New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-04
IDEAS OF CHRISTIAN UNITY
PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW BROTHERHOOD.
DIR. DIX. OF TRINITY CHURCH. SPEAKS FREELY
ALUTHERAN PASTOR OUTLINES HIS VIEWS.

the country. PROFESSOR Theodore r. SeWlIn VI
No. 10 Park Place its originator, received letter from
a returned missionary from Japan. who says "Thc
principle underlying the brotherhood IS. 10 my MIND
the first question Of kind. the hope Of the Church
and the need OF the world Professor seward
spent a recent sunday in New-IIavcn speaking upon
his favorite theme and on the following day n" hau
nearly the whole hour the minister's meeting IL
that city. The definite points aimed at BY the broh"r
hood are thus stated by Professor Seward: Oh Lead
Christians TO rcconsecrate themselves practically 10
the service OF Christ: l2) lead the pracucai
Christians outside OF the churches TO confess 'nri''
through the pledge; (3) change competitive ehorl 10
cooperative effort a. reduce the number OF cnWcheS
In frontier towns 90 reform the method OF schuhs
the Gospel In heather lands
a in Trinity Church the Kew Dr'
Morgan Dix reviewed the meeting OF the Eai'l'"ore
Convention Concerning the christian IhiN ui'
customs he said "The proposal TO amehu 'ne oo,i-
constitution OF the Church in the interests OF wha' Is
popularity called Christian Unity is one which must
necc sartly awaken grave msgvines cannot SEE
how the measures suggested II carried into operation
could make for Catholic unity; rather as II seems
10 me- they would but add to the present confusion
nav, they would Introduce into the church an ele-
ment potent for evil 10 our own h0nsehoid OF Iai'h'
IT IS therefore a OF gratitude that no progress
whatever was made in the development OF The pam
and that whenever II came 10 the test OF vote. mat
vote showed unwlllingness 10 move upon the path
pointed out"
Dr. Dix gave a brief resume of the progress OF the
modern movement during the last few years, ofgnat-
ing four years ago with the Chicago Lambeth prcpo-
sitions adopted by The bishops Of the Anglican com
munon and published TO the world. lie snd UNIT
the proposal Of the bishops had met with no p"c-
teal response In his opinion it would he the p'rt
Of both dignity and prudence "to wait for some m0oh
toua,d us who had mlde such Immense concessions
Tho four points proposed by the bishops as basis
OF reunion were
First the Word of Col as Holy Scriptures secondly,
the Apostles and Nicene Creeds thirdly the sacrl-
uents OF baptism and Lords supper; fouithiy' Inc
the historic epscopate.
no PLACE FOR "IiYBRID CONGREGATIONS"
Reference was made to the new propositions allow
Ing the bishops anywhere TO take under their urslc-
ton separate congregations where the conditions Just
named were fulfilled. "IIybild congrega'ion'.' the
preacher called tlen and intmated that at the last
convention men, land / refer now,' he ADDED 10
Young and corners TO that council, who are AT
this time under kind OF craze on the subject OF
Christian unity 1t Is not sober thought. but fervi
and enhusia tic feeling winch appears 10 sway hon'
His conclusion this
We OuCht to stand firmly on our own basis,
on our own principles. and In our right. There Is
no good reason why bishops should have luris-
diction over any congregations aggreeations OF
people who are not in and OF this church. such
bodies have a right exist; and friendly relations
might he established with them, and communion In
holy things might be maintained but 10 bring them
into organic and formal relation to us Is another
thing. some way may be found, under the guidance
of the1ord, by which We and the bodies AROUND u.s.
be they small great, may be drawn near "a cach
other, and led to dwell together in unity; but II
they want a place in the heart and bosom OF the
family they must be ready for adoption, and willing
10 accent and use the speech the manners, the
habits OF the family; those principles In which we
have been trained and which dinerentiate between
historic branch of the Catholic tree and Wild exolcs
growing beyond the reach OF It's VIDE spreading
boughs. The domination Of "lberal"-ie., anti
dogmatic and unchurchly-policy among us could
have but one result TO widen the area OF existing
differences and to eliminate this church as factor
In the reunion Of Chrisendom."
NOT WILLING TO JOIN IN UNION SERVICE.
A few weeks ago the pastors of large district In
this city decided to hold Union Thanksgiving
service, and circular letter was sent to every
Protestant pastor in the field. large number
responded aiirmauvely. and at the meeting repre-
sentatves Of the Methodist. Presbyterian, Moravan,
Reformed and Undenomlnational churches took part
I'm the service. Some Of the cergymen invited were
unable be present, but only one discordant note
sounded. This came In a letter from Lutheran
pas.cr, who said among other things:
AS you no doubt are aware have never taken
part In any service Of the kind shall be able TO
.ake part Thu year most sincerely regret that sucn
Is the but the reasons that deter me from sc
participation You WIN BE- best abb TO- appreciate 81
me able obstacles any participation In an
interdenoninatonal service | cordially and Ieryrn,-
Iy hope that the day may come when all Ir1t-
estant Christians will cooperate with one accord IN
earnest endeavor Of every Christian TO keep tie unity
Of the Spirit In the bond OF peace. furthermore
believe and rejoice IN bte;ns tna the communion
form Of belief but that the Lord has HIS in every
church and Hen aCa dni t9e f one true
invisible church OF Christ: - Ia,
However, l do not and cannot therefore. set aside
the separating barriers OF distinctive doctrine and
confessions SO far as the outward and visible church
am of the conviction that these distinctive docines
are not 'non-essontials,' and while Individual Chrs
tisns IN different denomiIaons may De one IN nenr
nations as such cannot demonstrate this oneness by
IN i'm tSer bsef hold these differences to be 50
closely interviewer with the fundamentals OF Christian
belief to be the purest form Of truth TO compromise
lis position would be denial of the truth and a.
Consider It to be II Joined In public union
vice with Other % fG 6e sSs oy SO
that what separates us Is OF little moment
CONSISTENT TO THE END.
.These differences being in the sphere Of our APP
precioton and acceptance OF divine truth, IL would
seem TO me that must do or the other-either
consistently hold fast that which hold TO be OF
sufficient importance to separate " from o'hrr UNITS
tians or if the separating views be nonesschthl give
I'M viat am altogether In short. think that the
present position OF The greater number OF Protestant
denominations Is an Illogical one Ether there Is
ON for their continued separate existence. then
their position should BE- clarably but consistently
maintained, there IS no reason or Sucn sepaae
and should be at once discontinued.
"Furthcr, hold that 80 long as me attitude OF
Protestant denominations toward one another Is such a.
We find il to be- the object lesson given to the world
by an occasional union service IS OF questionable
value. so long as one Chri stan denomination WIZ
consider The members and aderenis OF another l.gt'
mate field for its missionary efforts so long as rom
wears beginning TO years end justice and courtesy
toward sister church persistently dSregardea so
long az Christian churches not suiclenty scrup
ious 10 keep their hands of those which belong 10
their sister churches union service, so far from
beinC "a delightful exhibition OF Christian fc iowsmp
will N, but a sorrowful exhibition OF nsncerltN, ana
SO far as their effect upon the world Is concerned
farce Before attempting to make a show OF union
which foes exist LEI us learn to b. JUST 10 one