The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-21

among the various churches of the Congre-
gational order, and the consideration OF
subjects of vital interest to the spiritual
life in the different lands from which the
delegates will come. The council VIII be
composed of one hundred delegates from
England, one hundred from the United
States, and one hundred from the rest of
the world. | am not aware that any over
lures to other bodies are contemplated by
the committee who have the management
of this council, but l think it altogether
probable that some strong deliver
ance will be issued concerning the union of
christendom. The religious conditions In
this country which will be considered will
be the methods of ministerial education,
ecclesiastical procedure and missionary
work. 1t is to be that this
gathering is simply in the nature of a con-
ference. and that it has no authority what
ever. 1t will have influence so far as its
deliberations commend themselves to tho
churches which are represented in it,
The paper Dr.. Bradford has consented to
read will show that do%ctrinal tests are not
required by most of the Protestans churches
as the Presbyterian, Baptist and Metho-
dist. Although required in the past by
Congregational churches. they are now
largely dispensed with. them majority of the
churches receiving persons to their mem
bership on credible evidence of the Chris
tian life. Many still use extended con-
f~essions of faith as conditions of entrance.
Others use the Apostles creed. And a still
larger number receive members by Wnab ls
known as covenant.
After this examination of facts it will be
the speakers aim to show that as church
membership is the external and formal ex-
preston of a spiritual fact, all that can
properly be required of those uniting with
Congregational churches is crediole cyl
dence of the possession of that life. He
will attempt to show that any different con-
dition is contrary both to the letter and the
spirit of Scripture" that it tends to retard
spiritual growth by binding thought to
forms which are true in one age but not in
another; that in many cases it tends to
intellectual dishonesty, and that it also
spiritual in the Christian life.
He will claim that if q man is a child of
God he has a right to a place in the visible
church of God, and that anxiety ought to
be concerning the possession of the spirit
ual life rather than for doctrinal uniformi-
ty among the membership of the churches.
The Rev. Henry A. Gtimson. pastor of one
of the largest of the Congregational
CHI riches in st. Louis, Mo-, writes me: 1.-The
origin of the council is so far exigent, az
there is q growing feeling in our body of
the need of a wider mutual acquaintance
and a closer union. Wehave no ecclesiasti-
cal standing bodies or courts, therefore
l UlSIO Va IN Ia W. NJ AioAA VAN
council to the denomination. What may
be made TO other bodies of christians I can.
not anticipate, as it will probably turn up
ON such as may be received from them
Anything that can be said or lone to bring
about q closer fellowship, shall surely bt
done, as we nave no theory of the churc f
or fxed formula of faith that would stant
in the way of the widest and promptest fel
lowshiEs with any who love the Lord Jesu
Christ. Religious conditions in this coun.
try will be likely to attract much attention
because of the number and Importance o.
our churches and the large relation t.
foreign missions. The foreign missionar,
question is likely to be one of the most i'm
portant and most keeuly interesting of an,
before the council.
My aper upon the claims which tn
churches in the newer lands have upon tn
interest and aid of the older churches will
aim to show the validity of those claim
because of the oneness Of our common lf
and the positive contributions which tn
colonial churches are making to the com
mon faith. The stream of life that ha
gone ont from the old heath has not onl
retained it's pristine vigor and been true t
its heritage, but it has, while widely spread
ing the family name, made many an
valuable contributions to the Christia
inheritance. The early interest of thes
younger churches in the work of mission
both home and foreign, and thei
distinguished success in their depart
ment of Christian activity, their grea