The Unholy Alliance

384 Pages·2013·15.2 MB·English

I:. SINBER
Copyright © 1975 by C. Gregg Singer
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without
written permission from the publisher except by a reviewer who may
quote brief passages in connection with a review.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Singer, Charles Gregg, 1910-
The unholy alliance.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
United States of America. 2. Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America. I. Title.
B]f).:N2S56 262 .001 75-n478
t
ISBN 0-87000-327-5
<!ontents
Preface 7
1. The Background of the National Council of Chu~ches 11
2. The Federal Council of Churches, World War I and the
League of Nations 37
3. The Federal Council, 1918-1929 . .... . .. .... ....... 53
4. The Federal Council, 1932-1941 87
5. The Federal Council in War and Cold War, 1941-1950 129
6. The Origins, Formation, and Early Years of the National
Council of Churches 177
7. The National Council, 1961-1972 249
8. The Relationship Between the Federal and National
Councils and Radicalism 327
Bibliography , 369
Index 375
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~rtface
In spite of the fact that the twentieth century has witnessed a vast
increase of interest in ecclesiastical history on the part of Amer
ican historians, no history of either the Federal or the National
Council of Churches has been written except by a few apologists of
the ecumenical movement. This failure is all the more remark
able because of the controversial character of the Federal Council
and its successor, the National Council, which was formed late in
1951 for the purpose of making the ecumenical movement a
more effective instrument for the realization of the movement's
goals in this country.
Only two ecclesiastical leaders arose to the defense of the Fed
eral Council of Churches and no one has yet risen to accept a sim
ilar challenge in behalf of its beleaguered successor in the field of
ecumenical leadership. The National Council has many enemies
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who, in an almost endless succession of attacks, have taken it to
task in books and church periodicals. This has led to a serious split
in one major denomination, the Presbyterian Church in the
United States, and has caused a large-scale disaffection in many
other denominations to such an extent that the Council itself is
facing a serious financial situation, which has its parallel in sev
eral of the member denominations.
This book is written in the belief that the history of both Coun
cils and their leadership in the ecumenical movement should re
ceive a thorough investigation through the use of all the available
primary material. It is not my intent to be sensational and to give
added currency to the many rumors and allegations that have
been hurled against both of the Councils. Nor is it my intention to
misuse the evidence to paint a picture of sinister conspiracy by
the leadership of the Federal and National Councils where there
is no evidence that any existed. But neither is it my purpose to
overlook and bury the evidence that has come to my attention in
regard to the liberal and radical activities of the Councils. It is re
grettable that some critics of the National Council have allowed
their zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to betray their historical
training and accept rumor rather than fact. On the other hand, it is
equally regrettable that defenders of the ecumenical movement
have stubbornly refused to acknowledge Communist infiltration
when it plainly exists. Their zeal for their cause has unnecessarily
subjected the Federal and National Councils to a growing public
distrust, both within the constituent denominations and by the
American public.
For this reason I have consciously and carefully confined my re
search, for the most part, to the primary sources, namely, the pub
lications of the Councils themselves, for the purpose ofletting their
leaders speak. On occasion it has been necessary also to use the
findings of congressional committees created for the express pur
pose of investigating Communist activity in this country and
armed with the necessary authority for carrying out their assigned
duties.
Salisbury, North Carolina
August 1974
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~cknoW(£bgm£nt~
No author can produce a book of this length without the help of
many others and this work is no exception. I am deeply indebted
to the staffs of the Duke University Library and the Divinity School
Library; to the constant and cheerful cooperation of the Reverend
Kenneth Foreman, director of the Presbyterian Historical Founda
tion at Montreat, North Carolina, and his excellent staff. I am also
greatly indebted to Gail Stewart, my student secretary at Ca
tawba College, who spent hours in typing this work. Above all, I
am indebted to my wife, Marjorie, for her untiring efforts in
spending hours in typing and doing research, without whose help
this book would not have been finished.
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