The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-03-17
From the Record, English Paper.
The Episcopal Bishop of NJ eIbourne,
australia, ON ChrfstiaHe Union.


/. Australia, ON Christian Union.
The Bishop of Melbourne is member of
the Evangelical Alliance and his views on
the subject of Christian union having been
misunderstood, he has thought it well to ex-
plain in the Melbourne Church of England
Record the "opinions which he really does
hold" He accordingly writes from Bishops
court, November %, 1885,
" First, while greatly lament the divis-
ions which exist among Christians living
together in the same land, | do not feel JUS
tilted in throwing all the blame of those
divisions upon other denominations, or in
disputing the claim of any who hold the
fundamental truths of Christianity, to be
regarded as members of the mystical body
of Christ. On the contrary, | feel bound to
recognise all who believe in and love the
Lord Jesus, as belonging, equally with my
self, to the Holy Catholic Church, and so as
being partakers of the same glory hereafter.
Moreover, feel bound to recognize those
who have been set apart in any Church for
the preaching of the Word, and the admin
istration of the Sacraments, as ministers of
Christ. With such, therefore, | esteem it
to be both my duty, and my privilege, not
wlthStanding any difference upon subordi-
nate points of doctrine, or discipline, to
cherish, las far as circumstances allow.
brotherly communion individually, not as
members of this or that particular Church,
but as members of the one Holy Catholic
Church, which is the company of all faith
ful people have applied the name of
FChurch to all Christian bodies advisedly,
because it is SO used in the Scriptures-a
company of Christians, whether in a city or
in private house, being repeatedly spoken
OF as church.
But, secondly, as a member, and partic-
ularly as clergyman and bishop of the
Church of England, | consider it to be
neither wise nor right, to connect myself in
any way whatever with any Church which
has originated in dissent from it, for | do
not think that any cordial union can ever be
maintained between our own and such
Churches; while, therefore, | would always
act justly towards them and would rejoice
in the good which undoubtedly has been
done, and is doing by them, would never,
except in some very urgent case of necessity
or Christian charity, form any connexion
with them. | would not assist them in pro-
noting any of their, nor ask them to assist
US in promoting any of our, particular OBJ
jects. | would wish to see the members of
our Church concentrate all their energies
upon promoting its stability and extension
and leave their respective members to carry
on las, indeed, they are always intent on
dolng), their own plans of advancement In
pursuing this course, we shall avoid coming
into any painful collision with them.
" In one short sentence, then, my rule is
on the one hand to MAINTAIN as close q COM
munion as circumstances permit with all
Christian individuals; and on the other, to
avoid as much as possible, all eonnexion
with any Christian body, except the Church
to which myself belong. The only insta--
ces in which have appeared to transgreoo
the latter part of this rule, so rar as | am
aware, are the Chinese Mission which |
found established on my return from Eng
land, and the Bethel, or Seamens Chapel,
which resulted from the failure of my at
tempt to provide the ministrations of the
Church of England for the seamen in the
Bay. But, in neither of these is there any
actual union of Churches, although the
agents employed must, of course, belong to
some one or more religious denominations.
"With respect to what is called the Evan
gelical Alliance, the principles upon which
it is constituted are in exact agreement with
those | have enunciated. 1t is distinctly
declared to be an association of individuals,
and not an union of Churches and the
greatest care has been taken to guard against
the impression that any such union is con-
templated or desired. In proof of this the
Bishop quotes the Preliminary Statement
and Rules of the Alliance. 1t is [he con-
tinues] matter of regret to me that so few
of my brethren, clerical ar lay, have thought
it right to join this Association because |
am convinced that they would not only find
its meetings pleasant and profitable to them
selves, but would also, by communion with
other Christians in the reading of the Scrip
lures and prayer, use the most effectual
means for the accomplishment of what our
Church teaches US TO ask of God, viz, the
removal of 'all hatred and prejudice and
whatsoever may hinder us from gody union
and concord that, as there is but one body,
and one spirit, and one hope of our calling,
one Lord one faith, one baptism, one God
and Father Of us all, so we may henceforth
be all of one heart, and of one soul, united
in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith
and charity am, &c, &C MELBOURNE"