WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27444, 2 September 1954, Page 12

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Appeal For United Christian Front SECOND SESSION ENDS (N.Z. Preu Association—Copyright) ' EVANSTON (Illinois), August 31. The World Council of Churches ended its second session today with an urgent plea for a united Christian front. Last night it took final action on a message to the churches and the world in which it deplored the absence at the conference of delegates from the Christian churches of China.

Representatives from 48 countries, representing 163 denominations, approved the “message” at a night plenary session. T ‘The forces that separate men from one another are strong,” the message said. “When we met at Amsterdam (in 1948) the Chinese churches were with us. We' have missed them at Evanston. “There are other lands and churches unrepresented in our council, and we long ardently for thfeir fellowship, put we are thankful that, separated as we are by the deepest political divisions of our time, here at Evanston we are united in Christ.

“We rejoice also that, in the bond of prayer and common hope, we maintain communion with our * Christian brethren everywhere. “It is from within this communion,” the statement added, “that we have to speak about the fear and distrust which at present divide the world.” . The statement added that it was not enough that Christians should seek peace for themselves. “They must seek justice for others. “Great masses of people in many parts of the world are hungry for bread, and are compelled to live in conditions which mock their human worth,” it said. ~ “Millions of men and women are suffering segregation and discrimination on the ground of rade. Is your Church willing to declare, as this assembly has declared, that this is contrary to toe will of God? “We do not know whgt is coming to us. But we know wjio is-coining. It is He who meets us every day and Who will meet us at the end—-Jesus Christ our Lord.”