The record-union., 1894-05-19
In RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligious Newspapers
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed In the Sectariau Press
some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

Speaking of the impending disestab-
lishment of the English Church, the LfU-
ing Charch (P. E.) Church of Chicago
says: ut is Of the first Importance that
she should enter upon the new era with a
proper organization directed by compe-
tent men fully alive to the mission and
needs of church no longer involved in
intricate relations with Government
which has no sympathy with her char
acter and claims. The discussion about
funds and endowments usurps far too
much of the public attention. There are
far more serious matters to be consid-
cred. To take only one of these: it is
well-known that the bishops are, to all
intents and purposes, appointed by the
Prime Minister for the time being. This
is called nomination, but the cathedral
chapters are subject to dire penalties if
they reject the nominee of the crown.
The effect of succession of appoint
ments made upon an underlying policy
of undermining all that is definite and
distinctive i'll the character OF the church
may be at least dimly conjectured. \ ct
this is no wild Imagination. 1t is per-
tectly possible under radical Govern
menJ with an agnostic Prime Minister.
1t is condition parallel to that under
which a Mohammedan Sultan appoints
the chief prelates of the orthodox Eastern
Church. With possibilities like this it
seems strange that church leaders in
England are not busying themselves
about a policy of emancipation. The
church might well bear the exclusion OF
the bishops from the House of Lords in
return for a larger measure OF Self-gov-
ernment. Why should she allow legis-
lation vitally affecting her deepest in
terests to be invariably initiated by her
enemleS?"
The New York Christian IatetLigencer
(Ref.) in speaking of the plan of fedora
ton adopted by the committees OF the
Reformed and Presbyterian Churches at
their recent meeting at Philadelphia,
says: 1T is of special interest to the two
reformed Churches, since the plan will
be recognized as practically the one inau-
gurated so auspiciously by them, and
which, while approved by the Reformed
Church in the United States and by the
majority of our own church, failed of
final ratification from causes which it
would be profitless to recall. AS firm
believer in the policy of federation and
an advocate of the proposed basis of
union, the IntetIage9eceY halls with satis-
faction this broader proposition. 1t be-
lieves such a federation of Reformed
Churches holding the Presbyterian sys-
tenn possible and desirable. Ii consum
mated it would go far to heal some of
the divisions of Christ's Church and
prepare the way for a still closer and
more organic union. 1t would be step
in the right direction, and if inaugurated
and found to work we'll would establish,
what many firmly believe, that the feder
ative principle is as true basis of union
among churches as States. Proven TO
work successfully in one case the ex-
ample would influence others, and
churches of similar faith and polity
would be grouped in federations, gradu-
ally enlarging in their comprehensive
ness until the divisions of Christendom
would be reduced to the few resting on
irreconcilable antagonisms."
itIha nlan of federation adnntad hv