The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-22
Tho Church Union That Is Needed.

The subject Of Church union is now under
more than usually active discussion among
Protestant theologl ans and religious writer's.
But Tho unity talked Of concerns only the
Prote slant Churches The Roman Catholic
Church Ia left out Of consideration altogether.
Such Protestant union Is looked upon by
Prof BRIdGs. tho Presbyterian prophet, as
"ono OF the chief problems Of our tines"
President McCosH Of Princeton the Prcsby-
terrain sage secs "no prospect OF a union OF
tho various Churches at the present time"
but he Is hopeful OF their federation
rs possible first stop toward or
Yanio unity. Tho Churchmdn, speaking
1or tho Episcopalians from whom the over
lures for union have come. Is Of different
mind. 1t regards federation as substitute
of no substantial value, for 1t would leave
tho divisions as they are and would not In
crease their sentimental harmony. Organic
unity is what 1t Graves and expects.
The obstacle to such unity ia not differ
once Of opinion as to the fundamental doc
trlncs OF Christianity All the orthodox
Protestant Churches are In agreement as to
tho Trinity, the Atonement, and saliva
ton by faith. Tho Thirty-nino Arti-
cles OF the Anglican Church and the
Westminster Confession, which forms
the basis OF the faith OF Baptists and Con-
gregationallsts no less than OF Presby-
terians, are both Calvlntstio In tone. The
articles OF religion drawn up by WESLEY
differ from CAlvinism only In substituting
free grace for special election. and falling
from grace for the perseverance OF the
saints," and laying stress on what
they call Christian perfection. But the
Presbyterlans arc now disposed to bring
the Westminster Confession into gen.
eral agreement with their views. The
Baptists stand more by themselves, because
OF their rejection OF infant baptism and con-
tcntlon that the rite Of baptism must be
confined to the converted on their personal |
confession Of faith. In other respects they |
are strict Calvinlsts, and In Church govern
ment they are extreme Congregationallsts.
1t is this matter of Church government |
which constitutes the great obstacle to
Church union. The Episcopallans insist on
the Historical episcopate" as a prime es-
sental; and necessarily so. They would be
giving up their whole ecclesiastical or
ganzatiOn II they did otherwise and
they contend that under 1t the rights
OF presbyters and congregations are
fully recognized and protected. The epis-
copate works we'll with them. and they hold
It to be the Divine order, and consequently
OF equal adaptation to all bodies OF Chris
tians, and equally binding on all. They will
not sacrifice 1t even to bring about Christian
union, for In their view there can be no true
union without 1t.
Thus projects for unity are always brought
up standing. They are dashed to pieces
against the rock of Church organization.
But how great an abuse OF the term it Is to
speak OF Christian union in fulflment OF the
prayer OF JESUS when 1t is proposed
to exclude from the union the vast
majority of Christians. There can be
no real unity until they all come
Catholics and Professionals, as
one great family and brotherhood OF faith.
The union OF the Professionals will be only an
alliance against the Church Of Rome, and
the religious war will rage as ilercely as
ever. Meantime infidcllty will have the
advantage OF making it's battle against
divided force though mover before since the
dawn of Christianity was there SO much
need for all the champions Of faith to rally
around a common flag.
The Church stands to-day face to face with |
the most dangerous foe 1t has ever encoun-
tered. and it needs all its strength for that
contest. 1t cannot afford to waste ammunl-
ton In Intestine warfare.