Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-03-27
A LEGAL OBSTACLE TO CHRIS.
TIAN UNION.

Gladden's "Christian League or Connecti-
cut" In the January Century, contains the
following surprising statement regarding
the attitude of the laws toward any plan
OF Christian Union:
The report Of the conversation, in DR..
Simpsons study furnished theme for
the next meeting of the club.
"Since our talk that morning." said
Dr. Sampson, al have taken pains to get
at q few of the facts about the small
towns in this county. Monroeville is the
type of class. There is Stapleton with
q population of eleven hundred, and with
four churches Scantico, with six hundred
people and three churches; Rowell with
nine hundred people and four churchs,
and so on. Eight towns in this county,
with an aggregate population of nine
thousand one hundred and thiity-four,
support thirty.seyen religious societies.
OF these fifteen are receiving more or
less aid from the various home mission
AIRY organizations"
Even when the societies are self-sup-
porting" said DR.. Phelps, "the support
is generally meager, the membership is
small, and the terms of the pastorates
are lamentably short"
1T is plain" said Mr.. Hartwell, "that
the churches in these small towns ought
to unite. What binders them -
First" answered the doctor, sis the
strength Of the sectarian prejudice, Al
ways more intense in the small places
than in the large ones. Then there Is q
sentiment much less reprehensible, the
attachment to the local organization,
around which may grateful memories
cling. The people do not like to give
up a church r.hich may have a noble his
tory, and which is sure to be the shrine
of sweet associations.
Certainly" said Mr.. Hartwell !;
",hose hindrances are obvious. They
may be called sentimental even so they
are not easily overcome. Are there any
other practical obstacles :"
sin most Of these towns" said Mr.
Peters, 1.-THE only way of uniting would
be to abandon the old organizations and
form a new one,-a union church like
ours at Cyprusville.
but do you know" Mr.. Franklin
broke in, that it is legally impossible
to do anything of the sort y
What do you mean," demanded
three or four voices.
Just what say. The union Of too
churches of different denominations is a
proceeding so rare that no provision for
it is made, so far as | can learn, in our
statutes, nor in those of any other state.
Secular corporations can be legally con-
solidated, but church corporations cannot
be. Christian union seems to be regard
ed by our Legislators as against public
policy. Churches have sometimes been
brought together, but the act was unwar-
ranted by law. Any troublesome MEM
Der of either church could have procured
an order from the courts tearing them
apart again"
Then" said Mr.. Strong, ii. is high
time that we had an act before the Leg
islature, enabling churches to obey the
Christian law. | hope that unanimous
consent will be given to the appointment
by this club, of Mr.. Franklin as our
agent. to secure the passage Of such a
law at this session."
Consent was readily given. Concern
ing the work Of Mr.. Franklin in the loo
BY of the Connecticut Legi Stature the
historian of the club is not fully inform
ed but the facts to be recorded below
indicate that he must have been success
full.