledo, Ohio; Rev. Hexrv A. Atkinson, New York City; Rev. Hugh Elmer Brown, Evanston, 111.; Rev. Eugene C. Ford, Wadena, Minn. ; Re\'. Wm. M. Jardine, Manhattan, Kan. ; Mr. George W. Mead, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. ; Rev. Charles W. Merriam, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Rev. Frazer Metzger, Randolph, Vt. ; Mr. James Mullenbach, Chicago, 111.; Rev. Harry E. Pea- body, Appleton, Wis.; Mr. Raymond Robins, Chicago. Ill; Mr. William E. Sweet, Denver, Colo.; Rev. Graham Taylor, Chicago, 111.; .Rev. Frank G. W^ard, Chicago, 111.; Mr. Wm. Allen White, Emporia, Kan.

O OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Commission on Religious and Moral Education

Rev. Albert E. Roraback, iBrooklyn, N. Y., Chairman; Rev. Raymond C. Brooks, Claremont, Cal. ; Rev. Frank E. Duddy, Toledo, Ohio ; Mr. Eugene' C. Foster, White Plains, N. Y. ; Rev. Hugh Hart- SHORNE, N'ew York City; Mrs. Marie C. Hunter, Oak Park, 111.; Rev. J. L. Lobingier, Oberlin, Ohio.

■Commission on Comity, Federation and Unity

Rev. Nehemiah Boynton, Brooklyn, N. Y., Chairman; Mr. L. F. Anderson, Walla Wialla, Wash. ; Rev. "G. Glenn Atkins. Detroit Mich.; Rev. William E. Barton, Oak Park, 111.; Rev. Raymond Calkins, Cambridge, Mass.; Mr. W. B. Davis, Cleveland. Ohio; Rev. Robert Hopkin, Denver, Colo. ; Rev. H. C. King, Oberlin, Ohio; Rev. Eugene W. Lyman, New York City; Rev. J. P. O'Brien. Talladega, Ala. ; Rev. Fr.ank K. Sanders, New York City; Rev. Newman Smyth, New Haven, Conn.; Rev. F. J. Van Horn, Oakland, Cal. ; j\Ir. Williston Walker. New Haven, Conn. ; Mr. Lucien C. Warner, New York City.

Commission on Polity

Rev. Wm. E. Barton, Oak Park, 111., Chairman; Rev. A. H. Arm- strong, St. Louis, Mo. ; Mr. Cilarence Hale, Portland, Me. ; AIr. Clark Hammond, Buffalo, N. Y. ; Rev. Geo. F. Kenngott, Los Angeles, Cal. ; Re\'. Charles S. Nash, Berkeley, Cal. ; Rev. W. W. Newell, River Forest. 111. ; Mr. Dell A. Schweitzer, Los Angeles, Cal.

Commission on Temperance

Rev. W. a. Morgan, Washington, D. C, Chairman; Mr. W. E. Gates, Washington, D. C. ; AJr. Nathan W. Littlefield, Providence, R. I.; Re\-. J. N. Pierce, Washington, D. C. ; JVIr. E. E. Slosson, Washington, D. C. ; Mr. Thomas Sterling, Washington, D. C. ; Mr. Wayne B. Wheeler, Wkshington, D. C.

Commission on Recruiting of the 'Ministry

Rev. Ernest B. Allen, Oak Park, 111., Chairman; Rev. Chas. R. Brown, New Haven, Conn. ; Rev. Ozora Davis, Chicago, 111. ; Rev. H. p. Dewey, Minneapolis, Minn. ; Rev. Chester B. Emer- son, Detroit, Mich.; Rev. W^m. J. Hutchins, Berea, Ky. ; Rev. Charles E. Jefferson, New York City; Rev. W. D. Mackenzie, Hartford, Conn.; Rev. Chas. S. Mills, New York City; Rev. Frank M. Sheldon, Boston, ]\Iass.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES V

Commission on Status of the Ministry

Mr. M. a. Myers, Chicago, 111., Chairman; Mr. H. M. Beardsley, Kansas City, Mo. ; Mr. F. G. Cook, Cambridge, Mass. ; Mr. Frank Kimball, Oak Park, 111. ; Mb., W. W. Mills, Marietta, Ohio ; Mr. Clarence S. Pellet, Oak Park, III. ; Mr. Ernest N. Warner, Madison, Wis.; 'Mr. Franklin H. Warner, New York City.

Commission on Closer Co-operation with Foreign Speaking

Churches

Re\'. H. M. Bowden, New York City, Chairman; Rev. E. E. Day, Whittier, Cal. ; Rev. F. E. Emrich, Brighton, Mass., Rev. Gustaf E. Pihl, New Britain, Conn.; Rev. G. L. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio.

Commission on Near East Relief

Rev. Clarence H. Wilson, Glen Ridge, N. J., Chairman; Rev. Nehe- miah Boynton, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Mr, J. B. Clark, New York City; Rev. Wm. H. Day, Bridgeport, Conn.; Mr. W. W. Mills, Marietta, Ohio.

Fraternal Delegates

To Congregational Union of England and Wales. Rev. Hugh Elmer Brown, Evanston, 111. ; Re\-. Frank Dyer, Tacoma, Wash. ; Rev. H. A. Jump, Manchester, N. H.

To Japan and China. Rev. James L. Barton, Newton Center, Mass.; Rev. George W. Hinman, San Francisco, Cal. ; Rev. Albert W. Palmer, Honolulu, T. H.

To Australia. Rev. Sydney Strong, Seattle, Wiash.

To Canada. Mr. iRolfe Cobleigh, Bbston, Mass. ; Rev. Noble S. Elderkin, Duluth, Minn.; Rev. W. R. Marshall, Bellingham, Wash.

To South Africa. Rev. Hugh G. Ross, Pittsfield, Mass.

To the Pan-Presbyterian Council. Rev. J. Edgar Park, West Newton, Mass.

To Universal Conference of Church of Christ on Life aad Work. •Rev. Nehemiah Boynton, Brooklyn, N Y. ; Rev. Arthur H. Brad- ford, Providence, R. I.; Rev. Chester B. Emerson, Detroit, Mich.

10 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

CORPORATION FOR THE NATIONAL COUNOIL

Rkv. William E. Barton, Oak Park, 111., President.

Rev. Charles S. Mills, New York City. Secretary.

Member e.v-offirio. Rev. Charles E. Burton.

Term expires 1926: Mr. H. \l. Beardsley, Missouri; Rev. D. J. Cowling, Minnesota; Mr. B. H. Fancher, New York City; Mr. S. H'. A'liLLER, New York City; Mr. Epaphroditus Peck, Con- necticut; Mr. Van A. Wallin, Illinois; Mr. Samuel WooLvra- TON, New York City.

Term expires 1923: *HoN. Simeon E. Baldwin, Connecticut; ]\Ir. Lucius R. Eastman, New Jersey ; Mr. Edward W. Peet, New York; Mr. E. P. Maynard, New York; Rev. Charles S. Mills, New York; Mr. Edwin G. Warner, New York; Mr. J. L. Grandin, Massachusetts; Rev. Clarence H. Wilson, New Jersey.

♦Itesigned December, l'J21.

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

MISSIONARY AGENCIES

THE AMERICAN BOARD OiF COiM'MISSIO'NERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS

14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

President, p' ice-President,

Rev. Edward C. Moore. David P. Jones.

Foreign Departtnent, Editorial Department,

Rev. James L. Barton, Cor- Rev. Enoch F. Bell, Secretary.

responding Secretary. Treasury Department,

Rev. William E. Strong, Cor- Frederick A. Gaskins, Treas.

responding Secretary. Harold B. Belcher, Asst. Treas.

Rev. Ernest W. Riggs, Asso. Rev. Alden H. Clark, Candidate Sec. Secretary.

Home Department, John G. Hosmer, Pub. and

Rev. Cornelius H. Patton, Purchasing Agent

Corresponding Secretary. Rev. D. Brewer Eddy, Associate

Secretary. Rev. Charles Ernest White, Assistant Secretary. District Secretaries, Middle District, Rev. W. W. Scudder, Acting Secretary, 287 Fourth

Avenue, New York City. Interior District, Rev. William F. English, Jr., Secretary, 19 So. La Salle .St., Chicago, 111. Rev', a. N. Hitchcock. Associate Secretary, 19 So. La Salle St., Qiicago, 111. Pacific Coast District. Rev. H. H. Kelsey, Secretary, 760 Market St., San Francisco, Cal.

THE CONGREGATIONAL HOtME MISSIONARY SOCIETY 287 Fourth Avenue, New York City

President, Secretary of Promotion.

Rev. J. Percival Huget. Rev. William S. Beard.

General Secretary, Secretary Woman's Department,

Rev. Ernest 'M. Hallihay Miss Miriam L. W^oodberry.

Secretary of Missions, Treasurer,

Rev. Frank L. Moore. Charles H. Baker.

12 MISSIONARY AGENCIES

THiE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY

287 Fourth Avenue, New York City President, Church Building Secretary,

Rev. J. Percival Huget. Rev. James Robert Smith.

General Secretary, Editorial Secretary,

Rev. Ernest M. Halliday Rev. Charles H. Richards.

Treasurer, Charles H. Baker. Field Secretaries,

Rev. William W. Leete, 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

Rev. Geo. T. McCollum, 19 So. La Salle Street, Chicago, 111.

Rev. Charles H. Harrison, Guardian Trust Bldg., Denver, Colorado. Assistant Field Secretary,

Mrs. C. Hi. Taintor, Clinton, Conn.

THE CONGREGATIO^NAL SUNDAY SCHOOL EXTEXSiO'N

SOCIETY

287 Fourth Avenue, New York City President, Extension Secretary,

Rev. J. Percival Huget. Rev. VV. Knighton Bloom.

General Secretary, Treasurer,

Rev. Ernest M. Halliday Charles H. Baker.

THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION

287 Fourth Avenue, New York City

President, Honorary Secretary and Editor,

Rev. Nehemiah Boynton. Rev. A. F. Beard.

Corresponding Secretaries, Associate Secretary,

Rev. George L. Cady. Rev. Samuel Lane Loomis.

Rev. Fred L. Brownlee

Treasurer, Jrving C. Gaylord. Secretary Bureau of JVoinati's Work, 'Mrs. F. W. Wilcox. District Secretaries,

Rev. Alfred V. Bliss, 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Rev. Frank N. White. 19 So. La Salle Street, Chicago, III. Rev. George W. Hinman, 423 Phelan Bldg., San Francisco, Cal.

THE CONGREGATIONAL EDUCATION SOCIETY 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. President, ' Secretary Social Sennce,

Rev. Charles R. Brown. Rev. Arthur E. Holt.

General Secretary, Secretary Missionary Education,

Rev. F. M. Sheldon. Rev. Herbert W. Gates.

Treasurer, Joseph B. Robson.

MISSIONARY AGENCIES 13

THE CONGREGATIONAL BOiARD OF MilNISTEiRIAL RELIEF

375 Lexington Avenue, New York City President, Secretary Emeritus,

Rev. Henry A. Stimson. Rev. William A. Rice.

Secretary, Treasurer,

Rev. Charles S. Mills. B. H. Fancher.

THE ANNUITY FUND FOR CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS President, Financial Secretary,

Rev. Henry A. Stimson. Philip H. Senior.

General Secretary, Treasurer,

Rev. Charles S. iMills. B. H. Fancher.

WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISiSIO'NS 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Home Secretary, Treasurer,

Miss Helen B. Calder. ]\Irs. Frank Gaylord Cook.

WOMAN'S BOARD OF 'MlISSIONS QF THE INTERIOR 19 So. La Salle Street, Room 1315, Chicago, III. Secretary, Treasurer,

Mrs. Lucius O. Lee. Mrs. S. E. Hurlbut.

WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS FOiR THE PACIFIC 760 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal. Home Secretary. Treasurer,

Mrs. C. a. Kofoid. Mrs. W. W. Ferrier.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY FEDERATION President, Mrs. Hubert C. Herring, New York City. General Secretary, Mrs. John J. Pearsall, 289 Fourth Ave., New York

City. Treasurer, ^Irs. Philip Suffern, Plainfield, N. J.

CO'NGREGATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION

Dr. George W. Nash, President, 19 So. LaSalle iSt., Chicago, 111.

For Tzuo Years. Rev. Dan F. Bradley, Cleveland, Oliio; Rev. D. J. Cowling,. Northfield, iMinn. ; Rev. Ashley Leavitt, Brookline, Mass.; Mr. T. W. Nadal, Springfield, Mo.; Mfe. W. H. Nichols, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; iMr. E. C. Streeter, Boston, Mass.

For Four Years. Mr. J. :M. Bennett, Crete, Neb. ; Rev. H. S. Brad- ley, Portland, Me. ; Rev. Charles R. Brown, New Haven, Conn. ; Mr. Frederick Lyman, Pasadena, Cal.; Rev. A. J. Sullens, Port- land, Ore.

14 MISSIONARY AGENCIES

For Six Years. Rev. James A. Blaisdell, Claremont, Cal. ; Rev. Charles E. Jefferson, New York City; Rev. Hexrv C. Kixg, Oberlin. Ohio; Mr. John R. Montgomery, Chicago, 111.; Mr. A. J. Nason, Chicago, 111.; Rev. Carl S. Patton, Los Angeles, Cal.

CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. President. Treasurer,

Rev. Charles R. Brown. Joseph B. Robson.

General Secretary, Business Manager,

Rev. F. M. Sheldon. Sidney A. Weston.

THE AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION Organized, 1853. Chartered, 1854. Headquarters, Library, Congregational House. Boston President, Cor. and Rec. Secretary,

Rev. Edward M. Noyes. Thomas Todd, Jr.

Treasurer, Lib. and Asst. Treasurer,

Augustus S. Lovett. Rev. William H. Cobb.

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REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The shadow of a great loss has rested upon us ever since the shocking news came, last summer, of the tragic death of our Secretary, so greatly honored and beloved, Hubert C. Herring. Sympathetic recognition of this loss has been made to Dr. Herring's family and an appreciation of his character has been entered on the pages of the Year Book. The Chairman of the Committee has been requested to speak of Dr. Herring, also, at the Communion Service of the Council.

Nine meetings of the Executive Committee have been held since the Council at Grand Rapids, one in Chicago, the others in New York, beside several informal conferences between members locally accessible. jAU the members elected have served, with the exception of Rev. Robert R. Wicks of Holyoke, Mass., who has found it necessary to resign, owing to ill health. The earnest and devoted inter- est of the members of the Committee has been notable.

To secure one who would fill the position of Secretary, until the election by the Council, was the pressing need after the loss of Dr. Herring. As soon as the attention of the Committee was directed to Rev. Edward D. Eaton, formerly President of Beloit, there was unanimous judg- ment as to his fitness for the position. Trained in prob- lems of administration, wise in counsel and courteous in manner, methodical and industrious in handling details, he has given unremitting attention to the work of the office and although engaged on part time service the interests of the denomination have been upon his mind continuously and the duties falling to him have been discharged most acceptably. A lasting debt of gratitude will be his due.

Early in 1920, after considerable investigation of avail- able men, Mr. Truman J. Spencer, then of Hartford, Conn., was appointed Assistant Secretary. He has brought to the position an established loyalty to the denomination and

18 REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

eager interest in its welfare, a keen and retentive memory, which will be of increasing value with the years, and an accurate and methodical habit of work. The conduct of the New York office has been admirable, Miss Eleanore W. Nichols continuing her efficient service in special charge of the Year Book.

The Year Book has been published as usual, serious de- lay however, being due to the printers' strike. The cost of publication has been somewhat more than $14,000, an in- crease of more than double the cost of five years ago, main- ly arising from higher rates of labor. The established policy of free distribution to all ministers and to church clerks upon request has been continued. The column re- porting "Invested Funds" is being used temporarily for the Pilgrim Fund and another adjustment makes room for the Congregational World Movement.

Much of the Secretary's time, during the spring of 1920, was devoted to arrangements for the International Council. The record of that notable gathering, with the important reports of the various commissions, bringing inspiration to our churches and strengthening the ties between our own and the mother-countr}^ has already been written in- to our history and need not be detailed here. The expense was in the neighborhood of $25,000. To this will be added about $3,000 for printing the proceedings. This has been provided in large part by generous contributions from in- dividuals and some of our more resourceful churches. A deficit, however, has been incurred, of at least $3,500. To meet this, assurances from other sources were considered good) but it now appears that this amount will have to be carried by the Council Treasury, until other provision is made.

On June 3rd, 1920y a joint meeting of the chairmen and representatives of the various commissions of the Council was held in New York. This was in pursuance of the policy to give a greater degree of coordination to the work done by various groups of investigators by bringing them into conference with each other and with the Executive Com- mittee.

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 19

The most outstanding subject, which received the atten- tion of the above-mentioned group and which is forging to the front in all ecclesiastical bodies is the question of church vmity. Beside hearing from the Commission of Fifteen appointed to confer with a Commission of the Episcopal General Convention, the Council will receive the report of the Delegates to the Inter-Church Conference on Organic Unity. This will be so important and far-reaching in its significance and will involve so many details requiring specific consideration beside the fundamental principles, which are of utmost importance, your committee has recom- mended that the plan for organic church union be presented to the National Council for consideration but not for defi- nite action, that through the Council it be submitted to the churches, the final action to be taken at the Council in 1923. This will forestall any precipitate action, it will pro- vide opportunity for thorough and deliberate discussion of this great theme throughout our entire constituency and thus the mind of our churches should become clearly known.

The relation of the denomination to The Congregation- alist has been newly brought to the attention of your com- mittee by an acute financial situation which developed in the fall of 1920. The indebtedness of the Publishing So- ciety on account of the increased cost of various publica- tions, including The Congregationalist, was so large that the bank which for many years has carried the notes of the Society felt unable to do so any longer unless a substantial reduction was made in the amount of the loan or assur- ance given of more adequate financial support for the So- ciety.

It seemed clearly unwise at that time to appeal to the denomination for any considerable amount of money. The other alternative was to transfer the financial responsibility for the Congregationalist to the Education Society, thus relieving the Publishing Society and bringing the paper into more vital relation to the denomination and securing better financial backing. This proved acceptable to the bank and the transfer was effected with the cordial ap- proval and cooperation of ajl immediately concerned. It

20 REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

IS a reassuring instance of good team-work in a difficult situation.

This transfer was provisional and temporary, made under the authorization of the Executive Committee in confer- ence with the Commission on Missions, and by the con- curring action of the two Societies. It remains for the Council to determine whether this or any similar relation shall be made permanent. It thus brings before the na- tional body the entire question of the policy to be followed with reference to our denominational organ.

The subject will be presented more in detail by others, Vv'hile a thorough discussion would require more space than is here available. It seems important, however, to bring into view some of the broader considerations bearing upon this exceedingly important question.

The Congregationalist is one of the essential organs of our denomination. The collective and increasingly corpo- rate life of our churches cannot function without it. There must be a medium for the interchange of thought, method and achievement, and a spokesman of our common inter- ests. The need of such an informing and unifying agency is unmistakable.

This was the main consideration, in the mind of Dr. Her- ring and others, favoring the purchase of The Advance. As was feared at the time this has been a costly venture. Although the terms of purchase were determined under an appraisal made by three expert newspaper men, the sum was felt by many to be unduly large. The list of sub- scribers to The Advance, turned over to The Congregation- alist, has proved a disappointment, not yielding as many permanent subscribers to the present paper as was antici- pated.

In spite of these unfavorable items, which should not be unduly emphasized, the merger of the two papers has been brought about in good spirit and (to a large degree) has resulted in precisely what was desired, a national constituency served by one organ, free from controversy or sectionalism and increasingly homogeneous.

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 21

The cost of The Advance, hov^ever, has not been the main item in the financial situation. The major difficulty- has arisen from the unprecedently high cost of production, which every paper of this class has experienced to its dis- may. The outlay on the mechanical side last year has been from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars more than it was the preceding year. In spite of this, through retrenchments of various sorts, the deficit was only about $5,000 more than in the previous year, and the price has not been raised.

Beside the transfer to the Education Society, the situa- tion has been still further alleviated by the action of the Congregational World Movement in putting the paper for this year on the list of objects to share in the contributions from the churches. From $5,000 to $10,000 may be expect- ed from this source. Still greater will be the relief afiforded by the increased percentage for the Education Society in 1922, in the interest of the Congregationalist.

In view of all the facts the policy of the denomination seems reasonably clear. A newspaper, devoted to the inter- ests of our churches, is essential. Such a paper will not be maintained by private enterprise nor can it be expected, under present conditions, to be entirely self-supporting. It must be regarded as an agency of our common life, fur- nishing news, promoting education, offering leadership and religious inspiration and in every way providing a clearing house for distinctively church interests. Its maintenance must be assumed by our united action. A resolution look- ing to this end will be submitted.

The action of the Council at Grand Rapids, recommend- ing a contribution from the churches of one cent per capifa for the traveling expenses of the delegates, in addition to five cents per capita for regular Council expenses, has met the general approval of the churches. One state in adopt- ing the increased rate has reserved to itself the handling of the funds for its own delegates. Otherwise there is substantially unanimous acceptance of the suggestion.

In carrying out the purpose of this action, the Council at Los Angeles admits of only partial application of the

22 REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

plan. There is considerable variation in the dates when state meetings are held, some coming in the spring, others in the fall. Hence it has been impossible to secure action on the part of all the states that would take effect at the beginning of the two-year period just passing. Accord- ingly, the amount available for the present Council is about $9,000, instead of the full amount of $15,000, which may be anticipated later.

For this tentative beginning of the plan the simplest way has been to distribute to the delegates attending the Council the money available on the basis of the mileage traveled. This will amount to approximately one-half cent per mile. This is a meagre sum, in view of the extraordi- nary distance, and in no way should be regarded as typical of the value or usual operation of the plan.

Hereafter, when the full amount of $15,000 is available, and when the Council is held in a location fairly central to our constituency, it will be possible to pay to each delegate approximately two cents per mile for the distance traveled. This would be the simplest method and doubtless would promote the desired result of an increased and more widely representative attendance.

The alternative to this method would be the adoption of a zone system, by which proportionally larger payments would be made to those coming from longer distances and hence incurring greater expense both for travel and inci- dentals. Considerable study has been given to this possi- bility and the details will be presented at the time of the Council. Probably, however, the simpler method will ap- prove itself as more feasible.

REPORT OF TREASURER OF NATIONAL COUNCIL

Year Ending Dec. 31, 1919

RECEIPTS

Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1919 $ 436.94

Per Capita Dues from Churches . . . .$32,113.25

Advertising in Year Book 270.00

Sale of Year Books and Printed Matter 529.48 Interest on Deposits and Funds held by Corporation for Council 167.22 33,079.95

EXPENDITURES

Salaries $ 5,291.61

Clerical Labor 4,192.08

Traveling Expenses 925.93

Rent 1,345.68

Office Supplies 293.37

Postage 926.99

Telephone 135.50

Sundry Expenses 541.08

Moving Expenses 717.25

Year Book ., 10,357.41

Advance Reports, Minutes of National

Council , 851.66

Printing Leaflets 395.10

Miscellaneous Printing 125.64

Expenses of Committees & Commis- sions :

Executive Committee 427.02

Commission on Missions 701.91

Organization 57.68

Evangelism 14.24

Religious Education 33.50

Comity, Federation & Unity 157.49

Social Service 36.46

$33,516.89

24 REPORT OF TREASURER

Temperance 2.50

Status of Ministry 165.25

Council Meeting 2,719.90

Federal Council 1,583.00

International Council 75.00

Note— Old Colony Trust Co 1,000.00 33,074.25

Balance December 31, 1919 442.<54

$33,516.89

PILIGRIM TERCENTENARY FUND Year Ending Dec. 31, 1919

RECEIPTS

Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1919 $69.43

Appropriation by National Mission Boards for Secretary of Benevo- lence $ 3,250.88

Special Tercentenary Subscriptions . . 2,780.00

Appropriation by National Mission

Boards for Every Member Drive 1,879.41

Sale of Leaflets, E. M. D. Buttons, etc. 543.79

Interest on Deposits 39.61

8,493.69

$8,563.12

EXPENDITURES

Salary, W. W. Scudder $ 3,000.00

Clerical Labor 1,032.95

Rent 246.50

Traveling Expenses 591.50

Postage 70.92

Printing Pamphlets, Leaflets, etc 400.24

Leaflets, Buttons, Postage, Express,

etc., for Every Member Drive 2,302.89

Sundry Expenses 83.66

REPORT OF TREASURER 25

Interest on Note 91.25

International Council 100.00

Congregational World Movement . . . 31.98

$7,951.89

Balance on hand, Dec. 31, 1919 611.23

$8,563.12

REPORT OF TREASURER OF NATIONAL COUNCIL

Year Ending Dec. 31, 1920

RECEIPTS

Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1920 $442.64

Per Capita Contributions from Churches $38,084.81

Advertising in Year Book 310.00

Sale of Year Books & Other Printed Matter 1,091.81

Interest on Deposits 71.15

Loan from Cong'l S. S. Extension So- ciety 2,500.00 42,057.77

$42,500.41

EXPENDITURES

Salaries $ 9,425.00

Clerical Labor 6,464.82

Traveling Expenses 621.04

Rent 1,185.00

Office Supplies 359.61

Postage 297.12

Telephone & Telegraph 135.71

Moving Expenses 185.25

Sundry Expenses 383.07

Year Book 14,065.52

Miscellaneous Printing 116.36

Council Meeting 35.49

Furniture 1 1 .49

26 REPORT OF TREASURER

Insurance on Furniture 11.62

Printing Pamphlets, Leaflets, etc 971.32

Council Minutes 1,566.90

Advertising 179.60

Expenses of Committees & Commis- sions :

Executive Committee 274.37

Commission on Missions 645.69

Social Service 218.24

Status of Ministry 152.87

Comity, Federation & Unity 158.57

Religious Education 31.75

Organization 50.16

Men's Work 9.44

Evangelism 7.32

Organic Unity 8.35

Federal Council 809.00

Loan to Pilgrim Tercentenary Fund. . 1,800.00

Repayment Loan— Old Colony Trust 1,500.00 41,680.68

Balance, December 31, 1920 819.73

$42,500.41

PILGRIM TERCENTENARY FUND

Year Ending Dec. 31, 1920

RECEIPTS

Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1920 $611.23

Contributions for International Coun- cil Expense $23,740.46

Special Tercentenary Subscriptions.. 2,055.00

Sale of Leaflets . . . .' 1,17291

Interest on Deposits 7.48

Loan from National Council 1,800.00 28,775.85

$29,387.08

REPORT OF TREASURER 27

EXPENDITURES

International Council $24,564.43

Every Member Drive 243.18

Salaries and Clerical Labor 1,683.13

Traveling Expenses 140.64

Leaflets and Slides 2,280.60

Postage 66.13

Interest on Note 22.50

Miscellaneous 155.25 29,155.86

Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1920 231.22

$29,387.08

REPORT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

The Social Service Commission of the National Council holds an advisory relationship to the Social Service De- partment of the Congregational Education Society. As such it has w^orked with the secretary of that department in shaping a program to be used by our churches looking toward a better understanding of social conditions as they exist in the world, and, if possible, to apply Christian prin- ciples to all social problems that are vexing society and dividing it into hostile groups.

The Commission has met each year of the biennium be- tween meetings of the National Council. The broad scope of its field makes it necessary for the Commission to de- limit its sphere of operation. Its members have felt that the problems most threatening and most in need of atten- tion by the Christian forces of the country should be con- sidered paramount and primary.

With this in mind, the Commission has considered the industrial question of primary importance, and for the time being it believes that this question should receive the im- mediate attention of the church. At a joint meeting of this Commission and the National and District Secretaries of the Congregational Education Society a program of so- cial education was outlined. The character of that pro- gram was expressed in the findings of the conference. For purposes of social education the judgment was expressed that the Open Forum and the Discussion Group have dis- tinct value in the dissemination of information and in creat- ing community consciousness and cooperation. To ac- complish the best results knowledge of the facts is abso- lutely essential to the creation of intelligent Christian judg- ment! on moral issues.

It was suggested that discussion be directed by skilled leadership that it might not degenerate into mere debate and aimless talk. That sort of leadership should be de-

THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMISSION 29

veloped by our Social Service Department, and placed at the disposal of our ministers and churches. Where infor- mation is not available from reliable and trustworthy sources, it should be gathered by interdenominational enter- prise and by persons who are impartial in their attitude and thoroughly competent in the technique of scientific research.

It was further suggested that manuals of principles and methods of social education be prepared designed to meet the needs of discussion groups and age and grade groups. Much material is already at hand for ministers and Chris- tian workers, and more of it is to be issued. There has never been a time in the history of the church when so much good material is at hand for those who are seeking light and leading on these questions.

The Commission finds itself confronted with a variety of demands within and without the church. There are those who honestly believe that the discussion of the in- dustrial problem lies outside the legitimate province of the church's activities. They hold that the church has neither the machinery nor the intellectual equipment to make investigation and to arrive at intelligent and trust- worthy conclusions. Its primary work is that of individual character building.

But it should be noted that the industrial problem is a human problem as well as an economic problem, and that the church cannot be indifferent to any human problem. It claims the right to a prophetic voice in the matter. An}'- system which afifects human character comes within its legitimate domain. It claimed the right to speak on the slavery question. Later it threw the weight of its great influence against the liquor traffic. And it claims the right still to make its gospel felt against any system which ar- rests righteous moral and spiritual development, destroys the creative impulse, and invades the exercise of a free personality. For the exercise of that right she makes no apology, and asks no sanction but the sanction of those eternal principles of justice and righteousness which are

30 THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

plainly the content of her God-given message thro Jesus Christ.

There are those who demand that the church place its endorsement upon one or another of the many social pro- grams which have been launched to settle the social and industrial question. The Church, however, can never be- come a class institution. It knows neither capital nor labor, emplo3^er or worker, as such. It was not instituted to be a divider l^etween battling groups or individuals. Its busi- ness is to apply to all classes, to all groups, and to all men, with even justice and in the spirit of Christ, those great ideals of love and brotherhood which lie basic in its life.

The great need of today is to know the facts. These facts are often suppressed or perverted. It is increasingly difficult to get them. Christian men and women have a right to know the situation as it really is; and upon the church we believe rests the obligation to search them out and give them to the people. This is being done, altho not without protest from some sources. An assistant to the Secretary has been appointed whose business it is to assist the officers of the Federal Council of Churches in making research in the field of industrial and social life.

The sensitiveness of many at this time and our inherited prejudices gives a delicacy to the whole situation. Patience and forbearance is the need of the hour. We are the un- conscious victims of custom and convention, and things which seem wrong to ourselves seem to be perfectly right to others. We are all caught up in the meshes of the existing order, and many are the unwilling partners in a system which violates Christian standards.

But it is a matter of great encouragement that there are so many privileged men and women who are seeking to be free from this thrall. Unselfishly they are moving toward a system in which justice and brotherhood can find a better expression. What that system shall be, none of us are wise enough to forecast. But that it must be a system in which the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be dominant is our hope and dream.

THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMISSION 31

The supreme need of the hour is an attitude of open- mindedness. There is right and wrong doubtless on both sides. Of one thing we may be sure, that those who are nearest the conflict are least able to see the significance of the conflict. "When two classes are exasperated with each other, the'i peace of the world is always kept by striking a new note." That note is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That there are social and industrial wrongs and malad- justments in the world is self-evident. There is poverty for which the victims in many cases are in nowise respon- sible. There are recurring periods of unemployment which weigh heavily upon self-respecting men and women. There is an afifluence which weakens and often completely destroys character. To none of these can the Christian church be indifferent.

Your Commission therefore believes that there is a great work for the church to do in this field. As a leader in the work of individual and social salvation it must face its task; and it calls for the cooperation of all who hold to a gospel of brotherhood.

Nicholas Van Der Pyl, Chairman

REPORT OF COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF THE MINISTRY

In the report of the Commission on Missions to the 1919 National Council was the folUowing-:

"We therefore recommend that our official boards take action looking to a readjustment of salaries of secretaries, field workers and missionaries and that the churches aim to secure an advance of at least 25 per cent, in the salaries of the pastors."

A strong spontaneous sentiment developed at that meet- ing of the Council that every possible effort should be made to bring to the membership of the churches the imperative need of meeting this important requirement; not only as a matter of simple justice to pastors but as involving the fundamental question of encouraging capable, vigorous young men to enter the ministry as a life work. The crea- tion of a Commission of laymen was recommended. The National Council approved the recommendation and your Commission was named.

In November following a communication was sent to all the churches of our order reciting the above facts and urg- ing prompt and adequate action. Replies came from about one-fourth of the churches addressed, giving information as to salaries then paid; what advances had been made within 1, 2 and 5 years; whether pastor was giving full time; also proportion of churches that provided a parsonage or its equivalent.

This information has been supplemented by the lists of churches reported in the "Congregationalist" as increasing pastors' salaries and by reports from State Superintendents. Summing up all the data received it is evident that over half of the Congregational churches of America have made in- creases in the salaries of pastors since the period of mount- ing prices set in. In a fair proportion of cases this increase has been ample. There can be no doubt that the constitu-

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF THE MINISTRY 33

ency of the churches is alive to the importance of the work undertaken, and enough progress has been made to warrant the confident hope that the campaign will ultimately suc- ceed.

Secretary Burton of the Congregational Home Missionary Society has given much valuable assistance. Through his office the active efforts of State Superintendents have been organized to take up and press the matter in their terri- tories. Mr. Frank'in Warner, acting as Secretary of this Commission, has been designated to cooperate with the Home Missionary Office in this work, from which substan- tial results are coming and will undoubtedly continue to materialize.

No formal meeting of the full Commission has been held, the Chairman not feeling warranted in putting the National Council to the considerable expense that would have been involved. He has however kept in touch with the members of the Commission through correspondence and in personal interviews as available and has endeavored to have the actions taken reflect the average judgment of the Com- mission.

Your Chairman attended a meeting of Chairmen of Com- missions with the Executive Committee of the National Council in New York in June, 1920, and has participated in numerous conferences with Associations and Secretaries.

Sentiment is crystalizing into action, your Commission believes, but none too rapidly. Much remains to be done. There must be earnest, determined, persistent cooperation by all if the goal aimed at is to be attained.

M. A. Myers, Chairinan

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ORGANIZATION

It becomes the first and very sad duty of your Commission on Organization to report to the National Council the death of the honored and beloved chairman of this Commission, the Rev. John P. Sanderson, D.D., who entered into rest on Sun- day, July 11, 1920. He had just returned to his home from the meeting of the International Council, whose sessions he had attended and enjoyed, as he had those of the National Council in Grand Rapids a few months earlier. In these and other activities connected with his work, he lived his life to the full limit of his years, and died at the zenith of his usefulness. Few men in our denomination have attended so many meetings of this National Council as he, his attendance beginning in 1886, and continuing with few absences to the end of his life. His most conspicuous service to this National Council was that which culminated in Cleveland in 1907, when as Chairman of the Committee on Polity he presented a notable report that laid the foundation at Boston in 1910 for the appointment of the Commission of Nineteen. Your Commission attempts no biography or eulogy, but only this brief recognition of the loss to the Commission and to this Council by reason of Dr. Sanderson's death, and an expression of gratitude for his long and rich service to our churches and to the kingdom of God.

After his death, the Executive Committee of the National Council appointed Rev, William E. Barton as Chairman.

Unfortunately, the notes which Dr. Sanderson is known to have made, and which he discussed informally with the present chairman, are not available for use in this report. They have not as yet been found. They related particularly to the revision of the proposed Constitution for District Associations, so as to provide, if possible, for a basis of membership of ministers and for churches that might avoid the present difficulties.

Those difficulties are these:

COMMISSION ON ORGANIZATION 35

If Ministerial Standing reposes in Associations composed of ministers, and separate from, or only nominally related to. District Associations of churches, the churches themselves have no voice in determining Ministerial Standing, or in deciding who shall possess it. This seems inconsistent with the Congregational principle. The practice grew up in New England under a theory which at first denied to the Associa- tion any prerogative such as subsequently, and especially after the action of this National Council in 1886, the Association was practically compelled to assume.

On the other hand, if ministers and churches are jointly to compose Associations of Ministers and Churches, then we have, what exists in most States, District Associations com- posed partly of delegates and partly of principals. This, certainly, is a parliamentary infelicity, and it is felt when associations seek incorporation, as some of them have sought and, notwithstanding this infelicity, obtained it.

An attempt has been made in some States to solve this problem by limiting the right of ministers, especially minis- ters, not pastors, to vote except in matters relating to licen- sure, ordination and ministerial standing. But this, mani- festly does not meet the difficulties involved.

Ministers generally object to holding their standing in bodies in which they are subject to an authority in which they do not fully participate; and in most States ministers object to the old-time class condition of ministerial standing. Although it guarantees to a minister the right to be tried by a jury of his peers, it deprives the churches of their right to place the membership of their pastors in the same body in which the churches themselves have membership.

If all ministers were pastors, the solution of the problem would be less difficult. As it is, it is highly complicated. The difficulties are frankly confessed in recent books on Congregational polity, and were fully discussed by the Commission of Nineteen in the years from 1910 to 1913.

Dr. Sanderson was earnestly working at the problem when death overtook him. Your Commission has no desire to present a hastily prepared report on so important a mat-

36 COMMISSION ON ORGANIZATION

ter. We are not confronted by any crisis which calls for haste. We therefore make this report of progress, and we, oi our successors, will welcome any light which members of this Council or of the churches shall present for their assist- ance.

Your Commission has pleasure in reporting that the Con- stitution for the International Council which this Commis- sion presented in 1919, and which was referred by the Na- tional Council to the International Council, was adopted by that body, with slight amendments, at the meeting in Boston, in July, 1920.

William E. Barton Arthur H. Armstrong *" Cleveland R. Cross

Edgar L. Heermance Charles S. Nash Miriam Choate Hobart

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ORDAINED

WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, AND LAY

WORKERS

The resolution under which this Commission was ap- pointed was adopted by the National Council at Grand Rapids, October 24, 1919, and reads, as follows :

That in view of the already effective service of some women ministers in our own as well as in other denomina- tions, a Committee be appointed to secure information ; first, as to the number of women now in the ministry, their standing and efficiency ; and second, as to the need of women ministers. And that, in view of the increasing use of lay preaching by our English brethren, this matter of lay preaching be committed to this same Committee ; and that to this Committee be referred all matters dealing with Church Assistants and germane subjects; this Committee to report at the next Council.

This somewhat broad charter easily divides itself into three general subjects of inquiry, on each of which your Commission finds itself able to submit a report.

I. ORDAINED WOMEN

The question of the ordination of women was discussed by the older authorities in Congregational Polity. Without exception, so far as we are aware, their judgment was un- favorable to women's preaching, and many of them opposed the voting of women in church meetings. John Robinson set forth what he conceived to be the privileges of a woman in the church :

And for women, they are debarred by their sex, as from ordinary prophesying, so from other dealings where they take authority over the man They may make profes- sion of faith, or confession of sin, say Amen to the church's prayers, sing psalms vocally, accuse a brother of sin, witness an accusation, or defend themselves being accused ; yea, commonly, in a case extraordinary, namely where no man will, I see not but a woman may reprove the church, rather than suffer it to go on in apparent wickedness. — "Justifica- tion of Separation"; in Works II, 215.

38 ORDAINED WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS

In another connection Robinson declared that the apostle's prohibition of women's speaking in meeting is perpetual.

Dr. Dexter set forth his fundamental declaration concern- ing the equality of members in a Congregational church in this headline :

Every member of such a church has equal essential rights, powers, and privileges, with every other (except so far as the New Testament and common sense makes some special abridgement in the case of females and youthful members). — "Congregationalism," p. 38.

The first Appendix to that invaluable work is one of thirty-four solidly printed pages on "Female and Minor Suffrage in Congregational Churches," in which he massed the resources of his great erudition against women's speak- ing in meeting or exercising a vote in the affairs of the church.

Dr. Ross was silent as to the ordination of women, but said concerning their voting:

Women were formerly denied by usage the right of suf- frage in our churches, both in England and in America. . . . But female suffrage in the churches has increased until now it is common. — "The Church Kingdom," pp. 258.9.

Ordination of women to the ministry is comparatively recent in Congregationalism. So far as your Commission is aware, the subject has not hitherto received serious at- tention at the hands of the National Council.

From the beginning of its history Oberlin College under- took to extend the privileges of complete education not only to men but to what they called "that deprived and misunder- stood sex," the women. A number of women have gradu- ated from the theological department at Oberlin. The first wonian graduate of Union Theological Seminary received her diploma twenty years ago. Most of our theological seminaries now admit women to the privilege of study and graduation on equal terms with the men ; the responsibility for their future rests, of course, with the churches.

As yet there has been no ordination of women, so far as your Commission is aware, by Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Swedenborgens, or Mennonites. Ttie Reformed

ORDAINED WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS 39

Church also has no actual ordination of women, but there is no rule against it in that body. The Primitive Methodists do not ordain women, but welcome to their pulpits women ordained in other denominations, as for instance, the Free Methodists, who have about twelve hundred male ministers and about two hundred ordained circuit-riding women. The Unitarians, the Universalists, the Friends, the Shakers, the Nazarenes, and the United Evangelical Church ordain wom- en on equal terms with men. An organization known as the International Women Preachers' Association has been formed. In it fifteen denominations are said to be repre- sented.

As is well known, Christian Science organizations have no ordained ministry, but their worship is led by a first and a second reader, one of whom is regularly a woman.

Denominations that have as yet ordained no women are discussing the question whether a woman may be ordained. In England the case of Miss Maude Royden stands out con- spicuous as that in which a woman has occupied with a con- siderable measure of success one of the largest pulpits in that country. What recognition shall now be accorded to her in the Anglican Church of which she is a member, is a problem now discussed in Great Britain.

As an actual fact, not many women are serving as minis- ters in any of the denominations where the ministry is freely open to them. The Cumberland Presbyterians have 964 men and 25 women ; the Unitarians 491 men and 14 wom- en; the Disciples 500 men and 2 women. In no denomina- tion except the Free Methodists, where one minister in seven is a woman, is any large fraction of ministerial work performed by women.

The Congregational Year Book with the statistics of 1919 shows a total of 5695 Congregational ministers. Of these (i7 , or .012 are women. Your Commission has gathered their names out of the Year Book and made the following classi- fication :

Pastors of Churches 18

Joint Pastorate 14

40 ORDAINED WOMEN, CHUftCII ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS

Religious Education and Church Assistants 14

Not Indicated 21

Among the pastors of churches, seven are in New Eng- land, one is in Pennsylvania, three are in Illinois and Iowa, two in the South, and five in the West. All the churches serv^ed by women as pastors are very small churches.

Of the fourteen in joint pastorates, all or virtually all are serving with their husbands, either as associates in the same church, or as pastoral associates in small yoked churches.

The Religious Education group includes two Professors and two Missionaries. The others, all or nearly all, are assistants in local churches.

Of the twenty-one whose status is not indicated, most if not all, are married ; several of them are wives of ministers, who doubtless assist their husbands unofficially but have no ministerial status in the churches which their husbands are presently serving.

Your Commission did not think it necessary to send a questionnaire to these sixty-seven women, but had occasion to correspond with a number of them. In general, it ap- peared that w^omen who had pursued regular courses in theological seminaries and had been ordained, had found their apparent field of largest usefulness in Religious Edu- cation, or some similar form of service.

A large proportion and probably a majority of the or- dained women now listed in our Year Book, are or were, wives of ministers. Their service as unofficial assistant pastors grew until they were called under some special stress to seek ordination. In a few cases that have come to the knowledge of your Commission, women were ordained in war-time in order that their husbands might be released for war service.

So far as your Commission has knowledge, no scandal or seriously unpleasant incident has grown out of the ordina- tion of women in our denomination. The service which these women are rendering is for the most i)art a quiet, in- conspicuous service and one to which they appear to hav^

ORDATNF.n WOMEN, CHURCTT ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS 41

been called. We do noL discuver any marked tendency to in- crease the proportion of our women pastors. We have no example in this country of a woman occupying a position analogous to that of Miss Maude Royden in London; not does it appear that Miss Royden herself is likely to be per- manently as prominent as for a time she was while she was preaching in the City Temple.

Doubtless some women have been ordained who could have rendered all the service that was necessary in their case as unordained assistants ; but the same is true of some men on whom hands have been laid suddenly. Our ordained women are too few in number and too modest or at least inconspicuous in their form of service to appear at present to offer to our denomination any serious problem.

So far as your Commission is aware there is no occasion for a ruling on the part of the National Council beyond the mere recognition of the existing status. Our denomination has a small group of women whose ordination is as regular as that of the men in our ministry. This National Council could not deprive them of their status if it so desired, and it has no such desire. In general, it would appear that a woman who is securing an education for religious service could find a larger sphere of usefulness in Religious Edu- cation, or in some other form of work as a church assistant, than in the independent pastorate; but a few women are serving as pastors of small churches, and serving success- fully. We can neither challenge the validity of their ordina- tion nor deny the fact of their evident usefulness.

This Council rejoices in the freedom of our churches in recognizing the prophetic gift in women as well as in men.

II. CHURCH ASSISTANTS The special training of church assistants, many of them women, has been a marked feature of our own denomina- tional development and that of kindred denominations in recent years. So far as the National Council is concerned, it is unnecessary to go farther back than 1901, at which time the Council adopted a Minute, approving "the recent estab- lishment in Hartford Theological Seminary and Chicago

42 ORDAINED WOME:?, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS

Theological Seminary of Training School for lay workers, including the training of young women who desire to con- secrate themselves to the work of deaconesses." The Coun- cil expressed its "profound sympathy with the movement which looks to the special training of forces long unused, but which are essential to the speedy and fuller development of the kingdom of God." — Minutes of 1901, page 24.

At that meeting a special Committee on Deaconesses was appointed. Its chairmen was Rev. Edward F. Williams. It also approved the action of the committee of the Illinois General Association in having organized the American Con- gregational Deaconess Association, and encouraged that institution to expand its plan so as to become national in its scope.

Three years later this Committee reported showing that 2>6 young women had received instruction in the Christian Institute of Chicago Seminary, and outlined in detail the work of the American Deaconess Association, which already owned a Hospital in Pana, Illinois, a country home at Dover, Illinois, and whose students for two years had been lodged in the house formerly owned and occupied by the late Presi- dent Fisk of Chicago Seminary, but who as members of the Christian Institute had recently removed to Keyes Hall.

In 1907, the Committee with Dr. Williams still its chair- man, presented an elaborate report congratulating the churches on the training of women at Chicago, Hartford and Cleveland. It outlined the history of the Deaconess Move- ment in other countries. The report presented at that time is an excellent history of the deaconess work in America and elsewhere. However, from that time the Deaconess movement disappeared not only from the records of this National Council but practically from our churches. After a good deal of discussion as to whether the work would better be done by the Deaconess Association or by the Insti- tute of Chicago Seminary, it was practically discontinued by both organizations.

The title "deaconess," though for a time it appeared like- ly to be popular, did not commend itself permanently to the

ORDAINED WOMEN, CIIURCIT ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS 43

young women of our churches. Our workers did not in general care to wear a distinctive garb, nor to adopt a name which after its first novelty had a sound rather alien to our Congregational churches. Moreover, it was found that while in other communions deaconesses were employed for a bare support in the expectation that they themselves would be supported in their later years, the movement with us had no such foundation or promise. A variety of causes, not all of which need here be outlined, brought the Deaconess movement as such to an end.

In 1909, almost immediately after the closing of the Insti- tute in which young wom.en had been trained by Chicago Theological Seminary, the Congregational Training School for Women was incorporated in Chicago and has been in existence ever since. Hartford, Schaufifler, Yale, Union, Oberlin and other schools are now training young women for special religious service.

The development of the work in Schauffler Missionary Training School has a history of its own. It grew out of the effort to meet a local need in missionary service among foreign speaking people. At first it was hardly more than an adjunct to the heroic work of Dr. Schauffler among the Bohemian and kindred peoples of Cleveland. It has widened its sphere of influence and developed its curriculum in response to a Providential need until it now trains young women, not only as missionary visitors, but for all forms of service as Church Assistants and has domiciled under a single roof almost as many nationalities and tongues as were present at the Day of Pentecost.

It does not fall to this Commission to recommend particu- lar institutions, nor to suggest changes or combinations of existing organizations. There has been discussion whether the work at Schauffler and that of the Congregational Train- ing School might profitably be combined, or the line of demarcation between their respective types of work more clearly defined. That question does not concern this Com- mission. We are set to inquire concerning the product of these schools and others, and of the need of the churches for

44 ORDAINED WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS

young women such as these institutions provide. The need exists beyond the ability of both institutions to supply it, and both schools deserve the support and affection of the churches.

In 1915, there was organized the Congregational League of Church Assistants. This League had from the outset the encouragement of Dr. Herring, Secretary of the National Council's general office. Miss Eleanore Nichols, Dr. Her- ring's Assistant, gave much labor to the development of this movement. Miss Mabel Agnes Taylor, dean of the Con- gregational Training School for Women, was the first Presi- dent of the organization. Her gracious character and help- ful influence are remembered with affection by all who were associated with her in the beginnings of this work.

Nearly three hundred names are now enrolled in our Year Book of Church Assistants, both men and women. The Executive Committee of the National Council at the meet- ing in Grand Rapids in 1919 repeated a paragraph from its report of two years previous, especially commending this work.

This may serve as a sufificient outline of the history and definition of the present status of the movement. Church assistants somewhat naturally group themselves into the following classes, — Educational Directors, Pastors' Assist- ants, Church Visitors, Church Secretaries, Church Mission- aries and Social Workers. These several functions are varied and combined according to the need of the field and the ability of the worker. Not all of the Church Assistants are women ; an increasing number of young men find in some of these forms of service a field of usefulness.

HL LAY WORKERS Your Commission notes with interest some indication of the revival in Great Britain of the practice of lay preaching; and could heartily wish that in this country also there might be a widespread belief in and practice of it. There is no- thing in the New Testament which indicates that preaching is the monopoly of a particular class within the church. The Apostolic recognition of specific gifts at no point indi-

ORDAINED WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS 45

cates a belief that only ordained men should preach. Our fathers stood for the liberty of prophesying. It is a precious right, not to be monopolized by the clergy. In the judg- ment of your Commission it would be of immense value to our churches if groups of laymen would give themselves to the preaching of the Word. Village churches have withiti convenient reach country school houses where small congre- gations could be gathered on Sunday afternoons or week evenings ; city churches have adjacent to them fields to which the pastor can give only a limited attention, but which the churches might serve through the unpretentious but earnest and effective labor of consecrated laymen. Such service would richly develop the spiritual life of these church members. It would develop the spirit of democracy and devotion in the local church. It ought to prove con- -tagious in its influence upon the life of the other church members. It would serve more than almost any other one thing to disabuse the public mind of the idea that the present day church is working out its salvation through the vicarious and remunerative service of a hired ministry.

Your Commission unites in the following recommenda- tion:

(1) Ordained Women — Inasmuch as the responsibility for the ordination of ministers rests upon Councils pro re nata and District Associations, and ministerial standing be- longs to the care of our District Associations, this National Council finds no occasion to issue any deliverance beyond a recognition of the fact that our ministry includes a small number of ordained women, most of them called into the ministry by particular needs and apparently justifying their call.

(2) Church Assistants — The National Council expresses the hearty approval of our churches as here represented of the call to Christian service of both men and women as Directors of Religious Education, and of women especially trained for educational, secretarial, social and other forms of church service. This Council desires to dignify in every proper way the standing of these servants of our churches.

46 ORDAINED WOMEN, CHURCH ASSISTANTS, LAY WORKERS

and approves the printing of their names in the Year Book and the encouragement of their national organization by our National Council office. We commend to the favor and sup- port of our churches the institutions which are training women for these special forms of service and we desire to encourage our churches in the employment of such workers and in the training of young women for these positions.

(3) Lay Workers — The National Council heartily ap- proves the employment of lay workers as teachers, preachers, directors of social work, and leaders in such forms of Chris- tian activity as the churches find it expedient to inaugurate and direct. We advise that where laymen feel called to preach and the call is recognized either by the local church or by the District Association, approbation to preach, grant- ed either by the local church or by the District Association, take the place of licensure, and that such approbation be distinguished from licensure, which would appear to belong more appropriately to candidates for the ministry, and in some instances to carry functions not intended to be con- veyed by a certificate of approbation. This Council ear- nestly hopes for a revival of lay preaching, believing that in almost any church a group of laymen thus exercising their gifts would be a blessing to the church, a means of extension of the kingdom of God and a very profitable exercise for the preachers themselves.

(4) Discharge of Commission — The duty of this Com- mission was specific and is fulfilled in the presentation of this report. Believing that only such Commissions should be continued from Council to Council as have continuing tasks of considerable magnitude, we ask that this report be approved and this Commiss-ion discharged.

William E. Barton Charles W. Burton Fred L. Brownlee James A. Jenkins Edward H. Knight Mary W. Mills Margaret Taylor

REPORT OF COMMISSION ON UNITY, COMITY AND FEDERATION

The work of this Commission has really been performed by two other commissions appointed at the last session of the National Council : namely, the Commission to confer with the Episcopalians on the subject of the proposed Concordat, and secondly, the Commission appointed to further the Presby- terian plans for organic church union. Members of the Na- tional Council will therefore read the reports of these two commissions. The only other activities of the Commission on Unity, Comity, and Federation, have been correspondence re- lating to the World Conference of Faith and Order, and in securing the financial support of the Federal Council of Churches.

Raymond Calkins

REPORT OF TH'E DELEGATION APPOINTED TO

THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON ORGANIC UNION

OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

At the last meeting of the National Council at Grand Rapids, Michigan, a delegation of sixteen was duly ap- pointed as official representatives of the Congregational Churches to the American Council on Organic Union. Twelve of the delegation were actually in attendance at the meeting of the Council at Philadelphia in February, 1920. The Plan of Union adopted at that meeting is herewith presented to the National Council for its consideration. In order that action may be taken with a full knowledge of what is involved, the delegation submits, in support of its recommendations, the following historical statement.

The proposal for some form of organic union among the evangelical church bodies in the United States originated with the one hundred and thirtieth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in May, 1918, at Columbus, Ohio. The Assembly officially, and by a virtually unanimous vote of its great membership, invited the evangelical churches of the United States to "meet and counsel together with a view to finding a way by which we may outwardly and concretely express the spirit- ual union which we believe already exists among the people of Christ."

In response to this invitation, representatives of twenty- three denominations met at Philadelphia in December, 1918, for a preliminary "Interchurch Conference on Organic Union" at which was discussed in great detail the appro- priate basis of a practical plan of union. An Ad-Interim Committee was suggested by the Conference to the respec- tive denominational bodies to be empowered to formulate a plan on the general basis of the above-mentioned discus- sion. On this Committee the Executive Committee of the National Council appointed as its representatives, Dr. Ray-

ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST 49

mond Calkins, Secretary Herring and Professor Williston Walker. After the death of Dr. Herring, Dr. Lucien C. Warner was appointed in his place.

The Ad-Interim Committee thus selected gave a year to the performance of its important task. It finally called an Interchurch Council on Organic Union in February, 1920, at Philadelphia, to consider its proposals. To this gathering the last National Council appointed the delegation now reporting. The gathering of one hundred and thirty-five registered delegates, representing eighteen communions, discussed exhaustively the Plan of Union proposed by the Ad-Interim Committee, revised it slightly, and adopted it with practical unanimity. Each of the sessions, and notably the final one, was characterized by an absence of controversialism and a fine spiritual tone. The plan was then remanded through each delegation to the constituent bodies for ratification with the proviso that, when any six of these had ratified the Plan, it might go into operation.

The Plan of Union, thus adopted, February 3-6, 1920, was as follows:

PREAMBLE »

WHEREAS: We (the Evangelical Churches of Christ in the United States) desire to share, as a common heritage, the faith of the Christian Church, which has, from time to time, found expres- sion in great historic statements; and

WHEREAS: We all share belief in God our Father; in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Saviour; in the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter; in the Holy CathoUc Church, through which God's eternal purpose of salvation is to be proclaimed and the Kingdom of God is to be realized on earth; in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing God's revealed will, and in the life eternal; and

WHEREAS: Having the same spirit and owning the same Lord, we none the less, recognize diversity of gifts and ministrations for whose exercise due freedom must always be afforded in forms of worship and in modes of operation;

PLAN: Now, we the Churches hereto assenting as hereinafter provided in Article VI do hereby agree to associate ourselves in a visible body to be known as the "United Churches of Christ in America," for the furtherance of the redemptive work of Christ in the world. This body shall exercise in behalf of the constituent Churches the functions delegated to it by this instrument, or by subsequent ac-

50 ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

tion of the constituent Cluirches, which sliall retain the full free- dom at present enjoyed by them in all matters not so delegated.

Accordingly, the Churches hereto assenting and hereafter thus associated in such visible body do mutually covenant and agree as follows :

I. Autonomy in purely denominational affairs.

In the interest of the freedom of each and of the cooperation of all, each constituent Church reserves the right to retain its creedal statements, its form of government in the conduct of its own affairs, and its particular mode of worship:

In taking this step, we look forward with confident hope to that complete unity toward which we believe the Spirit of God is leading us. Once we shall have cooperated wholeheartedly, in such visible body, in the holy activities of the work of the Church, we are per- suaded that our differences will be minimized and our union become more vital and effectual.

II. The Council. (How Constituted.)

The United Churches of Christ in America shall act through a Council and through such Executive and Judicial Commissions, or Administrative Boards, working ad interim, as such Council may from time to time appoint and ordain.

The Council shall convene 4is provided for in Article VI and every second year thereafter. It may also be convened at any time in such manner as its own rules may prescribe. The Council shall be a representative body.

Each constituent Church shall be entitled to representation therein by an equal number of ministers and of lay members.

The basis of representation shall be: two ministers and two lay members for the first one hundred thousand or fraction thereof of its communicants; and two ministers and two lay members for each additional one hundred thousand or major fraction thereof.

III. The Council. (Its Working.)

The Council shall adopt and promulgate its own By-Laws and rules of procedure and order. It shall define the functions of its own officers, prescribe the mode of their selection and their com- pensation, if any. It shall provide for its budget of expense by equitable apportionment of the same among the constituent Churches through their supreme governing or advisory bodies.

IV. Relation of Council and Constituent Churches.

The supreme governing or advisory bodies of the constituent Churches shall effectuate the decisions of the Council by general or specific deliverance or other mandate whenever it may be re- quired by the law of a particular state, or the charter of a particular Board, or other ecclesiastical corporation; but, except as limited by this Plan, shall continue the exercise of their several powers and functions as the same exist under the denominational constitution.

The Council shall give full faith and credit to the authenticated acts and records of the several governing or advisory bodies of the constituent Churches.

V. Specific Functions of the Council.

In order to prevent overlapping, friction, competition or waste in the work of the existing denominational boards or administra-

ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST 51

tive agencies, and to further the efificiency of that degree of co- operation which they have ah'eady achieved in their work at home and abroad:

(a) The Council shall harmonize and unify the work of the United Churches.

(b) It shall direct such consolidation of their missionary activities as well as of particular Churches in over-churched areas as is consonant with the law of the land or of the particular denomination affected. Such consolidation may be progressively achieved, as by the uniting of the boards or churches of any two or more constituent denominations, or may be accelerated, delayed, or dispensed with, as the interests of the Kingdom of God may require.

(c) If and when any two or more constituent Churches, by their supreme governing or advisory bodies, submit to the Coun- cil for its arbitrament any matter of mutual concern, not hereby already covered, the Council shall consider and pass upon such matter so submitted.

(d) The Council shall undertake inspirational and educational leadership of such sort and measure as may be proper, under the powers delegated to it by the constituent Churches, in the fields of Evangelism, Social Service, Religious Education and the like.

VI. The assent of each constituent Church to this Plan shall be certified from its supreme governing or advisory body by the appropriate officers thereof to the Chairman of the Ad Interim Committee, which shall have power upon a two-thirds vote to convene the Council as soon as the assent of at least six denom- inations shall have been so certified.

VII. Amendments.

This plan of organic union shall be subject to amendment only by the constituent Churches, but the Council may overture to such bodies any amendment which shall have originated in said Council and shall have been adopted by a three-fourths vote.

Note: The Churches represented in the Council were the Arme- nian, Baptist, The Christian Church, Christian Union of United States, Congregational, Disciples, Evangelical Synod of North America, Friends (two branches), Methodist (Primitive), Methodist Episcopal, Moravian, Presbyterian Church in United States of America, Protestant Episcopal, Reformed Episcopal, Reformed Church in the United States, United Presbyterian, Welsh Presby- terian.

The attention of the constituent Churches is called to the fact that the assent called for by Article VI of the Plan should be secured in conformity with the constitution of each constituent Church.

A careful reading of this Plan of Union will show that it provides for autonomy in all matters which are purely de- nominational, each constituent Church retaining the right to its own creedal statements, to its accustomed method of governing its own aflfairs and to its particular mode of wor- ship. The Plan does not presume to decide between diver-

52 ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

gent theories respecting the Church, the sacraments or the ministry. It does not contemplate an absolute organic union which would reduce all communions to one expression of their life and faith, obliterating denominationalism, but rather an efficient federal unification of evangelical forces along clear, well-defined and restricted lines. This unifica- tion will be a real and efficient unification, as far as it goes, and seems likely to be a preparation for a union in the future of a more thorough-going character. For what would properly be called a complete organic union there seems to be no immediate or widespread pressure.

It is obvious that this Plan of Union fails to meet the desires of those who seek a swift and sweeping abolition of denominational distinctions. Not a few Christian leaders will view its proposals rather cynically on the ground that these fall painfully short of establishing such a unity as that which a Church in dead earnest and facing the appall- ing needs and wastes of the present day should be deter- mined to attain. No doubt, its usefulness and that of any scheme of union depends upon the sincerity with which each denomination enters into the Plan. To do so with the intention of retaining all possible denominational autonomy and advantage will be equivalent to a refusal to entertain the Plan. The great value of the proposal emanating from the Council is that it goes as far in the direction of organic union as the situation today seems to permit, yet provides a natural and easy method of continuing toward the larger and truer goal.

Four definite advantages may be cited as being inherent in the Plan as proposed :

1. The proposed name for the united body of Churches is felicitous. It is to be called "The United Churches of Christ in America." Beneath this general title, each de- nomination would, at present, use its denominational desig- nation. This name will subordinate the denominational idea, is inclusive and, with profound educational effect, will pre- sent continually to the constituent Churches the goal of a united Church. In time it will be easy to drop the denomina-

ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST DO

tional names, so that the name may be The United Church of Christ in America.

2. The Plan points the way toward the only probably effective union that our Protestant Churches are likely to enter. It is improbable that there ever will be one ex- clusive creed or form of worship used by all these Churches. Congregationalists will certainly defend the right of each church to follow its own judgment in such matters. Such freedom it holds to be essential. Leaving such matters aside, however, a real working unity can be established in activities and programs, which will increase in efficiency and in range as the years go by, minimizing differences and promoting harmony.

3. The Plan creates a Council with a proportional, dele- gated membership, both lay and clerical in equal numbers, which, within the limits prescribed in the constitution, will have power to act. The Council will be a legislative bod}'' given power to correlate agencies or activities "which ought to be acting in harmony and to abolish those which are needless. It will elect its own officers, provide its own budget and appoint such executive commissions or such an Administration Board as it sees fit. Its powers are strictly limited by the constitution, yet the constituent Churches may, if they wish, delegate to this body, year by year, an in- creasing amount of guidance in their combined affairs. Thus, in process of time, speedily or slowly, the United Church of Christ in America would develop. At first thought many will resent such an outside influence. It would be, however, analogous to the Commission on Missions in Congregation- alism, which has long since proven its denominational value. Moreover, no progress toward any real or effective unity can ever be made without the service of some such correlat- ihg body.

4. This Council will have many useful functions. It is not proposed to assume, in advance of actual development, that it will take over at the beginning the direction of all the missionary and extension activities of the cooperating Churches. In general the Council will harmonize and unify

54 ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

the work of the united Churches ; it will direct the consolida- tion of many missionary activities ; it will serve as a com- mittee of arbitration on matters of mutual concern; and it will undertake inspirational and educational leadership in matters in which all the Churches have a common interest, such as evangelism, social service, religious education and the like.

During the year and more that has elapsed since the meeting of the Council in February, 1920, the following action has been taken by the various constituent Churches to which the Plan was sent for ratification.

The General Synod of the Reformed Church in America and the United Presbyterian Church have voted No. The last named body gave as its reason the "declared purpose" of the Council on Organic Union "to displace the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America." Such action was, of course, based on an entire misapprehension. As we have explained below, no such purpose exists. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist or Presbyterian Church adopted the Plan. It was, however, in May, 1920, consoli- dated with the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. The Reformed Church in the U. S. adopted the Plan and sent it down to its Classes for approval or rejection. The Metho- dist Episcopal Church (North), at its General Conference in 1920, acting through its Committee on Unification, author- ized the body of Bishops to appoint a Committee of Nine to be its authorized representatives, if the Council should be organized and put into operation before 1924. The Con- ference meanwhile cordially commended the Plan to its churches for their careful study and requested the Com- mittee of Nine to report its final judgment to the General Conference of 1924, without formally committing the Church to any specific action in the interval. The Moravian Church expressed an attitude of sympathy and authorized the con- tinuance of its representation upon the Ad-Interim Com- mittee, but was unable, by reason of its organic relation to that Church overseas, to make a definite vote. The Pres- byterian Church in the United States (South), in view of its probable union with the Northern Presbyterians, deemed

ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST 55

it inexpedient to send the Plan to its presbyteries for con- sideration, until the other question Was settled. The Metho- dist Protestant Conference (South) notified the Ad-Interim Committee through its bishops that it would consider the proposal at a deferred date. The Disciples received with favor a deputation from the Committee, but took no definite action, the denominational leaders desiring more time for a process of education within the denomination. The Presby- terian Church in the U. S. A., at its General Assembly in May, 1920, adopted a resolution approving the Plan and sending- it for ratification to the presbyteries. It has mailed a printed letter, stating the case very clearly, to every minister in the Presbyterian Church.

During these months two important meetings have been held with results which may seem to have a bearing on the proposals of the Plan of Union. In August, 1920, at the Lambeth Conference in London an invitation was is- sued by the Bishops to all Christian peoples to unite in a visible unity under the ministry of an Episcopate. Since this proposal is to be discussed in the report of the Com- mission of Fifteen, your delegatioa only needs to remark that the proposals of the Council on Organic Union con- stitute the normal first step to be taken by our free Churches toward any type of organic union.

In December, 1920, came the quadrennial meeting of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. This historic gathering adopted a forward program of great significance. At the same time it reasserted its determina- tion to assume no administrative authority. It is essentially an organization for the promotion of denominational co- ordination. It will always function with power in draw- ing into practicable harmony all kinds of communions. It is the mouthpiece of the Churches on all matters of social, religious and political interest. There should be no con- flict whatever between the Council on Organic Union and the Federal Council, The former seeks to subordinate the denominational spirit and gradually to reduce the number of distinct Protestant communions ; the latter seeks to in- duce the denominations as they are organized to "carry on."

56 ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

The former is, to the extent of its constitution, an authorita- tive body ; the latter is an advisory body. It does not and is not likely to supplant organizations for practical efRciency such as the Foreign Missions Conference, the Home Mis- sions Council, or' the Federation of Women's Societies. Plans are under way for a meeting of the representatives of the two bodies in order that a concurrent declaration of purpose and method, which will remove all misapprehension, may be formulated and published. The two Councils ought to be able to go on existing, side by side, with mutual help- fulness.

Your deputation, therefore, feels amply justified in pre- senting for adoption by the National Council the following recommendations. In substance they have been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Council in No- vember, 1920, and by the Commission on Missions in Jan- uary, 1921.

1. That the National Council expresses its approval of the sane, practicable and promising proposals of the American Council on Organic Union as presented through its own delegation. It believes that the evangelization of the world rests in a reunited Church and that the proposed delimitation of denominational sovereignty over the mis- sionary interests of the Church is a feasible first step in which Congregationalists stand ready to join with their sister evangelical Churches.

2. That the Council authorizes its Delegation, acting under the advice and cooperation of the Executive Com- mittee of the National Council, to submit these proposals for the consideration of the Congregational churches at their next district and state meetings, requesting a definite vote before July, 1922.

3. That, in case of a well-defined drift of judgment, for or against the proposals, the Executive Committee of the Na- tional Council be authorized to announce the action of our churches to the Council on Organic Union.

4. That the Delegation, or some equivalent bod)'', be continued for another two years in order to represent Con- gregational interests in the work of the Council.

ORGANIC UNION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST 57

5. That it be requested to make a full report to the next National Council with recommendations, if they are needed, for final action.

Respectfully submitted, Frank K. Sanders, CJiairman John Andrew Holmes Louis F. Anderson J. Percival Huget

G. Glenn Atkins Paul Jepson

William V. D. Berg Henry Churchill King

Calvin M. Clark Walter A. Morgan

OzoRA S. Davis James P. O'Brien

William B. Davis Charles Sumner Nash

George P. Eastman Harris Whittemore

Edward D. Eaton, ex-officio

We heartily approve the above report and concur in its recommendations.

Raymond Calkins, Chairman WiLLiSTON Walker LuciEN C. Warner Congregational Members of the Ad-Interim Committee of the Amer- ican Council on Organic Union.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF FIFTEEN TO

CONFER WITH A COMMISSION OF THE

EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONVENTION

The Protestant Episcopal Church at its last General Con- vention, took favorable preliminary action upon a Con- cordat, which if confirmed by the next General Convention will involve a change in the Canon Law of that body looking toward a closer relation between the ministry of that com- munion and the ministry of this and other Protestant de- nominations. A Commission of Fifteen was appointed by that body, and was composed of five bishops, five presbyters and five laymen. The National Council, at its meeting at Grand Rapids, appointed a Commission of Fifteen to confer with this Commission of the General Convention.

The proposed Canon is summarized in the report of the Commission on Comity, Federation and Unity for 1919, and need not here be recited. Under its rules, the General Con- vention cannot act upon this proposed Canon until its next meeting, one year hence. In the judgment of your Com- mission it would be unprofitable for this Council to discuss the text of that proposed Canon until it has been acted upon, and until its final form is determined, and the action of the Episcopal General Convention, favorable or unfavorable, is before us.

Your Commission, therefore, makes a report of progress. We have held two extended and profitable conferences with the Commission which we were instructed to meet, one on May 31 and June 1, 1920, and the other on ^.larch 20-30, 1921. Both these conferences were held in New York City. At the first. Rev. Dr. Manning, now Bishop Manning, was chosen to preside : at the second, Dr. Boynton was elected, and on his being called away, Dr. Barton presided at the last session of the joint meeting of the Commission. The Bishops, Presbyters and laymen of the Episcopal Commis- sion manifested the finest spirit of consideration, and the

REPORT OF THE COMAfTSSION OP FIFTEEN 59

discussions thrt)Ughout have been as courteous as they have been frank.

The resolution under which this Commission was ap- pointed read as follows :

RESOLVED: That the National Council of the Congre- gational Churches of the United States receives with genuine interest report of the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and that a Commission of Fifteen be appointed to confer with a Commission of the Episcopal General Convention and report at the next meeting of the National Council."

The function of this Commission is restricted to confer- ence, discussion and ref)ort. In the nature of the case, there can be no final report by this body until after final action shall have been taken by the General Convention. Some in- teresting items may be recorded, however, and two docu- ments seem to your Commission to be worthy of record.

At the joint meeting in New York on June 1, 1920, it seemed advisable to discover, if possible, whether the two bodies could probably agree upon a definition of the Church. The Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth, of this Commission, pre- sented a brief thesis upon this subject, which was received with so much of interest that it was referred to a joint com- mittee consisting of Dean Fosbroke and Dr. Barton, who spent several hours in its revision. It was then presented to the joint conference and unanimously adopted, not only as a satisfactory definition for the practical purposes of our conference, but as opening the way to further negotiation. This paper has, of course, no authoritative character as an interdenominational agreement. It is, however, suggestive as indicating the basis upon which these two Commissions proceeded to their second joint conference. It is added to our report as Appendix I.

At this first conference, sub-committees of each body were appointed to draw up statements touching various matters of faith and practice for submission to the joint conferences in 1921. At this second joint conference all these documents were assembled, with much additional matter, and referred

(^0 REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF FIFTEEN

to a joint snb-committee of six. That committee, charged with the difficult and delicate duty of formulating a further joint agreement for consideration by the joint conference at a meeting to be held probably in the autumn of 1921, con- sists of Bishop Vincent of Southern Ohio, Bishop Rhine- lander of Pennsylvania and Mr. George Zabriskie of New York City, for the Episcopalians; and for the Congrega- tionalists. Rev. Nehemiah Boynton of New York, Prof. Williston Walker of Connecticut, and Rev. William E. Barton of Illinois.

One of the documents presented to that committee on behalf of the Congregationalists was prepared by Drs. Smyth and Walker, and after slight modification received the very hearty approval of the entire Congregational Com- mission as it was convened in New York. Your Commis- sion feels assured that this National Council will be inter- ested in this statement, which indicates the consensus of judgment of the members of this Commission. It, there- fore, is included in this report as Appendix II.

Another statement on the Congregational attitude toward creeds is added as Appendix III.

Since the appointment of these two Commissions the Lambeth Conference has been held. In some respects the findings of that body go beyond what was contemplated by the Episcopal General Convention at its last meeting. This may modify in an important degree, and favorably, the action of the next General Convention.

As yet, therefore, we have received from the Episcopal General Convention no Memorial or proposed form of action to submit to the National Council, and we are submitting herewith all material which has grown out of our conference thus far which seems to us important to be considered by the National Council. We commend the subjoined papers to the thoughtful reading of the delegates and to such approbation or suggestion of amendment as members of the Council may individually see fit to communicate to members of the Commission to be appointed. We also propose the following resolution and move its adoption :

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF FIFTEEN 61

RESOLVED: That the National Council of Congrega- tional Churches of the United States receives with interest the report of progress of its Commission of Fifteen ap- pointed to confer with the Commission of the Episcopal General Convention, and that the Commission be continued to report at the next National Council.

Not all the fifteen members have been able to attend the meetings of the Commission, This report has the approval of those who have been in attendance, and is believed to represent the united judgment of the commis- sion.

Nehemiah Boynton, Chairman

William E. Barton, Vice-Chairman

Reuben L. Beard

E. I. Bosworth

Raymond Calkins

J. M. Bennett

Harry P. Dewey

Frank E. Jenkins

Charles H. Kirschner

Carl S. Patton

Newman Smyth

E. S. Parsons

Lucius H. Thayer

Williston Walker

APPENDIX I

SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING CONFERENCES BETWEEN

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIANS AND

CONGREGATIONALISTS*

The word Church is used m the New Testament in two distinct senses. Our Lord, as Jdis words are recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew, used twice, and twice only the word ecclcsia, and it cannot be otherwise than significant that He employed the word with these two connotations. When He said, "Upon this rock will I build My Church," it is manifest He did not mean a single, local congregation. When He said, "Tell it to the Church," it is mani- fest that He did not mean a world-wide company existing through the centuries.

This distinction is in accordance with apostolic usage. The Church is the whole company of the disciples of which the risen Lord is the spiritual and living Head, which St. Paul has in mind when he says, "Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it; that He might sanctify it, * * * that He might present the Church to Him- self a glorious Cliurch, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. It is this all comprehensive Church which is the one body possessing "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," which is "built upon the founda- tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."

But again the New Testament uses the word Church referring to a local congregation, "the Church which is in Corinth," "the Church of Galatia," "the Church which is at Cenchreae," "the Church that is in the house of Prisca and Aquila." When the Apostle exhorts the Corinthian congregation to discipline the unworthy mem- bers it is clearly action by the local Church that he has in mind. Early Church history furnishes abundant examples of this two-fold usage. An appeal therefore to Scripture and to Christian history in defense of the one or the other of these emphases is alike possible. Both present real and important truths. Both should be equally kept in mind. Unfortunately Christian history too often shows the emphasis on the one aspect of the Church at the expense of the other. An over-emphasis on the organized unity has resulted in the papacy, with consequent rigidity of uniformity, centralization, and the stupendous assertion of infallibility.

An over-emphasis on the unity of the local Church results in independency, in the obscuration of the sense of historic continuity, and in the weakening of the feeling of the organic whole of which the local congregation should be a part.

Yet each of these aspects and uses of the word Church, con- secrated bjr apostolic usage, contains truth which cannot be ignored, and both must be recognized as we seek a greater unity among the now divided membership of the household of God.

The time is now fully come when each Church is called upon to consider anew its own position in relation to the whole Church of God in the world. Each Church is to judge for itself, as it would be judged by its Lord, whether it so hold its own position as to prevent any other part of the Church from communion with the whole Church.

* Adopted at a meeting of the two coiumissious of the rrotestant Epis- copal and Congregational Churches, June 1, 1920.

APPENDIX I 63

In the providence of God there has been laid upon this Joint Commission the solemn responsibiHty of considering in what man- ner it may become possible for the Protestant Episcopal Church and the Congregational Churches to overcome at a particular point the separation between them which is deplored alike by them all. The point so specified is central and vital. It means one- ness at the very place, in the the same act, in which the whole Church had its beginning in the presence of the Lord — in the upper chamber and at the Last Supper. This is the vital significance of the proposals and the questions submitted by the action of the last General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church and the response of the National Council of the Congregational Churches. By this concurrent action the entire discussion of Church unity is brought down from the air and placed before the Churches as a practical question, which requires definitive action.

It will be obvious to thoughtful men that we may vainly hope to render any worthy and effective answer if we begin merely by restating our respective ecclesiastical positions and then pro- ceeding by some give and take method of compromise to some merely external adjustment of our differences. Our respective communions may well require of us to render an answer to the particular points submitted to us which shall be more than an endeavor to throw a temporary bridge of expediency over the exist- ing separation between us.

In entering therefore upon the duties with which we are charged we deem it to be our first obligation to determine together a method of procedure in which most hopefully the visible organic unity of the Churches may be sought until it shall be found. Such method seems to us to be not far to seek.

First, and always throughout our conferences and discussions, we are to keep in mind our part and obligation as partakers in the one succession of the life of Christ with His disciples. In the continuity of His life, spiritually and historically, always with His disciples, is the continuity of His Church in the world. Con- sequently the Christian method to be pursued in relation to the particular questions before us becomes clearer. (1) It will lead us first to seek out the religious values of the distinctive beliefs and customs of our communions. (2) These vital values are to be found in their historical development and in the present religious experience and worship of the Christian communions. (3) Given these values, we may then proceed to inquire of one another what guarantees, certified in our history or now of approved worth among us we may give to one another in Christ's name and for the extension of His rule in our time throughout the world. (4) Then, and by these signs, we may by the grace of God find ourselves prepared to render an assured account to the two Christian bodies, whose action has committed to us this great and solemn engagement, and meanwhile we may appeal to all the brethren in their conferences and discussions to labor with us for these same ends, and, in methods beyond all controversy, praying that in this providential hour of history the living Christ may be made manifest through His Church as Lord of the nation =, and Redeemer of our civilization.

APPENDIX II

A STATEMENT OF THE VIEWS COMMONLY HELD BY

CONGREGATIONALISTS ON THE CHURCH, THE

EUCHARIST, AND THE MINISTRY

A paper presented by the Commission of the National Council of Congregational Churches to the Joint Conference in New York, March 29, 1921, for presentation to the joint sub-committee.

THE ORDER OF TOPICS IN THEIR RELATIVE VALUES

I. The Church. II. The Sacrament of the Eucharist. III. The

Orders of Ministry

L THE CHURCH

There are no divisive differences in the Protestant creeds in their general definitions of the Church. There are differences of ex- pression and of emphasis, but a common belief exists in the Church as the whole congregation of faithful believers, the Universal, the Holy Catholic Church, the body of Christ who fiUeth all in all.

2. The Unity of the Church was visible in the first company of disciples who with all that were added to them continued stead- fastly in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.

3. The common obligation therefore is for each separate fellow- ship of believers so to hold its particular position and to act in relation to other communions that by its attitude no other part of the Church may be compelled to remain in separation from the whole Church; or by any act of attempted exclusion of others eftectually to exclude itself from fellowship with the wtiole Body of Christ, or in its effort to make other bodies sectarian, itself to become a sect.

4. The historical continuity of the Church is the fulfilment from age to age of the Lord's promise to be with his disciples always even to the end of the world.

5. The spiritual continuity of the Church has been made manifest through its vital power of adaptation and growth in its- relation to the thought and the life of the world.

IL THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

1. The institution of the Lord's Supper was Jesus' personal act in forming the fellowship composed of all his disciples and all who should be added to them until He comes.

2. Jesus gave the bread and the wine to the disciples while He was yet present with them. The elements then were not in any literal or phj'sical sense his body, but they were intended to enable his disciples afterwards to realize his presence. In what- ever sense they make His presence real to the communicant, thej^ are sacramental.

3. There is no office, or ecclesiastical ordinance or order superior or essential to the sacrament which Jesus gave to the disciples in the upper chamber. The apostles could communicate it, but they could not limit or prevent the grace of Christ from going forth from it wherever partaken, that He maj' be present even where

APPENDIX 11 65

two or three are met in His Name. For it was not the minister- ing hand of that disciple w'ho was nearest Jesus at the Last Supper who gave the bread to the other disciples, it was Jesus himself who made the bread and wine sacramental. When so given both in matter and in form, in the words which Jesus used, what right have we by any ordinance of ours to pronounce not valid the blessing of our Lord?

IIL THE EUCHARIST AND THE PRIESTHOOD

The subordinate but not necessarilj^ divisive question arises con- cerning the priestly character of the ministration of the Eucharist.

1. It will be agreed on all sides that the Lord's Supper rep- resented to the disciples the sacrificial death of Christ.

2. It follows consequently that in consecrating the elements the servant acts in accordance with the priestly office of the Lord. The sacrament in and of itself gives to the ministration of it a priestly character.

3. It is generally held among us that all the offices of Christ as prophet, priest, and king are committed to his Church; and in this particular the priestly office of Christ is continued in the common priesthood of believers. With all the other gifts of grace it is the endowment and heritage of no single class or order, but of the Church Avhich is his body. The first Church of Christ in Jerusalem held all things in common, and that included not material goods only, but all spiritual values as well.

4. While holding precious our own experiences of the grace of the sacrament, we would not limit the beliefs of others who have come to regard the Eucharist as the sacrament of the Altar. We would humbly recognize all the varieties of religious experience in the communion of the Lord's Supper, and whenever it is ob- served we would gladly partake of it ourselves, answering the Lord's last prayer that his disciples may be one.

IV. THE ORDERS OF MINISTRY

As we rediscover our fellowship in these greater matters of religious experience, we may find the way already opening before us through the lesser differences of our ecclesiastical polities.

1. General Agreements Respecting Ordination

a. The qualifications of candidates for ordination. There are no separative differences. Indeed if in the canonical requirements for the ordination of a priest in the Episcopal Church, for the word Bishop the words Ordaining Council be substituted, the usual Congregational procedure would be quite well described. So far as examination as to soundness of faith is concerned, while no particular creed is required, the candidate is asked to present a full statement of his beliefs, and is questioned with regard to it as the ordaining Council may see fit. The Congregational Na- tional Council recently adopted unanimously a declaration of their faith. The consent of the ordaining Council is necessary before the candidate may be regularly ordained and received into our ministry.

b. Certified list of accredited ministers. The names of the ministers recognized as belonging to the Congregational ministry are certified and registered in the Congregational Year Book.

66 -\P1'E\DIX 11

2. What Is Visibly Set Forth in Ordination

a. The regular and lawful ordering of the ministry. Each com- munion may properly reserve to itself the right, as it is its ob- ligation, to determine its own procedure with regard to its ministry.

b. Such ordination includes a special consecration and prayer for the impartation of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God ac- cording to the obligation and the needs of the ministry.

c. It is essential that there be recognition of the fellowship of other communions in the ministry of the Church of God.

3. What Is Implicitly Recognized in Such Ordination

a. The intention of Ordination is understood as the setting apart and consecrating of the person ordained to the distinctive service of Christ for which he is ordained according to the teaching of the New Testament and the practice of the churches under variant forms from the time of the Apostles. ■

b. While we find no authority either in Scripture or in Chris- tian experience for the assumption that there can be no spiritually valid administration of the Lord's Supper except by an ordained ministry, there is need of such ministry for the regular and orderly administration of the Lord's Supper.

c. Ordination involves the recognition of the ministry as an essential organ of the Church, that the church may continue in the Apostles' faith and teaching.

4. Differences Concerning Ordination

Differences arise from divergencies of views concerning the con- ference of grace through ordination.

a. According to one view it is held that a needful or enhanced degree of gracious influence may be inwardly and spiritually re- ceived as one has been set apart and consecrated to the Christian ministry. Of whom much is required, to him much is given. On the other hand it is held that, more than this, through the act of ordination some distinctive power or grace may be trasmitted. According to this view, when carried to an extreme, it will be believed that 'such grace of orders may be' tactually conferred by the Episcopal ordination of a priest in the church.

These views when carried to an extreme seem to be so divergent that, like the two sides of a parabola, thej^ could not recurve and meet though prolonged to infinity. Nevertheless these diverging conceptions are not necessarily so parabolic as they may seem. Possibly if more thoroughly thought out and measured by their values in religious experience they may be found, like an ellipse proceeding from its two foci, to meet in one large Christian com- prehension.

c. The possible way of reconciliation is to be sought through a recognition each by the other of the partial truth for which, each stands. The one view is .predominantly the prophetic conception of the Christian ministry. The other, as distinguished from it, is the priestly view. One holds to the immediate personal ex- perience of grace. The other rests on the corporate endowment of grace for the office of tlie ministry. Each of these positions, taken by itself alone, does not stand for the whole testimony of the Spirit in the history of the Church of Christ. The one tendency is centrifugal; if unbalanced it results in a multitude of sects. The other is centripetal; if left inicliecked it tends to reduce the Church to a lifeless mass in which individuality is lost.

APPENDIX ri 67

(J. The Spirit of Christ, ever present and coworking throughout the history of the Church, lias not suffered either of these tendencies to go too far without coiuUeraction from the other, although for a season now one, now the other, may seem to be in the ascendant.

e. The conclusion follows that should any church or party within a church carry so far its distinctive tendency as to separate Itself from the fellowship of other Christian communions, that would be for it to fall into the peril of sinful schism. The whole Church is greater than its parts; it is mo?-e also than the sum of its parts. It is to be orderly fellowship of all together in the liberty wherewith Christ makes free.

5. Differences Concerning the Conferring of Ordination

These are secondary to the differences just mentioned. But they are the most obvious stumbling blocks in the way to reunion of the churches. In accordance with the first principles set, forth above, this difficulty would appear to be one left wholly within the power of men of good will in the several communions to remove as a wall of separation between us.

(1) For first, as stated above, the apostles committed all that tliey had received from the Lord to the churches which they founded. "All things are Yours," said the Apostle Paul.

(2) The Church of Christ has inherent power so to adapt its organs and functions that it may survive and bear fruit more abun- dantly from generation to generation. This is only saying that this Church is the living Church having in itself the Spirit of life from the Lord.

(3) The Apostles did not have, and as witnesses to Jesus could not have had, any personal successors. The Apostolic succession, which may be recognized, is the succession of the spiritual gifts residing in and continued through the Church, not apart from it or superior to its being.

The Congregational churches since their separation from the Church of England have maintained a regular succession of ordained ministers who have been chosen, set apart and accredited in their fellowship according to their usages. They hold that their ministers are episcopally ordained, and that they are ordained to the episco- pate. They hold their ministry to be regular and valid also as rightly intended in accordance with the will of our Lord, and as abundantly justified and rendered acceptable unto God by the fruits of the Spirit. While not for a moment denying what they are well assured their God and the God of their fathers has blessed, they would hold their trust of ministry in willingness to receive as well as to give whatever may be lacking that Christ may be all in all.

V. CONFIRMATION AND CONFESSION OF FAITH

A point of difference between the Congregational and the Epis- copal churces is to be found in matters of Confirmation and Con- fession of Faith. In regard to none of the major rites of the Church has usage altered in historic times more than in regard to that of confirmation.

Unquestionably the majority of the earlier candidates received into the Churcli were those of mature years, and in connection with baptism, or shortly after baptism, it was customary that they should have hands laid upon them, as symbolizing, if not actually effecting the reception of the Spirit, as in the eighth of Acts. Bap-

68 APPENDIX II

tism and the laying on of hands certainl}^ constitutes one ceremony by the third century in the Church, as TertuHian asserts, and noth- ing which could be called a difTerentiation of confirmation from baptism then existed. In the course of time the Eastern and West- ern Churches went different ways, and their attitude is still different. The Eastern Church to this day regards confirmation as part of the baptismal service, and annointing by the priest with oil which iias been consecrated by the bishop is distinctly a ceremony applic- able to infancy. In western Christendom the custom grew up in the early middle ages of reserving confirmation to the bishop, though the age of the recipient and the proximity to the baptismal reception were long indeterminate, With the Reformation, Churches like the Anglican and the Lutheran maintained confirmation as a separate ceremony, though insisting generally upon an intellectual preparation on the part of the candidate. In the Anglican com- munion confirmation remained in the hands of the bishop; in the Lutheran, in that of any regularly established pastor. Compara- tively modern times have witnessed in many communions an em- phasis upon confirmations as personal assumption of baptismal vows made in behalf of the recipient in childhood as well as tlie gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit, which seems to have been its early significance.

The Congregational churches from their origin, instead of con- firmation have emphasized confession of faith. They have regarded the believer as entering into a peculiar personal and intimate rela- tion with his Lord through a mutual covenant, in which, after the model of the Abrahamic covenant of old, the disciple personally acknowledged th-e Lordship of Christ and his fellowship with Christ's people. This they have regarded as no one-sided acknowl- edgment, but one in which the Lord himself receives his sincere fol- lower. As such the Congregational churches have always regarded confession of faith and entrance into the covenant, not indeed as a sacrament, but as the most sacred of all transactions in which a disciple might engage. It is fair to say that the Congregational churches, with this interpretation of entrance into the covenant relation between the believer and his Lord, regard the transaction as more solemn, intimate and vital, and as demanding far more of the human participant than is usually required in confirmation.

At the same time it would seem that the important elements in confirmation were preserved in the Congregational practice; for that is in the highest degree a personal assumption of vows made in one's behalf in infant baptism; and also the divine promise to those in covenant relation, "I will be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee," is a promise which may verjr properly be held to include the bestowment of all spiritual gifts.

VI. FURTHER PROPOSALS FOR REUNION

The Lambeth Appeal invites conferences for considering the possibility of taking definite steps to cooperate in a common en- deavor, on the lines set forth in their Appeal, to restore the unity of the Church of Christ. This call lays upon us the obligation, as it opens to us the opportunity, of making new proposals to your Commission for conferences with you. In particular the overtures submitted to all their Christian Brethren by the Anglican Bishops concerning Ordination, ask them to accept "a commission through Episcopal ordination, as obtaining for them a ministry throughout the whole fellowship." They expressly declare that "in so acting

APPENDIX 11 69

no one of us could possibly be taken to repudiate his past ministrj." They saj^ "We shall be publicly and formally seeking additional recognition of a new call to wider service in a reunited Church, and imploring for ourselves God's grace and strength to fulfil the same." And they further declare that "if the authorities of other communions should so desire, we are persuaded that, terms of union having been otherwise satisfactorily adjusted, Bishops and clergy of our Communion would willingly accept from these authorities a form of commission or recognition which would commend our ministry to their congregations, as having its place in our one family life. . . We can only say that we offer it in all sincerity as a token of our longing that all ministries of grace, theirs and ours, shall be available for the service of our Lord in a united Church,"

We on our part would recognize the fact that the spirit and the form in which these proposals are offered largely relieve difficulties arising from differences of convictions and inherited feelings. They disclaim, at least, the implications involved in such words as "reor- dination" or "conditional ordination," and offer to give and to re- ceive in some possible way a new commission for mutual ministry in the larger fellowship.

We accordingly would submit for conference the following con- sideration:

1. The confessions and declarations of faith of our own and other protestant communions as a sufficient basis for a common fellowship in the ministry.

2. We would deem worthy of further consideration, the pos- sible service that might be rendered by a constitutional Episcopate freely adapted to the polities of other churches in their common fellowship.

3. We recall the fact that our forefathers carried over from the Church of England habits and practices which they freely adapted to their new conditions as independent churches. One such in- herited custom of ours may be particularly pertinent in our pres- ent efforts to reach mutually acceptable practical proposals. When one of our ministers, who has been previously ordained, is called to the pastorate of another church, it is customary for that church to invite a Council of the neighboring churches to meet and advise with them as an Installing Council, and if it be deemed best in their judgment, after due inquirj', to install him over his new charge, and to commend him to the fellowship of our churches. It occurs to us that similarly to the functions of our installing Council, the bishop might be charged with the responsibility of judging, concerning the sufficiency of the faith and necessary personal qualification of a minister who was desirous of receiving the addi- tional commission in accordance with the Lambeth proposals. Some general canonical provision to that effect, which you might deem sufficient, leaving both the bishop and clergyman to come to a good understanding, might safeguard all essential interests, and be at once understood and acceptable to ministers of other communions. Some earl}' precedents for such "orders of license" in the Church of England might be adduced.

On our part we would welcome from you, and submit to the se- rious consideration of our ministry and churches, any further pro- posals or canonical provisions which you may deem practical, and which may serve to promote the fellowship of the faith and the ministry of the whole Church of God.

APPENDIX III

CONGREGATIONALISTS AND CREEDS

(The Congregational Connnissiuu was requested to submit to the joint Commission a statement of the attitude of the Congregational- ists toward creeds. The preparation of this paper was assigned to Rev. William E. Barton. The paper is given herewith for the infor- mation of the National Council.)

THE CONGREGATIONAL ATTITUDE TOWARD

CREEDS

When, in 1617, the Pilgrims were contemplating- their removal to America, and were questioned concerning their doctrinal views, they answered through John Robinson and William Brewster, —

"To ye confession of faith published in ye name of ye Church of England, and to every article thereof, we do with the reformed churches where we live, and also elsewhere, assent wholly."

Richard Baxter spoke for the Puritans of England, —

"We do not dissent from the doctrines of The Church of England expressed in the Articles and Homilies."

The Puritan protest was not against the doctrines of the creeds, but against the supposed authority which imposed those creeds. The refusal of a Congregationalist then or now to sign a particular creed is not presumptive evidence that he does not accept the doctrine contained in that creed as fully as do those Christians who have subscribed to it. Any attempt to require any Congregational Church to recite any particular creed at any particular service would certainly result in an effective protest ; if the use of the creed were wholly optional, that church might very cheer- fully recite it.

The early Congregational Churches had no creeds. Each of them had a Covenant, which constituted the basis of church fellowship ; and the Covenant almost invariably con- tained some comprehensive statement of doctrine. Nothing was ever supposed to be sacred about the precise language of these covenants. In some of the New England churches the covenant has remained unchanged for nearly three cen- turies; in others the form has changed frequently.

APPENDIX III 71

The Congregational Churches assembled at Cambridge in 1648 in what was virtually their first National Council, approved "for substance of doctrine" the Westminster Con- fession. The Synod of Boston in 1680 did the same with reference to the Savoy Confession. In neither case was there prolonged discussion. Nor was there any attempt to use the creeds as a measure of a minister's orthodoxy or as a condition of church membership. They were "a testi- mony and not a test."

The National Council, in 1913, adopted a new creed, which has found very wide acceptance among us as a convenient expression of our common faith. That short creed was pre- ceded by a declaration of the "steadfast allegiance of the churches composing this Council to the faith which our fathers confessed, which from age to age has found its ex- pression in the historic creeds of the Church universal and of this communion."

It is the faith expressed in these creeds which is con- fessed ; not the form in which the creeds express it.

Congregationalists have respect for creeds, but do not cultivate that familiarity which breeds contempt, nor do they subscribe to creeds with that readiness which requires excessive mental reservations. The Nicene Creed is un- known among us, save as one of the venerable symbols which represent successive high-watermarks of Christian thinking, and the compromises which have been necessary to the effective expression of that thinking. The Apostles' Creed is used somewhat, and probably by a diminishing number of our churches. It is held in respect, but it does not give proportionate expression to the whole range of truth which the modern Congregationalist would like to find in a creed which might be supposed to state what he really thought. Inasmuch as no modern Christian can express his belief in Christ's descent into hell or in the resurrection of the body, without qualifying mental footnotes, the aver- age Congregationalist prefers not to recite this creed. How- ever, it is in use in a number of our church'es, and it is not generally objected to. Its use is not likely to be extended,

72 APPENDIX III

however. The average Congregationalist knows that the Apostles got on very well without the Apostles' Creed, and he finds no difficulty in doing so.

Congregationalists and Episcopalians believe the same body of truth, and with about the same freedom of interpre- tation. The conservative Episcopalian believes about what the conservative Congregationalist believes about the great cardinal doctrines; the liberal Episcopalian has far more in common theologically with the liberal Congregationalist than he has with the conservative Episcopalian. Neither communion liveth unto itself or can do its thinking in isola- tion. The deep tides of human thought wash all shores, and register about the same elevation at the headlands of the different communions, and about the same in the one as the other as the waters make back through inlet and bay. But the Episcopalian has a system whereby he expresses his changing faith in unchanging terms. When Congre- gationalists outgrow a creed they make a new one; when Episcopalians outgrow a creed they make a new interpreta- tion.

The Episcopal Church has been called by men within it, "the roomiest church in America." That is something to be proud of. Congregationalists also have pride in an in- clusive church. Their system has essentially the same lati- tude as the Episcopal system, without the necessity of en- deavoring to compass that latitude in terms of other genera- tions.

Congregationalists know too well how creeds have been made, under what pressure of political determination or doctrinal prejudice, to regard them as in any wise sacred. They have no more respect for the opinions of dead men than they have for living men. Yet they look with a certain reverence upon a creed that once registered a high-water- mark of thought and whose words have been uttered rever- ently by Christians of many lands for many generations. They do not treat these creeds with intentional disrespect. They believe the faith which these creeds, always imperfect- ly, but often very effectively, have expressed. They do not object, on proper occasions, to joining their fellow Chris-

APPENDIX III 73

tians of other communions in the recital of these creeds, reserving to themselves always the right to annotate them mentally, as all modern Christians do and must. But this mental annotation is an art in which Congregationalists have never attained proficiency, and which they do not greatly enjoy. They prefer, other things being equal, Lo express their faith in terms of the age in which they live.

If, then, our Episcopal brethren should ask that regularly in any given service Congregationalists should join in the recital of a particular creed, and they should be told that Congregationalists would most certainly decline to do this, the answer must not be interpreted as meaning that Con- gregationalists hold the truth which that creed expresses less sacred than do the Episcopalians. The two com- munions hold their faith essentially in common.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

The Commission on Evangelism has endeavored to find the facts that challenge us, to glean from the churches methods that work; and to put facts and methods within the reach of all. Our service to the churches has been in three fields:

1. The recruiting of new membership

2. The restoring of lapsed membership

3. The promotion of the devotional life without which the church can neither recover the back-slider nor win the unconverted.

Recruiting New Membership In this field, the facts are stern indeed. Today fifty odd millions of Americans are utterly unrelated to any kind of organized religion. These are largely Protestant in in- heritance and sympathy. The average Congregational church has an untouched constituency for which no other is spiritually responsible, equalling at least its present membership, and in many cases, twice as many.

Twenty years ago, our churches were growing a little faster than the population and thus slowly gaining on their entire responsibility. During the last sixty years the Con- gregational churches have reported a net increase in mem- bership each year save one (in 1918, there was a net loss of 293) ; and for most of that time our church growth equaled the growth in population. For the last ten years, the population has grown thirty per cent, faster than the Congregational churches. Our evangelistic program has not been efficient enough to keep us from losing ground. The deflection of pastors and church workers, no doubt had an influence here also.

There is an earnest and well-nigh universal desire to meet this challenge by sound evangelism. Great as has been the service of the professional evangelist through the Christian centuries, there is a general) distrust of the mass

THE COMMISSION OX EVANGELISM 75

evangelism of the professional, not only because we dislike vulgarity and grotesqueness, but because so often lasting results were not commensurate. Many churches, at least, have given up expecting to take the kingdom of heaven by this kind of violence.

Our suggested program of parish evangelism is based upon the experience of a number of churches of various sorts and sizes. It follows in the main the Christian year. The fall period leads up to the November or December communion. The Lenten period covers not only the six and a half weeks of Lent culminating at the communion near Easter, but preparation beginning with the new year embracing a program of doctrinal and evangelistic preach- ing; the enlisting and training of personal workers; the pastor's training class; and the deepening of the prayer life of the people. The third period extends to the close of the school year and the summer communion.

Evangelism of adults through membership committees. Large membership committees of men and women have been organized under leaders for each small group, and cards with the names and necessary facts about those for whom the church is responsible have been prepared. A systematic effort carried over a number of weeks with regular weekly meetings for the assignment of names and the discussion of effective methods of invitation, has pro- duced happy results. The success of this membership committee work has depended upon four principles :

1. Knowing the facts — by listing all who were to be invited ;

2. Having an adequate plan — simply but thoroughly un- derstood; 3. Extending the responsibility for personal work — by insisting that the responsibility for inviting others is universal, and that less developed Christians may profitably give the invitation to others; 4. Undergirding the program with personal and social prayer.

Evangelism of adolescents through pastors' training classes. Because younger adolescents are not ready to come into the church without systematic and intelligent prepara- tion, pastors' training classes have been organized. In

16 THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

many churches, the membership committee has functioned by securing the attendance of the boys and girls at the pastor's class. In some churches, the thoroughness with which the parish was surveyed and all within the proper ages invited, exceeded previous experience, and the results in attendance, interest and in the numbers entering the church showed how efficiently Congregationalists could meet this most important part of their evangelistic respon- sibility.

These classes are a part of the Education Society's pro- gram as well as that of the Commission on Evangelism. Fifteen hundred churches conducted pastor's training classes this past Lenten season. The circulation of the "Text-book for the Pastor's Training Class" has been over forty thousand, in addition to a large amount of material distributed for the Education Society.

The results seem to prove that the methods of meeting these stern facts have been useful in a great many churches. Pastors and church workers have come toi a fuller realiza- tion of the value of programing the activities of the church. Missionary education, the financial canvass, social service, and religious educational activities as well as evangelism have been stimulated ; and there is a new feeling of opti- mism and esprit de corps. In correspondence and in con- ferences, we have discovered that pastors are greatly en- couraged.

Among the features of the work which should receive attention in due course of time is the development of methods of summer evangelism, such effort is desperately called for in general, it is peculiarly adapted to the work of the colored churches of which we have approximately one hundred and fifty. For most of these, the summer is the most favorable season for evangelistic service. The American Missionary Association is contemplating an ap- propriation of five hundred dollars to assist this Commis- sion in developing literature which will be of particular helpfulness to these churches. Here is a wide field of ser- vice and one that promises very great benefit.

THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM 17

Undoubtedly the results of the two years' work of the Commission will appear more largely in the future than at present, but during 1919, there was an increase in the number of accessions for the year of nearly ten thousand. The figures for 1920 show an increase of 32,000, making the total accessions the largest in the history of the de- nomination. Not a few churches report accessions at the 1921 Easter Communion larger than any time in their history, indicating that we may hope for a still better rec- ord this current year.

Membership Waste

Still sterner facts every Congregationalist ought to con- sider:

1. That one out of every seven members is an absentee.

2. That we drop members by "revision of the roll" at the rate of about a hundred a day.

3. That unless we reclaim absentees and restore the lapsed, we shall require a continued Pentecost to keep alive.

Congregational Churches

Increase in Absenteeism and Loss o€ Membership thru 'Revision of Roll^iSew-iqig

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THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

Church Membership Waste through Absenteeism.

The "graph" on page 6 (No. 1) illustrates that absentee members have increased fourfold in the last sixty years. For the correction of our excessive absenteeism, the Com- mission is serving as a clearing house for the churches, ask- ing that lists of non-resident members with all the available information be sent in. The office of the Commission will assemble and distribute the information to the churches in the community to which the absentees have removed. We cannot change the nomadic tendencies of our eager, restless age, but by thorough cooperation, many of these nomadic church members may be promptly invited to church worship and work in their new homes.

Church Membership Waste through "Revision of the Roll." Even more startling has been the increase of waste in church membership through the rapidly rising "revision of the roll."

CCNGREGATICNAL ChLTRCHES

Loss of MemTjersMp "by DeatlL- Granting of Letters -Revisi on of Roll' i860 - 1919

I860 to 1870 1871 e. mO j ISSl to 1590 K91 U WOO i WO? lo WW IQll le t"*!"?

hidicdiefi Leas by Letter : Indicates Loss by Death ■ bidicat« Lcsit^t-

Tiif^Tsicn of Roll'

Z»7 Fourth Av»n.u» NfW YorK City

THE cn>[ MT.'^sioN OX i-:vangelts:m 79

The "graph" on page 78 sliovvs that the percentage of loss in membership by death remains about the same. Loss by letter has fluctuated. The number of members lost by "revision of the roll increased from 649 in 1860 to 30,564 in 1919 and 1920.

Dr. Burton has remarked that a comparison between the record of members lost by death and the members lost by "revision of the roll" may indicate the growing efficiency of medical science as compared with the lack of an effective method of church administration. Should we not give to the spiritually sick something comparable to the treatment the physician gives to those physically ill — something of diagnosis, treatment and prescribed exercise? As a de- nomination we must face the fact that we are losing mem- bers through "revision of the roll," and have been for a decade, at a rate approximating one hundred per day. We consider a padded church roll a species of dishonesty, but too often names are cut off by "revision of the roll" because adequate effort has not been made to keep in touch with absentees and to reclaim non-attending resident members.

The problem of lapsing members remaining in the com- munity can be largely met if the churches will face these facts, and will give the Commission the benefit of their experience, that successful methods may be given the wid- est possible publicity, as we believe the publication of sound methods for correcting an evil will usually encour- age even the half-hearted to attempt its correction. We evidently need to study and improve the shepherding work as we have approximately 110,000 absentees and are adding to this list from 30,000 to 40,000 a year. Other denomina- tions are having the same experience and all must make careful study of the methods to meet this situation.

As in the field of recruiting for new membership, so in the field of membership waste, we believe we can meet this very serious challenge if we observe the four principles al- ready suggested for evangelism: 1. Know the facts; 2. Have an adequate plan ; 3. Extend the responsibility for

80

THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

personal work ; 4. Undergird the program with personal and social prayer.

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80,000 70,000 i 6 o.5oo 50,000

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THE COMMFSSION ON EVANGELISM

81

CONGREGAlIONM> CHURl11I:S

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82 the commission on evangelism

Promotion of the Devotional Life

The third service which the Commission seeks to render is the promotion of the devotional life without which the church can neither recover the back-slider, nor win the un- converted.

In many churches, the prayer meeting has declined, family worship and even grace at the table have largely disappeared, and attendance at public worship for many church members has become intermittent. In some par- ishes the average congregation for the Sunday morning worship is not more than one fourth of the membership and in most churches, if the average attendance is one half the church membership, pastor and people are satisfied. Christians have neglected the assembling of themselves together.

The uniform experience of the centuries shows that when Christians neglect social worship, habits of secret prayer decay, and the knowledge of God as a vital personal ex- perience which is the only adequate dynamic for noble liv- ing, is weakened. Only the praying church can be a living and a converting church.

Each year the Commission has prepared daily devotions for the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter, of readings from the gospels, with a few lines of exposition, a short manual of collects for daily use, and a half dozen of the hymns which every Christian ought to know by heart. This year approximately two thirds of our churches have used "The Fellowship of Prayer," its total circulation has been over 200,000. Its unexpectedly large use shows that pas- tors and churches are vitally conscious of the most import- ant factor in the life of the church ; developed, intelligent, faith-founded worship.

Christians are not regular at church because they say they find so little in church. They find so little at the church service because they carry so little into the church service. They have not trained themselves in the divine art of prayer. Few things will do more to make real the prayer life of the individual church member than the pro- motion of a fellowship of prayer.

THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

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84 THE COMMISSION OX EVANGELISM

Lenten Literature for 1921 Compared with 1920.

No. Orders Orders Churches Reed. Reed.

1920 1921

Alabama 84 10 12

Arizona 10 9 5

Arkansas 3 3 2

California 246 24 44

Colorado 109 20 16

Connecticut 326 117 265

Florida 52 13 19

Georgia 97 14 6

Idaho 43 13 9

Illinois 328 78 151

Indiana 40 6 22

Iowa 280 40 76

Kansas 140 25 40

Kentucky 12 5 7

Louisiana 31 6 9

Maine 265 54 69

Maryland 5 . . 3

Massachusetts 604 227 439

Michigan 291 36 95

Minnesota 227 28 69

Mississippi 5 1 1

Missouri 64 26 28

Montana 104 21 23

Nebraska 194 47 43

Nevada 1

New Hampshire 189 51 88

New Jersey 49 36 46

New Mexico 7 4 2

New York 308 156 317

N. Carolina 63 15 5

N. Dakota 232 30 36

Ohio 239 92 132

Oklahoma 50 12 9

Oregon 60 15 _ 7

Pennsylvania 98 36 89

Rhode Island 41 6 27

S. Carolina 10 4 2

S. Dakota 220 47 44

Tennessee 24 2 6

Texas 32 15 16

Utah 11 3 5

Vermont 215 47 71

Virginia 4 . . 5

Washington 184 17 59

West Virginia 2 1 1

Wisconsin 266 61 105

Wyoming 25 4 10

Washington. D. C 1 11

Alaska, etc 1

Honolulu 1 14

Missionary Societies 79 513

Spec. Complimentary 42

Total 1604 3073

THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELJS.M 85

Finances

This literature is supplied the churches at the cost of printing which by placing contracts for 50 and 100 thou- sand lots is very reasonable. The majority of the churches are willing to pay for their literature. The treasurer's re- port will show that the receipts from sale of literature are more than $4,000.00 which is approximately one-half of the total bill for printing, much of which is for office use.

We have not yet developed a very satisfactory plan for churches usually do not have a contingent fund out of which they can pay such bills. Hence a special appeal must be made to the congregation, or the pastor has to pay out of his own pocket. These churches put forth every effort to meet their denominational apportionment and they feel this should cover the very modest cost of the literature. This is a subject with which we will have to deal next year. No request for literature has ever been refused nor has the Commission ever adopted a debt collecting policy.

The report of the treasurer shows that we end the year with bills paid and a balance of $13.63 in the treasury. This especially favorable condition is due to a large-hearted sup- port of the Board of Directors of the Congregational Home Missionary Society. Our budget allowance, included in the budget of the Congregational Home Missionary Society was for $15,000 with the understanding that our allotment of funds would be in proportion to the actual receipts of the Congregational Home Missionary Society through the Congregational World Movement. Regardless of the fact that the Congregational Home Missionary Society received an amount much less than its budget called for, the Board of Directors, without formal request from this Commission, voted the Commission first $12,500, and finally to cover last bills, voted in March an additional amount of $2,500. This support by the Congregational Home Missionary Society should receive from the church at large the highest appre- ciation as it does from the members of this Commission. The fact that it is the one item in the budget of the society which was not allowed to suffer because of the shortage in apportionment receipts indicates the high valuation placed upon the work of the Commission.

86 THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM

Treasurer's Report for the Year Ending March 31, 1921

Receipts

Balance, April 1, 1920 $ 780.17

C. H. M. S 13.791.62

Sale of Literature 4,208.51

Disbursements $18,780.30

Salaries and Clerical Service 6,949.01

Rent, Telephone and Advertising 596.83

Postage, Freight and Express 1,099.22

Traveling 1,184.16

Publications, Printing, Stationery 8,351.03

Incidental Expense 300.00

Sundries 128.64

Equipment 157.81

$18,766.68

Balance April 1, 1921 $13.62

Administration The Commission on Evangelism has strenuously endeav- ored to serve every church in our fellowship, and to do it promptly. At times the office in New York has been over- whelmed with orders, but during the past biennium with the exception of one day, every order has received attention on the day in which it was received, and either the material sent out, or at least a reply of explanation mailed if the material had to be secured elsewhere.

The total circulation of literature by the Commission dur- ing the past year has been approximately 500,000. Of this 41,000 pieces have been distributed through state offices and 29,500 through the Pilgrim Press; the rest has been from the office. During the period from January to Easter, more than 3,000 packages of literature were sent out to the churches.

General Items of Interest. Office Correspondence 1920 1921

Form Letters mailed during the year,

estimated 40,000 309,000

General Office Correspondence during the year

estimated 1,500 2,200

Literature Published

Evangelistic Literature published — number of

pieces 370,000 508,475

Evangelistic Literature distributed — number of

pieces 332,000 468,975

Evangelistic Literature distributed through

State Offices 41,000

THE COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM 87

The Commission has been happy to represent our de- nomination in the Evangelistic Commission of the Federal Council where many of our proven methods have been adopted as a part of the Federal Council program of evan- gelism. In the same w^ay, we have cooperated with the Commissions of other denominations. The secretary of the Commission was a member of a team composed of the secretaries of various denominational boards which visited twelve of our largest cities last fall, holding ministerial institutes on evangelism. The same are to be repeated in September, and in January of the coming year.

The Commission desires to express its thanks to our pastors who have spoken on the program of evangelism before state and associational meetings in all parts of the country, at conferences with seminary students, and have assisted in the retreats in which groups of pastors have come together for the deepening of their own devotional life and for discussion and promotion of the methods and objectives of the evangelistic program of the church.

Now if ever the Lord commands us, saying "Speak unto the children of the Pilgrims that they go forward;" and recruit for Christ and His church all the unchurched for which we are responsible ; doing our utmost to restore all lapsed members, for the promotion of an intelligent and dynamic spiritual life.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

THE PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATIOxN IX THE LOCAL CHURCH

In the Report of this Commission for 1915, entitled A PRO- GRAM OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING IN THE LOCAL CHURCH, suggestions were offered concerning (1) the educational aims of the church and (2) the lesson material and the agencies of instruction and training which are the means of accomplishing these aims.

It is the purpose of the present Report, not to duplicate, but to supplement that of 1915, taking the same point of view, that of the educational work of the local church.

I The Responsibility of the Church for Religious Education.

Religious education is a primary function of the church and one of its chief responsibilities. This fact is so evident that we are sometimes inclined to take it for granted and let it go at that. "Certainl}--," we say, "religious education is the hope of the future. The church is the great religious educational agency. Bring the children to church and to the church school and all will be well." It is not quite so easy. The vital importance of the matter forces us, as earnest, thoughtful Christians, to lay aside preconceived ideas and theories and face the facts. Are we satisfied with the percentage of young people that we are reaching with definite religious instruction and training? Are we content with the results in the lives of those whom we do reach? Is it not a matter of deep concern that so many drop out of the church school in the criti- cal years of adolescence? As for those that remain, is there great comfort in the comparatively small proportion that develops into strong, active leaders in Christian service? Is there no chal- lenge in the fact that we are not turning out enough ministers and missionaries to make good the depletion of these workers through old age, death and other causes?

Facts like these force us to ask in all seriousness: How can we make religious education more effective?

The first step toward the solution of this problem lies in a clearer understanding of the nature and aims of education.

1. The educative process is constant and inevitable. It is not limited to any formal and deliberate program. Every experience, every influence that touches the life of the child is educating him for good or for evil. Religious education, therefore, must take account of the total life of the child: at home, at school, at play, at work; as well as of his so-called religious activities. It must have a consistent program, centering about the growing life of the child and developing to meet his enlarging needs and multiplying problems as he enters into the expanding circle of human relation- ships.

2. The vital factor in the process is self-expressive activity. It is not the facts which are presented to the child, or the situations

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 89

which he meets that educate him; but what he does, what he thinks, and how he feels about these facts and situations. The child learns how to live through the real experience of living.

3. The child lives in a world of persons as well as of things. Things have meaning only as they are related to human needs and activities. Education is, therefore, a social process and must be judged by the degree to which it brings the child into right rela- tions to other persons.

4. The child lives in a divine, as well as a human fellowship. As truly as things arc significant only in relation to persons, so human relationships can be rightly interpreted only with reference to God. Religious education aims to bring the child into right relations with God and man. Without this he cannot be well educated.

5. Religious education should seek to develop Christian leader- ship. The church must not only put the child into possession of his Christian heritage, but must help him to develop those powers of spiritual vision, clear thinking and effective action by the exercise of which the traditions of the past may be enlarged and enriched. It must seek to produce vigorous and resourceful personalities which can give to the church and society the leadership so sorely needed.

6. It is the duty of the church therefore, to surround the child with a wholesome spiritual environment, infused with an atmos- phere of joyous love toward God and man; to furnish opportuni- ties for Christian experience in cooperative action, study and wor- ship; through which he may acquire an increasing measure of self- control in conscious adjustment of self to God and to man.

II Organization Within the Church

No church can expect good results in religious education from haphazard methods. There must be a definite policy, adhered to with wise consistency; an intelligently constructed program; and competent leadership.

1. The Pastor. The chief responsibility for leadership rests with the pastor of the church. If its members lack vision in educational matters he must give it to them. If the educational methods of the church are faulty he must correct them. If trained leaders are lacking his most important task is to develop them. The level of interest and cooperation in any cause on the part of the church's membership will not rise very far above his own. He will make more effective the efforts of his best workers by his intelligent co- operation and support or largely nullify them by his ignorance or indifference. One of the most serious obstacles met by many well- trained and consecrated directors of religious education is the lack of intelligent cooperation on the part of the pastor.

It is the duty of every pastor, therefore, whatever maj^ be the personal or material equipment of his church, to understand its problem with respect to religious education. He must know the nature, the aims, the principles and the methods of the educational process. Only upon the basis of such knowledge can he adequately test the policy that is being followed, distinguish between good work and poor, know what to encourage and what to correct, and. above all know how to evaluate results in the lives of children, youth and adults.

The theological seminary owes it to the churches to give its students this training. Most of our seminaries have recognized this

90 MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

responsibility. The pastor who, for whatever reason, has not had these advantages should avail himself of the helps that are provided. He should master the best books on religious education, acquaint himself with the literature and educational standards of the denomi- nation and of inter-denominational agencies in this field.

2. General Organization,

(a) The Religious Education Committee. The first requirement of the Pilgrim standard is A Religious Education Committee. Some pastors are prone to stop at this point, saying: "We have no such committee and no leaders to serve on one. This is not for us." This is an unfortunate mistake. Even though a church may lack professionally trained or experienced men and women with whom an ideal committee might be formed at the start this does not alter the fact that better work will be accomplished in any church by assigning to some persons besides the pastor the duty to inform themselves as to the principles and aims of religious education and to share with him the responsibility of its promotion.

The pastor may be the only leader to begin with. If he does not accept this responsibility it may be some layman who sees the need and the opportunity for better educational work. With whomsoever it may begin, one of the first steps should be to gather about this leader a group of those who are best qualified. The chief requisite is that they be willing to study the problem and to work earnestly for a better solution of it.

Even though the church may not see the need clearly enough to appoint such a committee, the group should be informally organ- ized for study and planning and its members will find their first task to be that of helping to create the sentiment that shall lead to their formal recognition as a committee with authority.

Some of the advantages of such a committee are: (1) the moral support which its members will give, individually and as a group, to the efforts of pastor or leader toward better standards; (2) the greater stability of a program based upon the intelligent convictions of a number of persons, rather than upon those of a changing leadership; (3) the greater amount of work made possible by divis- ion of responsibility.

From this viewpoint and remembering that its members may start as learners and be trained to greater efficiency through study and experience, the Religious Education Committee is not only pos- sible, but an important factor in the organization of any church. It should be one of its recognized standing committees.

The duty of this committee is to exercise general control of the work of the church school, appoint its officers and teachers, choose the courses of study and textbooks, and to supervise and coordinate all the educational agencies and activities of the church. In larger churches this work of coordination may best be served by the creation of another group, representing all the agencies concerned, which may be known as the Council of Religious Education. This Council should meet regularly for reports and discussion of the work, in order that all its members may get a comprehensive view of the entire program and each come to consider the work of his own organization in the light of the whole.

(b) The Director of Religious Education. In the larger churches the employment of such a Director is essential to the best results. The importance and scope of the work call for the services of a

.MOR-\L AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 91

trained leader, giving his entire time to it. The person chosen should possess such qualities of Christian character, technical train- ing, good judgment, and executive ability as make for leadership and this leadership should be respected by pastor and by people in the Director's field of activity.

There are some churches w^hose work is not large enough to justify, or that cannot afford the employment of a trained specialist for this position. There is no church, the educational work of which would not benefit by having someone definitely charged with the Responsibility of leadership in this matter. This involves more than the routine of school work usually carried by the Sunday school superintendent. It calls for an understanding of educational princi- ples and methods and the ability to make practical application of them in the educational program of the entire church.

Where a Director cannot be employed the need may be met in other ways: (1) The pastor, if qualified, may assume this responsibility and will find it a most fruitful service. (2) A com- petent person may be found who will do this as a piece of volunteer work. (3) The churches of the community may unite in securing the services of a Director to supervise the religious educational work of all of them.

(c) Superintendent and Heads of Departments. In churches which have no Director of Religious Education, the Superin- tendent must necessarily exercise many of the functions of such a Director. He is the executive officer of the school.

There should be Department Heads, or Principals, chosen annu- ally for their special fitness to deal with pupils of the ages repre- sented in their respective departments.

(d) The Monthly Conference of Teachers and Officers. With the change from the uniform to the graded lessons many schools have abandoned the Teachers' Meeting which was formerly a feature of their work. So far as this meeting was an attempt to present the same lesson to teachers of all grades, or to furnish a substitute for adequate preparation on the teacher's part, the loss is not great. It is a serious loss, however, not to bring the teachers and officers of all departments together for frequent conference. This is even more necessary in the departmentalized school in order that the vital unity of the whole may be preserved.

The programs of these meetings should be thoughtfully planned to make them worth while. The average teacher is sufficiently in earnest to want to help and to attend meetings that really give it. A type of program for a monthly conference that has proved its value in many churches is as follows:

(1) Supper served at the church. This promotes fellowship, enables those who are employed to come direct from work and gives more time for the conference.

(2) General conference. The time of this should be divided between the discussion of some practical topic in religious educa- tion, and the transaction of general school business. A series of related topics should be arranged to run through the year. These may be presented in addresses by competent speakers or better in papers by various teachers to whom they have been assigned; or a book may be chosen and a chapter or section considered at each meeting.

(3) Departmental Meetings, in which the teachers and officers of each department may meet for the discussion of questions per taining to their own special problems.

92 MORA[, AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Such a conference, carried on jear after year, will not onlj^ promote unity of thought and feeling but will be a most valuable course of training for the workers.

(e) Complete Records. The records of the church school should serve the same purpose with reference to its educationafl work as does the accounting system of a commercial establishment in the conduct of its business. They should give a sound basis for esti- mating profit and loss, the success or failure of its work as judged oy results. This purpose is not served by a mere list of names and addresses and attendance for the current j^ear. A permanent record should be kept for every pupil from the date of enrollment. This should give the name, address, date of birth, parents' names, church relationship of pupil and of parents, record of promotion from grade to grade and any other facts that may help the pastor, officers or teachers to understand the needs and to note the prog- ress or lack of progress in the case of each pupil.

From such records the Secretary may compile quarterlj^ and yearly statements that will give definite information of the greatest value. It is undoubtedly interesting to know the number of children in the school that have joined the church during a given year. It is far more important to know the number of pupils who have reached the period of life choices that have not joined the church. Only upon the basis of accurate and complete records can a church know the actual results of its educational work and reach a cor- rect estimate of its success or failure.

3. Departmental Organization.

The principle of grading has been recognized and adopted by our best schools. It is neither a theory nor an arbitrary method. Grading means taking the child as God made him and adapting the materials and methods of teaching to his varying interests and needs as he develops.

Departmental organization rests upon the same basis. The depart- ments of the church scliool are parallel to the natural periods of life development. Each of these periods has its characteristic needs, interests, points of view and modes of thought and action. The grouping of pupils according to these stages of development is desirable, not only for the sake of more effective instruction, but also for the sake of their training in the activities of Christian living. Pupils in the same stage of development work, play and cooperate better together, than with those of different stages.

The departmental classification suggested in the Bulletin of 1915 was that generally in use in church schools at that time and the one upon which the graded lessons of the past have been based. During recent years much attention has been given to this subject both in the church school and in the public school. In the latter a three-year grouping of pupils through the elementary and second- ary grades is growing in favor, a prominent feature of which is the junior High School, covering the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.

Leaders in the field of religious education are now practically agreed upon a similar grouping for the church school. By recent action of the International Lesson Committee a policy has been adopted which will, within a few years, substitute for the uniform lessons a series of group-graded lessons based upon the later classi- fication. The completely graded lessons have been adapted to the same departmental classification.

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 93

~ According to this plan the departmental organization of the church school will be as follows.

Department Approximat* Period of Correlated Agencies

Age Limits Development

Cradle Roll 1-3 jts. Infancy

Beginners 4-5 " Early Childhood

Primary .. 6-8 " Middle Childhood

Junior 9-11 " Later Childhood Boys Club, Girls Club, Mis-

sion Band, Junior Endeavor, Girl Seouts, etc.

Intermediate 12-14 " Early Adolescence Boy Scouts. Girl Scouts,

Camp Fire Girls, Intermedi- ate Endeavor Society, etc.

Senior 15-17 " Middle Adolescence Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,

etc.. Senior Endeavor Organ- ized Department.

Young People's 18-24 " Later Adolescence Young People's Society,

Missionary Society, or Study Group, etc.

Adult 25 & over Maturity Brotherhoods, and other

Adult organizations of the Church.

The program of each department should have a unity of its own and also be properly related to the program of the whole school. Each department should provide instruction, worship, and training in cooperative service suited to the needs and capabilities of the pupils for whom they are designed.

Difficulties to be Met. We may frankly recognize the existence of certain obstacles which hinder the complete adoption of this plan.

(a) Lack of Room. The majority of church buildings at present do not provide enough separate rooms for departmental sessions. This is a defect in prevailing church architecture which the builders of the future should seek to remedy. Where suitable provision has not been made the church must do the best it can with what it has. Even where separate sessions are not possible much can be done in the way of specialized programs of study and expressional activity for each department.

Some churches have met this difficulty of insufficient room by having different parts of the school meet at different hours. Some hold the Beginners' session at the same time as the morning church service. Some hold the Primary session at the same time. Others have the elementary grades, ap to and including Juniors, before the church service and the older grades after this service. Local conditions must determine the feasibilitj' of such adjustments.

(b) Insufficient Numbers. Many schools are so small that departmental division, especially in the older grades, gives some departments a number too small for the development of enthusiasm and group loyalty through cooperative activities. These conditions must be recognized and dealt with according to the best judgment of the leaders. The best plan under such circumstances is to com- bine departments most nearly related as, for example. Juniors and Intermediates, Seniors and Young People's.

(c) Loss of Unity and Enthusiasm. There are those who depre- cate the separation of the school into departments on the ground that it destroys the feeling of unity in the school as a whole and lessens the enthusiasm of the general assembly. This difficulty is more apparent than real and usually arises from adults rather than from the young people themselves. Granting all that may be said as to the value of the enthusiasm of the large assembly, the question

94 MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

remains: do we not gain more than we lose? Practical experience has shown that children and youth will participate more heartily in exercises and activities conducted by and for those of their own approximate age than in the larger assembly including all from childhood to adult years. The departmental session affords distinct advantages for the training of pupils in such participation. Bj^ these means a more vital unity may be established than produced by the physical contact of numbers. Schools with well organized Inter- mediate and Senior departments are holding their inembers through these critical years as well and usuallj^ better than those that are following the old plan.

Moreover, it is not a question of giving up the large assembly altogether. The school may and should be brought together for special occasions, such as Children's Day, Easter, Christmas, and similar festivals. This helps to keep the departments in touch one with the other and it has also been noted that the members of depart- mentalized schools will enter with greater zest into such general occasions because of the fact that they are different from the ordi- nary routine. Even on such occasions it is usually better that the Beginners and Primary Departments should have their own sepa- rate or combined sessions.

4 Annual Promotions. It is characteristic of all rational person? that they desire to see signs of progress in their work. Adults are able to estimate their own mental and spiritual progress to some extent and to find satisfaction in inner signs of growth. Children are, naturally, much more dependent upon external recog- nition and evidences of approval. Certificates of promotion and public exercises at which these are awarded mean a great deal to them.

Moreover, an annual promotion day may be a valuable means of creating more intelligent interest in the educational work of the church on the part of parents and the membership in general.

Every church should hold an annual promotion day with suitable exercises. The program should fairly represent the nature of the work that has been done throughout the j'ear. Many churches are using Children's Day for this purpose. Others hold their promo- tion day in the Fall, making Rally Day the occasion for it.

5. Organization of Classes for Service. If boys and girls are to be developed into future leaders and workers in the church it must be through training in service. This means more than the devising of adult-made programs of activity which are then handed over to the pupils for execution. An efficient worker in the church, or in any other field of activity, must have personal initiative, sound knowledge, and good judgment. These are the qualities that make for executive ability and they are developed only through experi- ence.

We shall develop such qualities in our boys and girls and young people most successfully bj*- giving them opportunity for real experience in organized cooperative work. The organized class is a natural group which gives such opportunities. Through it we may develop self-reliance and increasing effectiveness in Christian service and living.

Simple forms of organized work may begin with Juniors but under careful and wise leadership of adults. Officers in these grades, if they exist, should be chosen by the adult leader. With Inter- mediates more definite organization should be adopted, with elected officers. Adult supervision and guidance is still needed but should

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 95

become increasingly indirect and unobtrusive. By the time the Senior department is reached a large measure of self-government should be established which should be practically complete in the Young People's department.

6. Equipment. The need of separate rooms for departmental sessions has already been noted. It is also important that the furnishings shall be adequate and suitable. Little children especially are largely dependent upon physical comfort for the ability to give attention. Chairs should be of the right height to enable them to sit quietly and at ease. Ventilation is also important. No one, old or young can be attentive and mentally efficient in an over- heated, impure atmosphere.

Suitable equipment for teaching should be provided. Tables are needed for hand-work. Blackboards, Bibles, pictures, maps and other illustrative and reference material should be furnished accord- ing to the needs of the pupil, and teacher.

A reference library for the pupils' collateral reading and study is essential to good work. A reference library for teachers and officers should contain books on Bible study, church history, mis- sions, social service, child study, principles and methods of teach- ings, and specialized forms of religious education. The collection may be started with a number of the most important books and additions be made each year. In this way a valuable working library may be built up which will add greatly to the effectiveness of the school. If such a library is to be of real value it must be readily accessible and its use must be actively promoted by display of new books, bulletin board notices, book reviews at teachers' conferences, reference to chapters with special bearing upon immedi- ate problems, etc.

The public library may often be utilized. There are many books of value to church workers which the public library will purchase on request. Some churches make a practice of printing lists of such books that are in the public library and distributing these among their teachers and officers.

Ill Materials and Methods of Instruction and Training.

1. Materials of Instruction. The lesson material should be adapted to the interests and needs of the pupils for whom it is intended. This calls for graded lessons. It should also present and interpret life to the pupil. This means that it should include, not only biblical material, but the later history of the church, missions, social service, community life and the development of Christian thought and teaching. The selection of materials and the points of inajor emphasis will vary according to the age and experience of the pupil.

These various subjects should be presented as integral parts of the whole program of study, not as addenda or side-issues. It is important that the pupil shall come to understand Christian life and history as a unity, to see that the later history of the church springs from and is continuous with that narrated in the Bible. He should understand that Christian missionaries and social work- ers are the modern representatives of the old prophets and apostles. In no other way can the teaching of the Bible be made so authorita- tive for present day living.

From the senior grades onward the principle of elective courses should be increasingly adopted. The most fruitful study will follow

96 MOKAI. AND RF.LIGIOUS EDUCATION

the lines of personal choice and interest. The number and quality of such elective courses is abundant and is growing every year. They give opportunity for the broadening and enrichment of Christian culture that should not be overlooked.

The Pilgrim Graded Lessons furnish a carefully planned and well-executed course of instruction for all grades from Beginners to Adults. They include special lessons on missionary heroes and heroines, church history, social service. Christian living, and the duties of church membership. The pupils' textbooks and teachers' manuals are among the best published. Excellent helps for teachers and officers are also found in The Pilgrim Elementary Teacher and The Church School.

2. Worship. Training in the spirit and practice of worship is a vital element in the religious education of the child. It is a responsibility which devolves particularly upon the church school for the reason that so large a proportion of the children in its membership are not getting this training in the church service.

In the act of worship the child gains a more realizing sense of the presence of God, deeper feeling of human fellowship and a stronger impulse to right living.

To meet these needs, the service of worship must be carefully planned in advance, must have unity of thought and dignitj^ without undue solemnity and must be sincere. The thought and aspira- tions which are expressed in the hymns, prayers and other parts of the service should be such as are real to the child, arising from his experience. The indiscriminate use of all sorts of material, chosen at random, which unfortunately characterizes too many of our so-called "opening exercises" is not true worship and is con- ducive to disorderly and even irreverent habits of thought and feeling.

The music should be of a high standard. It may be "singable" without being trashy. Too much of the music in use in our Sunday schools is doing for the spiritual taste of our children what the cheap magazine is doing for their literary appreciation.

The period of worship should be protected from interruptions and distractions. In most of our best churches late-comers at the services are requested to remain quietly at the rear of the room and are seated at definite points in the service to avoid disorderly interruption. As much, or even greater care should be taken to make the training of the children in worship orderly and reverent. Some of the interruptions which call for special attention are caused by secretaries distributing class books and papers, the marking of records and transaction of other class business, and conversation carried on by visitors, too often parents or church officers. There should be a time and place in the program for all legitimate busi- ness without interference with worship.

The example of teachers is a powerful factor in making or mar- ring this service. Reverence and interest displayed by the teacher will have its effect upon the class as will also the opposite attitude.

The training in worship may be intensified bj^ giving pupils and classes the opportunity to take the leadership. Even the younger pupils may be given special parts under supervision. In the Inter- mediate department classes may take charge of the entire program with such guidance and help as may be needed in planning it. With Seniors and Young People it is well to make this the general rule, letting the classes take turns in carrying the responsibility of

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 97

the worship period. This plan has proved its usefulness in many schools.

3. Training in Service. No amount of instruction and study will bear its fruitage in character without opportunity for expressional activity in service. The inspiration and impulse arising from the teaching of the lessons will die away or degenerate into weak senti- mentality unless it be carried over into habit and character through expression.

The program of each department should provide for definite, graded training in service. This will come through acts of practical helpfulness, individual and cooperative, at home, in the church and church, school, in missionary work and social service in the com- munity and throughout the world.

In order that such training may be of the greatest value it should include opportunitjr for the exercise of initiative and planning as well as the carrying out of plans. Projects of service and giving should be carried on in which the pupils should consider the merits of several dififerent possible objects, make their own choice on the basis of such consideration, discover the particular needs of the cause or .object chosen and plan and execute measures for meeting these needs. Guidance and counsel will be required in proportion to the age and experience of the pupils, but this should be so given as not to interfere with the proper degree of free choice and initiative on the part of the pupils.

This has special bearing upon the matter of giving. To persuade children to give money and then appropriate and use it without giving them any choice in the matter is not developing the habit of intelligent and loyal benevolence. Even though formal reports may be made to the school as to the manner in which the money has been appropriated this will not take the place of such methods as have just been suggested.

Emphasis should be placed, not so much upon the amount given, as upon the way in which the money has been secured, and the measure of real interest which it expresses. A smaller gift of money honestly earned, or saved by self-denial from funds which are really one's own. means more for the establishment of generous and systematic habits of benevolence in years to come, than does a larger gift secured by asking father or mother for "something for the missionary collection."

As soon as pupils are old enough to have regular allowances or to earn money of their own the practice of stewardship, the setting aside of a due proportion for benevolence, should be cultivated.

The time afforded by the session of the school is manifestly inadequate for a good program of service activities. The organized class will carry its work over into the week and will meet at other times than on Sunday for this purpose. Here is also the opportunity to correlate the work of the school with the boys and girls clubs, scouts, camp-fire girls, Endeavor societies and similar organizations. The membership of these groups will be largely the same as that cf the corresponding department of the school. The instruction of the latter may be consciously related to the expressional work of the former, to the mutual advantage of both.

4. Evangelism. The main purpose of all the instruction and training of the church school is to lead the pupil to a definite and intelligent choice of the Christian way of life and also to strengthen and establish him in habits of life and conduct appropriate to such

98 MORAL AND RF.LIGIOUS EDUCATION

a decision. A program of instruction, worship and service based upon the ideals here presented leads up to such decisions.

Normally, for the child reared in a Christian home and a Chris- tian church, life should be a series of choices in the right direction, lie should never know himself to be other than a child of God and his experience should be that of an ever clearer understanding and acceptance of this relationship.

This does not at all exclude and should not lead us to overlook the reality of spiritual crises in the life of the child and the need for definite acts of decision and self-commitment. The value of these will usually be in proportion to the degree of spontani^'^- which characterizes them and the absence of undue external pres- sure. But they should be prepared for and certain definite methods be adopted to bring them to pass.

General Christian experience and careful study of thousands of cases support the conclusion that such decisions usually occur at one or the other of tv.-o periods in life, the ages of 12-13 and 15-16 respectively. These periods should therefore be regarded as times of special opportunity and the course of study and training should be planned accordingly. Before the age of 12 the efifort should be made to give the pupil the knowledge, ideas, feelings and habits which will predispose to the right decision when the opportunity is given. Before the age of 15 the pupil should have the opportunity to consider the question of his personal relation to God and to the Christian church.

It is an intensely personal and delicate matter and one that requires the utmost wisdom, tact and skill. The practice of having a set time, such as a Decision Day each year, has its dangers and difficulties as well as its advantages. The chief danger lies in the tendency to apply methods of persuasion or pressure indis- criminateh' to pupils of varying ages and temperaments. The principal advantage lies in the fact that it may bring the question up for consideration in a natural and impersonal manner.

An increasing number of churches are following the plan which has its parallel in the Confirmation Day of other denominations, concentrating upon the Easter Communion as an especially favor- able time for children and young people to join the church. When this is done preliminary- classes should be held for instruction in the nature and meaning of Christianity and the claims of the church upon the personal life.

5. Vocational Guidance. The importance of what a child does at home, in school and at play cannot be stressed too strongly. But what that child is to do for eight or ten hours a day when he becomes a man is certainly no less important. The church owes it to her youth to help them choose their vocation. To drift into life-work is dangerous; to be a misfit is a life-tragedy.

Vocational guidance in the church should never be mereh' the attempt to influence as many j'oung people as possible to enter the Christian ministry. Jesus as a carpenter grew in favor with God and with men. Wherever men and women with love for Christ's Kingdom in their hearts do honest and useful labor, there Christian work is being done. It is as much the business of lawyer, doctor, merchant, farmer, teacher, laborer as it is the business of the minister to build the Kingdom of God.

Jesus gave up carpentering, however, when he found more important work that he could do. ^'ocational guidance in the church should be the wise effort of its educational leaders to guide

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 99

young people into the choice of that work where they can labor most effectively for human welfare. No man has sufficient wisdom to tell another just what vocation he should enter. Nor has the church the required wisdom. Each person should choose for him- self what he will do. But our youth should find the vocations where they can be their best and count their most. And in this the church can be of service.

(a) The church should endeavor to have its young people choose their life-work rather than accept some chance opening. The world is all too full of people imhappj' because they merely drifted into the work they do.

(b) The church should assist its j-oung people to make intel- ligent choices. Actual knowledge of the qualifications necessary for successful work in different callings should be brought to their attention. They should be shown, also, the opportunities for service which different callings afford. If there are over-crowded professions, and if there are undermanned callings where fine service is possible, the young people should know the facts. They should also be given every assistance in coming to a knowledge of their own aptitudes and powers.

(c) At least one duty the church cannot escape. The church itself must keep alive the motive which should determine the choice of a vocation. Clearly this primary motive should be the service to his fellow men that one can render in any offered career. Man}' agencies in modern life tend to convince our young people that "Look out for No. 1" is the first law of life. But essential selfish- ness is not man's duty, and the church must proclaim that fact. It must build into the very fibre of its young life the conviction that choice of a life career based on selfishness is a betrayal of Christian faith.

(d) The church has peculiar obligations with reference to the call to Christian leadership in one form or another of service. It should have special knowledge concerning the opportunities and needs in these fields, together with the qualifications and equipment most desired. But its actual conduct must conform to its public teaching. By the appreciation it shows of an able minister, the church will encourage choice young men to enter the special religious callings. On the other hand, where even church people measure a minister's ability by the meagre salary they pay him, no able man can be expected to work. When a high regard is shown for all those intangible values which make life rich, the church can secure the best leaders for its work even where it cannot compete in the offering of alluring salaries.

(e) Suggested Plans. The work of the church in vocational' guidance may well center in a Vacation Day. This is one way ii\ which the church can proclaim the Christian duty of choosing a life-work as a field for service. The young people and children might well receive formal invitation to a special morning service of the church.

A college day has been an attractive feature in the life of many churches. Members of the church who are in college tell of college life, graduates tell of what a college education means, etc. The young people of the church of high school age will, of course, be the guests on such occasions. Such a meeting might be held in the evening of Vacation Day.

It must be borne in mind, however, that all this work cannot be done adequately on one special day. In most communities there

100 MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION'

are people able to give valuable counsel and information. In meetings of the young people's societies, in life-work forums, at special meetings of organized classes, the expert knowledge of these people should be used when possible.

6. Teacher-Training. Leadership in religious education calls for the best possible preparation, both spiritual and mental. Sound Christian character is fundamentally essential. Without this no amount of technical training will make a good teacher of religion. In addition to this the teacher should have thorough knowledge of the subject matter, child nature and teaching method and skill in the application of this knowledge.

The teacher-training work of the church should include two things: (a) the training and development of teachers already at work through classes and conferences such as have been described; and (b) normal study classes for 3-oung people as part of the graded course in order to develop a supply of trained teachers for the future. The rapid development of Community Training Classes or Schools of Religious Education is a valuable factor in this work. The Pilgrim Training Course for Teachers offers good material.

IV Special Phases of Religious Education.

Two aspects of the educational program of the church which are of special importance in view of the present world-situation are Missionary Education and Social Education.

These are not to be thought of as separate from the rest of the program, certainly not as incidental to it. They should determine the spirit and objection of the whole.

1. Missionary Education. Missions is necessary both to the upbuilding of the Christian church and to the development of Chris- tian character in the individual. It is a spiritual dynamic, the love of Christ constraining us to create a world-brotherhood in which each shall help the other to secure his fair share of the good gifts of God.

The follower of Jesus must cultivate the attitude which He took toward others and consistently express this attitude in acts of kindness, justice, and helpfulness toward all people, of whatever nation, race, or social condition.

This makes necessary the study of human conditions and needs among all people, the history of missionary achievement, jn order that we may build wisely upon the work of the past.

The crying need of the old world for help in the readjustment and reconstruction of her afifairs, and the duty of America to bear her share in this task wisely and effectively makes the study of missions even more imperative at the present moment.

If missions is to make its best contribution to the spiritual life of the church and of the individual it must rest upon a sound educational basis. It must not be promoted too exclusively from the standpoint of money raising, pressing as this need may be. The test of success in missionary education is to be found, not merely in the immediate financial returns but in the results produced in the lives of those who are being educated. The main objective should be the establishment of missionary knowledge, interest, and active service on their part.

A serious failure on the part of the church has been that it has not sufficiently inspired its members with the divine passion for humanitv to bring more of our young people to give themselves to

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 101

missionary service as a life work and to make their parents willing and even proud to have them do so.

The program of missionary education should be as carefully graded as any other. If must be adapted to the needs of the child in the various stages of his development, appealing to his best impulses, giving guidance and purposefulness through sound knowl- edge, and helping these impuh;es to pass over into habits of life through expression.

The fundamental aims of the missionary education program in the church, with suggestions as to organization for this purpose the agencies of the church through which it may be promoted special methods in missionary education, and other helpful informa- tion maj' be found in the manual Principles and Methods of Mis- sionary education.

2. Social Education. One indictment to be brought against modern religious education is that it does not "carry through," until it results in Christian public action. Education for citizenship must become the program of a justifiable scheme of religious education. This is not to be the province of any special depart- ment of the Church. It must begin with the 3roungest groups in the Church School. The children must be trained in appreciation, loyalty, and in constructive activity at home, on the playground, in civic life and in industry. The socialization of the curriculum can- not be accomplished by the adding on of certain special courses. It requires a shift in the fundamental point of view of all the courses.

There is much to be commended in tlie activities of organizations like the Boy Scouts, the Camp Fire Girls, and the good citizenship program of Christian Associations and Endeavor Societies which should be incorporated in the program of the Church School. The Open Forum and the Forum Discussion class have become im- portant agencies in the training for citizenship. The Forum Dis- cussion Class is a possibility in most churches even where regular outside speakers are not available. There are three plans which have proven successful in these classes.

(a) With regular outside speakers. The value of this method lies in the fact that it gives a specialist every Sunday who can probably bring a larger technical knowledge than could be otherwise available. It is often hard, however, to secure a succession of speakers for the period over which the class is conducted. Often a central committee, representing all the churches of the city, can prepare a list of speakers available for all the Forum Classes and thus make easier the problem of securing speakers.

(b) With study outlines. The Social Service Commissions of the various churches have prepared special study courses designed for use in groups of this kind. The courses take up such subjects as the Christian view of work and wealth and questions having to do with the practice of citizenship and while opening up the course in a large way, they throw upon the class the necessity of formu- lating its own conclusions.

(c) The third method which has been successfully used is for the class to choose some topic which it wishes to discuss for four Sundays. A questionnaire on this topic is sent out to some one hundred and fifty or two hundred people in the community asking them certain specific questions bearing on this topic. Their answers are analyzed by a committee of the class; part of the answers are read and form the basis for discussion during the time when the

102 i\[ORAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION'

class is studying this subject. As an illustration, one class was discussing industrial questions. One hundred letters were sent out to as many emploj-ers asking, "If my employees saw my industry from my standpoint, what w^ould they do?" A similar question was sent to one hundred employees. Thej' were asked, "If my emplo3''er saw the business from my standpoint, what would he do?" The answers were of value in themselves and when analyzed and the best of them read before the class they provoked an interesting and profitable discussion. Incidentally, they brought a large attendance of people to the class.

V. Extension Work : The Home — W'eekday and Vacation Schools— Cooperation With Community Agencies

Inasmuch as every influence which touches the life of the child has a share in his education and. as religious education cannot be segregated from these factors in the total experience of the child; the church cannot restrict its educational activities to what goes on within its own four walls. It must take account of, co- operate with, and endeavor to influence for good the total environ- ment of the child.

1. The Home. First and foremost of all the forces which touch and mold the life of the child are those of home and family. This is the first environment of Avhich he becomes consciously aware.

His first ideas of God are gained from his parents. Father and mother are the only God the infant knows and for several years God is interpreted to liim by them, not so much b}' what thej' say as by what they are.

His first social group consists of father, mother, brothers and sisters. These persons and personal attitudes developed between them are the great character forming influences of the home. In the atmosphere of the home the child passes the most suggestible years of his life. His first and often his most enduring conceptions of law and order, of justice and of kindness, of obedience and of love and service are formed in the home and through the experiences of family life.

The primacy of this function of the home in the religious training of the child cannot be over-emphasized. No other agency can possibly take its place.

No parent can evade this responsibility or assign it to the church or to any other agency. No wise Christian parent will desire to do so.

In view of its vital importance dare we attempt to draw up the specifications for an ideal Christian home? We may at least give some suggestions as a working basis.

Its spiritual atmosphere will be that of whole-hearted, joyous love of God, finding expression in simple trust, sincere reverence and unafifected worship, and in the acceptance and enjoyment of all the good things of life as the gifts of a loving Heavenly Father.

Its discipline and the mutual relations of its members will be governed by Christlike principles of justice, kindness, helpfulness and love, consistentlj- applied.

The attitude of its members toward all other people will be that of genuine brotherly kindness in the spirit of Jesus.

Its standard of values will be that of Jesus, setting the spiritual above the material, regarding service as the highest privilege and injury to character as the greatest calamity.

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The church therefore has a fundamental responsibility toward the home. It will endeavor to help parents understand their own children, realize their needs and problems, and know how wisely and effectively to help in the solution of them. It may undertake this in part through sermons upon home matters, problems of childhood and kindred subjects. But it should offer a more thorough and sj^stematic course of instruction.

These subjects should find place among the electives of the Adult Department of the Church School. Mothers' Clubs and Parents' Classes should be organized, meeting at the church or at the homes of members during the week for the study of religious education in the home.

This work should be organized as part of the program of the Church School., The Home Department should be something more than the mere circulation of lesson quarterlies among shut-ins. It should reach and minister to the needs of parents especially those in whose homes younger children are growing up. The Home Depart- ment and the Cradle Roll should be administered in close coopera- tion. The coming of little children into the home is a critical time in the church relationship of parents. It is apt to interfere with regularity of church attendance. At the same time it is a period of new interest and of greater responsibility and need. The church should meet these needs in a helpful and practical manner.

2. Week Day and Vacation School Religious Instruction. A broken hour once a week gives insufficient opportunity for teaching children anything. The week day session for religious instruction IS fast becoming recognized as a necessity, and an increasing num- ber of churches are undertaking this work.

Moreover, it is ever more clear that America needs all the benefits of her public school system. This common meeting ground for the childhood of the country under teachers held to a common standard of training and efficiency is essential to our democracy. It is necessary, therefore, for the protection of this right of Ameri- can children that we