RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Church of Eug'laud Church of God
of the law of Christ in every relation of human life. (5) To assist in the organization of local branches of the Federal Council to promote its aims in their communities." The difference between federated union and organic church union is clearly defined in the stipulation that " this Federal Council shall have no authority over the constituent bodies adhering to it: but its province shall be limited to the expression of its counsel and the recommending of a course of action in matters of common interest to the Churches, local councils, and individual Christians." The Council " has no authority to draw up a common creed or form of government or of worship, or in any way to limit the full autonomy of the Christian bodies adhering to it."
Historically this national movement "for the prosecution of work that can be better done in union than in separation" has found initiative and encouragement through federated activities, State and local. The Interdenominational Commission of Maine was organized in 1892, and is composed of members appointed by official State bodies representing the Baptist, Free Baptist, Christian, Congregational, and Methodist Churches. The principles under which this Commission acts seek to secure practical reciprocity among these denominations, both in the planting of new churches and in the readjustment of forces when through overmultiplication of churches or decrease in population conditions exist that demand consolidation through union and comity of action. The plans of the Commission aim not to organize so-called " union churches," but to consolidate religious forces, still leaving them within the liraits of denominational fellowship. The secretary of the Commission, who has held this position since its work began in 1905, bears testimony " that in thirty-seven of the fiftyone cases entered on the records of the Commission consultation respecting the clash of interests has sufficed to relieve the strain: mere friendly conference has led to an adjustment of the difficulties. Many other cases, without such mention as would justify entrance on the records, have been adjusted by the same friendly means, and in a great many other instances still an effective influence has been exerted in ways that have maintained an ideal of fraternal cooperation which has tended to elevate very much of the church work of the State from the low level of partizan and sectarian strife." Commissions similar to that in Maine exist in other States, but their work as yet has not been as effective in its results. In the aggregate, however, consultation and comity are increasingly taking the place of competitive action in home mission and church extension work. The State Federations organized in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and other commonwealths have already proved the need and effectiveness of united effort. In their purposes they have a common aim, but in methods they are working along lines suggested by local environment and limited by executive resources.
II. Great Britain and Other Lands: Church federation in England and Great Britain is largely a movement unifying the activities of Nonconformist Churches in matters of common interest. Its organizing center is the National Council of the
Evangelical Free Churches which was founded in 1894. Membership in this Council comes through local Councils. " The Churches constituting the local Councils are the Congregational, the Baptist Churches, the Methodist Churches, the Presbyterian Church of England, the Free Episcopal Churches, the Society of Friends, and such other Evangelical Churches as the National Council may at any time admit." The total number of Councils in 1906 was 897 with more than fifty District Federations. The latest report says: " The aim of our Movement has from the beginning been preeminently spiritual, and the main work of the local Councils in all parts of the country has been United Missions." The relation in which the Free Churches stand to the Established Church of England has been a powerful factor in drawing them into close and effective fellowship. The work of the local Councils includes activities not only evangelistic, but social and philanthropic.
In other lands church federation is already a potent factor in the unifying of Christian forces represented through missionary organizations. The Standing Committee of Cooperating Christian Missions in Japan is made up of representatives from nearly all the different missions. Since its organization in 1902 it has exerted a notable influence in advancing plans of comity and cooperation. At the great China Centenary Missionary Conference held at Shanghai in May, 1907, steps were taken to federate all of the Christian forces in the empire. In India the missionary workers are laboring not only to federate their activities, but achieve definite plans of organic church union. This spirit of unity and desire for closer fellowship is illustrated in action that is being taken in every part of the world by those having in charge the missionary work of Protestant Churches.
The indications multiply that church federation stands for a movement of profound significance in its relation to the present and future history of Christianity in its institutional life and fellowship.
E. B. Sanford.
Bibliography: E. B. Sanford, Church Federation, New York, 1905 (contains reports of the Interchurch Conference on Federation); Federation (the quarterly published in New York by the Federation of Churches in New York City); the Annual Reports of the National Federation of Churches, of the Committee of Cooperating Missions (Japan), and of the National Council of Free Churches (England).
CHURCH (CHURCHES) OF GOD: The name of several religious bodies in America.
1. The Church of God in North America, popularly known as Winebrennarians, is a Baptist denomination founded by John Winebrenner in 1830. The foimder was born at Glade Valley, Frederick County, Md., Mar. 25, 1797; d. at Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 12, 1860. He studied at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., and learned theology under Dr. Samuel Helfenstein. Called to the pastorate of the German Reformed Church at Harrisburg, Pa., he was ordained at Hagerstown, Md., Sept. 24, 1820. His earnest preaching resulted in a revival, in which he opposed theaters, dancing, gambling, lotteries, and racing, thus causing opposition which resulted in official charges against him. He severed his
Church of God Church Government