In Cincinnati last week, some 60 leading Protestants* met to consider a plan for a united church. The plan, a blueprint for a new organization, was an ingenious paste-up of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational features:
1) Congregations (Congregational) would more or less run themselves, would decide for themselves their form of worship, of administering sacraments, etc.
2) Presbyteries (Presbyterian) would ordain all ministers. Each presbytery would be made up of a minimum of 20 men; one minister and one layman from each group of ten or more neighboring churches.
3) Conferences (Methodist), each comprising three...