, 1875-09-09

Tho recent Conference ut Bonn between
the theologians Of the German Old Catholic,
tho Crock, and Anglican aocts, to take into
consideration tho differences between them
and ascertain how far they arc, in harmony
with onoh othor, seoms to l1avo been satisfac-
tory to all concerned, but moro especially to
Dr.. DoL11Nann, the originator Of tho Confer
euce, who Expressed Lis satisfaction ct Ian
quot which followed tho close of tho meeting.
The most important dog1na which has hore-
toforo boon tho barrior between these scots
WAS that of "1,ho Double Procession Of tho
Holy Ghost, aud this question was tho prin-
cipal themo Of discussion. Tho question
is not now one. It involves tho
very quintcaaenco Of dogma, and it
has been argued from tinio inamomorial,
and will probably continuo; to be argued
to all timo, since it Gun mover ,be sottlod, ba-
ing purely lnattor of assumption and not
capable OF proof. The NIcono Croed 1rst
enunciatod that tho Holy Ghost "proceedeth
from the Father" anu somo centuries aftor-
ward the Churcl. Of Spain added tho words
"and tho Son." to give tho Son equal promi-
nence with tho Father. Though the Popo at
first resisted, OnAR1E,tAoxE urged the inter-
polatlon upon tho Western Churches, and q
subsequent Popo confirmed tho Interpolation
end incorporated 1t into tho creed, and, after
the Reformation, tho Reformed Western
Churches used 1t aud still continue to. Tho
two great questions panding between tho
Eastern and Western Churches, therefore,
arc, first, tho truth Ut falaity Of this doc
trino'; and second, tho oifense Of recogniz-
ing an addition to m ecainenical creed
which was lnade without authority, oven 3D.
Iittiug ita truth.
The Confarenco which, discussed this ques-
ton waa composed Of representatives OF tho
Oriental Church, including tho Russian,
Crock, and Armenian Churches; the Latin
Churches, embracing those who by not nd
herring to tho Vatican lacrees hare placed
Themselves outside tho palo Of tho Church
md are known as Old Catholics; and the no-
formed Churches Of the Anglican Commuu-
ion, including sachmo rs tho Lord Bishopof
Gibraltar, Dr. IIowsoH, Dean Of CAoater;
Canon L1npoa, Of st. pauls; preboudary
ME4AlcE, Secretary and founder Of tho An
glo-C Continental Society; Irebondary Bull
Lock, Secretary Of tho Society for The Propa-
gation of tho Gospel; tho Rev. llA1co1u
MAcOA11., tho REV. +. s. MAT, tho Rev. G.
E. DaoADE, English Chaplain at Dusseldorf /;
tho Rev. L. n, 1Ioau lot tho Engliah
church,; the Rev. Lord PIuskEr7,
and Master DpooxE tot tho Irish
Church,; md the Rev. Drs. I4AsaDoA,
aud NEy1N; the Hey. J. B. 11oaaAa, Rector
Of tho American Church In Paris aud tho
ley. Drs. Porter and PERRx, Secretaries
respectively Of the House Of Bishops and the
House Of Deputies, mud the former Rector OF
Grace Church, New York (of the American
Episcopal Church, in all including about
20 Orientals, 8 Old Catholics, 70 Angllcans,
and 20 lookers-on. These theologtans, after
several days Of discussion, which was very
hearty and enthusiastic, 1t last arrived at an
agreement. Their Committee reported as
/ followR.
l. We asrco In Accepting the symbols and decisions
In matters Qt faith u III od Val4'sasa Church.