The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-03
UNION OF SECTs.
DIR. Smith Thinks - Federation OF tho
Churches Is Coming.

BALTIMORE, June 2.-The Rev. DR.. Joseph T.
Smith OF the Central Presbyterian Church has
submitted to his congregation report OF the
Assembly on revision. and also on church
unity. OF the latter committee DR.. Smith was
a member. He referred to the fact that COM
munication had been received from the Protos-
tant Episcopal General Convention asking
whether there was any possibility of unity in
the essentials OF religion whio not discussing
non essentials. I'VE found that We are agreed
that the great end to DO reached is union OF
the Christian churches in brothcrly COM
pact. We found that tho PRESBYTERIAN
and Episcopal Churches were as one in their
position in regard to the Holy Scriptures. the
Nlceno creed. and the two sacramcnts OF hap
tism and tho Lords supper. We found agree
ment on the doctrines OF symbols, and that the
Episcopal thirty-nino articles agreed with our
thirty-three articles of the Confession oil Faith.
We found that as to tho episcopacy, they refer
II. not to doctrine. but TO history. In every
church what is not placed as dortrine is re-
lcrred to history. BOTH denominations con
slider the epscopacy II matter of discipline only.
and therefore 1t is an CTen one which does not
stand in the way OF church unity
ticles OF the Episcopal hurch are as though
the same systoms wore placed Taco to face in Il
glass: they are tho sainC in prlnclplc. Other
matters have since crept INTO tho EPISCOPAL
Church. but these are erNGrescehceS. We
know that Itnnnpr anu I ANN were one IN
faith ami order After 200 year. to-day we
hear "A brotherly voice saying: Why may we
not be brothers" and the General As "mblv
met 1t in the same spirit 30 ieol there IL
nothing that should Interfere with earnest,
practical unity
federation OF the churches. 1t Will come rs
sure as God Is one In this GOOD can ut uncU
10 accomplished. Tho General Assembly Inns
sanctioned it,. The dea l. that al churches
retaining their denominaional differences
shall lie united in a legislative federation. on
the same plan as the states are represented in
congress. This seems s'ined to decide how
individuals can he free and yet united. This
spirit of freedom is spreading over the world. 30
ntmirnbe IS 1t that we lind it has created the
'nited sta O. of Brazil and the spirit oil fed
erution has Just resulted in the gathering of
the Fan American republics into one great
Congress- This spirit is fast spreading to tho
churches and believe the proposed Congress
will bring about grand federation of all de-
nonina,ions. That will be the dawning Of the
day OF church unity; when there will be one Lord
and tho Papal and Episcopal. and other
churches. so different, and yet, after all, one.
will unite In Christ"
When the attention of Bishop Paret Of the
diocese OF MARYLAND was called to DR.. Smiths
statement. he said that union was not prob
allie in the near future. Much is yct to be eN
planned. In case OF a union. there would tie no
organic action on the part OF either. and that
tho two as organized bodies viii formally unite
is not probable. While an agreement had
been reached rs 20 those matters referred to
by Dr. smith. q divergence OF opinion existed
as to the historic episcoracy.