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

MONS and constitutional rules. / eX-
,-....j NV consent 10 the four pTOpO-
.,i,r. al the House of Bishops as soon
sn,rtrtr publication as practicable.
and have maintained that position
with Increasing earnestneSs and deter
minati1u. At the same time il is Deces-
-4ry for us TO consider that Presbyte
ran, may rightly take a different view
Dfhe fourth term Of the House of Bish
OPS from that which is natural to Epis-
r.ualaus. Those Presbyterians who
ara ready TO accept the Historic
Fpscopate approach it from the
point Of view of Presbytery. They
are willing to add the Episcopate TO
presbytery; but they think that Pres
bytery Is of such historic importance
that they are not willing to abandon II
even for the Historic EpiscOpate. The
Historic Episcopate represents the ex-
ecuiive function Of the Christian min
I.trv. But PTCsbyteTy represents the
legislative function. Ii the Episcopal
.hurches sre rich in one function. the
prs-byteriqn churches are rich IN the
other. Why not combine the two, and
Iet the reunited church enter into the
ID
ir Presbyterian who has church
unity az heart 10 look for federation as
the bond Of union as IL is for an Epis-
c0uh8n 10 look for the solution in the
Historic EpiscOpate. / wish TO show
chat the two movements are not incon
,steut. but may 20 ON in harmony,
working 10 the same end.
Certain plans of federation have been
proposed that do not, 10 my Judgment,
tend To church unity. The federation
of ministers of various denominations
pa our cities for comprehensive evan
gciz ition may Ice a good thing. But
whether good " bad-aUd there are
different opinions about it-this would
be only temporary and provisional
union Tor "a specific purpose. Ii might
bring ministers and people into closer
relations. aud 50 indirectly advance
the cause of Christian unity. But if
this method Of federation were carried
out so as 10 enlist the cooperation Of
every minister in the metropolis it
would not be Chucch unity, II would
ua. even be single step in that direc-
ton. Some fear that 1t might hinder
Church unity by calling attention to a
temporary eXIedient, and eDllsling ear
nest men M a superficial union and so
di.tracung them. and hindering them
from the systematic ana solid advance
towards Church Unity itself. 1t
would be unwise for the friends Of
church unity TO throw any obstacles in
the way Of such movements in the IN
tent Cf the communion Of Christians
and their cooperation in Christian
work. But il is necessary that all such
movements shall be carefully distin-
guished from the direct movement to-
ward Church unity.
The federation Of churches, towards
which many Presby terians are looking
in the interest of Church unity, is not a
federation of ministers 10 city. State
or nation. but the federation of denOm-
nations in a general council composed
Of official reptesentives Of the denomi-
nations. The Anglican churches
throughout the world have been repre-
scented several times in a general con-
ference. Tue last of these was the
Lambeth conference which adopted the
four propositions for Church uuity. The
Presbyterian and Reformed Churches
throughout the world have had several
meetings i'm General Conference. The
last meeting was in London; the next
meeting Will be in Toronto. The Con-
gregatiOnal Churches are soon TO meet
in General Conference. The Methodist
Churches have already met 1t is prob
able that the Lutherans will soon make
a similar movement. Why may not
these General Conferences select repre-
sentatlves 10 meet IN a more general
conference; II these other General
Conferences should accept the four
propositions OF the Lambeth Con-
ference; or, If accepting them
they should make them some ad-
diuonal proposals; if the Presbyte-
nan General Conference should propose
% accept the Historic EpiscOpate, pro-
vided that a Presbyterial organization
of the Church should also be adopted
aud the two systems brought into har-
mOny: and II the Congregational Gen
eral Conference should propose TO &C.
cept the Historic EplscOpate, provided
that the rights of the Christian people
and the independence Of the local church
were guarded within certain definite
areas-what reasonable objection could
there be 10 a general conference repre-
sentiDg all these general conferences,
that should bring all these questions to
"a final issuey No one proposes that the
Anglican Church should absorb all the
others. 4 reunion is proposed Of or
gauized bodies calling themselves
Christian churches. Organic unity, or
Church unity. can only result from the
consolidation Of these organizations.
Representatives Of the several de-
nominations meeting in such general
conference would not compromise
themselves az TO any matter Of dispute
between them. The Alliance OF Re.
formed Churches. holding the Presby-
terrain system has already overcome
this difficulty. Ia the General COun-
ellis Of this Alliance are representatives
of a large humber Of Independent Ia
tiOnal churches. dissenting churches,
ard churches with different creeds and
different forms Of government and
worship. They meet on the common
platform Of the Consensus of the Re-
formed churches This Consensus has
never been defined. There is no power
OF dOctrinal definition. ecclesiastical dc.
cision or discipline in the council; and
yet II gives expression TO the unity of
the Reformed Churches. According to
PTesbyteriaDs views such federation
Of churches is Church Unity. The prac.
ticals results OF tins council thus far
have been the consolidation of missions
through the union of missionaries re-
presenting all the varieties Of Presby.
terianism in National Churches in sew
eral heather lands; and the effort to
frame Consensus Greed. Ii has been
proposed 10 constitute an American
council OF the Presbyterian and Re-
formed Churches.
With these examples Of Federation
aud with the Presbyterian habit OF
thinking OF Church organization in the
form Of presbyteries and synods, as