The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-29

semblies and councils, it is inevitabl
that these churches should look 70
church unity through the principle o
J, Federation.
10 Is within the range of probabilitie
that such American Federation Of de
nominations in a General Conference
will take place in a few years. Tn,
peril of the situation at present is les
any of the great historic churche
should be lett out Of this Federation
through not understanding it, or from
misaprehensions respecting it.
There are doubtless some who will
aim at Federation 10 the exclusion OF
the Historic Episcopate. There are
others who will aim at the Historic
Episcopate and oppose Federation in It's
interest. The pathway to success is in
a combination Of the two movements
The genius of the Episcopal Churches
urges them to the Historic Episcopate
and makes them careless of. or suspi
/ cioGs of, Federation and its principle of
/ representation. The genius of the Pres
byterian and Reformed Churches urges
them TO Federation 10 the neglect of
the Historic Episcopate. Let us try to
look at matters on both sides, and so ad
vance to the common goal of Church
Unity with the disposition of giving
and receiving. EpiscOpacy and Presby-
terry, TO my mind, are not incompatible
bat Complementary and so Federation
IN a higher PTesbytery will not at all
interfere with the Historic Episcopate.
Ii Episcopalians will accept Federation
If will oroatl,- advapeo the coroa n 4
Church Unity.
can readily see the objections that
spring inlo the mind Of an Episcopaliap
when Federation is presented 10 him. /
simply say TO him what | say to my
Presbyterian friends in defending the
Historic Episcopate. There are many
forms of Federation, there are many
theories about it. All that we propose
is the institution itself, and we are will
ling TO adapt 1t so as TO remove all rea-
sonable objections.
If we could have a General Council
Of the Christian Churches Of America
on the basis of the four propositions OF
the House of Bishops, with any reason
able additions of notifications that
might be proposed, Church Unity.
Nouius III NY OIihiOhs tooFhbAdiS Dt
won.
have no anxiety about the Historic
Episcopate. The difficulties felt in
most minds are due to. misrepresenta
tions and misunderstanding, owing to
old controversies and discussions. So
soon as it becomes clear to the average
Presbyterin mind that the Historic
EpiscOpate, in the fourth proposition of
bishops, is not involved with any theory
Of its origin or of its meaning, and
that u may be so adapted as not to be in
consistent with Presbytery, and that
the delicate questions of Presby terial or
dination and ministerial recognition are
waived. and are not in some mysterious
way buried in the term. ready to spring
out at us as soon as serious negotiations
begin; so soon as the fOgs and clouds
are driven away from our religious at
mOsphere; it Is my opinion that the
Historic Episcopate will receive the
cordial and general acceptance of the
Christian ministers and people Of our
land. Let us be frank and sincere.
self-sacrificing and loving; and then
unity and harmony are as sure as the
sun rising.-Prof. Charles A. Briggs,
ID. D., in the Churchman.