The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-26
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re-
liglOus Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the SecCarIan Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

''Division is not life. but DEATH" says
the New York ChurchnlGR (P. E..
Hence the widespread craving for unity.
Now the testimony of history teaches
that unity has been, and can only be-.
maintained by the maintenance of a
church organization working under the
guidance of single undivided authority.
This authority has, from the beginning,
been lodged with the episcopate. Put
ting aside every other consideration ex-
cepting those of practical politics, we
venture TO ask, what institution can be
suggested as more likely to serve the pur-
pose of a conciliating bond? Ii the episco-
pate is not of a divine origin, if it is not
an institution of the apostolic church,
even if it be an imprRcticable constituent
OF church unity at present, what alterna-
tive Is proposed to its acceptance and re-
Mobilization in the whole Christian COM
munlty? This question may have been
asked before. " 9 are quite sure that IL
has never received an adequate reply.
Church unity demands. before every
thing else, center OF authority in the
church. 10 the modern Roman Church,
the center OF authority, or rather the sole
authority, is the Pope; to the church of
Catholic antiquity 1t was the solidarity of
the whole eplscopate; to the reformed
seots of the present time there is no CEN
tral authority, with the result OF dis
union which is The scandal of modern
Christianity.''
The New York Evangelist (Pres.),
speaking of the negotiations looking to
the organic unity OF the churches and of
the position OF the Pres byterian Church
in 4 ,tc of
the evangelical churches will generally
take the ground that self-respect could
not permit the Presbyterian Church TO
occupy any other or lower position, and
that in this it is their representative as
well. And the Episcopal Convention has
now IN lis hands a grand opportunity.
If it can on this matter see eye to eye with
the Presbyterian Assembly, il W i'll give
great impulse TO true church unity.
With mutual recognition and reciprocity,
their commission and our committee can
continue 10 confer on the differences that
exist while the churches cooperate as
agreed upon, and prepare for eventual
corporate unity. Aud why moi? Pres
byLeTIans generally 90 not cOncode that
prelate ordination is the regular Script
uTal Apostolic ordination, but they ac-
cept It's validity; why should not Eplsco-
paiians, who deny that Presbyterial or
dination is the regular ScriDtural one, in
the same spirit concede its validity? II
this cannot be done. and if the negotia-
tions between the churches cease, we
think the general opinion viii be that the
responsibility will rest, not upon our
General Assembly, but upon the EpiScO-
pal General Convention. We terYenuy
pray that that body may not be willing
TO assume q responsibility SO heavy and
so disastrous to the cause of church
unity"
''The New York Churcbman is pro-
voked," exclaims the Christian Register
(Unit.) OF Boston. at Is not a dissenter
which has provoked it, but one Of its own
household OF faith. 1t is very 'provok-
ing 1t says, in a somewhat petulanG
mood, that Canon Freemantle at The
GrindelWald conference should have ex-
pressed an opinion IN favor OF an ex-
change Of pulpiIs between Episcopalians
and minister's of other denominations.
Thereupon IL reads to the Canon a lecture
on the historic eplscopate, which, SO far
as Canon tTeemantIe is concerned, is all
thrown away. he is not likely 10 give
up his large view OF the apostolic success
sion for tie small one which the Cttgrct-
91dl represents. The attitude of the
C6UrchmdU on this matter illustrates the
evils OF the doctrine 1t defends. \ pre-
latical error, al aTlstocratic claim TO a
patent right on ministerial ordination, is
used as barrier 10 CHRISTIAN fellowship.
We do not believe that there is any great
desire on the part OF ministers OF other
denominations 10 preach in Episcopa-
liam pulpits certainly not unless Episco-
palians would like 10 have them, as I'M
doubtedly a good many would. What
they protest againstis having spurious
claim set up. as if 1t were an essential
element OF Christianity, when, in fact
like the close communion of the Baptists
another barrier 10 Christian fellowship
lit has nothing TO do with the Golden
Rule, the Sermon on the Mount, or the
Eleventh Commandment, and, if judged
by these, would be set aside "a a sur