Guide to the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America Records

The papers of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, 1894-1952, reflect the development of the FCC as a national organization. They document the history, organizational structure, policies, and activities of the Federal Council through its forty-two years. The papers also detail the growth of the ecumenical movement not only in the United States but in the world as a whole.

Although the papers date from 1894 to 1952, they are primarily from the period 1908 to 1950, when the FCC was in existence. In an attempt to preserve the integrity of the original files, the papers have been arranged according to the offices, departments, commissions, and committees through which the FCC operated. In each series the files are arranged alphabetically by subject category. Items within the subject files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day. Partially dated documents are placed at the end of the month or year; undated items are placed after all dated material. Enclosures are placed after their letter of transmittal. Newspaper clippings, unless enclosed with correspondence, are placed at the end of subject files.

The papers of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, 1894-1952, are arranged in the following series:

Series I: Governing Bodies, 1909-1952

• Executive Committee, 1909-1952
• Administrative Committee, 1913-1932

Series II: General Secretary, 1898-1951

Series III: Departments, Commissions, and Committees, 1894-1952

• Department of International Justice and Goodwill, 1907-1950
• Department of Christian Social Relations, 1908-1950
• Department of Race Relations, 1918-1951
• Department of Evangelism, 1912-1951
• Department of Church and Economic Life, 1932-1952
• Department of Pastoral Services, 1922-1951
• Committee for Religious Liberty, 1932-1951
• Women's Cooperating Commission, 1928-1951
• General War-Time Commission of the Churches, 1917-1921
• Committee on the Interchange of Preachers, 1947-1950
• Treasurer, 1924-1951
• Research and Education Department, 1919-1950
• Commission on Relations with Religious Bodies in Europe and The Central Bureau for Relief of the Evangelical Churches of Europe, 1920-1937
• Overseas Relief and Reconstruction, 1939-1948
• Field Department, 1894-1950
• Miscellaneous Departments, Commissions, and Committees, 1914-1950

Series IV: Printed Matter, 1895-1951

• Annual Reports, 1906-1950
• Federal Council Bulletin, 1918-1950 Pamphlets, 1901-1950
• Pamphlets, 1901-1950
• Leaflets, 1895-1950
• Press Releases, 1914-1950
• Newspaper Clippings, 1903-1951

The Executive Committee, 1909-1952, Series I files consist principally of the minutes of the Committee for the period 1909 to 1950. The series of minutes is not complete; minutes are missing from the 1920s. The minutes are supplemented by other materials including agenda, resolutions, policy statements, memoranda, financial statements, press releases, pamphlets, and leaflets, as well as reports of the general secretary, the treasurer, and various departments, committees, and commissions of the FCC. Beginning in 1933, indices for the minutes are located at the end of one or two year accumulations of minutes. The indices provide access to the minutes through subject, name of individual, and name of organization entries. The minutes and supplemental material detail the activities, programs, and policies of the FCC throughout its entire history.

There are also two files of incoming and outgoing correspondence dating from primarily 1940 to 1950. The correspondence chiefly concerns the scheduling and agenda of the Committee meetings.

The Administrative Committee, 1913-1932, Series I files consist primarily of minutes for this period. The series of minutes appears to be complete. The minutes are supplemented by other materials including agenda, resolutions, financial statements, pamphlets, leaflets, and reports of the general secretary, treasurer, and various committees and commissions. Indices are located in the minutes for the years 1913-1932. The indices provide access to the minutes through subject, name of individual, and name of organization entries.

There is a small amount of incoming and outgoing correspondence concerned chiefly with Committee actions, Committee membership, and scheduling of meetings. The files contain material relating to committees appointed by the Administrative Committee.

The General Secretary, 1898-1951, Series II files date primarily from 1940 to 1950. The files are principally those of Samuel McCrea Cavert, general secretary, and Roswell P. Barnes, associate general secretary. There is also a small amount of material belonging to the files of Charles S. Macfarland.

Placed within the General Secretary files is a small group of materials belonging to Elias B. Sanford. Sanford served as corresponding secretary of the FCC from 1908 to 1911, and the files relating to him contain correspondence and clippings pertaining to the formation of the Federal Council and its early history.

The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, and name of organization. A general file for each letter of the alphabet precedes subject files for the same letter of the alphabet (i.e.., "A" precedes "Advisory Committee," "Ba-Bh" precedes "Bader, Jesse M.," etc.). Material within the files is arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated material is placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, form letters, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, programs, press releases, newsletters, reprints, pamphlets, leaflets, broadsides, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the FCC in areas such as refugee aid, military chaplains, conscientious objectors, motion pictures, genocide, military training, prohibition, radio, labor relations, social security, and taxes. Material within the files concerns international issues such as the North Atlantic Treaty, the creation of Israel, the Palestinian refugees, the post-war occupation of Germany, and famine relief to China. The "Foreign Correspondence" files contain letters reporting various matters including pre-World War II conditions of Europe, especially Germany, as well as reports of the Japanese invasion of China.

The files detail the relationship of the FCC with its constituent bodies such as the United Presbyterian Church, the United Lutheran Church, the Northern Baptist Convention, and the Methodist Episcopal Church. The files also concern the Federal Council's relations with organizations such as the American Committee for Christian Refugees, Church World Service, the Inter-Council Field Department, the International Council of Religious Education, the Missionary Education Movement, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and the Young Men's Christian Association.

A number of files within this series concern the quadrennial and biennial meetings of the Federal Council. These files contain correspondence, minutes, agenda, programs, press releases, pamphlets, and leaflets relating to these meetings.

Series III is divided into fourteen parts. These include:

• Department of International Justice and Goodwill, 1907-1950 
• Department of Christian Social Relations, 1908-1950
• Department of Race Relations, 1918-1951
• Department of Evangelism, 1912-1951
• Department of Church and Economic Life, 1932-1952
• Department of Pastoral Services, 1922-1951
• Committee for Religious Liberty, 1932-1951
• Women’s Cooperating Commission, 1928-1951
• General War-Time Commission of the Churches, 1917-1921
• Committee on the Interchange of Preachers, 1947-1950
• Treasurer, 1924-1951
• Research and Education Department, 1919-1950
• Commission on Relations with Religious Bodies in Europe and the Central Bureau for Relief of the Evangelical Churches of Europe, 1920-1937
• Overseas Relief and Reconstruction Committee, 1939-1948
• Field Department, 1894-1950
• Miscellaneous Departments, Commissions, and Committee, 1914-1950

Descriptions and folder lists for each part follow.

The Department of International Justice and Goodwill, 1907-1950, files date primarily from 1940 to 1950. The files are principally those of Walter W. Van Kirk, executive secretary. There are small amounts of material from the files of Sydney L. Gulick, Richard M. Fagley, Luman J. Shafer, and Bradford S. Abernethy. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, and name of organization. Material within the files is arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated material is placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, form letters, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, speeches, programs, press releases, radio broadcasts, government documents, pamphlets, leaflets, newsletters, broadsides, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the Department in a wide range of areas such as atomic energy, conscientious objectors, universal military training, displaced persons, the European Recovery Program, immigration and naturalization, Japanese-American relations, arms limitation, human rights, United States foreign policy, and various issues concerning international affairs. The files concern the relationship of the Department with numerous organizations and government agencies including the National Committee on Atomic Information, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, the American Friends Service Committee, the National Service Board for Religious Objectors, the Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons, the American Christian Palestine Committee, the United Nations, the United States Department of State, the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance for International Friendship, the Committee on World Friendship Among Children.

The records of the Commission on a Just and Durable Peace have been placed with the records of the Department due to the integral relationship of the two organizations. The materials reflect the Commission's activities such as the national study conferences at Cleveland and Delaware, Ohio, and the International Round Table at Princeton. The documents also relate to policy statements of the Commission including the Four Fronts for Peace, the Six Pillars of Peace, and the World Organization "Curative and Creative" Statement. The materials detailing these activities of the Commission include correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agenda, reports, financial statements, press releases, pamphlets, leaflets, and clippings. Although the editor has attempted to physically group together materials relating to the Commission, documents concerning the Commission may be found in other Departmental files.

John Foster Dulles was active in the work of both the Department of International Justice and Goodwill and the Commission on a Just and Durable Peace. Material concerning Dulles is located in this part and includes miscellaneous correspondence, articles, speeches, reports, and biographies.

The Department of International Justice and Goodwill was transferred relatively intact to the National Council of Churches where it became the Department of International Affairs. For post-1950 material relating to the Department of International Justice and Goodwill, the researcher is referred to the files of its NCC successor.

The Department of Christian Social Relations, 1908-1950, files date primarily from 1930 to 1945. The files are principally those of James Myers, industrial secretary. There are small amounts of material belonging to Worth M. Tippy, Cameron P. Hall, Seward Hiltner, Leland Foster Wood, and Lucy B. Crain, an assistant to Myers. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, or name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, form letters, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, field reports, financial statements, bills, receipts, statements, resolutions, speeches, programs, itineraries, press releases, pamphlets, leaflets, newsletters, reprints, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the Department in areas such as unemployment, relief, strikes, old age pensions, consumer cooperatives, minimum wage, birth control, child welfare, prisons, delinquents, slum clearance, child labor, and sharecroppers. The files concern the relationships of the Department with various organizations and government agencies such as the American Friends Service Committee, the American Federation of Labor, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the Bureau of Prisons, the Cooperative League, the Southern Tenant Farmers' Union, and the United States Department of Labor.

The most extensive group of files in this part concerns "Coal Areas Relief." From 1931 to 1940 the Department of Christian Social Relations in cooperation with the American Friends Service Committee directed relief in the form of money, food, and clothing to the unemployed miners in the bituminous coal districts of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Besides relief, the program included rehabilitation of the miners and their families. The files contain correspondence, detailed field reports, and printed and mimeographed materials.

In conjunction with the Coal Areas Relief program the Department formed the Church Emergency Relief Committee. This committee directed aid to striking or unemployed individuals such as Ford automobile workers, Kentucky coal miners, sharecroppers, and North Carolina textile workers. Correspondence and minutes of this committee are contained in the files.

Another group of files found in this part relates to the Civilian Public Service Camps. These camps, established and funded by religious organizations during World War II, offered an alternative to military service for conscientious objectors. James Myers conducted courses in industrial relations for participants of the camps.

The Industrial Relations Division was active in promoting consumer cooperatives. In 1937 the Church and Cooperatives Committee was formed. This committee supplied literature, articles, and speakers to groups interested in the cooperative movement. The Committee also conducted seminars and conferences concerning cooperatives. A number of files detail this interest in the cooperative movement.

One of the major activities of the Department was the preparation of the "Social Ideals of the Churches." This public statement dealt mainly with the Church's position on industrial relations but also concerned issues of race and war. The statement was adopted not only by the FCC but by most of its constituent members, as well as other religious organizations. The statement, first issued in 1908 as the "Social Creed of the Churches," was periodically updated. Correspondence, minutes, tentative drafts, press releases, and printed matter concerning the 1932 draft of the policy statement are found in the files.

The Department of Race Relations, 1918-1951, files date primarily from 1940 to 1950. The files appear to be those of George E. Haynes, J. Oscar Lee, and Katherine Gardner. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, or name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, committee and staff reports, minutes, agenda, statements, resolutions, press releases, court documents, programs, reprints, newsletters, pamphlets, leaflets, broadsides, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the Department in areas such as anti-lynching laws, tenant farmers, consumer cooperatives, the Fair Employment Practices Committee, National Recovery, anti-Semitism, social security, and discrimination in education, housing, medical care, and public accommodations.

This part contains extensive materials concerning Race Relations Sunday. Race Relations Sunday was established by the Department in 1922 and was observed each February by several FCC constituent denominations. The Race Relations Sunday files contain correspondence, press releases, and clippings, as well as printed materials prepared for the annual observances.

To promote interracial cooperation the Department of Race Relations in 1943 began holding interracial clinics in various cities. The clinics were "to enable leaders in local communities where race tensions are imminent or potential" to work toward better race relations. Among the materials in the Interracial Clinic files are reports concerning minority housing, employment, recreational facilities, and community resources of the cities hosting clinics. These files are arranged by state and city.

The formation of local interracial committees often followed interracial clinics. Files relating to these local committees, arranged by state, contain material about the committees, as well as information concerning race relations in the area.

As part of its campaign to inform the public, the Department of Race Relations in cooperation with the Social Service Committee of the Friend's General Conference in 1929 began publishing the Interracial News Letter. In 1934 the bimonthly publication became the Interracial News Service. These newsletters covered items relating to African Americans, Native Americans, Mexicans, and Asian Americans. Incomplete files of these publications are found in this part.

The Department also published numerous pamphlets and leaflets. These concern such topics as housing for African Americans, racial attitudes in children, Black achievements, Black migration, anti-Semitism, racial bibliographies, and lynching. These publications are located in Leaflet and Pamphlet files, as well as throughout the various subject files.

This part also contains extensive material concerning Heman Marion Sweatt, a Black student who attempted to enroll in the University of Texas Law School. In 1949 the FCC filed a brief amicus curiae in Sweatt's favor with the United States Supreme Court to test equality in higher education. Files relating to this case contain correspondence, press releases, and printed matter.

The Department of Evangelism, 1912-1951, files date primarily from 1930-1950. The files are those of Jesse M. Bader. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files contain incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, reports, programs, addresses, minutes, agenda, financial statements, newsletters, manuals, reprints, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings.

The files consist chiefly of printed materials prepared for the activities of the Department. These activities included the following:

1. Easter to Pentecost Program, a devotional program begun in 1929 to emphasize the celebration of Pentecost.
2. Fellowship of Prayer, sponsored in cooperation with the Commission on Evangelism and Devotional Life of the Congregational and Christian Churches. It began in 1918 and consisted of daily devotions for Lent.
3. National Christian Mission, one week conferences held in various cities beginning in 1940.
4. National Mission to Christian Teachers, sponsored in cooperation with the International Council of Religious Education. It consisted of three day missions primarily for those responsible for teaching the Christian faith to help them become better evangelists.
5. National Preaching Mission, consisted of four day conferences and seminars held in forty-one cities during 1936 and 1937 “to strengthen the foundations of Christian faith in America.”
6. United Evangelistic Advance, an evangelistic campaign conducted thirty-eight denominations from October 1949 to December 1950. Its goals were renewal of the ministry and membership of the churches and to reach the unchurched. 
7. University Christian Mission, conferences held on university campuses beginning in 1938. Its purpose was “to confront students with the meaning and claims of the Christian Gospel, and to secure life commitment to Jesus Christ.
8. Week of Prayer, devotional program held every January.
9. World Wide Communion, held in October beginning in 1940 “to strengthen the sense of fellowship within the ecumenical church.”

The Department of Church and Economic Life, 1932-1952, files date primarily from 1947 to 1950. The files are those of Cameron P. Hall. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject or individual's name. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, form letters, minutes, agenda, reports, working papers, financial statements, press releases, lists of members and delegates, programs, pamphlets, leaflets, newsletters, reprints, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the Department in areas such as housing, inflation, social security, taxes, cooperatives, minimum wage, labor boycotts, and a wide range of issues reflecting the relationship of religion to economics. A major activity of the Department was the hosting of conferences. The files contain extensive correspondence, printed matter, reports, and working papers concerning the first National Study Conference on the Church and Economic Life at Pittsburgh in February 1947 and the second such conference held at Detroit in February 1950, as well as follow-up conferences at such places as Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis.

Along with the conferences the Department conducted Seminars for Church Leaders. Begun in 1948, the seminars were held in conjunction with meetings of major economic organizations such as the American Federation of Labor, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the Cooperative League, and the National Association of Manufacturers. The purpose of the seminars was "to help church people become better acquainted with the leadership and program of each organization and better informed of its purposes, objectives, and methods." The files contain correspondence and printed materials concerning the seminars.

The Department published a variety of pamphlets and leaflets. These include pamphlets about cooperatives, credit unions, inflation, and other economic issues, as well as materials for Labor Sunday, church and Economic Life Week, and various conferences. The printed matter is found in the subject files and in the files specifically relating to publications.

In 1949 the Department received a three year grant of $100,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation to study the relation of ethics to economics. To direct the study the Department created a Study Committee chaired by Charles P. Taft. The file, "Rockefeller Foundation," contains correspondence detailing the award of the grant.

The Department of Pastoral Services, 1922-1951, files date primarily from 1947 to 1950. The files are those created and maintained by Seward Hiltner. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject or name of individual. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, form letters, reports, financial statements, minutes, agenda, radio scripts, press releases, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings.

The files concern activities of the Department such as sex and alcohol education, prison chaplains, theological education, and mental health. Correspondence, reports, minutes, agenda, and printed matter of both the Commission on Religion and Health and the Commission on Ministry in Institutions are found in this part.

In 1946 the Department received a grant from the Arbuckle-Jamison Foundation to conduct a Study of Religious Ministry to Older People. J. Lennant Cedarleaf and Paul B. Maves were hired to do the work of the study, which was completed in 1948. Correspondence, reports, and printed matter relating to the study are found in the files.

Another major interest of the Department was theological education for pastoral services and counseling. The Department conducted studies and workshops on the subject and assisted in the establishment of an Association of Theological Professors in the Practical Field in 1950. Correspondence and reports concerning theological education are found among the files.

The Committee for Religious Liberty, 1932-1951, files consist of material from the Committee for Religious Tolerance, Inc. and the Joint Committee on Religious Liberty and date primarily from 1944 to 1950. The files are those created and maintained by O. Frederick Nolde, Roswell P. Barnes, and Armond D. Willis. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, name of organization, and geographic location. Material within the files is arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, form letters, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, legal documents, press releases, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings. The files concern the activities of both committees in areas such as federal aid to education, diplomatic relations with the Vatican, conversion statistics, peace treaties, the International Bill of Human Rights, United Nations trusteeships, local community chests, and various church/state issues.

A number of the files in this part consist of reports about communities such as Baltimore; Providence, Rhode Island; and Johnstown and Allentown, Pennsylvania. These reports chiefly concern Protestant-Catholic relations and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church on the social, religious, economic, and educational life of the community.

The files relating to North College Hill, Ohio, concern the use of tax funds to support Catholic parochial schools. This local dispute became a national issue of contention between Protestant and Catholic churches. The files contain correspondence, reports, printed matter, and newspaper clippings.

An area of major activity for the Joint Committee on Religious Liberty was the United Nations. The Committee exerted influence on the United Nations in such issues as the International Bill of Human Rights, religious liberty, genocide, and international trusteeship. Correspondence, memoranda, and printed matter in the files details these subjects.

The Women's Cooperating Commission, 1928-1951, files date primarily from 1936 to 1950 and are chiefly those created by Anna E. Caldwell and Anna M. Pyott. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, and name of organization. A general file for each letter of the alphabet precedes subject files for the same letter of the alphabet (ie., "A" precedes "Amsterdam Assembly"). Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, form letters, minutes, agenda, reports, financial statements, bills and receipts, lists of members and contributors, questionnaires, newsletters, government documents, pamphlets, leaflets, reprints, programs, and newspaper clippings.

The files represent the activities of the Commission in areas such as ecumenism, religious training of school children, the World Council of Churches, the Equal Rights Amendment, male and female veterans, prayers and meditations, financial promotion, and various aspects of women's roles in the church and FCC. The files also detail the Commission's relationships with organizations such as the United Council of Church Women, the Universal Christian Council for Life and Work, the National Council of Church Women, and National Federated Church Women.

A major activity of the Commission was work with refugees. In cooperation with the American Committee for Christian Refugees the Commission assisted in the resettlement of individuals and families. Correspondence, minutes, reports, and printed matter in the files relate to this activity.

The Commission conducted research surveys at various times. In 1940 it gathered data on the status of women in the churches. In 1946 it submitted a questionnaire to its members concerning the work of the churches in world affairs, race relations, capital and labor, services to returning service men and women, and evangelism. Later, the Commission assisted in the World Council of Churches' study of women's role in the church. The files contain correspondence, questionnaires, and reports concerning these studies.

The Commission's major means of informing its members was the newsletter, News and Views, first published irregularly and then monthly. This bulletin reported the work of the various departments of the FCC. A complete file, dating from November 1942 to November 1950, is found in this part.

For a detailed report of the General War-Time Commission's activities, the researcher is referred to War-Time Agencies of the Churches, edited by Margaret Renton (1919).

The General War-Time Commission of the Churches, 1917-1921, files date primarily from 1917-1918. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, pamphlets, and leaflets. Although representing only a small amount of material, the files concern a variety of subjects including chaplains, camp neighborhoods, army and navy hospitals, the moral aims of the war, prohibition, war production communities, negro troops, recreation, and social hygiene.

Copies of minutes of various committees of the Commission are available on two rolls of microfilm produced by Union Theological Seminary. These appear to duplicate the material in the files.

The Committee on Interchange of Preachers, 1947-1950, files date primarily from 1948 to 1949. The files are those of Harry N. Holmes, secretary of the Committee. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of organization, and name of individual. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files contain a small amount of material consisting of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, minutes, agenda, itineraries, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings. Documents within the files principally concern the Committee's incorporation into the Federal Council and the planning of ministerial exchanges in 1949.

The Treasurer, 1924-1951, files date primarily from 1943-1950. The files are chiefly those of John M. Johansen, who served as assistant treasurer from 1939 to 1950. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, and name of organization. A general file for each letter of the alphabet precedes subject files for the same letter of the alphabet (i.e.., "A" precedes "Army and Navy Chaplains"). Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, financial statements, reports, bills and receipts. The files represent the FCC's financial dealings with organizations such as the General Commission on Chaplains, Church World Service, United Church Canvass, and the World Council of Churches. The files contain a series of auditors' reports for the Federal Council for the period 1924 through 1951.

The Research and Education Department, 1919-1950, files date primarily from the 1920s and 1930s. The files are those of F. Ernest Johnson. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, press releases, financial statements, questionnaires, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings. The files detail a number of the research interests of the Department and include such subjects as prohibition, motion pictures, the open shop, the steel industry, religion and medicine, prison reform, and the railroad industry.

The Commission on Relations with Religious Bodies in Europe and the Central Bureau for Relief of the Evangelical Churches of Europe, 1920-1937, files date primarily from 1923 to 1926. The files are those of Charles S. Macfarland, Chauncey W. Goodrich, Kenneth D. Miller, and Antonia Froendt. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name of individual. A general file for each letter of the alphabet precedes subject files for the same letter of the alphabet (ie., "A" precedes "Armenian Church"). Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, form letters, minutes, reports, financial statements, press releases, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings. The files concern both the activities of the Commission and the Central Bureau. Because of the integral nature of the two organizations and their staffs, these files have been combined.

The correspondence concerns appeals for aid, contributions, and denominational support, as well as reporting the work of the Commission and the Bureau. Minutes are found for both the Commission and the Bureau, and the reports detail the activities of the Central Bureau. The files relating to Adolf Keller contain his correspondence with Charles S. Macfarland, Chauncey W. Goodrich, Kenneth D. Miller, Antonia H. Froendt, Worth M. Tippy, and Samuel M. Cavert, dating from 1923 to 1929. The correspondence concerns Keller's work as executive secretary of the Central Bureau and as European representative of the FCC.

The Overseas Relief and Reconstruction Committee, 1939-1948, files date primarily from 1940 to 1942. The files are chiefly those of Leslie B. Moss with additional material belonging to Roswell P. Barnes. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name of individual. In some cases general files for letters of the alphabet precede subject files for the same letter of the alphabet (i.e., "B" precedes Brazil"). Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, minutes, agenda, reports, financial statements, press releases, radio addresses, articles, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings. The files represent the various financial activities of both the Overseas Relief and Reconstruction Committee and its predecessor, the Foreign Relief Appeals Committee. The files concern the relationships of these committees with organizations such as the Church Committee for China Relief, the Foreign Missions Conference, the President's Committee on War Relief Agencies, the Shanghai American School, and the United States Department of State.

The Field Department, 1894-1950, files contain the papers of Roy B. Guild and J. Quniter Miller. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, questionnaires, newsletters, constitutions, bylaws, bulletins, maps, blueprints, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings. Material within the files pertains to the Department in its various incarnations beginning with the Commission on State and Local Federations. There is a file of material concerning the Men and Religion Forward Movement of which Guild was executive secretary.

A number of files are placed under the heading, "Religious Work in the Canal Zone." These files pertain to the Union Church of the Canal Zone and the Committee on Religious Work in the Canal Zone. The Union Church of the Canal Zone was organized in 1914. In January 1921 it became affiliated with the Federal Council through an agreement which made the FCC trustee for the church's assets. To administer this trust the FCC appointed the Committee on Religious Work in the Canal Zone. Roy B. Guild was secretary of the Committee from 1921 to 1936. J. Quinter Miller was secretary from 1937 to 1950. The files detail the history and activities of the Union Church and consist of correspondence, minutes, agenda, reports, financial statements, constitutions, bulletins, newsletters, maps, blueprints, and printed matter.

Part P. files include small amounts of material relating to various departments, commissions, and committees of the Federal Council. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject. Items within the files is arranged chronologically by year, month, and day; undated documents are placed after all dated material.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, agenda, financial statements, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings.

Two large groups of files in this part relate to the Financial and Fiduciary Committee and the Worship Committee. The Financial and Fiduciary Committee was formed in 1923. The Committee did not raise funds but coordinated and informed persons engaged in fund raising for charitable organizations.

Some of the other divisions of the FCC represented by these files include the Church and Country Life Commission, the Mercy and Relief Committee, and the Function and Structure Committee.

Series IV, Printed Matter, is organized into six parts. Material within each part is arranged chronologically by year month and day. Partially dated material is placed at the end of the month or year; undated items are placed after all dated material. The researcher should note that printed matter, including pamphlets and leaflets, may be found in the files of other series in this record group. Descriptions and folder lists for each part follow.

The Annual Reports, 1906-1950, detail the activities, organizational structure, and policies of the Federal Council throughout its history. The content of the annual reports varied, but they basically included an overview by the general secretary of the Federal Council's activities for the year. There were brief reports by the various departments, commissions, and committees of the FCC, as well as a financial report by the treasurer. The annual reports contain the minutes of the Executive Committee, and in some instances of the quadrennial or biennial meeting of the FCC, with indices to these minutes. The reports also include copies of the Federal Council's act of incorporation, constitution, and bylaws. There are also lists of the constituent bodies, officers, staff, and members of the FCC.

Annual reports are available for all years of the Federal Council's existence except 1920 and 1942. It is possible that reports were not published for these years.

The file of the Bulletin is incomplete with numerous issues missing. The Bulletin contains editorials, book reviews, and articles concerning FCC activities, as well as religious news items of national and international scope. The Pamphlets, 1901-1950, are those published both by the Federal Council and other organizations.

The pamphlets consist of sermons, speeches, government documents, conference and committee reports, bulletins, directories, periodicals, policy statements, and songbooks.

The pamphlets relate to a variety of subjects including the League of Nations, church activities during World War I, labor laws, temperance, international affairs, the Panama Pacific Exposition, the pacifist movement, ecumenism, family life, religious broadcasting, censorship, church federation, motion pictures, relief work, and religious education. There is a group of pamphlets prepared for use by German prisoners of war during World War II. There are also pamphlets attacking the FCC, its policies, and personnel, as well as material defending the Federal Council.

The Leaflets, 1895-1950, are those published by both the Federal Council and other organizations. The leaflets consist of constitutions, bylaws, policy statements, directories, programs, newsletters, orders of worship, reprints, prayers, speeches, promotional materials, and broadsides. The leaflets concern various subjects such as the federation of churches, woman suffrage, prohibition, social hygiene, sex education, world order, rural religious life, wartime activities of the churches, Reformation Day, European relief and reconstruction following World War I, child labor, and religious drama. There are also leaflets concerning the formation of the FCC and creation of its policies.

The Press Releases, 1914-1950, consist of mimeographed, typescript, and printed press releases primarily from the periods 1918 to 1919 and 1946 to 1950. The press releases concern FCC activities, policies, and personnel. In some instances there are copies of speeches. The releases deal with a variety of subjects such as World Order Day, Reformation Sunday, Race Relations Sunday, mental health, war, peace treaties, alcoholism, industrial relations, the European Recovery Program, and the United Nations.

The Newspaper Clippings, 1903-1951, come from a variety of newspapers and magazines. The clippings are arranged chronologically by year. The newspaper clippings consist of editorials, reports of FCC activities, meetings, and personnel, as well as news of general religious interest. They concern a wide range of subjects including social service, peace, labor relations, evangelism, international relations, and war relief.