New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-11
METHODISM AND CHRISTIAN UNITY.

On Friday the subject of Christian unity was
discussed by the Ecumencal Methodist Con-
ference; but while the discussion was both able
and interesting we fear that it will have little
practical result, or, rather, we are quite sure
that il will have no practical result. OF course
the obvious things were said about the
dosrability of unity, though it is evident that
many Methodists believe that denominationallsm
is entirely compatible with essential unity. But
none of the speakers, so far as their utterances
have been reported, gave any indication that
they felt more than an academic interest in the
matter. As an interesting moot question, about
which good men entertain different views, of
course, it ought always to have place in the
list of questions that should be occasionally dis
cussed But beyond that Christian men need
concern themselves no further. The subject
of Christian unity is with most Meth0dists quite
as far removed from the domain of things prac-
teal as were the dreary discussions about the
beast of the Apocalypse which used to figure
so largely in the life of the Church.
1t may be thought BY some that we are
putting the case too strongly, but the facts Gear
us out The existence of this Ecumenical Con-
ference is itself witness to the fact that or
ganic Christian unity is not practical question
in Methodism. Its delegates come from all
branches Of Methodism, but they are self-sent
they are merely unofficial individuals. They
do not bear any commission from the churches
of which they are members much less are they
intrlsted with any instructions in regard to
unity. The Conference meets because no Meth
odist unity is possible, and when some speakers
the other day referred to such unity they were
at once reminded OF the almost insuperabe OBJ
staces that stand in the way. These obstacles
are so generally recognized that one may read
Methodist papers for years without seeing any
reference to the subject. When the sister
branches of the same great body, holding tho
same Creed and working in the main on the
same general lines, find it thus impossible to
come together as one organization the hope
lessness of any universal Christian unity be-
comes apparent.
And this hopelessness is still more strillingly
brought out in the field of missions, where the
enormous waste Of money and energy due 30
the rival missionary operations of the various
denominations is just now matter of current
discussion. There, if anywhere, some practical
plan of cooperation, especially among denom-
nations with the same Greed, might be looked
for, but it is not found, and there is not the
slightest prospect that it ever will be found.
The great family of Methodist churches which
are testifying to their oneness of feeling by
holding an Ecumenical Conference are yet not
sufficiently one to prosecute their foreign mis-
sionary work under one organization whose
aim would be, not to convert the people into
Methodists Of any particular stripe, but only to
make them Christians. Such great and noble
conception of Christianity is too recondite for
the average church member. He would not
give his money for the support of missions I'M
less he was assured that the result would re-
dound to the glory of his own denomination.
He doesn't want cooperation; what he does
want and what he is willing to pay for is secta-
rian preaching such as he hears in his home
church, which will produce sectarian converts,
if, indeed, it will produce anything at all. That
under these circumstances Christian missions are
not as successful as they should be- in view OF
the strength of the Church, is not at all strange